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This month, we caught up with Michael Adams at Whatley Manor to talk gardens, seasonal planting, and life behind the scenes in the kitchen garden.
What makes the gardens at Whatley Manor so special, and how would you describe the overall garden style?
The gardens at Whatley Manor are designed to feel calm, beautiful, and welcoming. They follow the Arts and Crafts style, which means the space is divided into different “garden rooms,” each with its own look and feel. Some areas are neat and structured, while others are softer and more natural, like a meadow. Everything has been planned to feel peaceful and easy to enjoy, helping visitors slow down and connect with nature. Although the gardens have a long history, they are also managed with modern ideas in mind, especially sustainability and supporting wildlife.
As Head Gardener, what does a typical day look like for you and your team during the growing season?
During the growing season, the days begin early — often before the sun has fully risen. That’s my favourite moment: the gardens are quiet, the light is soft, and you can really feel the pulse of the day ahead. We will usually start with a walk-through together to identify areas needing our attention and from there we divide our time between caring for the borders, tending to the kitchen garden, nurturing young plants and seedlings and keeping the spaces guest ready.
June is such a vibrant month in the garden – what should gardeners be focusing on at this time of year?
Taking time to enjoy the garden – June is a month of abundance. Pausing to appreciate the colours, scents, and textures helps you spot what’s thriving and what might need extra care. It’s good to remind yourself that gardening is not just about tasks — it’s also about enjoyment.
Are there any plants or flowers that really come into their own in early summer that you’d recommend for home gardens?
Early summer is when classics like roses really shine, filling the air with scent and romance. Salvias, Nepeta, and Hardy geraniums also come alive, creating beautiful layers of colour and form and providing lots of nectar for native bees and insects. If you are looking for something low-maintenance but full of charm, herbs such as thyme and oregano are wonderful — they attract pollinators and add a soft, tumbling look to borders and pots. Early summer is also when ornamental grasses begin to show their structure, adding movement and whispers of texture as the season unfolds.
What role does the kitchen garden play at Whatley Manor, and how does it support the restaurant?
The kitchen garden is truly the heart of our “garden-to-plate” philosophy. It’s where we grow seasonal vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, and some slightly unusual varieties to inspire the chefs and guests alike. The Kitchen Garden creates an honest, living connection between the land and the food, and it helps us to reduce our food miles.
What are some simple ways people can add colour, texture, and interest to their gardens without too much maintenance?
Containers are a great place to begin if you want to improve your garden without too much effort. Even a few well placed pots filled with seasonal plants can completely change the look and feel of a space. They let you add colour, texture, and interest exactly where you want it — whether that’s by a doorway, on a patio, or in a small corner that needs brightening up. Containers are also easy to move around, so you can rearrange them as the seasons change or as your plants grow. Mulching is another simple step that helps lock in moisture and keeps weeds down while giving borders a more finished look.
Do you have a favourite spot in the Whatley Manor gardens to sit and enjoy the surroundings? What makes it special?
There is a quiet, hidden bench that looks out over a set of formal steps leading down to the woodland, the Avon River, and the wilder areas beyond. I love this spot because it reflects what makes Whatley Manor special — a gentle meeting point between people and nature. Although peaceful, it’s full of life. From here, you can watch insects and wildlife moving through the trees and listen to the soft rustling of the woodland around you.
What’s one common gardening mistake you often see people make, and how can they avoid it?
One common mistake is trying to do too much, too quickly. Gardens respond best to patience and small, thoughtful steps. Planting too densely or choosing plants that don’t suit the space often leads to frustration. My advice is to observe your garden throughout the year, understand its light, soil, and character, and then choose plants that feel at home there. When a garden is planted in harmony with its environment, it more or less looks after itself.
For those with smaller outdoor spaces, what are your top tips for making the most of a compact garden or patio?
Think vertically — walls, trellises, and boundaries can become part of your garden. Climbers create height and atmosphere without taking up precious ground space. Choose multi season plants that offer something beautiful at different times of the year, the trick for me is not to over crowd the space. A few well chosen plants, allowed to grow into their natural shapes, will bring far calmer beauty than a cramped collection of pots.
Finally, what feeling do you hope visitors take away with them after spending time in the gardens at Whatley Manor?
I hope visitors leave with a sense of calm and connection — the feeling that nature has gently pressed pause on the world for a moment. If they walk away inspired to notice the small details in their own surroundings — a bird song, a fresh leaf, the scent of a flower — then the garden has done its work.