About Nicola

I am both photographer and writer, conveying the beauty of gardens and plants through words and pictures that appear in publications all over the world. For 25 years now, I have photographed widely throughout the British Isles, meeting the remarkable people behind lovely English gardens, specialist nurseries and plant collections. A love of nature and gardening runs in the family, and my own garden is a joy.

Nicola’s Garden

Contemporary garden in winter snow, designed by Andy Sturgeon with a framework of oak cubes leading through borders to a riverside deck

Greencombe Erythronium in April

A dog’s-tooth violet is of wondrous beauty, lighting up the shadiest of spaces with its radiant flowers

Glorious Godinton in June

The first tantalising glimpse of an historic English garden during its peak season is one not to be forgotten

Trees for Every Season

Come deluges or drizzle, heatwaves or hoarfrosts, trees stand firm, a reassuring presence for generations to come.

Succulents in Containers

Handsome succulent plants are ideal for containers, drought tolerant, and forgiving of healthy neglect

Peony Plant Portrait

With spectacular beauty, handsome foliage and drop-dead gorgeous forms, peonies are the most glamorous of flowers

Pashley Manor Tulip Festival

Now in its 27th year, this Festival is hard to beat for the sheer brilliance of its massed plantings of 105 different varieties

Nicky’s Walled Courtyard in October

Fully enclosed by tall neighbouring buildings, this 6.2m x 5.7m courtyard is transformed by designer Kate Gould

Johnny’s Garden in August

A walled courtyar in central London that packs 50+ sun-loving perennials into its Lilliputian 6.6m x 5.9m

Laura’s Garden in August

A tranquil town garden planted with a white and green palette of plants amidst inviting places to sit

Down House in Winter

This garden is lovely at every time of the year, but rarely more so than on a frosty winter dawn

Monarda National Collection in July

Some 100 different cultivars of this spectacular herbaceous perennial are grown at Glyn Bach Garden

Hergest Croft Garden in Autumn

Thanks to generations of the Banks Family, Hergest Croft has one of the country’s finest collections of rare plants

Jill’s Gorgeous Garden in June

An irregularly shaped plot that is cleverly laid out to disguise its awkward dimensions

An Extravaganza of Tulips in April

Tulips dominate the lovely country garden surrounding a C17 house perched on a hilltop overlooking the Shropshire landscape

A Riddle of Alpine Plants

A garden riddle planted with pretty, pint-sized alpine plants makes a lovely focal point

Planting Flour Sieves Step-by-Step

Come early spring, nothing dispels memories of dreary wintry days as quickly as quirky containers of pretty little bulbs

Urban Oasis

Two artists have lovingly created an intimate, beautiful garden that is a joy to share with family and friends

Contemporary Classic in May

A one-acre field is transformed into a glorious garden by its owners, an architect and artist

Sam’s Garden August

A small town garden designed by its owner, Sam, who is passionate about exotic plants

Little Marvels April

Alpine plants are one of the garden’s best kept secrets, a diverse family of beautiful plants to suit all garden situations

Frosty Awakening in February

A secluded country garden with broad lawns shaded by trees, and home to countless snowdrops in winter

Hyacinth Plant Profile March

Hyacinths are the stuff of legends, loved for their potent perfume and gorgeous flowerheads in vibrant shades

Contemporary meets Cottage Garden May

A contemporary design and inspired planting transforms a sloping, urban plot into something special