Fergus Garrett

Fergus has held the position of Head Gardener for the internationally acclaimed Great Dixter Garden in Northiam, East Sussex, UK since 1993: It was from the charismatic gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006) and his unique gardening skills that Fergus learnt to keep the gardens of Great Dixter constantly changing throughout the seasons and to be adventurous in trying out new plants and plant- combinations.
In 2003, Christopher Lloyd founded The Great Dixter Charitable Trust to secure the legacy of Great Dixter House and Garden and in 2006, Fergus took over the position of the CEO. The Friends of Great Dixter and their continuous support helps the Trust to keep Great Dixter House and Garden open to the public, to develop educational programmes for all age groups and to make more and more people aware of the richness and importance of the biodiversity of Great Dixter’s gardens, meadows and woodland.
Raised in the United Kingdom and in Turkey, Fergus studied horticulture at Wye College, graduating in 1989.
In 2008 Fergus was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Associate of Honour. In 2012 he received the International Contributor Award from the Perennial Plant Association,
In 2013 Fergus received the Longhouse Landscape Award and in the same year, the Garden Media Guild Golden Nisse Award.
In 2015 Fergus was awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal for outstanding contribution to the practice of horticulture.
On 8th April 2019 Fergus received the highest accolade the Royal Horticultural Society can give: The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH).
Fergus believes in passing on his knowledge and expertise through the national and international student- and volunteer-programmes at Great Dixter and via the many worldwide lectures he gives each year. He is a hands-on gardener and plantsman who has a keen interest in working practices. He is interested in ecology and how an ornamental garden and biodiversity interact. He is also keen on woodland management and green wood working. Fergus has written many magazine articles and lectures widely both nationally and internationally.
Today, Fergus continues with his role as CEO and Head Gardener at Great Dixter as well as spearheading several projects including the greening up of urban and suburban communities, biodiversity related projects in towns and villages, and training students from all over the world in the Dixter style of flower gardening.
Fergus’ hobbies and interests are looking at plants and plant communities in the wild; all things natural; geology; rocks; baskets; the sea and fish; cooking; boxing; Turkey and anything Turkish; rural crafts and nice people.
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