Arthur Parkinson's charming Cotswold cottage garden | Notes from a Garden

In the first of our new series, Notes from a Garden, we visit garden designer Arthur Parkinson at the Cotswold cottage he shares with his partner, interior designer James Mackie. In two years, Arthur has transformed the tiny space from the building site left behind after the cottage was extended, to a lush, abundant garden that is also a haven for wildlife. Here he talks us through the highlights in June, including his romantic border full of foxgloves and roses, his approach to planting in containers, how to care for sweet peas, and the keys to successful shade planting.

Directed and edited by Luca Lamaro
Produced by Clare Foster and Virginia Clark
Production assistant: Martina Appendino


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[mysweetestdays]

"...a plant that you've known from seed..." What a beautiful way of expressing his love for his garden!

[zoewhite]

I’ve always wished Arthur had a YouTube channel so I could see around his garden, so glad I came across this video! If anyone hasn’t read his books go buy them - you won’t regret it.

[DLBIA]

I love every video produced on this channel. Captures the warmth and sensitivity of each designer and their passion for their work. Arthur is as charming as his garden.

[TheFiown]

I am moving from a 2000 m2 garden, an inner courtyard and an outer courtyard, all planted, fruit trees, climbing roses, figs, lavendar etc and into a smaller houser with an innder courtyard and 4m2 of earth ! I have just dug up my peonies and a recent vine and next will be a rose and jasmin as the house will remain empty once I leave. I have plans to extend the planting area and have already some big olive trees in pots and a silver birch. I potted up the fig tree and pomegranit tree as the base structure of the planting but first have to build up the planting area to a good height otherwise my little terriers will have a field day ! I know that I will miss my garden but I love a challenge and there are plenty of green spaces to walk the dogs despite moving into a townhouse. Arthur is such an inspiration.

[skullingtonfly]

It certainly is a beautiful way to enrich our lives. Gardening 🥰

[alixmordant]

I especially like that he cares for the environment, bees etc., as seen in his favourite dahlias, the lovely ivy etc. Ivy is great for insect and bird life indeed. And it is pretty.

[jstewart]

A real home, complete with the must have washing line. It is lovely that they really appreciate the age and original character of the property.
My heart aches when people comletely modernise and destroy an older property.
Especially given the fact that there are a lot more modern properties available, it's so destructive to depreciate irreplaceable history and beauty.

[ginahamlyn]

Loved Arthur's enthusiasm and care for this beautiful little garden. The interior is beautiful as well. Perhaps you can do a short video of the interior in the future?

[ciganyweaverandherperiwink]

Flowers, books, photographs and good lamps is all any room needs to instantly look chic and feel wonderful.

[EdgewoodGarden]

Wow this is so idyllic, I absolutely love their cottage it is wonderful what he's done with the garden.

[WyrdHag]

Dream house, dream garden 😍 I wish he had a YouTube channel!

[lucheeese]

Yess this is what I think of when English gardens pops to mind, less lawns more this!

[SianChristina]

Wow what a house, what a garden. I love everything Arthur does, just beautiful

[sharonsteele]

Very beautiful. Loved ending with the clothes hanging outside.

[blahdeblaaah]

Thirty seconds a pot. I admire his commitment to that. My bald head would need some shade to sit at that lovely table. The ferns are gorgeous.

[maryannhartzell]

The garden is beautiful and it reflects all the time and effort you put into it. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[gbear]

I adore this garden and his love for it, too. The sweetpeas are so happy and huge and the rest are all my favorites, foxglove, roses even an artichoke! I'm wondering where is the peony, there must be a peony, right? Lovely, lovely!

[esthersnell]

The garden is amazing ❤️
And I could listen to him read the phone book, great voice.

[kylaodonnell]

Wow, what a talented guy, so knowledgeable. He has created the most beautiful garden! 👍

[claireangier]

I absolutely love this ... I've watched it over and over!! Love the common sense approach. ❤👍🇬🇧