Roy and I have maintained a dialogue for many years. I was first introduced to him by Fergus Garrett, whose friendship and influence has shaped so much of my own journey. From that first introduction, Roy became someone I deeply admired and with whom I always hoped to work. There were several occasions when we came close to collaborating – we explored the possibility at a garden in Texas, and again in Idaho – but it was not until I became involved in a special project at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia that the opportunity truly presented itself.

Roy is one of the most influential plantsmen I have ever met, a perennial specialist who co-founded Northwind Perennial Farm in southern Wisconsin, America’s Midwest. He is the mind behind a great many planting projects that have transformed the way we think about planting and plant communities.

Spending time in his company and listening to the way he speaks about plants, particularly his passion for companion planting, has brought huge development and growth to my practice. His expertise and support have been invaluable.