I established Temple Garden Design in 1994 to fulfil an ambition I had to earn my living doing something I loved.

Before this I had worked for various Architectural practices in London and Sussex. I had qualified in 1988 with a degree in 3 dimensional design from the School of Architecture at Brighton Polytechnic and by the early 90’s was working for a practice that specialised in well designed, modern leisure centres.

I was responsible for the interiors of these buildings but I was increasingly interested in how they sat in the landscape and realised that often little attention was given to the planting. One day at a team meeting I was told to “stop interfering in the landscaping and go back inside” I have been outside ever since.

I was very lucky that as soon as I started my business I had a client who very bravely commissioned me to design a series of gardens for him at his offices in Lewes. I like to think he recognised a kindered spirit, because Alan loved gardening and grew many plants for himself from seeds and cuttings.

This very early project confirmed to me that I could fuel my passion for design and at the same time be out side with my hands in the soil gardening.

At the same time I took on the running of a neglected 5 acre garden surrounding a listed Queen Anne house in Sussex where I worked for 12 years until it was sold. This gave me scope to work on a larger scale and plant for the future and the experience was invaluable.

Today I enjoy collaborating with clients, Architects, other designers and craftsmen to design gardens in Sussex and London.

I have developed working relationships with many specialist nurseries that provide me with a fantastic range of plants for my schemes and a great fund of knowledge.

I like to plant up the gardens I have designed myself, it is a great source of satisfaction to me to see the plants going in.

That is the fun of it for me.

Alex Temple.