by The Pro Landscaper Team | 16 Jun 25 | From the Mag, Garden Design, Long Reads
With the launch of this year’s Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Awards, in Association with Green-tech, alumni Ashleigh Aylett takes the hot seat for a round of quick fire questions in our Little Interviews series.
Ashleigh Aylett
Garden designer and founder of Aylett Studio
Class of 2023
If you could design a garden anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would definitely be in the UK; what I love about this country is the seasons. I know that other people might not agree, but I love the constant change and variety we have in this country – I think we’re very lucky.
What’s one thing that you think would make the industry better?
Improving the focus on UK grown plants – that was a big part of my RHS Tatton Park Flower Show garden in 2024. We need to promote our nurseries more in the UK and have a wider range of UK grown plants, specifically growing them from seed, opposed to bringing over smaller plants.
This would reduce pests and diseases coming in as more and more diseases are coming into the UK, and it’s only going to get worse.
One piece of advice you wish to share?
Get hands on experience. I was an interior designer before, and I actually messaged Emily Earlham and John Davies to say, ‘Look, can I join your studio?’ I wanted the hands on experience. You learn so much more on the job than you do potentially going to these colleges.
I went to university for interior design, but then I became an interior designer and realised actually all that did was open a door. When I made this career change, I very much wanted to work hands on in a studio.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I know everyone probably says this but, my great grandparents; they were big commercial growers and did a lot of commercial cut flowers. They just lived off the land and basically grew everything.
What is your favourite plant or tree?
I love Oak trees; they’re very graceful and the way they start to drop their branches to stabilise themselves, I like that. I wish we could have them at RHS Chelsea, but obviously the risk of pests and diseases means we can’t.
Final question, what is your go to motivational song?
The Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
Entries for the 2025 Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Awards, in association with Green-tech, close Friday 1 August 2025.
For more information and to enter on behalf of yourself or someone else, click here, or contact Pro Landscaper deputy editor Bethany Vann at bethany.vann@eljays44.com.
by Bethany Vann | 07 May 25 | Garden Design, Long Reads, RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Inspired by her affinity to water and the ‘blue mind’ – a feeling of tranquillity when close to water – designer Ashleigh Aylett’s debut Navium Marine: Blue Mind Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show explores the restorative well-being benefits of being in, on, or near water.
Water is a vital natural resource, essential for all living things. It is a fundamental requirement for human survival, and its availability impacts various aspects of life, including horticulture and overall environmental health.
Debut Chelsea designer, Ashleigh Aylett
Created in collaboration with the Ocean Conservation Trust, Aylett’s Balcony Garden, sponsored by Navium Marine, highlights all of this, on top of the role water can play on our mental and physical well being when in close proximity, demonstrating how this globally precious resource can be accessible even in smaller or urban spaces.
It’s about finding ways to give that essence of being near water without actually including loads of water, which obviously a lot of people can’t do in small spaces.
One such way includes the use of mirror panels at the back of the garden “to bring more light into the space”, says Aylett.
“As a designer in London I’ve heard a lot of people say: ‘Oh, I’ve got a small balcony, I can’t have a water feature’, and this garden shows you can still bring that element in.”
Aylett recalls deciding on her debut theme early on in the journey to designing her first ever garden at RHS Chelsea; “water has always been a big part of my life.
“I love aquariums; when I was younger, l remember going to the aquarium and it was just the best experience. I wanted to be a marine biologist for a long time after that.”
While Aylett subsequently went down the land-based career path instead – a decision that has paid off given her already building portfolio of accolades, which include winning RHS Gold, Best in Category and the title of RHS Young Designer of the Year at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, for her The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden, and her 2023 win in the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 Awards.
Her earlier love for the ocean has influenced this design, with oceanic references and inspiration incorporated throughout the space, which is being built by Hortus London.
The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden. © RHS / Neil Hepworth.
Starting with drought tolerant planting primarily suited to coastal conditions – ideal for balconies, which lack access to ground water. Species featuring in the garden include, Helianthemum ‘Wisley Pink’, Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, and Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears, through to repurposed seashells being used to create the garden’s ripple effect tiling.
“We also have two small water features, and all the planters have got patination on them, which is, again, like a ripple effect – you might think they’re kind of bronze in colour, and might not pick up on it, but it’s a subtle reference.”
Aylett hopes that visitors to the garden will relate to it as well as see the benefits – “we talk about greenery a lot at Chelsea, and the health benefits of plants, but there’s also a lot of plants that connect to the ocean.”
As if designing her debut garden for RHS Chelsea wasn’t already enough, Aylett is also planning a soft launch of her newly founded garden design studio at the show, which takes place 20 – 24 May this year.
And with a hint of more to come, it’s safe to say that 30 Under 30 alumni Ashleigh Aylett is certainly one to watch.
Entries for the 2025 Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation Awards, in association with Green-tech, are now open. Contact Pro Landscaper deputy editor, Bethany Vann at bethany.vann@eljays44.com for an application or more information.
by Aidan Williams | 16 Aug 24 | RHS Chelsea Flower Show
It has been a huge summer, with some great designers further enhancing their already burgeoning reputations. So exactly who were the stars of the summer that you should be on the lookout for at future RHS shows?
There have been some incredibly inventive, warm-hearted and thought-provoking garden designs and there are bright futures across the board.
Featuring a former 30 Under 30 winner, blooming latecomers and fresh newcomers, these are our five picks for who to keep an eye on.
Ula Maria
It’s already been a huge year for the London-based architect, who’s first show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show won Best in Show.
The Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden aimed to showcase what it is like for those with the devastating condition, while providing a space for them to discuss their experiences away from the clinical environment.
The designer has long been picking up steam, winning a gold medal at Tatton Park back in 2017, and is not to be missed.
Michael Lote
A late entrant into the designing scene, but not one without experience, Lote started his business some 17 years ago and has contributed to numerous RHS medal-winning gardens.
The focus of his work has shifted to showcasing what can be achieved with sustainable construction methods and products. He picked up a gold medal for his ‘It Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth’ design at the Malvern Spring Festival this year, having won Best Construction Award in previous years.
One to watch out for, as he continues to transfer his experience into design and with a perennially-relevant focus. We spoke to him earlier this year for a bigger insight ahead of his Malvern success.
Helen Olney
Helen Olney’s award-winning garden design
A recent graduate of the London College of Garden Design, Olney has not wasted a moment. She picked up a gold and Best Sanctuary Garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show with her Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden.
Balancing this with her role as creative director at BBC Sounds, she began her designing journey only four years ago so her next move should be an exciting one.
Giulio Giorgi
Giorgi made waves earlier this year with his superb Gold medal winning World Child Cancer Nurturing Garden, which aimed to bring joy, hope and escapism to children undergoing cancer treatment. It won the inaugural RHS Environmental Innovation Award for its green approach.
He has practiced design since 2007 and has a studio in Paris, and has spent numerous years in organic agricultural research.
His focus is on the future in terms of ecology and planting strategies, and given his work so far, it’ll be a bright one.
Ashleigh Aylett
Ashleigh Aylett
One of the winners of last year’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation, Aylett should be a familiar face. She did not have to wait long for another success, winning a trio of awards at Tatton, picking up Best Construction for a Young Designer, RHS Young Designer of the Year, and a Gold medal.
She has been working with Erlam Studio and John Davies Landscape since her 30 Under 30 victory last year and is currently based in Bedfordshire.
Her trajectory so far is a very exciting one and shows no signs of stopping and we caught up with her back at the end of June.
