The head gardener of Waterperry Gardens reflects on a life rooted there, and the lasting influence of its founder, Beatrix Havergal My connection with Waterperry began early: I was born in Waterperry!

Jamie Butterworth is fast-emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting younger gardeners, cocreating the RHS Dog Garden with Monty Don OBE at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, running a successful plant nursery, writing two books and presenting on BBC Gardeners’ World – and he’s still only 30. Amateur Gardening’s Sue Bradley first interviewed Jamie as an aspiring 18-year-old and the two recently met up again at the Garden Media Guild Awards.

Cerney House Gardens are known for their soft, romantic summer style, but in spring it’s their playful side that’s on show as thousands of tulips contribute to an ever-changing display. Sultry purple

Purple punctuates the planting: here an acer, verbena and some pinky-purple crinum, or swamp lily, stand out

As the long nights shorten, Mounton House garden quietly emerges from winter with delicate sprinklings of white narcissi, Scilla siberica and crocuses through the lawns. Daphnes fill the air with frag

Spring is in the air already for Joe Swift , who says go wild and have some fun in your garden