Jamie Butterworth's guide to planting

In the Spring of 2019, we partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for a third consecutive year to celebrate British design and creativity, marking our 260th anniversary. Passionate plantsman and RHS ambassador, Jamie Butterworth, designed our 2019 Wedgwood Garden at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

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The Wedgwood garden

Jamie drew inspiration from John Wedgwood’s personal garden handpicking many plants from his original plant journal, such as sweet peas, roses, herbs and fruit trees. With a color pallete that references Wedgwood’s iconic Jasperware of rich sky blue, lush green and deep crimson, the garden is simple and scaled back in design, created to bring the planting to the fore. Jamie’s approach to planting and garden design echoes John Wedgwood’s own sentiments when he created his garden, which was once described as “not laid out to compel admiration but instead create a homely and lovable space.”

Jamie's Chatsworth planting plan

The planting features a majestic copper-hued Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropurpurea’ and elegant Cornus kousa var. chinensis along with plants that grew in John Wedgwood’s own garden – Lathyrus odoratus, Veronica, Origanum, Allium as well as various roses and espalier fruit trees. Glimpses of the iconic Wedgwood blue are provided by Cynoglossum amabile ‘Firmament’ and the plump heads of Didiscus ‘Blue Lace’, while cushions of Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) reference our most popular and best-selling china pattern, Wild Strawberry.

To create this beautiful outdoor space at home, we have this simple planting guide:

Visit the World of Wedgwood

Jamie’s award-winning Wedgwood Garden is being relocated to our home, the World of Wedgwood at Barlaston near Stoke-on-Trent. Visit us to be inspired by the garden and afterwards experience a Wedgwood Factory Tour, try your hand on the potter’s wheel or design your own plate in the decorating studio. Make sure you find time to explore the renowned Wedgwood Museum and finish your day by treating yourself to an indulgent and delicious afternoon tea.

Jamie’s Wedgwood Garden will be relocated next to three of Wedgwood’s other award-winning RHS show gardens:

  • The Gold Medal winning garden by Sam Ovens at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2017, with its informal and contemporary design.
  • Jo Thompson's RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 Gold Medal winning garden, an inspirational, innovative and feminine space.
  • Jo Thompson's 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Silver-Gilt Medal winning garden, inspired by Josiah Wedgwood's innovative and creative spirit. Jo's vision is a modern, natural, untamed garden with classical references.

Recreating this look in your outdoor space? We would love to see your garden creations. Tag us on social media using @wedgwood for a chance to be featured on our Wedgwood Instagram page.

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