Adam Frost

THE champagne corks have been popping at RHS Chelsea and in Lincolnshire, as garden designer Adam Frost notches up a third gold medal at the world famous show.

Working with his landscape partners, New Ground Landscapes, Adam and Richard Penfold from NGL built this year’s Best Urban Garden – designed for the Thrive charity, by Jo Thompson.

The Unexpected Gardener garden, created for Thrive, shows how that age and disability are no barrier for gardening – incorporating raised planter beds for ease of access, and outdoor fireplace, fountain and seating area.

Adam – who lives in Stamford – is an already two-time gold medallist at Chelsea. He said: “Judging day is always an anxious time, so to be involved with a ‘best in show’ garden is amazing.”

Richard of New Ground Landscapes added: “It has been extremely hard work, but to get a gold medal makes it all worthwhile. Our last gold was in 2007 when we worked with Adam on his Realistic Retreat Garden.”

Adam is also sharing a small part in another gold medal at this year’s Chelsea, helping with the planting on Mark Gregory’s Childrens’ Society Garden that also gained a top honour.

Past Chelsea successes

2009 silver medal for the QVC garden
2008 gold medal for A Welcome Sight – Best Urban Garden
2007 gold medal for A Realistic Retreat – Small Garden

Photo courtesy of David Devins

Adam Frost is a garden designer, landscape contractor, speaker/lecturer and key industry representative, based in south Lincolnshire yet working worldwide. Currently associate designer for New Ground Landscapes, he is a highly skilled, recognised and enthusiastic member of the garden design industry.

Adam established Adam Frost Landscapes in 1996, which grew from strength to strength. At the beginning of 2008, Adam Frost Landscapes ceased trading and the company was divided into New Ground Landscapes (predominantly garden construction and maintenance) and Adam Frost Design (Adam acting as associate designer to NGL). ‘The aim was to separate the design from the construction so people could be clearer in specifying the design or construction side of work. The reality is, however, that the two companies work incredibly closely together and I very much like it that way.’

The last couple of years have seen significant growth for Adam, not only as a landscaper of high-quality private and public gardens (recent examples include the Royal National Rose Society in Hertfordshire and the RHS Growing Tastes garden at Hampton Court Flower Show), but also as an award-winning designer in his own right. Winning an RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal for his first ever small garden (2007), he won both gold and best-in-show small garden in 2008. This comes on top of many accolades over the years for the construction of a range of garden spaces – both at shows and in private homes.

Like many in the profession, Adam’s interest in gardening stems from his childhood. Fascinated with nature and the natural world around him ever since he was a young boy growing up in Hertfordshire, Adam still loves to be either at the drawing broad working on a design or outside working in – and on – the landscape. Adam loves working with people and has collaborated with a range of designers and architects – including Sir Terence Conran, David Stevens, Dan Pearson and Julian Dowle.

Adam originally trained in horticulture, horticultural management and garden design, notably with Professor David Stevens. But it was working as landscape manager (1986-1996) for the late Geoff Hamilton, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, at Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland, that reinforced his love for garden making. As landscape manager he was responsible for designing and building many of the gardens that Geoff used in the television series. ‘I spent 10 years working with probably the most influential gardener of the time. Just being around him on a daily basis inspired me and fed my passion.’

With a passion for sharing his knowledge and imparting advice, Adam is Chair of the trade body the Association of Professional Landscapers, on the board of the Horticultural Trades Association and a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers and the British Association of Landscape Industries. An experienced public speaker, he has lectured at Nottingham Trent University and is on the working committee of Lantra. In addition, he runs inspirational and enjoyable garden design and construction courses (often with international designer David Stevens), and informally is always willing to help others develop and learn from the industry.