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The Art of Growing Woody Plants – A Masterclass Day, with Sam Hoey & Jimi Blake
Selection, Cultivation and Long Term Care with Sam Hoey & Jimi Blake May 6th
Cost: €140
This is the first in our new series of master class days focusing on trees and shrubs
The morning Sam will give two illustrated lectures and the afternoon class will be in the gardens and valley where Jimi and Sam will talk about their favourtie woody plants in Hunting Brook at this time of year
Sam’s Lectures
Late Spring Standouts: Choice Trees & Shrubs for May and Beyond
A selection of choice trees and shrubs for late spring and early summer, drawn from Sam’s horticultural experience in the UK and Vancouver, highlighting plants at their seasonal best.
May is a moment of transition in the garden, when early spring blossom gives way to fresh foliage, flowers, and developing structure. In this talk, Sam presents a carefully chosen selection of trees and shrubs that truly shine in May and early summer, informed by his professional experience in the UK and the Pacific Northwest around Vancouver. From elegant flowering trees and textural shrubs to lesser-known woody plants with outstanding seasonal interest, drawn from his time abroad in the UK and Western Canada. This talk explores why these plants work, where they excel, and how climate and context shape their performance. Practical observations over 15 years of experience combined with personal insights to help gardeners make confident and inspired plant choices for this pivotal time of year.
Making Woody Plants Work: Getting the Most from Trees and Shrubs in your garden
A practical, experience-led talk on siting/site selection, maintenance, propagation, and companion planting, drawing on lessons from Sam’s education and travels across the UK, southern Spain, Gibraltar, eastern USA and western Canada.
Trees and shrubs form the backbone of any successful garden, but getting the best from them requires more than simply planting and hoping for the best. In this talk, Sam/I shares practical insights into plant siting, long-term maintenance, propagation techniques, and the thoughtful use of choice perennial companions to enhance woody planting. Drawing on his formal horticultural training and hands-on experience in the UK, southern Spain, Gibraltar, eastern USA and western Canada, he explores how climate, soil, exposure, and cultural practice influence plant performance. This talk blends theory with real-world examples, offering gardeners clear, adaptable principles to help woody plants thrive while creating more resilient, layered, and dynamic gardens.
Sam is a horticulturist with over 15 years of experience, with a special interest in woody plants. He holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree from ITB and worked as a student with the National Trust at Mount Stewart and Rowallane Gardens, where his interest in trees and shrubs took root.
He advanced his skills through RHS Level 4 training during two years at RHS Wisley, and gained further international experience working at the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and on field trips through Soithern Spain. Sam also spent two years in Vancouver, Canada exploring and working within the woody-plant–rich landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Across all his roles, Sam combines academic knowledge and global horticultural experience with a deep, ongoing passion for woody plants.
Selection, Cultivation and Long Term Care with Sam Hoey & Jimi Blake May 6th
Cost: €140
This is the first in our new series of master class days focusing on trees and shrubs
The morning Sam will give two illustrated lectures and the afternoon class will be in the gardens and valley where Jimi and Sam will talk about their favourtie woody plants in Hunting Brook at this time of year
Sam’s Lectures
Late Spring Standouts: Choice Trees & Shrubs for May and Beyond
A selection of choice trees and shrubs for late spring and early summer, drawn from Sam’s horticultural experience in the UK and Vancouver, highlighting plants at their seasonal best.
May is a moment of transition in the garden, when early spring blossom gives way to fresh foliage, flowers, and developing structure. In this talk, Sam presents a carefully chosen selection of trees and shrubs that truly shine in May and early summer, informed by his professional experience in the UK and the Pacific Northwest around Vancouver. From elegant flowering trees and textural shrubs to lesser-known woody plants with outstanding seasonal interest, drawn from his time abroad in the UK and Western Canada. This talk explores why these plants work, where they excel, and how climate and context shape their performance. Practical observations over 15 years of experience combined with personal insights to help gardeners make confident and inspired plant choices for this pivotal time of year.
Making Woody Plants Work: Getting the Most from Trees and Shrubs in your garden
A practical, experience-led talk on siting/site selection, maintenance, propagation, and companion planting, drawing on lessons from Sam’s education and travels across the UK, southern Spain, Gibraltar, eastern USA and western Canada.
Trees and shrubs form the backbone of any successful garden, but getting the best from them requires more than simply planting and hoping for the best. In this talk, Sam/I shares practical insights into plant siting, long-term maintenance, propagation techniques, and the thoughtful use of choice perennial companions to enhance woody planting. Drawing on his formal horticultural training and hands-on experience in the UK, southern Spain, Gibraltar, eastern USA and western Canada, he explores how climate, soil, exposure, and cultural practice influence plant performance. This talk blends theory with real-world examples, offering gardeners clear, adaptable principles to help woody plants thrive while creating more resilient, layered, and dynamic gardens.
Sam is a horticulturist with over 15 years of experience, with a special interest in woody plants. He holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree from ITB and worked as a student with the National Trust at Mount Stewart and Rowallane Gardens, where his interest in trees and shrubs took root.
He advanced his skills through RHS Level 4 training during two years at RHS Wisley, and gained further international experience working at the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and on field trips through Soithern Spain. Sam also spent two years in Vancouver, Canada exploring and working within the woody-plant–rich landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Across all his roles, Sam combines academic knowledge and global horticultural experience with a deep, ongoing passion for woody plants.