Join us for an inspiring conversation celebrating the art of growing, with writer and gardener Milli Proust, Nelly Hall of Alitex, and Daryll Taylor, Head Productive Gardener at Thyme.
Drawing on their expertise in productive gardening, horticulture and greenhouse design, the panel will explore how to create beautiful, abundant growing spaces, from kitchen and cutting gardens to greenhouses that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Together, they will discuss the pleasures of growing, practical advice for cultivating flowers, fruit and vegetables, and how thoughtful garden design can enhance everyday life.
Following the talk, there will be an audience Q&A, and guests will be invited to explore the gardens - and the Alitex Greenhouse.
Join us for an inspiring conversation celebrating the art of growing, with writer and gardener Milli Proust, Nelly Hall of Alitex, and Daryll Taylor, Head Productive Gardener at Thyme.
Drawing on their expertise in productive gardening, horticulture and greenhouse design, the panel will explore how to create beautiful, abundant growing spaces, from kitchen and cutting gardens to greenhouses that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Together, they will discuss the pleasures of growing, practical advice for cultivating flowers, fruit and vegetables, and how thoughtful garden design can enhance everyday life.
Following the talk, there will be an audience Q&A, and guests will be invited to explore the gardens - and the Alitex Greenhouse.
10-10.30am - Guest Arrival and Refreshments
10.30-11.30am - Talk
11.30am - Audience Q&A
12pm onwards - Walk to the Kitchen Gardens and the Alitex Greenhouse
12pm onwards - Lunch in the Ox Barn or The Swan
*Talk and lunch tickets include access to the talk, welcome refreshments and lunch in the Ox Barn or The Swan - a £30 allocation towards your bill. Guests may be seated on a communal table - if you have a seating preference, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you on the day.
Milli Proust
Milli Proust is a grower, florist, author and co-founder of ALMA | PROUST, a flower farm and seed company in West Sussex. Alongside growing flowers primarily for seed, Milli writes about gardens, flowers and the seasons, and is the author of four books. From Seed to Bloom and How Does Your Garden Grow? are both packed with information on how to grow flowers and explores the relationship between people, plants and place, with a belief that flowers have the power to bring beauty, hope and connection into everyday life.
Nelly Hall
Nelly Hall is Brand Director at Alitex, the Hampshire-based manufacturer of bespoke Victorian glasshouses. Having been with the company for more than two decades, she has played a central role in shaping the Alitex brand, leading its creative direction, developing partnerships with organisations including the National Trust, and overseeing its presence at leading industry events, including its multiple award-winning stands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Combining a passion for exceptional design with a true love of gardening, Nelly is dedicated to creating beautiful spaces that inspire people to grow, connect with nature, and enjoy the outdoors.
Daryll Taylor
A passionate vegetable gardener from a young age, Daryll was inspired by his great-grandmother and aunt, who instilled a love for growing food. He trained as a chef in Newbury, and honed his skills at a Michelin-starred restaurant in France, before working alongside the renowned chef Gary Rhodes at The Greenhouse in Mayfair.
In 2009, Daryll joined Thyme, where he spent nine years leading the cookery school and overseeing the food operations alongside Caryn Hibbert. Daryll later spent six months volunteering as a gardener with Jane Scotter at Fern Verrow. Following this, he worked for a period as a liaison between the kitchen and the garden at Heckfield Place. In 2023, Daryll returned to Thyme to lead the kitchen garden team.