A grassroots approach is what really underpins everything that we do at Loam.
With now over 20 years of experience, what started out as a young boy living in the suburbs, forever outside playing in the local clay-based soil, an appreciation for the changing seasons saw me follow a horticultural path in education, studying for a diploma at Sparsholt College, Winchester. Alongside my studies, working at a local wholesale herbaceous nursery would have me hone my plant knowledge further, while on graduation, my subsequent career path has helped me to understand the key to creating a great garden.
At the well-established Hampshire-based design company Taylor & Tripp I was able to further my passion and knowledge for plants and garden design, where I was appointed Maintenance Manager of a large portfolio of private estates and gardens in Hampshire and surrounding counties. During my time with Taylor & Tripp, I also earned a place exhibiting a small garden design at Chelsea Flower Show, which went on to win ‘Best in Category’.
Life then took me to London – working for Ginko Landscapes in design and management. It was here that I really came to understand the importance of outdoor spaces and relished in the diverse challenges that small city gardens posed.
Large or small, rural or urban, what my experiences have taught me, is that creating a great garden is all about creating a “sense of place”. Taking into account the site, the surrounding landscape, and most importantly, that which the client demands from it, sees me regard every project I am entrusted with as unique. Whether it be long or short-term maintenance work, or hard or soft landscaping design plans, no two gardens are the same, while they also change over time, and as such I value building long term relationships with clients and their gardens.
Keith James Simm
“Keith has been helping me with my garden, which houses the National Collection of Clematis Montana Group, for 6-8 days a year since 2011. He is an exceedingly talented, pleasant young man, reliable, competent, honest and hard working. He has transformed the garden with his tweaking and stylising. He has a superb design eye. I recommend him with confidence.”