James Horner trained under two leading figures in the world of gardens. First, as a gardener at Great Dixter in East Sussex, James was awarded the Christopher Lloyd Scholarship and ‘lived and breathed’ Dixter for three and a half years, receiving the inspirational mentorship of head gardener Fergus Garrett. Second, and for several years, James collaborated with renowned designer Luciano Giubbilei, travelling within Europe and North America as an on site consultant and lead gardener, whilst also working closely with Luciano’s studio to design planting schemes and organise planting logistics.
In recent years James has focused on a handful of gardens and developed a long term approach to building a team surrounding each project. His aim is to work more intensively on dedicated projects, and to personally teach those gardening within the various on site teams. This caring approach enhances each unique place with a deeper understanding of the site.
James works with the ambition of creating memorable gardens: gardens that are transporting, full of delights for the senses and where people can come together or find solace and privacy. This is coupled with sensitively restoring and improving landscape features such as hedgerows, grassland meadows or new generation tree plantings, all with the aim of connecting the garden to the landscape and the wider environment, to strengthen the sense of place and increase prospects for wildlife.
For regular updates on James’ work, follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jameshornergardens/