We spoke with Richard Unsworth, Garden Life's founder, about his latest and third book, The Natural Gardener
1. Can you tell us what you hoped to cover in The Natural Gardener?
The book is about sharing my journey of a more naturalistic style of work with a wider audience, to encourage readers to explore how they can connect with the nature around them. Being immersed in nature is the best balm for our hearts, minds, and souls. It is a great healer and the benefits are obvious, certainly to me, and have been for many years. But I think it’s something that is greatly underrated by the wider society.
I wanted to document some of our work, to inspire others to start their own journey of discovery. It features 14 private gardens spanning coastal, mountain, and urban landscapes, and includes design plans, detailed plant lists, and a guide to natural gardening, rewilding, and bush regeneration.
2. Who is this book for?
It’s for all garden lovers, wherever they may be on their journey of learning—keen amateur or budding professional. The projects vary in terms of their scale and scope, with lots of inspirational ideas and information about how you can start to garden with a more natural and looser aesthetic.
3. Why is natural gardening important right now?
We are living in uncertain times. The world around us is in environmental turmoil. More and more people are being directly impacted by climate change. Urban spaces are becoming more densely populated, with little regard for our natural habitats. I feel there has been an awakening of sorts – a global gardening movement with a better connection to our natural landscape – a way of gardening that treads more lightly on the earth. What we do with our own plots of greenery may seem insignificant in the face of climate change, but the small decisions we make in our everyday lives can help the environment.
Post-pandemic, we are facing issues of greater anxiety, depression, and disconnection. Plants sustain us and the life around us. The connection and emotion we feel in nature seems to be in our DNA; it lifts our spirits and increases our well-being.
4. Can you tell us about your evolution as a garden designer?
My personal journey towards natural gardening began in 2016 when my partner and I bought an old property in Sydney’s north called Trincomalee. The gardens surrounding the house, built in 1896, were completely overgrown and the original old stone paths were full of invasive weeds. The property borders a reserve and is surrounded by a national park, making it a somewhat sensitive site. Given its location and relatively weed-free environment, I had a responsibility to ensure that my garden didn’t negatively impact the bush around it.
In the past, I’ve worked predominantly with stylised urban gardens, focusing on spaces with strong architectural planting. At Trinco I learned the fundamentals of rewilding and bush regeneration and the importance of working with endemic species. Today, working with nature rather than against it is fundamental to all aspects of my practice. Bringing the principles of natural gardening to urban settings helps to restore habitat and create a sanctuary for insects, birdlife, and our unique mammals. It adds biodiversity and health of the soil; it embraces and works with its location and microclimate.
5. How can a balance be achieved between maintaining order and incorporating a looser, more naturalistic style of garden design?
There are lots of ways of incorporating structural elements into a garden:
– Structure is an important part of any garden. It can help create a rhythm and order. Trees can often perform this role, or it may be a repetition of an architectural plant, such as grass trees (Xanthorea sp.) or burrawang (Macrozamia sp.) These can be contrasted with more free-flowing plants, such as grasses and ground covers.
– Then it’s down to good care and maintenance to ensure the garden grows in balance. Some plants benefit from pruning back after flowering to maintain shape or be directed in a certain way. Native and natural gardens are not devoid of maintenance!
– Gardens are living, breathing, growing entities. It will be necessary to make changes as the garden evolves. Not all plants will work out as you expect. Allowing for surprise and change is part of the wonderful process of gardening. This can be a glorious journey of joy and fascination at every stage.
6. How can home gardeners incorporate more naturalistic features? Why is this important?
These gardens connect us to the nature that exists all around – but might not necessarily be on our doorstep. Bringing plants that have a looser aesthetic into our gardens, will attract birds, insects, and wildlife, which helps ground us and calm our nervous systems.
A good place to start is to address the practicalities first e.g. the functionality of the garden. Consider what structure you may need, if any. Where will you sit and gather with others if necessary? How will you move from A to B? Do you want a path or paving? Consider natural materials, ones that are not highly finished or processed – raw materials like sandstone, timber, or gravel.
And what assets does your space have to start with? What will you keep, enhance, embolden, or expand? Is it a wonderful tree, or the view beyond? Always spend time in the space and just be curious, always be curious. Then the planting will work around that structure. And it’s always about what conditions you have and balancing these with what you want to see. How much sun is your garden getting? What is the drainage like?
The Natural Garden is out now! Buy online or in-store, and it’s available at all good independent bookstores. You can connect with Richard on Instagram and follow along with Trinco’s journey too.
GARDEN LIFE. PLANT JOY.
