We’re excited to introduce some fresh faces to our garden design team.
All our designers bring a unique perspective and a shared passion for transforming outdoor spaces.
In this Q&A, they share their thoughts on what inspires their designs, their approach to creating modern, plant-led gardens and what excites them about joining our team.
Today, we’re talking to Designer Gary Milburn.
What’s your background in garden design?
I have loved gardens and plants from a young age, having been raised in a family of keen gardeners. In 2018, I decided it was time for a career change and to follow my passion for the outdoors. In 2020, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University with distinction in Horticulture and Garden Design. I quickly set up my own garden design business, working on projects across Nottingham and Derbyshire
Can you share a memorable moment from your garden design career?
An experience that stands out and I wish I could forget about was conducting one of my first-ever professional garden surveys. Arriving at a new client’s garden, super keen and armed with my newly acquired tape measures. I was greeted by a jungle of a garden, huge, untouched for years and totally overgrown with brambles. In hindsight, a request for a topographical survey or accepting that this garden wasn’t for me may have been the better call.
I did, however, spend the next several hours in the rain scrambling through the wilderness, survey drawings wet and unreadable, getting scratched to death, tearing my ‘new’ work trousers and returning to my car with the smell of dog mess all over my ‘new’ work shoes – A memory that really ‘sticks’ to my mind!
Every day is a learning day, right..?
How did you come to be working with Lush Garden Design?
Since graduating, I have followed the work of Lush Garden Design, having been drawn to their fantastic portfolio of contemporary design styles and beautiful, cohesive planting schemes. The opportunity to work with Anna and the team on exciting projects across the country was an opportunity I had to go for, and I joined the team in June 2024
What’s your favourite plant and why?
This is a tough call… I have so many favourites. Perennials – Astrantia major ‘Roma’ or any Astrantia really, such an elegant and dainty flower. Also love shady planting schemes with lots of ferns, particularly Matteuccia struthiopteris (the shuttlecock or ostrich fern) and Dryopteris erythrosora with its striking coppery fronds.
Pair these ferns with Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ with its contrasting silvery foliage and sprays of blue flowers – another of my favourites!
Tell us about your dream garden – what must it have?
Firstly, I think I would be a terrible client to deal with, struggling to decide what to keep out rather than what to put in!
Most importantly, the garden must have a relaxing atmosphere through lots of lush green planting and natural building materials. Also, areas created in the garden for relaxing, entertaining and play. Lots of deep borders for me to experiment with my favourite perennials. Would love to be able to grow from seed, so a greenhouse and potting shed area. Finally, a water feature, drawing lots of wildlife to the garden.
What’s your favourite garden you’ve ever visited?
One of my favourite gardens is ‘The Millenium Garden’ at Pensthorpe Park, Norfolk. Designed by the world-famous garden designer Piet Oudolf in 2020.
Having two young children in tow, this place is a family favourite. The planting schemes include an amazing tapestry of perennial and ornamental grasses of over 150 species – it’s spectacular. My love for naturalistic, prairie-style planting schemes was born. With wildflower habitat gardens, bird hides and play parks made from natural materials, it’s a great place to visit for all ages.
What’s your favourite part about being a garden designer?
Delivering a garden that clients love and that ultimately leads to them spending more time in their garden and benefitting from the uplifting effects that plants and the outdoors can have on their health and well-being. Also, if you love gardens and being creative, then it’s just a pretty cool job.
What’s your go-to gardening tip for beginners?
Have a plan!
I have encountered this situation many times and have been there myself in the past. You will find yourself standing in a well-stocked garden centre and being captivated by the array of colourful plants and shrubs on offer, before ultimately arriving home with a mismatch of perennials and shrubs stuffed into the car.
The plants you now have are scattered in pots around the garden, and neither look quite right together and eventually die or underperform due to being planted in the wrong position.
Save money in the long term and achieve the garden you always wanted by having your garden professionally designed! ;)
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not designing gardens?
Spending time with the family – going for countryside walks, visiting stately homes and generally larking about outdoors.
Love sport, playing and watching, and I’m super competitive. I mainly stick to golf nowadays in the sunnier months (fair weather golfer) and snooker in the winter. Also, regularly watch my son play football/cricket and tennis, and my daughter does her thing in ballet and gymnastics. I’m a big Nottingham Forest fan, which, living in Derbyshire, brings me much joy! You reds!