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Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Create a Perennial Paradise in Pots
Introduction to the flower yard
with ARTHUR PARKINSON — Horticulturist, writer and container gardening expert.
Lesson 9 of 20
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Visit Arthur's mum's abundant garden in Nottinghamshire, where his gardening journey began, for ideas on how to build your own drought-tolerant, low-maintenance perennial garden.
From the Lesson Workbook
Introduction to the Flower Yard
We're in my mum's garden in Nottinghamshire, where it all began. It's packed with containers that were slowly added over time, so every pot has a story, which is part of what makes a garden alive.
Although this garden is in the middle of a town that's full of traffic, it is brimming with pollinators in summer. The more you look, the more life there is. The variety of plants with different scents provides for a range of different pollinators, from wild bees and butterflies to moths and hoverflies. These ornamental plants are both beautiful and beneficial.
The Power of Perennials
Previously, this garden was filled with annuals and bulbs, which require lots of maintenance to replace each year. They have been replaced by perennials that have a more natural seasonal rhythm. This:
- simplifies maintenance,
- reduces costs,
- provides year-round interest.
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Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
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May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
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Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Arthur Parkinson
Horticulturist, writer and container gardening expert.
Named one of the most influential young UK gardeners by Architectural Digest, Arthur Parkinson is a gardener, florist and author with a penchant for growing flamboyant blooms and raising chickens. After studying horticulture at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, Arthur went to work for plantswoman Sarah Raven at her farm in East Sussex to pursue his passion for growing cut flowers. He later became head gardener for the potter Emma Bridgewater, which inspired his first book, The Pottery Gardener. Arthur also co-presents the popular gardening podcast 'Grow, cook, eat, arrange' with Sarah Raven and regularly appears on BBC's 'Gardeners' World'.
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