Jack Willgoss, Wildegoose Nursery, Shropshire – ‘Higher & Higher – using tall perennials to create an immersive atmosphere’

Jack Willgoss of Wildegoose Nursery, Shropshire.

‘Higher and Higher – Using tall perennials to create an immersive atmosphere in the garden.’

Jack Willgoss started his horticultural training at 16 years old at Reaseheath College, whilst working at the Dorothy Clive Garden. He then went onto study a two year Diploma Course at the flagship RHS Garden Wisley, graduating with Distinction in 2008.

Jack spent a couple of years working as the gardener for a large private house, but he and his wife, who had met as Wisley trainees, had a long held dream to have a nursery and create a beautiful garden to showcase their favourite plants and if this could be in an old Walled Garden even better. So in late 2011 Jack and Laura moved to South Shropshire and set up Wildegoose Nursery – initially specialising in perennial Violas, which they showcased at RHS Malvern and Chelsea Flower Shows winning Gold and Silver Gilt Medals respectively. However,  they then had the opportunity to take on a derelict Walled Garden in 2013 and start to create a garden of their own. Beyond Violas this garden gathered together their favourite herbaceous perennials and grasses that they had been avidly collecting at home and abroad and a garden in a Naturalistic, romantic style started to take shape. The Walled Garden is now open to the public with its series of garden rooms and ornamental vegetable garden and the nursery has expanded to offer a wide range of unusual perennials and grasses, and violas, all propagated from seed, cuttings and division from the stock plants in the garden. The garden and nursery have been featured in many notable magazines including, RHS The Garden, Garden’s Illustrated, Country Life, Country Living and The Guardian.