GARDENS

Broken steps! Weeds! My garden could be at Chelsea Flower Show

Cleve West’s design features urban decay — as Michael Odell’s backyard once did

The pathway into the Centrepoint show garden designed by Cleve West at the Chelsea Flower Show 2023
The pathway into the Centrepoint show garden designed by Cleve West at the Chelsea Flower Show 2023
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE
The Times

I have never been much of a gardener. Even when inspired by new trends I’ve often blundered straight outside with secateurs and a sack of bonemeal only to either literally or figuratively step on the rake. Fake grass, decking, block paving — if there’s a trend to outrage gardening decency and/or the hedgehog community, I’ve been there first. I wish this weren’t true but years ago I misread the memo about snails and genuinely thought they were good for gardens and actually used to boast about how many I had.

“Look at all my little lovelies, aerating the soil,” I’d tell the neighbours until one of them pointed out to me, no, that’s worms.

My wife put things right when she moved in ten years