An Interview with Joe Whelan, National Trust Head Gardener of Nymans & Standen

Joe Whelan is a National Trust Head Gardener. Originally from Ireland, Joe trained at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. He is passionate about biodiversity and education and is helping Nymans stay dynamic and relevant while honouring its Edwardian roots. 

What’s one easy thing people can do to make their garden look instantly better?
Sowing easy to grow annuals such as poppies and Gypsophila plugs small gaps throughout borders while connecting everything together and providing sources of nectar for pollinators. Most of the time, it requires little work other than scattering a few seeds.

Do you have a favourite plant that gives the wow factor?
I love foxgloves. Partly because of how beautiful they are when in flower, but also because of how beneficial they are to pollinators. They’re straightforward to grow and self-seed easily.

Is there a common gardening mistake you see people make?
I make mistakes all the time. It’s important to be bold when gardening, and to not be afraid to try new things.
What’s blooming in the garden right now, and can people grow it at home too? It’s still peak time in the garden. Some of the standouts are Cosmos, which can easily be grown from seed at home.

What’s your secret to keeping weeds under control without spending all weekend doing it?
Sometimes you just have to grind it out! Mostly, the best approach is to be relaxed and avoid a completely weed free finish.

Can you recommend a good plant for small spaces?
For shrubs, a dwarf cherry such as Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ works well. They’re not too big, are happy in a pot and can be pruned to size.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the gardens at Nymans/Standen?
We aim to garden as sustainably as possible. Much of what we do, we do for the benefit of all the other forms of life that share the garden whether wildflower meadows, deadwood or leaving seed heads over the winter. It’s easy to misinterpret this as untidiness, but everything we do we do in a considerate way.