JIMI BLAKE
Stellar Plants Man, Gardener & Visionary Creator of Hunting Brook Gardens, Co. Wicklow
Hunting Brook Gardens consists of five acres of amazing botanical herbaceous gardens and fifteen acres of wonderful woodland gardens and valley. Jimi Blake its creator collects plants from his foreign expeditions and sources rare seeds globally.
Using his palettes of assorted treasures he generates a unique fusion of tropical, prairie and woodland styles which are graced with expansive views over the Wicklow Mountains.
JIMI BLAKE trained in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin as a horticulturist and was subsequently appointed Head Gardener at Airfield House in Dundrum, Dublin. He resuscitated a large Victorian garden to its former glory enabling the public to rediscover and enjoy a lost gem.
After twelve years at Airfield, Jimi sought a new challenge and having secured twenty acres of the family estate he established “Hunting Brook Gardens.” He was now fulfilling his ambition of having his own garden, to grow and expand his plant collection and share his passion and knowledge with the public. He envisaged using his garden as a classroom and a showcase to demonstrate the diverse range of designs he could develop.
Jimi has realized his dream of a dynamic and innovative garden and continues to develop his vision in new directions, always pushing the boundaries outwards. He continues to share his knowledge in a series of courses and workshops often engaging internationally renowned gardeners as guest speakers.
Hunting Brook is a perennially popular educational space for students, volunteers, allotment holders and visitors and is now known as Ireland’s most exciting and fascinating garden.
Jimi is a Gardening Consultant, Planting Designer, and International Lecturer giving talks and presentations all over the world.
Speaking Topics
Jimi Blake is a captivating and charismatic speaker who has lectured in the United States, England and Europe. He is available for speaking engagements, his current lecture series includes:
1. New and exciting Herbaceous Perennials from around the world : This is a breathtaking journey through the newest and most exciting perennials in Jimi’s collection in Hunting Brook and from his travels to gardens and nurseries around the world . Be prepared for your plant wish list to explode!
2. The contemporary mixed border: a comprehensive look at annuals, herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees in Hunting Brook and how Jimi creates his breathtaking planting designs. This lecture brings you on a journey through the seasons in Hunting Brook.
3. Fabulous Foliage: even those of us devoted to ‘flower’ gardens gradually come to see the value of foliage. This talk looks at the role and worth of differing leaves and leaf effects, but not to the exclusion of flowers.
4. New and underused trees and shrubs:
Jimi will share with you his passion for woody plants and how he uses them combined in the mixed borders. He pulls together beautiful images of plants from his world wide travels and then illustrates how he uses them in his wonderful plant combinations. Jimi will demonstrate his methods of pruning, propagation and cultivation.
5. ‘If you go down to the woods today’ woodland and shade-loving plants:
Hunting Brook through the seasons in the shady areas. The woods at Hunting Brook are a treasure trove of botanical interest and are located in an Iron age Ring Fort. Plant selection, care culture and propagation will be revealed.
6. Late Herbaceous Perennials and Grasses- Jimi will share with you a sumptuous array of perennials and grasses which give of their best from midsummer onwards. Jimi will talk you through how to create a border with an emphasis on late interest, structural plants, plant selection, design tips, cultivation and how to extend the seasons into winter.
7. The creation of Hunting Brook and a journey through the seasons: Jimi will talk about how he created Hunting Brook from a green field to the spectacular garden it is today. He also takes you through from the depths of winter through summer and to the last finale of the autumn.
To book Jimi for your event: call him on: 00353 872856601
Email him on: jimi@huntingbrook.com
Web: www.huntingbrook.com
Testimonials
“It’s safe to say that nothing stays the same at Hunting Brook and Jimi’s conversation is brimming with inspirational ideas. I doubt if you’d find such an imaginative and dynamic garden elsewhere” – Helen Dillon , “Gardener’s World” Magazine
“A taste for the exotic, a sense of adventure and a willingness to experiment has inspired a devoted plant-hunter to transform 20 acres of Irish farmland into lush garden to showcase his impressive collection.
His approach is adventurous, exotic, naturalistic and experimental.” – Paula Waters, Country Living Magazine, UK
“Hunting Brook the best teaching venue in the country” – Denis Cotter, Cafe Paradiso
“What a real joy to discover both a treasure where the individual exotic plants excite and a collection that is both sensitively and imaginatively composed. All sculpted and tended by a gardener who positively overflows with enthusiasm.” – Chris Beardshaw
“To lovely Jimi, words fail me for once. Thank you for being such a huge inspiration and such a giggle. You make me love plants twice as much and all over again” – Carol Klein
Media Coverage on Jimi and Hunting Brook Gardens
- Country Living Magazine Sept 2011
- Gardens Illustrated September 2008
- Country Life October 2009
- Gardeners World Magazine September 2006
- The English Garden August 2008
- The Guardian Newspaper September 2006
- Puutarha magazine ( Garden Magazine Finland) – Sept 2008
- RTE Guide September 2004
- The Independent Newspaper October 2008
- The Tribune January 2004
- The Sunday Times September 2004
- Room Issue 2005
- Garden Life
Books Referencing Jimi & Hunting Brook Gardens
- The Good Gardens Guide, UK and Ireland
- 100 best Gardens in Ireland
- The Living Garden by Jane Powers
- Irish Gardens by Shirley Lanigan
Speaking Schedule
Clonmel Garden Club: ‘Hunting Brook Though The Seasons’ – 7th Sept 2011
Lucan Flower Club: ‘New and Exciting Perennials’ – 24th Oct 2011
Limerick Garden Club: – 23rd Feb 2012
Seattle – North West Horticultural Society Symposium
On Woodland Plants: ‘If you go Down the Woods Today’ – 24th March2012
Vancouver – Hardy Plant Society – 26th March 2012
Bellingham Horticulture Society , US – 29th March 2012 ‘The Contemporary Mixed Border’
Inland Empire Garden Club, Spokane, US – 5th April 2012
Fagus Garden Society, Bristol, UK.
‘The Contemporary Mixed Border’ – Monday 16th April
University of Bath Garden Club, UK:
“Inspirational Gardens and Gardeners
from around the world” – 17th April 2012
