Meet Ash Hughes, the passionate plant lady behind The Wild Gardener. Based in Richmond, Ash has carved out a niche with her love of unique indoor greenery and her signature specialty – kokedama. Through her custom-built space, she brings plants to life in creative and unexpected ways.
How would you describe your space? Restful, alive and calming. When I walk into my home or plant room, I can smell the scent of a rainforest, and I love it.
How has it evolved over time? We all start out with that one plant and for me, it was a peace lily. Now I have over 200 plants living in every possible area in my home. When the plant room was built, I was able to express myself through hand picking every item that was placed on my wall. It’s a space that has welcomed so many friends, family and the wider community who have come to enjoy it.
How does it reflect who you are? From the tiny corners to the paint on the walls, I have been able to reflect my style. I’m not one to go out and buy the most fancy and expensive decor, I’m one that hunts things out, I make sure it reflects who I am and that I have a connection with it. Colour, textures and cane will always have a place in my heart.
Is there a particular corner or item that’s your favourite? I love this one corner in my bedroom; it has a cosy chair and some plants. It is my haven and I just feel very safe there, I’ve had many conversations with my friends sitting on that chair, it’s just a really good feeling.
How do you keep it organised – or do you embrace a bit of chaos? It’s a mix of both really, as my home/plant room is just a greenhouse that people live in and can be beautifully chaotic. Because my style is maximalist it can be overwhelming for some people who enjoy the peacefulness of minimalism, but I do try and keep it as organised as I can.
What do you hope for the future of the space? With the plant room it has half of the roof that is fully covered with clear light, it lets in that sunlight over winter that my plants and self so desperately crave. I think the only thing with my cottage-size home is I would love more windows to let more light in. The plant room was a great addition to the property. With the amount of plants I do have, it did become overwhelming when you had to fight your way to the kitchen through a forest of plants. I'm pretty content with the space that has been created.
