Jacquie Felix-Mitchell: Experiments In The Garden With Devon Landscape Designer

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Jacquie Felix-Mitchell is the founder of Oasis Garden Design, an artisan garden design studio based in Devon.

She is also a public speaker and has hosted events at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as writing for a number of UK gardening publications.

Read on for my conversation with Jacquie as we explore her career in her own words.

What Are Your Earliest Memories Of Gardening?

“My earliest memories of gardening are in the small back yard of the house where I grew up in Bristol,” Jacquie says.

“My parents came from the West Indies in answer to the call for people to come and work here to fill the gap in the labour market. My parents grew tomatoes, runner beans and other vegetables.

“I was more interested in growing a lawn. With my father’s permission, I bought some grass seeds, raked over some of the ground and planted them, full of hope and expectation.

“Years later, when I had my own home, I started to develop more of an interest in architectural plants particularly.”

What Led You To A Career In Garden Design?

“A graduate of English and European Literature, I previously worked in PR and communications, with roles including working for a London upmarket glossy, a Bristol design agency, a large Metropolitan Borough Council in Yorkshire, The BBC and Criminal Justice in Devon.

“Garden wise, whilst working in PR in Devon, I had a courtyard garden, where I experimented with evergreen planting in particular, before moving on to the garden belonging to the wing of a former Victorian villa, where I lived in South Devon.

“I developed this garden into an oasis of architectural planting which jostled for attention with English Country favourites. It was an architect friend who initially suggested that I move into garden design.

“I brushed off the idea initially, for fear of ruining my love of all things garden, before giving it some serious consideration. I took the plunge and did a garden design course at Bicton College in east Devon and an RHS course in Practical Horticulture at RHS Rosemoor.

“After that, I set up shop as it were and started my artisan garden design studio, Oasis Garden Design, based in Devon.”

What Does Your Process For Designing Gardens Look Like? What Are You Inspired By?

“I always start with the client,” she explains.

“I send them an initial questionnaire to scope their needs and wishes, likes and dislikes, as well as an honest look at their budget, which naturally has an influence on the design.

“This, together with scoping the garden, its aspect and surroundings, is crucial. It’s also important to have a really good initial chat with the client. You have to feel that you can both work together well and have a good relationship.

“Having a proper chat brings out information, thoughts and comments that help to personalise the design and make sure that it’s right for the client.

“Inspiration can sometimes come from the smallest things, from the style of the house, the curve of the land, the client’s favourite colour or hobbies.”

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

“I guess the first garden I designed for a client has to be one of my favourites,” Jacquie says.

“The upright silver birch that I used both for interest and screening in this cottage garden in Totnes grows into gorgeousness each year.

“I’m also rather proud of the art deco-inspired steps I designed for a much larger plot elsewhere, in a project where I learned the importance of communication between client, designer and landscaper.

“I particularly enjoyed designing planting plans for a large walled garden belonging to a property in the New Forest.”

What Does A Typical Working Day In The Life Look Like For You?

“I work part-time as a Garden Designer,” she explains. “A working day could involve discussing a potential new design with a client and site visits to scope a design, before going back to my shepherd hut to work on a design.

“I use a mixture of hand drawing and computer-aided design to develop visuals and concepts. I also spend time putting mood boards together for clients, creating garden consultation reports, and producing information for landscapers – when hard landscaping features in a garden design.

“I also do occasional workshops. I do quite a lot of garden design talks and presentations for groups and organisations, which include garden clubs, the Women’s Institute, U3A and others.

“I loved the talk I did at Toby Buckland’s Spring Garden Festival –Toby Fest – at Powderham in Devon this year. It went down a storm with visitors.

“I still do little bits of PR work and loved my time at RHS Chelsea this year, working for Project Giving Back to raise awareness of the support they give to Garden Designers to build gardens for a variety of good causes.

“I have also hosted the award-winning Blue Peter soil garden, designed by Juliet Sargeant at RHS Chelsea 2022. So as you can see, I don’t really have a typical day!”

Do You Have Any Secret Tips Or Hacks For The Garden?

“The secret to a good garden? Repetition, repetition, repetition.”

What’s Next For You?

“I’m currently working on a fairly modest project to create a low-maintenance, accessible garden for a client with limited mobility,” Jacquie shares.

“It celebrates a Balinese style and level changes. I’ve just completed the design phase and the build is due to start in the new year.”

What Does Gardening Mean To You?

“I have lived by the written and spoken word for most of my career, yet when asked why I love gardening, I am often overwhelmed and have to pause before I respond.

“It’s the feeling of joy, peace and freedom that gardening gives me. It fills my soul with a calm and release, and utter contentment.”