
Six months after launching The Rose Press Garden, modern gardener Lizzie Fox has announced that she will be appearing at the Chelsea Flower Show! Here she gives tips on how to make our gardens look fabulous, now that the rule of six has come back into our outdoor spaces
I’m very grateful for a childhood growing up in the garden. I also enjoyed school, university and my career in marketing over the past few years. I’m very much an optimist and I think this outlook helps me see the positives in everything I do. I’ve moved all over the country for work, but I’m really pleased to be settled back in Norfolk as it is an amazing county.
The start of 2020 was a mix of excitement to go on more adventures, and to pull back and look after myself more. I had lots of plans in 2020 to go on more exotic holidays, but I was also aware of how much my commute each day was draining my energy. I think the lockdown at the start of 2020 was a good reminder for me to slow down the pace. Whilst I didn’t go on exotic holidays, it really taught me to be more grounded, to appreciate what I have, and to notice the positives in the smallest of things. Working from home really helped to give me more time back to be in my garden, read and relax.
I found lockdown one was an anxious time for me, as it was for so many people. I really missed seeing my close family and friends. I’ve been working my full-time job in food marketing throughout the past year so I’m grateful for that stability. Plus, my garden has been my sanctuary and being able to throw myself into digging and planting has really helped me. I found the second and third lockdowns much easier because I was focusing on building my business: The Rose Press Garden which is making gardening modern, fun and easy, with flower seeds that come with step-by-step instructions and how-to videos. I’m so looking forward to this summer where hopefully there will be less restrictions.

In March 2020 I ordered some flower seeds for my garden and they arrived in a bashed, white, manky envelope with an advert for leather reclining chairs, elasticated tartan waistband trousers and a holiday brochure (clearly not aimed at my age range)! I thought ‘gardening is for young people, too’ and felt really frustrated that a hobby that is so brilliant for both our physical and mental health has previously been branded as something for the elderly to enjoy. I wanted to create something modern, vibrant and colourful where people could learn to sow gorgeous flowers from seed rather than buying full sized plants for five times the price.
So many of my friends and family visited my garden when I moved in a few years ago and asked how they could create something similar – but needed the support. This is where my how-to videos came in – so, whether you’ve never sown a seed before, or want to try something new, I’m there with guidance every step of the way.
I built my own website www.therosepressgarden.com and shared my products on my Instagram page @therosepressgarden and the products and videos were really popular. I’ve had so many messages since saying how wonderful it is to receive flower seeds beautifully wrapped with clear instructions.
There have been more than three million new gardeners since lockdown began and I’m so pleased! Spending more time at home and socialising outside has made a lot of us want to spruce up our outdoor spaces. The past year has been an uncertain time for so many of us, but the garden is a constant and a brilliant way to be creative, challenge ourselves and create something beautiful. I’m really pleased to see more people of all ages spend more time in their gardens. I’m so excited to be able to have people over to see them after so long.
I am over the moon to announce that I have a trade stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this September. My business is six months in and to be going to the most prestigious flower show within my first year of business is something I’m really proud of. It really is a dream come true! I’m also really pleased to be representing young gardeners at the show with a new and modern brand. If anyone is going to RHS Chelsea in September, then do come over and say hello.

I have so many ambitious plans for my brand and would love to expand my range into more gardening products…watch this space!
My Flower Seed Advent Calendars which have 24 packets of seeds for each day in the run up to Christmas will be returning later this year too.
Here are a few tips to ensure your garden looks fabulous:
1) Sow some flower seeds now for beautiful blooms in just a few months’ time. With the lighter days and warmer weather our seedlings will thrive!
2) Paint fences and any walls with a fresh lick of paint. This always makes an area look special.
3) Even if you have a small garden, terrace or balcony, you can still grow flowers in containers – now is a great time to add flowers such as pansies and bedding plants to pots.
4) Take on a bigger project and dig a new garden border. The wider the border the often bigger and fuller your garden will feel.
5) Add some lights to your garden; whether it be candles for a natural glow, or festoon lights – these can create a gorgeous feel at dusk and means you can sit out with your guests for longer.
Visit The Rose Press Garden and Instagram
Leave a Reply