Claudia de Yong On Her Award-Winning Show Garden At Hampton Court Flower Show

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Claudia de Yong is an award-winning Garden Designer and the recipient of various accolades, including a Gold Medal at Hampton Court Flower Show and, more recently, Best in Show at BBC Gardener’s World Live.

Claudia has worked in the industry for over twenty years and also has experience with garden writing, penning for gardening publications such as Houzz UK.

In this interview she shares her design process, her favourite garden design work and details of a large planting project she’s currently working on.

Imagery featured in this article is provided with permission by Claudia de Yong.

Where Did Your Journey With Gardening Begin?

“From a very young age, I was fascinated with watching cress seeds develop on wet tissue on our kitchen window sill at home,” Claudia shares.

“This soon escalated to growing seeds in little pots or window boxes, filling my room with anything green.

“I always like being outside and at every opportunity loved to climb trees and make things from foraged vegetation.”

From That, What Led You To A Career In Garden Design?

“The love of the window boxes stayed with me through school and developed into a great pocket money earner which then led to a small business opportunity.

“Years later, having moved out to the countryside where I created my own cottage-style garden complete with pond, a chance conversation with a neighbour’s gardener led me to designing an award-winning show garden at Hampton Court Flower Show!”

What Does Your Process For Designing Gardens Look Like?

“Further to initial meetings and site visits involving long conversions with the client, I produce a line-drawn plan with measurements and dimensions which I then convert to an artistic impression,” she says.

“I find this helps to visualise the finished design. 

“Each garden is completely unique and the inspiration more than often comes from the surrounding landscape and the architecture that sits within the space.

“The garden has to blend seamlessly with the existing environment.”

Do You Have A Particular Favourite Memory Of A Garden You Have Designed?

“My favourite memory was designing and winning the Tudor Rose at Hampton Court Flower Show,” muses Claudia.

“The garden was centred around a large pond, as many of my show gardens were, and filled with tropical plants, including water lilies in stunning colours as well as enormous Lotus plants.

“I was asked so many times what the Lotus flower was that I had it printed on my T-shirt while standing at the front of the garden throughout the show days!”

What Does A Typical Day In Your Working Life Look Like?

“My day is a mixture of sitting at a laptop designing, making lists of plants, researching different materials, sourcing from nurseries all over the country as well as site visits,” she shares.

“No two days are the same.”

What Does Gardening Mean To You?

“Gardening is more than my everyday work,” Claudia explains.

“It’s not only a passion for me but is also so important for my own wellbeing. I am a creative person and also very visual, so being outside and surrounded by nature is incredibly uplifting.

“There is simply nothing better than literally getting your hands dirty!”

What’s Next For You?

“I am currently working on a large planting project which is keeping me very busy. I’m visiting growers across the North-West of England, North Wales and beyond, sourcing everything from trees to wildflowers.

“As well as darting about the countryside looking for flora, I am also seeking out local artisans and unusual products, new and vintage, for my online little garden shop and the various fairs I attend around the country.”