Following a thoughtful garden path, with Colleen Southwell, The Garden Curator
Hello everyone,
What a treat I have in store for gardeners-to-be, gardeners-at-heart and/or old-hand gardeners who are bound to enjoy the opportunity to immerse in some well conceived, heartfelt inspiration…for how our gardening minds love to meander, just as our feet like to wander!
THE NEIGHBOURLY GARDEN with COLLEEN SOUTHWELL, The Garden Curator, is set to quietly unfurl on SUNDAY 06 OCTOBER. Whilst it’s a title that may sound quaint on first reading, I can assure you there are depths to delve, as Colleen explores plant communities via her earlier career in community development, noting the ingredients for a strong community of people are just as applicable to a garden community – from the stalwarts to the colourful characters, they all have their roles to play.
Those who follow Colleen will know that as an artist; her delicate, three-dimensional paper sculptures reflecting botanical, entomological and ornithological elements are captivating; requiring meticulous attention to detail that she lavishes with equal measure into her own garden making (she gardens near Orange in country NSW). With a background (post community development) in horticulture and landscape garden design, Colleen is an advocate of “slow gardening”, encouraging mindful enjoyment and acknowledgement of the garden as a process, not an outcome, and gardening as a partnership, not a conquest (a girl after my own heart). Colleen is thoughtful, considerate and articulate, and her words on neighbourly planting are likely to lead us all on an enlightening meander.
The day will flow as a visual and conversational presentation by Colleen, with plenty of time for discussion along the way. With so many thought provoking approaches to garden design inundating gardeners, I rather like Colleen’s subtle approach, that comes by way of personal storytelling as much as consideration for the environment. There’s something old-fashioned and reassuring, yet contemporary and dynamic in the way Colleen explains her thoughts on the subject; and I think you’ll find a day in her company to be completely engaging. Which is why I’ve invited her to come here to share her ideas.
You will discover more about Colleen and the details of the day, along with the booking form here. Colleen is about to launch her next online Garden Storytelling Workshop and for those who may be thinking on committing to that series, or indeed for those who have already participated in the first, what a joyful way this would be to meet Colleen in real life.
How we will look forward to seeing you here. Colleen will be bringing treasures from her studio, her garden, keepsakes of the day but most importantly, her gentle nature to share a wealth of thoughtful, gardening encouragement.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
With warmest wishes,
Mickey
