Hello
I'm a Somerset-based garden designer and RHS-qualified horticulturalist. Sustainability is at the heart of all my work. I can advise clients on resilient gardens for climate change, wildflower meadow creation, heritage conservation and how to garden for both wildlife and soil health.
In the press...
The Telegraph
Emma Crawford, Columnist for
Gardeners World Magazine
RHS Magazine
August 2023
My Story
Before horticulture (was there a time before?!), I worked for fifteen years as a science communicator and project manager, focussing on ecology and climate change. But all along, I felt an overriding calling to be outside, feeling the elements and connecting more closely to this planet that I was so busy writing about.
I spent the next five years building experience from living on permaculture homesteads in New Zealand, to working a commercial Lily Farm, to volunteering at the Walled Garden in Wrington, and Yeo Valley Organic Gardens. After working in lots of large private gardens, I decided to set up JODIE CHAN GARDENS to deliver high-end horticultural services for period estate properties. My confession is that I am IN LOVE with walled gardens and feel passionately about restoring British garden heritage.
As well as Estate management services, I'm also a garden designer - which plays to my creative strengths (I studied Art before moving over to biological sciences). My design-style celebrates beauty and simplicity, but has room for joyful and playful touches. In 2023, I brought my 'Touching the Senses' Garden to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. I entered an un-judged category so sadly no medals, but it was reward enough to receive the praise and recognition. It was a truly amazing experience which also stretched me to my limits of resilience, determination and project management and problem-solving wizardry!
My gardening heroes are Dan Pearson for his sense of place and naturalistic planting, Beth Chatto for her philosophy of right plant, right place (and her hard graft to turn wasteland into paradise), and Jimi Blake for his creative flare and ability to marry plants from across the globe so perfectly in his misty Irish garden.
What I bring for clients...
As well as my horticultural know-how and flare for design, I have almost twenty years of project and people management experience. I can pull together specialist teams who will work effectively to deliver exceptional results. Running a professional business, where everyone takes pride and care for your garden or estate, is what we are all about.