Last Sunday morning, I arrived early at The Stones Open Garden to take photos for the book. It was one of those rare and quiet starts to the day—the kind that gifts you time before the crowds. I wandered with Jeremy as he made those final preparations that gardeners know so well. Tea in hand, camera slung over my shoulder, I felt something I hadn’t felt so poignantly in a while: that deep stillness that invites you to notice, immersed and fully.
We talked about many things—gardens, yes, but also design, backgrounds, and the creative lens through which each of us sees the world. Jeremy and Grant, as some of you may know, both come from textile design backgrounds. That part of their story stayed with me, not just because of the stunning garden they’ve made in a dry, exposed, and often unforgiving landscape—but because of the way their past experience shapes the way they see.
It reminded me of something I used to say often in my university teaching days: never forget where you’ve come from. Your past—no matter how unrelated it may seem to your current work—always finds its way in. It informs how you see, what you value, what you notice. And often, it becomes the very foundation of your unique creative expression.
As Jeremy spoke about working with only six colours in textile design and how that limitation pushed him to create more intentionally, I found myself reflecting on one of the core ideas I hold close: that creativity often flourishes within constraint. Too many choices can be paralysing. But when you’re limited—by climate, materials, space, or experience—you’re forced to dig deeper. To make do. To innovate.
At The Stones, the materials are deliberate and honest: stone, gravel, resilient grey-foliaged plants, succulents that can withstand extremes. It’s not just a design choice—it’s a story of place, necessity, and vision. It’s what happens when your materials are shaped not just by aesthetic desire, but by lived experience.
I sometimes think gardens are the most expressive medium I know. They’re not just about beauty or productivity—they’re a reflection of how we see the world. And every designer, every gardener, brings something of themselves to the process. We’re not just growing plants—we’re growing perspectives. We’re revealing something about how we move through the world and what we pay attention to.
This thread—of creativity, constraint, and inspiration—is one I’ll be pulling at in the book. It’s close to my heart. Not just where we find inspiration, but how we work with what we have. How we shape something deeply personal and expressive out of the limitations of time, climate, budget, experience.
So often, what appears to be a limitation becomes the very thing that gives our work its edge, its depth, its authenticity.
And on that quiet Sunday morning at The Stones, I was reminded all over again that the way we see the world—our lens, our history, our palette—is the start of every great garden. Every great idea.
Thanks for walking beside me as I write and reflect. There’s more to come.
You may want to check out my related content below:
From Forest Clearing to Town Garden: A Story of Growth – Discover the journey of transforming a space from raw nature to a thriving garden, filled with lessons and inspiration.
Your Ultimate Gardening Inspiration Resource – Curated by our community for our community, this resource is filled with inspiration and practical tips for your gardening journey.
Creativity, Connection, and Beauty at Babbington Park with Lean Timms– Inspired, grateful, and reminded that making time for creativity and connection isn’t always a luxury—sometimes it’s a necessity.
Enjoyed this blog?
→ Share this blog with your friends and gardening allies to spread the love and knowledge.
→ Sign up for the newsletter to stay up-to-date on upcoming workshops, garden tips, and exclusive updates from Little Cottage on a Hill.
Thanks so much for reading and for sharing this garden journey with me.
Natasha xx
For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.
Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.