Ilex's Profile

I'm a horticultural writer, plant-breeder & collector, nurseryman, garden designer & general plant obsessive... I also devote much time to managing a 5 acre naturalistic/wild woodland and water garden set in a river valley in deepest North Devon, which I designed and started planting up around 10 years ago.

The garden is home to a collection of 1500-or-so species and varieties of rare trees and shrubs along with many woodland perennials and bulbs. Bordered by woodlands, ancient hedgerows and a river, we also share our space with a huge array of invertebrates and an equally diverse collection of birds & wild-flowers.