Fiona Cumberpatch

Happy May Day from …The container garden…. I came back from Edinburgh to find that Mr. Dee has put up the wooden fish tray, what a lovely surprise it was! I wasted no time in styling the plants. The trellis is up too, so more plants needed. I have nearly finished the container garden and can’t wait to sit out here drinking tea and listening to bird song. I want to say a huge thank you to Fiona @fionacumberpatch for inspiring me to create this new garden, Fiona is the queen of the container garden. Have a lovely Friday and thank you so much for following my little account. #newbuildgarden #containergarden #scottishgarden #countryhomes #cottagegardenstyle Mysimplelife | countryliving | realgarden |

We’ve almost completed the first project of 2026…it only took us nine years! Since 2017, every time we opened our front door, we entered into a cold, unloved room, bare and uninviting. I’m so pleased we’ve finally decorated our hall, stairs and landing. We’ve still got some art to hang, and a stair runner to buy, but hopefully all this will be done by May. We’re now greeted with a warm and welcoming hallway. The best part, my Map is back on the wall. I still can’t understand why it took me so long to get my act together. I think this is maybe taking #slowinteriors a bit too far! All the paint is from @farrowandball All White on the walls, Setting Plaster on the stairs, bannisters and window, and Bambozzle on the cabinet. Most of the art is second-hand vintage finds from @antikquity @ebay_uk and various vintage markets, with an original art piece from @fionacumberpatch (still to be hung) and I will also put up some original art from @artbymiajones over the next few weeks. I’d just like to add that my Ancient Books candle from @themaskedgarden smells fab, and I’ve a discount code AMANDA15 for 15% off. Is it just me, or have you got a room project that just seems to be taking an age to complete? 💚

🌿 In Fiona’s Stamford container garden @fionacumberpatch (swipe through to see before 120 plant pots transformed the space!): “Downsizing from a village house to a small Edwardian terrace in the middle of a town, we traded a generous, leafy plot for a tiny, paved 12m x 5m overlooked courtyard. I planned to dig up the slabs and make an urban cottage-style garden filled with flowers and wildlife. But after adding a kitchen extension with bifold doors, our builder broke some bad news: there was no soil under our yard, only layers of rubble and concrete, far too expensive to remove. I knew I had to make a view somehow, so I’ve created a garden using only containers (120 of them!). We removed some slabs and laid a curved reclaimed brick path to break up the boxiness. Small trees and shrubs in pots added some height and privacy, with ornamental grasses making a living screen against a low wall. I gained the sense of immersion that I craved within two years. In summer, I love sitting outside the mini greenhouse with a cup of tea and my paints. Looking up, I see Tumbling Toms ripening alongside pink pelargoniums in a wall planter. Wigwams of home-grown cosmos, zinnias, thunbergia, honeysuckle and plumbago surround me. Bees are buzzing and various butterflies flit past. It’s my escape, my haven, my solace - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” #GMinyourgarden is our series peeking over the fence into gardens around the world to explore their places in our lives today.

🧑‍🎨 We had a fantastic pastel and paint workshop for adults at Stamford Arts Centre back in February! Here are some lovely photos from the afternoon and all the wonderfully creative participants putting various artistic processes and techniques into action! 🎨 🗓️ I’ll be running a similar whole day drawing and painting workshop for adults at the Charleston Trust in Sussex on 16th June 2026! Join me for a creative workshop and explore your own unique vision through the expressive use of pastel and paint, drawing inspiration directly from the Charleston garden! 🌸🌷 Begin the day by experimenting with pastel techniques, then reinterpret your work in acrylic on canvas board. I’ll share insights from my artistic process, encouraging freedom, curiosity, and reflection. ✨ This workshop is suitable for all experience levels. And there’s more! 🤩 The day includes an exclusive tour of the modernist home of the Bloomsbury Group at Charleston House, providing a glimpse into its rich artistic history. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, including a delicious lunch made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.🫜 All the materials you’ll need to bring your creations to life will be included! 🎨🖌️ Bookings are open NOW! Link in bio! 🔗 👆 @charlestontrust #sussexartist #Bloomsbury group #artistworkshop

Some random March pictures from my days

Flower arranging at the world's first public museum @ashmoleanmuseum today for the private press preview of their new exhibition "In Bloom" which opens to the public on Thursday and runs until mid August. An absolute honour and it was wonderful to meet such fantastic writers, press, media & PR for all things garden and botanical including @gardenersworldmag @idealhomeuk @glee_birmingham @thechattygardener @gluts_gluttony @theplantparlourgram @fionacumberpatch and many more! A heartfelt thank you to the museum and incredible restaurant team who made the day run so beautifully and to Justine @eight8.inspires - We met just 4 months ago thanks to an event @womenschapter and I am so grateful for all her amazing support. Do take a look at her lovely work. Im excited to make a reel of today and to share some moments of our special visit to @oxfordbga this afternoon 🪻🌿 Jennifer x

Hellebores are just so pretty - and I have a fair few that come up every year around this time. They make me think of @fionacumberpatch ’s garden as I know she has lots growing too. (I wonder if she pots them up in her mustard pots? Must remember to ask her!) Anyway, having fun this afternoon in my studio with this little painting on canvas - it is in the early stages - much more to do. It’s painted on one of my pink grounds - hoping to keep some little snippets showing through. #hellebores #stilllifepaintings #paintingflowers #northantsrutlandos #wellandvalleyartsociety

Inspired by @fionacumberpatch when she posted her gorgeous find. I noticed these on marketplace a few days ago and just had to treat myself. Haven't posted much lately but in the background there are seeds sprouting, potatoes chitting and plans aplenty! A garden trolley and polytunnel have been purchased. Watch this space for updates.

I only sold one tiny browser piece at the weekend 😢 Shame, because they are super quality giclee prints on good quality paper, but i guess my style has changed a little since I had them made, and so maybe it’s time to rethink. I was chatting to my friend, artist @debbiejamespaintings about browser pieces this morning and I suddenly hit on an idea. Rather than bin these prints - I’d try painting over them. After all, it’ll just be like using some of my home made collage - and I can create something more close to my current style. Here’s the first one I played with this afternoon. Just a bit of fun. Might still be a browser piece. What do you think? Browser or frame it? #paintingflowers #onmyeasel #stilllifeartist #frameornoframe

Last Friday morning felt like a little December hug! I was invited along with @lesley_bolton to the Macmillan Community Breakfast at our local @chefandbrewer and it really was the loveliest start to the day. We were greeted with a very warm welcome and the table was beautifully set. We met and chatted with some lovely people. The event was held across the country for anyone affected by cancer, amazing volunteers and supporters as a way of saying a gentle thankyou. There were warm chats, kind faces, tears and smiles but most importantly a feeling of community and support for each other and in gratitude for Macmillan. This year, back in September together we raised £401.33 for @macmillancancer through the Macmillan Flower Fest #bloomingtogetherformacmillan part of #macmillancoffeemorning. A huge thankyou to everyone who took part, supported and made a donation. This really was a shining example of our instagram community working together to make a difference to so many others. Your donations will help to ensure that Macmillan can continue offering emotional, physical and financial support through their services UK wide to everyone affected by cancer and their families💚THANKYOU X

What an incredible celebration of creativity, kindness, flowers, and community it has been. A huge thankyou to everyone who has taken part and lent their support in any way. Special thanks to our category leads and category judges for taking the time to look through your entries and choosing the winners and to you for taking the time to enter and get involved! We have had 85 entries in total. Each and every one had a story to tell. You have made us smile, reflect, give thanks, and warmed our hearts with gratitude and love. It has certainly made the decision-making for all of our judges incredibly hard! Together we have raised £386 for @macmillancancer Thankyou for your generosity and donations. You are truly making a real difference to all those affected by cancer, ensuring that Macmillan are able to continue offering their much needed support services. Tomorrow evening the Best in Fest winners will be announced including:- Best in Fest, your people's choice winners Best in Fest winners chosen by our six category leads AND Best in Fest winners chosen by our overall Festival judge the wonderful @kittikovacs_gardendesign 🌸Bakes in Bloom 1st @country_allotment 2nd @rosiesewsandgrows 3rd @bluebellandbumblebee 🌸Flower Power Portraits 1st @emmasflowergarden 2nd @lauras_little_cottage_garden 3rd @lottieonthehill 🌸Pebbles of Positivity 1st @outdoorsformentalhealth 2nd @theflowermummysgarden 3rd @lesley_bolton 🌸Cup-Tivating Support 1st @transform_no10 2nd @holmlea_gardens 3rd @annasgardenjourney 🌸Letters from Nature :A floral flatlay 1st @poddersgardenpottering 2nd @ginas_flower_garden 3rd @itsbeckysgarden 🌸Friendship, Memories and Keepsakes 1st @rosiesewsandgrows 2nd @annasgardenjourney 3rd @country_allotment WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL👏👏👏💚☕️🌸🌟 #bloomingtogetherformacmillan #macmillancancersupport #macmillancoffeemorning #cancersupport #communitygardening #raisingfundsforcharity #raisingawarenesstogether #supportingeachother #symbolicflowers #loveflowers #BloomingTogether #communitylove

Feeling very inspired by @moderngardens and @fionacumberpatch article on how to make your garden more Zen like. Chuffed to be in it too. Fiona tells us how this cool, calm and seriously INSTA-WORTHY TREND is taking over and how to effortlessly master the look in our garden. The Stone Globe Lights tick all the boxes. Not only for their stone like quality adding to the earthy elements, but people often comment on how they love the tactile feel they have. Then as darkness descends the ‘stone’ transforms into a warm ball of light✨ Click on the link in the bio for details or DM me. Hurry though if interested. Our 15% discount offer JP15 ends SOON. Thank you @fionacumberpatch and @moderngardens for including Stone Globe Lights in the October issue🙏 . . . #zengarden #stoneglobelights #gardens #moderngardens #instatrend #gardenlighting #toptips #gardening #japanese_gardens