From Civil Service to Show Gardens: Jane Eastwood’s Journey Blooms at Hole Park and Gardeners’ World Live
A Kent mother who turned to gardening to overcome postnatal anxiety is set to see her dreams blossom this summer — with two of her debut garden designs going on public display, including a prestigious showcase at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (12–15 June 2025).
Jane Eastwood, a mother of two from Hawkhurst, left behind her career as a government copywriter at Gov.uk to pursue a long-held ambition of becoming a garden designer. Her decision came after experiencing postnatal anxiety twice in five years, including during the height of the pandemic. Gardening became both a creative outlet and a path to healing.
In autumn 2023, Jane attended a “Design Your Garden” workshop at Hole Park near Cranbrook. There, her talent and passion caught the attention of staff, who encouraged her to apply for the Work and Retrain As a Gardener Scheme (WRAGS), run by the Working for Gardeners Association (WFGA). She was accepted and began a year-long placement in 2024, working under the mentorship of Hole Park’s Head Gardener and Garden of the Year finalist, Quentin Stark.
During her apprenticeship, a casual conversation with Quentin about revamping the Millennium Garden—set beside the stunning Georgian mansion home of Hole Park owners Edward and Clare Barham—turned into an extraordinary opportunity. Jane was invited to develop design concepts for the remodel, bringing fresh ideas to a historic setting.
Now, just months later, her vision will be shared with the public in two exciting venues—culminating in a dream debut at Gardeners’ World Live, one of the UK’s premier horticultural events.
Jane at the entrance to the Millennium Garden
Jane carefully assessed the space, calculated material costs, and thoughtfully developed a new border layout and planting scheme. Her design — a serene blend of silver, blue, and purple tones arranged in sweeping curves and softened by airy grasses that frame the view — was met with an enthusiastic "yes" from the Barhams.
"I wanted the design to complement the Terracotta Garden on the opposite side of the house, which is full of vibrant reds and oranges," Jane explained. "I also hoped to create a beautiful west-facing view for Edward and Clare to enjoy in the evenings, while commemorating Quentin’s 25th year as Head Gardener in 2025. I was overwhelmed when they told me they loved it and wanted to bring it to life."
Jane's design for the Millennium Garden
Following the end of her training in December 2024, Jane was invited to remain at Hole Park to help bring her garden design to life. The final planting was completed this month (May), just in time for visitors to enjoy her thoughtful and elegant creation.
Designing for a historic garden alone would be a dream start for any emerging designer—but Jane’s journey didn’t stop there. Impressed by her work at Hole Park, her WFGA coordinator, Alison Hepworth, encouraged her to apply for a coveted spot in Gardeners’ World Live as part of the WRAGS-supported show garden initiative. The prestigious event, held at Birmingham’s NEC and drawing more than 90,000 visitors, offers priceless exposure for designers at the start of their careers.
Jane’s winning concept, The Newborn Garden, was selected as one of ten show gardens for 2025. Themed around Cultivating Connections, her design is deeply personal, inspired by her experiences of early motherhood and the postnatal anxiety she worked through—turning pain into beauty through plants and design.
The Newborn Garden design
“The garden is designed to be a calm and welcoming space for anyone caring for a newborn—whether that’s mothers, fathers, guardians, or carers,” Jane explained. “From my own experience, I know how isolating and overwhelming those early days can be. I wanted to create a space that offers the chance for quiet reflection, while also encouraging gentle connection with others.”
To support her vision, Jane partnered with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) as her chosen charity for The Newborn Garden. Through her own outreach and persistence, she also secured sponsorship from Lansinoh, a leading maternal healthcare company. Founded by a mother who struggled with breastfeeding, Lansinoh has spent 40 years supporting families through the postnatal journey—making them a perfect match for Jane’s mission to champion maternal wellbeing.
The garden is a collaborative effort: all plants are being loaned by local nursery Rapkyns in Heathfield, and Hole Park is continuing its support by providing logistics and manpower. Head Gardener Quentin Stark and Deputy Head Gardener Joe Archer will be on-site with Jane at the NEC, helping to build the garden and manage materials, which Hole Park is also storing and transporting.
At the heart of The Newborn Garden will be a specially commissioned Corten steel bench crafted by local supplier RJB Steel. More than just a striking centrepiece, Jane hopes the bench will find a permanent home after the show—donated to a local Birmingham maternal support group, hospital maternity unit, or community garden, where it can continue offering comfort and connection.