Arthur Parkinson

Arthur Parkinson (born 1992–3) is a gardener, award-winning broadcaster, best-selling author, influencer, artist and florist.

Early life and career

Parkinson was born in 1992–3.^[1] His parents split up when he was 11 and he developed an interest in plants.^[2]

Parkinson trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew before working for Sarah Raven at Perch Hill, East Sussex. He was the head gardener at the Emma Bridgewater factory garden.^[3][4]

Parkinson has published articles on gardening, hens and floristry.^[1][5] He is regarded as one of a growing group of young gardening influencers and has received national media coverage.^[1][6] Parkinson has published four books, which have appeared on the Sunday Times Bestseller List. His book The 'Flower Yard: Growing Flamboyant Flowers in Containers' was named as one of The Times top ten best gardening books of 2021.^[7]

Parkinson won the Garden Media Guild award for Best Radio Broadcast or Podcast for his "Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange" podcast with Sarah Raven in 2021.^[8] He appeared in a 2019 episode of Gardener’s World.^[9][10] His artwork has appeared in a range of products sold by Fortnum and Mason.^[11]

Personal life

He lives in a cottage in the Cotswolds with his partner James Mackie, the interior designer.^[12]

As a child, he became a friend of Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, with whom he bonded over a shared interest in hens.^[1]

Books

• The Flower Yard: Growing Flamboyant Flowers in Containers
• The Flower Yard in Containers & Pots: Creating Paradise Season By Season
• The Pottery Gardener: Flowers and Hens at the Emma Bridgewater Factory
• The Flower Yard: Planting a paradise

References

1. Beddington, Emma (2023-04-02). "'Hens have always been a sanctuary for me': 'henfluencer' Arthur Parkinson". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
2. "10 questions with Arthur Parkinson, Instagram florist and gardening protégé". Country Living. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
3. "Ask the author: Arthur Parkinson on spring gardening". The History Press. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
4. Parkinson, Arthur (2018). The Pottery Gardener: Flowers and Hens at the Emma Bridgewater Factory. History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-8557-4.
5. Parkinson, Arthur (2023-12-30). "Eight New Year's resolutions for your garden in 2024". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
6. "Arthur Parkinson: The 'intensely creative' gardener with 'spectacular flamboyance' rising to the top of the gardening world". Country Life. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
7. Thame, Rachel de (2024-06-04). "10 best gardening books 2021". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
8. "Winners 2021". gardenmediaguild.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
9. "BBC Two - Gardeners' World, 2019, Episode 31, Arthur Parkinson". BBC. 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
10. "BBC Two - Gardeners' World, 2019, Episode 31, Arthur Parkinson". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
11. "Arthur Parkinson Mug". fortnumandmason.com. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
12. Metcalfe, Elizabeth (2021-10-22). "The 17th-century Cotswold cottage of former Sotheby's specialist James Mackie". House & Garden. Retrieved 2024-06-04.