As part of our ‘From the Plot’ series, we’ve been talking to inspirational growers who generously share their gardening knowledge with others. We spoke to Ellen Dolbear – the dahlia devotee, NHS nurse and flower enthusiast behind @country_allotment. Discover how she restored an abandoned allotment in memory of her great-uncle Harry, and how it became a flower-filled sanctuary from her high-pressure career…
Restoring an allotment began my gardening journey
Careful planting on Ellen’s allotment leads to thriving beds filled with blooms
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
My love for gardening began six years ago with a very special plot – once the pride and joy of my great-uncle Harry. He was a passionate grower of vegetables, but after his health declined, the garden fell into disrepair. Overgrown with weeds and dense with tall grass, it had lost its sparkle.
I felt a deep urge to bring it back to life, not only as a tribute to him but as a personal project. Bit by bit, season by season, I restored the space. I worked the soil, cleared the weeds, and slowly transformed it into the vibrant allotment it is today.
Now, it’s bursting with life: vegetables, flowers, bees, and butterflies. I know my great-uncle Harry would be proud.
Gardening is my lifeline outside of nursing
Ellen picking cut flowers for floral arrangements
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
Gardening isn’t just a hobby for me, it’s a lifeline. As a full-time NHS nurse, my days can be demanding and emotionally intense. My garden offers me something essential: a peaceful space to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.
I’m especially drawn to cut flowers, and I’m a particularly enthusiastic dahlia grower. It’s my sanctuary, my creative outlet, and a constant source of joy.
Year after year, I find fulfilment in cutting blooms and bringing their beauty indoors. It’s a simple, lasting source of happiness – well, in my eyes anyway!
Nature is at the heart of my gardening ethos
Mixed planting supports an array of pollinators
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
Supporting nature is deeply important to me. I garden organically, compost regularly, and focus on planting pollinator-friendly plants to help bees and butterflies thrive.
For me, gardening, much like nursing, is an act of care. Both require patience, commitment, and a nurturing spirit. I’m especially inspired by cut flowers and vibrant colours in the garden. There’s something magical about watching a tiny seed grow.
Dahlias are my favourite flower to grow
Dahlias and delphiniums on Ellen’s plot
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
I love to grow dahlias, because they’re bold, beautiful, and endlessly satisfying. They fit perfectly in my rustic cottage style garden: which is colourful, natural, and slightly wild – just the way I like it.
I also love to grow delphiniums, for their dramatic spikes and dreamy colours. Plus pumpkins and gourds, perfect for autumn and always fun to grow.
My top tips for beginner gardeners
Pots and trays of plug plants grown from seed
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
- Purchase high-quality seeds and try taking cuttings to experiment with growing a variety of plants. It’s very much trial and error.
- Plan your space and reduce weeding stress. I use walkways and weed-suppressing membrane to keep weeds at bay – it saves time and makes things manageable.
- Mulch your dahlias. Instead of digging them up, I simply mulch with straw, and they come back beautifully year after year.
Growing my own wedding flowers
Cut flowers from Ellen’s plot
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
My garden is like a colour wheel for my creativity. I don’t just love growing, I love arranging too.
One of my proudest achievements was growing and arranging all the flowers for our wedding. It was a big undertaking, including flowers for the church, reception tables, bouquets, and buttonholes – all grown by hand and arranged with help from family. With plenty of planning (and a trial run the year before!), it all came together beautifully. It made our day feel truly personal and meaningful.
More space to grow is my goal
Vibrant cut flower display and Ellen picking flowers on her allotment
Images courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
At the moment, my little greenhouse is bursting at the seams, and I’ve started taking over my dad’s garage – which he’s not too thrilled about!
A larger greenhouse is definitely on my wish list, and I’m hoping that one day soon I’ll have the space to grow even more.
Grow like Ellen
Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’ creates superb cut flowers for displays
Image courtesy of Ellen Dolbear
Follow Ellen at @country_allotment for dramatic dahlias, cottage garden inspiration and allotment life. To discover more inspirational growers, explore our From the Plot series for practical tips and ideas.
