Gardening Unlimited
In 2001, I set out to create something special at Hunting Brook Gardens. What a privilege it is to share this beautiful place along with my passion and experience with so many other plant and nature lovers from all over the world.
If you’ve been bitten by the gardening bug and you’re ready to be brave and try something different, I’d love to guide you on your own journey of discovery.
Hi 👋, I'm Jimi Blake!
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
1990 - 2001
My Beautiful Obsession
My romance with plants started when I was a young boy, gardening alongside my mother Kathleen. As a curious 8-year-old, you would see me planting cacti and propagating plants in our garden. After leaving school, there was only one career I wanted to pursue.
So, I went to train at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. At the tender age of 21, I was made Head Gardener at Airfield. I was successfully able to complete my mission of resuscitating the 38-acre Victorian gem back to its former glory.
THE CHALLENGE
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2002 - 2018
Sharing My Home
After 12 happy years at Airfield, I felt that it was time to do something different. I was able to secure 20 acres of land not far from where I was born. I toiled day and night to build a new home for myself and create one of Ireland’s best gardens.
Hunting Brook was opened to the public in May 2002, welcoming thousands of visitors and gardeners across the world to my colourful home. It is my canvas, the place where I experiment with patterns and combinations, pushing the boundaries of my creativity.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
2019+
Sharing My Love With The World
Years after Hunting Brook’s success, I felt that something was missing. You see, despite the amazing career I had, sharing my creativity had some geographical restrictions, as it was confined within the borders of Ireland.
But the beauty of gardening knows no boundaries. That’s when I decided to launch my online courses to share years of my plant knowledge with the world, helping thousands of gardeners around the globe build spectacular gardens of their own.
Best-Selling Author
Jimi is the author of the celebrated gardening book "A Beautiful Obsession" and a writer for international magazines.
TV Host
Jimi is also one of the co-hosts of hit TV show "Ireland's Garden Heroes."
International Lecturer
Jimi regularly speaks at the world's biggest gardening conferences.
Garden Legends on Jimi Blake
Here's what the biggest names in gardening had to say about Jimi, after being mesmerised by what they saw at Hunting Brook.
"Hunting Brook is a garden that is endlessly beguiling and however many times you visit it, you always find something new."
Monty Don OBE
Presenter, Gardeners' World | Best-Selling Author | Editor
“What a real joy to discover both a treasure where the individual exotic plants excite and a collection that is both sensitively and imaginatively composed. All sculpted and tended by a gardener who positively overflows with enthusiasm.”
Chris Beardshaw
Garden Designer | Speaker | Author | Presenter
"To lovely Jimi, words fail me for once. Thank you for being such a huge inspiration and such a giggle. You make me love plants twice as much and all over again"
Carol Ann Klein VMH
Gardening Expert | Author | Presenter
“Hunting Brook is the best teaching venue in the country”
Denis Cotter
Celebrity Chef | Author | Owner, Café Paradiso
“A taste for the exotic, a sense of adventure and a willingness to experiment has inspired a devoted plant-hunter to transform 20 acres of Irish farmland into lush garden to showcase his impressive collection. His approach is adventurous, exotic, naturalistic and experimental.”
Paula McWaters
Country Living Magazine
— Available for a limited time
FREE MASTERCLASS: Garden 365
Want to catch a glimpse of Jimi's enormous plant knowledge? This FREE 30-minute Masterclass is an introduction to Jimi's philosophy on creating a year-long interest in your garden. Join him as he introduces you to his favourite plants in Hunting Brook.
Jimi's a skilled, giving teacher, sharing plant expertise eagerly. His gardening's restless and experimental, always exploring and sharing new ideas. Learn about top plant types and creative usage while making lasting friends beyond class.
Philip Holoway
Student & Garden Designer
I took Jimis plant course in 2018, the best thing I ever did. He taught me plant combos, year-round colour, critical eye for change. His passion is infectious, it was marvellous. I'd recommend to others.
Marie Arnold
Student
Can online match in-person? Jimi's videos are great, miss garden scent and Doris/Billy. Huge content, pace control, plant list, and excitement with new varieties. Jimi's Instagram box openings = magic! Infectious enthusiasm = positive online vibe.
Yvonne Leavy
Student
Jimi Blake, my life-changing teacher, challenges conventional horticultural thinking with his unique approach. With in-depth knowledge, he makes design, propagation, planting, and pruning FUN! You won't find another course like it.
Petra Sturgon
Student & Garden Designer
Barry Murphy
Student
Joyce Fitzpatrick
Student
It's Time To Take Your Gardening Skills To The Next Level
This course is for people who:
Are looking to expand their plant knowledge.
DON'T want to spend a lot of money buying new plants and instead use propagation techniques.
Are willing to learn and try new plants outside their comfort zone.
Are ready to take action.
What Our Students Say
Still wondering if Jimi's program is really that good? Well, our former students have a lot to say about it.