An ancient mulberry tree reignited my love of plants
Country Homes & Interiors|June 2023
Alison Jenkins, horticulturalist at Damson Farm, Somerset
SARA EMSLIE
An ancient mulberry tree reignited my love of plants

A serendipitous house rental in London many years ago re-sparked a love of plants that would eventually lead to a career change into garden design and horticultural sustainability for Alison Jenkins. Her first career was in the art world, but she now runs successful workshops from her smallholding in the tranquil Somerset countryside, near Bath.

I loved London in my twenties and early thirties and as I'd grown up in a small market town in Shropshire it felt really exciting to be somewhere where there was a lot going on, Alison explains. She studied for an MA in Art History at Goldsmiths College while working in galleries, organising exhibitions of contemporary art. But by the time she was 35, her interest had started to wane. I spent my childhood in Shropshire, climbing trees, cycling through country lanes, and nibbling raw runner beans crisp from the vegetable patch. Living in London, I began feeling the need to be closer to open countryside again.

The reality of being an exhibition organiser is that you spend a lot of time in an office in front of a screen managing all the logistics and that was less appealing!'

But it was the property she was living in that provided the impetus. I had moved into a shared house in Camberwell that had an old conservatory with an established grapevine and an ancient mulberry tree in the garden. It reignited a love of plants I'd experienced as a teenager, so I signed up for a part-time RHS training course at the local college.' A further course in garden design with the English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden followed, with Alison also taking charge of a nearby allotment and setting up a London-based design practice. But eventually, the lure of open fields and a rural life proved irresistible, and she made the move from city to country.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORSView all
Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance
Country Homes & Interiors

Sowing the seeds for a life of abundance

The perpetual rhythm of planting, tending and harvesting brings a feeling of hope and fulfilment to Diana Yates, and it extends beyond her Greenfields garden to all of her life

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Cabin fever
Country Homes & Interiors

Cabin fever

Offering cosy, doll's house-sized country retreats, cabins combine modern comforts with an immersive experience of nature

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
'Building boats has become my passion'
Country Homes & Interiors

'Building boats has become my passion'

Wooden boat builder, Obioma Oji

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Cover-up job
Country Homes & Interiors

Cover-up job

Durable and decorative, cladding is a brilliant way to protect your home's exterior without compromising its aesthetics

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Flights of fancy
Country Homes & Interiors

Flights of fancy

Replace or refurbish your staircase and you'll elevate the appearance of your home at every level. Here are the steps to take...

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
TRUE BLUE
Country Homes & Interiors

TRUE BLUE

A firm favourite for decorating, blue is one of the most restful, mindful shades in the colour spectrum. Stylist and interiors expert Sara Bird shares how to use it in your country home

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
Country Homes & Interiors

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE

Practical and inspiring ideas for selecting the best kitchen worktop for your space

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
A GARDEN GLOW-UP
Country Homes & Interiors

A GARDEN GLOW-UP

As late summer days begin to shorten, extend your time outdoors with a blend of practical and decorative lighting

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
TRÈS BELLE
Country Homes & Interiors

TRÈS BELLE

Sharon and Tony Dallas have turned their dilapidated Grade II-listed house in Essex into an enchanting home with a considered colour palette and French treasures galore

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
HOME AT LAST
Country Homes & Interiors

HOME AT LAST

Having often walked past their dream property over the years, Rich and Emma Proud finally became its owners and turned it into a comfortable home for three generations of their family

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024