About
Growing wildflowers, wilder gardening and connecting with my community
My ordinary garden has evolved into a life-enriching wilder space filled with wildflowers, where bees, butterflies, ladybirds, hedgehogs and birds are just some of the wildlife finding food and shelter.
You can do this too! Or maybe you already are? That’s the joy of coming along to my plant stalls, talks and workshops in Exeter: meeting like-minded souls and supporting each other.
My wild garden was inspired by books, childhood memories of nature in Exeter’s green hinterlands and a desire to do something tangible to help reverse the biodiversity crisis in my home city.
Following on with an RHS diploma (commendation), working in organic flower-growing, garden maintenance and therapeutic horticulture, I started my tiny wildflower nursery to help get more wildflowers into other local gardens.
Starting a wildflower nursery
During Covid Lockdown, I imagined growing wildflowers could be a creative, life-enhancing way to help garden wildlife with pollen, nectar and caterpillar food, as well as bringing charm and folklore. Designed by nature, wildflowers have a delicate beauty that blends with other plants while being resilient in a changing climate. Visiting Grow Wilder in Bristol showed me that people were happy to try planting wildflowers in city gardens. Could something similar work in Exeter, on a small scale? Could wildflowers help nourish a connection with nature in our gardens, where it’s needed now more than ever? I started sowing seed in my 6x4 garden greenhouse…
Sharing knowledge and ideas
Experiencing the joy of nature right outside the backdoor inspires me to share stories and ideas with people of all ages: if I can do it, so can you! We’re living in a biodiversity and climate emergency but at this pivotal point we can make tangible, life-enhancing changes.
I hope my talks and one-to-one advice can help you feel that creating your own wild space is at your (green) fingertips.
Part of the Exeter community
Lou’s Wild Garden is based in Exeter’s local community where there’s lots happening for a sustainable, compassionate future.
My wildflowers are sold seasonally at local markets including Quayside Farmers Market and Brillsville Market, occasional events and by pre-order (Exeter area, free delivery).
The nursery has expanded beyond my garden to the nearby outside space at Theatre Alibi alongside Zero Mile Gardens with their kind permission, close to St Thomas Library. How brilliant to be part of this community hub!
Thank you to Exeter Seed Bank and Zero Mile Gardens for opportunities to work together, to everyone who has bought my plants and local organisations including Theatre Alibi, Happiness Outdoors Project, Newton Abbot Seed Library, Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter Cathedral.
Connections and collaborations are always welcome.