Brad Guin has transformed his bare Brighton plot into a LEAFY PARADISE with towering leaves and rich wood tones
BEFORE
This stunning garden in sunny Brighton was inspired by a seaside childhood spent on slightly more distant shores. Hailing from Florida with its palm-lined streets, timber boardwalks and sandy beaches, marketing professional Brad Guin has brought his very own slice of the sunshine state to East Sussex. “I holidayed in Brighton when I was 18, and never left!” he says. “What stands out in my childhood memories of Florida are the palm trees dotted everywhere, and those wooden boardwalks that heat up in the sun and give off a comforting scent. I wanted to recreate that tropical vibe here in my little Brighton plot.”
Looking at the giant fronds, warm wood and abundance of greenery in the garden Brad shares with his wife Emer and their two children, the Floridian connection is clear to see. And, as you’d imagine, this paradise was created by someone with a lifelong love of plants… minus the experience you’d expect!
It wasn’t until lockdown that novice gardener Brad really committed to the transformation, leading to what he jokingly describes as his ‘geeky obsession’. “It became my lockdown fixation!” he laughs. “I’d spend hours online researching rare varieties of tropical plants and watching collectors’ YouTube videos. It was my outlet, and led to me spending all the money we were saving on not socialising!”
FALLING FOR FOLIAGE
When Brad and Emer moved to their Victorian terrace, their basic plot encompassed a dated patio, patch of grass and treacherous old steps, with the only saving grace being the original brickwork on the dividing walls. The couple planned a kitchen extension but, despite the fact that it would change the size and layout of the outdoor space as well as the house, Brad couldn’t wait to start work on the garden.
Starting with just a few tropical staples such as Fatsia polycarpa and ferns brought from their previous property, Brad began to indulge in his new-found passion for exotic plants, ordering everything from bamboo and bananas to hardy palms and scheffleras from specialist nurseries across the UK. There was only one snag – all the plants would need to be moved
