BBC Gardeners' World Live
From maiden to mother
A border can be a place to express yourself, a place that sparks memories and inspiration.
This border represents my transition from maiden to mother and how the connections I have cultivated along the way have carved the path for me to pursue my career in horticulture when my prioritise changed once I became a mother.
The annual flowers and plants represent my maiden phase where life could be fleeting and fast paced. Then it transitions across the bridge that represents becoming a mother and then into the perennial plants which represent the forever phases in my life.
The bridge
The bridge for my show border was a true labour of love.
Hand-built with my Dad and made from willow coppiced in the garden I work in, this little bridge carries more than just feet, it carries memory, creativity, and a whole lot of persistence.
The design evolved (many times!), and at one point we nearly dismantled the whole thing to start again. R
Rope bound each upright post and brought the whole look together, rustic, imperfect, and exactly right.
Not just a garden detail, but a symbol of growth, family, and the beauty of making things by hand.
Fairies
The two fairy sculptures are more than just decorative, they represent me. The smaller fairy symbolises my maiden phase, the younger version of myself, full of curiosity, possibility, and independence. The larger fairy embodies my mother phase grounded, nurturing, and transformed by the experience of motherhood. They stand apart, yet remain connected, each looking toward the other, honouring the roles they’ve played and continue to play in my life. Garden sculptures like these don’t just add visual interest they carry deep personal meaning and can bring emotion, storytelling, and a sense of soul to any space.
Birdbath
The birdbath in my border holds deep personal meaning, it represents the pregnancy and freebirth of my son, marking the powerful transition from maiden to mother. For me, it’s a symbol of crossing between two worlds: the one I was in before, and the one I stepped into through motherhood. Beyond its symbolism, a birdbath brings life to a garden in a very real way, offering water, sanctuary, and beauty for birds and wildlife. It's a simple yet profound feature that adds both purpose and poetry to any garden space.
Annual plants
My border was thoughtfully divided into annuals and perennials, each side reflecting a phase of my life. The annuals, planted alongside the small fairy in the maiden phase of the border, symbolise a time when life felt short-lived, ever-changing, and fast-paced, full of movement and discovery. Every plant in this section holds a personal connection: nigella and gypsophila, both part of my wedding bouquet; bunny tails, briza maxima, and salvia, cherished by some of my favourite people. These choices weren’t just about aesthetics, they were about memory, meaning, and honouring the people and moments that have shaped me.
Perennial plants
The perennial plants, placed alongside the large fairy in the mother phase of the border, represent the lasting, grounding phases of my life. Becoming a mother and making the transformative shift from accountancy to horticulture. These plants speak to the enduring roots I've put down in this new chapter. Each one holds a personal story: pittosporum, scabious, Calamagrostis, and Astrantia were all part of the very first garden I worked in through the WRAGs scheme, marking the beginning of a more connected, purposeful path. This side of the border is a reflection of growth that’s deep, steady, and ongoing a quiet celebration of where I’ve arrived and where I’m still heading.