Authors
Thomas Hobbs
Thomas Hobbs was “born obsessed with plants” and had his first greenhouse at age six. He has gone on to become an internationally known impresario of garden and floral design, and he emphasizes the importance of design as a means to connect with the earth. He runs Southlands Nursery in Vancouver, Canada, and his private garden has been featured in many prominent magazines, including Horticulture, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardensand Garden Design. Tom has a weekly television show in his native Canada in which he offers gardening tips and encourages gardeners to tap into their creativity for design projects. He has been featured on Martha Stewart Living, and gives popular lectures across North America on inspirational garden design. His first book was the acclaimed bestseller Shocking Beauty, and The Jewel Box Garden is his equally stunning sequel.
Timber Press: What was your inspiration for choosing horticulture as a career?
Thomas Hobbs: Horticulture chose me. I was born obsessed with plants. My earliest memories are of rummaging through a neighbour's garbage, looking for cuttings. I am serious. I was growing things from seed before grade one and had my own greenhouse in grade six. I have no family or ancestors who liked plants.
TP: What is the primary stumbling block for people trying to achieve a "Jewel Box" garden?
TH: I think people who dip their toes into gardening are intimidated by the size of their yards and feel it will cost too much to make it look nice. They should conquer one small area at a time until a vision of perfection appears in at least one small area, then move on to the next one.
TP: How can someone with little money create this look?
TH:I do address this in the book. Go for a walk and bring home free things. They are everywhere! Buy plants at plant sales, or swap cuttings. Grow your own stuff.
TP: Do the principles in your book work equally well with both large and small gardens?
TH:No. Large gardens would need dicing into small units. Each unit needs its own theme and boundaries.
TP: How would you help someone whose only foray into the art of garden accentuation has included plastic flamingos or ceramic garden gnomes?
TH:Those items are OK. It is the plastic white lawn furniture that has no sense of humour that pains me. Some tacky things work because they are ironic. But, blah suburban laziness is incurable. These people may be un-savable. (They would never buy my book anyway!)
