Modern heroes of horticulture - Alexandra Campbell
Alexandra Campbell’s journey into horticulture began long before she ever put pen to paper. Growing up as the daughter of a diplomat, moving home was a regular occurrence and she was exposed to a wide range of garden experiences, from the lush and expansive to the tiny and urban. "Some of those gardens I remember very fondly," she recalls. "Others were virtually courtyards, or we even lived in a flat with no garden at all, which was really upsetting."
Alexandra studied archeology, philosophy and Spanish, at university. She wasn’t sure it was a very good combination but “I just thought they all looked like interesting things to study”.
After graduation, Alexandra really wanted to be a journalist but finding entry into the business rather hard she tried to get into advertising. “I had the most extraordinary crazy interviews with all sorts of people. And meanwhile, I was being a disc jockey in nightclubs and parties to pay the rent”. One day while thinking about all those mad interviews, she was inspired to write about the experience. She sent it to ‘Campaign’ the advertising industry magazine, “and they published it immediately with a double page spread”.
She soon became employed in the trade press, working on magazines that covered cosmetics and beauty, which she quite enjoyed, a magazine called ‘Industrial Safety’, which she edited for a while, but which “was not really my cup of tea”. ‘She’ magazine, and ‘Harpers and Queen’, followed before moving on to ‘Good Housekeeping’, where she was managing editor. Her editor there was Sally O'Sullivan. “She was amazing. And I would say, everything I do on the blog and the YouTube channel has probably been learned from Sally in running ‘Good Housekeeping’ magazine.”
It wasn't until later in life that Alexandra and her family settled in Kent, in a 100-foot garden, that she truly began to embrace the joys and challenges of horticulture. "Within about six weeks, I could see things were quite seriously out of control," she laughs. "I got a gardener and worked alongside him, learning as I went."
That learning curve is something Alexandra has channeled into her online platforms, where she shares insights gleaned not just from her own experiences, but from interviews with a who's who of the gardening world. Her blog, Middle Sized Garden, has amassed over 11 million page views, with Alexandra posting new content on a weekly basis. From in-depth guides on topics like garden privacy to profiles of renowned designers, the blog has become a go-to resource for those seeking to make the most of their outdoor spaces.
But it's on YouTube where Alexandra's passion for gardening really shines. With over 395 videos, 200,000 subscribers, and 25 million video views her channel is a treasure trove of practical advice and inspiration. Organised into carefully curated playlists covering everything from ‘English Country Gardens’ to ‘Beautiful Borders,’ the videos offer an intimate look at Alexandra's own middle-sized plot, as well as glimpses into the private gardens of her guests.
"I've been lucky enough to chat with head gardeners, horticulturists, and renowned designers like Fergus Garrett and Paul Bangay," she says. "Picking their brains has been invaluable." One key lesson she's picked up? The importance of finding the right balance. "In a small garden, you can afford to be quite high-maintenance with your plants," she explains. "But in a middle-sized space, you have to be more selective. Something that requires a lot of care at the far end of the garden might get neglected." It's advice like this that is familiar with many of Alexandra's readers and viewers, who are wanting to maximise their outdoor spaces without becoming slaves to them.
Alexandra's own garden has become a source of both inspiration and frustration. "It was beautifully maintained by someone who knew a lot about plants, and that's quite a difficult thing to inherit," she says. "I was practically pursued down the path by things growing, and you think, “Oh, where did that come from?”
But rather than be daunted, Alexandra has taken on the challenge, learning from the ground up and sharing her experiences with her ever-growing audience.
Alexandra's focus extends beyond just sharing tips and tricks. She's also passionate about championing the role of new media in the gardening world, serving as joint chair of the Garden Media Guild. "I've worked in magazines for decades, so I understand the traditional side," she says. "But I'm also really excited about the potential of platforms like blogs and YouTube to reach new audiences and share knowledge in fresh ways."
One of the ways Alexandra has shared her expertise is through a self-published book, ‘The Middle Sized Garden - The Complete Guide to Garden Privacy.’ Recognizing a gap in the market for practical advice on creating private outdoor retreats, she drew on her years of experience and research to produce a comprehensive guide. From clever planting strategies to innovative screening solutions, the book has become a must-have resource for those seeking to carve out their own little oasis of tranquility.
Alexandra can be found at www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk as well as instagram under ‘the-middlesized-garden’.
