Leigh, aka The Beardy Gardener, is a huge advocate for the power of gardening to improve health and wellbeing.
Having cemented his own love of gardening, he is now on a quest to share this joy with others.
Here are five of his suggested plants to grow and gift in your own garden.
1. Cornflowers
“Cornflowers symbolise positive hope for the future,” says Leigh. “Intense farming in the UK almost wiped them out, so it’s great to bring them back.”
Because they are annuals (they live for one year only), cornflowers are not a long-lasting gift. But, a pot or picked bunch of these pretty blue flowers will bring beautiful colour to someone’s home or garden.
2. Rosemary
“I think everyone should grow at least one herb,” says Leigh. “Growing stuff that you can eat is one of the reasons gardening makes me smile.”
“I like Rosemary because it’s easy to grow, tasty and aromatic.”
If you have a large rosemary plant, you will be able to gift a constant supply of rosemary for others to use in their cooking.
You could also gift someone a cutting from your rosemary plant, so they can try and grow their own. They will need to be patient, though – it takes time to get a good size new plant. You could give a good size sprig of new growth from your plant in a small vase or jam jar of water. Once this sprig develops roots, it can be planted into the ground.
3. Sunflowers
“This is the ultimate happy plant for me, it always puts a smile on my face.”
To share the joy with others, Leigh suggests gifting from seed. “I have sowed seeds for friends and given them as gifts to plant in their gardens.”
Another option is to grow lots in your garden and gift a big, bright bunch of sunflowers to decorate the home. It won’t last as long, but should still raise a big smile.
4. Lemon balm
“Lemon balm is a fantastic plant that has been used for centuries in herbal gardens etc. to treat stress and aid sleep. Its essential oils are linked to reducing anxiety.”
Much like rosemary, you could gift a generous bunch of your lemon balm. Or, you could also gift a cutting so they can grow their own.
5. Salvia
“This is a great plant to gift someone, with so many varieties.”
“I love the smell and they are great for pollinators. Salvia is also fairly easy to grow.”
The best times to take cuttings from salvias are mid spring, or early to mid-autumn. This allows plenty of opportunity for living gifts!
Leigh Johnstone, aka The Beardy Gardener, will tell you very honestly that gardening has saved him. Growing plants has helped with his mental health, which has been impacted by childhood trauma, depression and anxiety.
Leight is an award-winning garden designer and an active mental health campaigner who inspires people to use gardening for their mental wellbeing.
He has featured on TV and radio, including BBC Gardeners’ World, writes for various newspapers and magazines and contributes to several horticultural and wellbeing podcasts.
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Leigh shares the many wonderful ways his garden has brought support and joy.
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