Inspiration is a word often used in descriptions of Anthony Paul's creations. Inspired and inspiring, his gardens show his consideration, care and tenderness, enhancing the space around them aesthetically and environmentally. As a contemporary landscape designer Anthony puts his work into practice at home too. He designs from a studio based at the internationally known Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, run by his wife. The couple also live within the grounds.

"I like working closely with artists and technicians for my projects and my 2003 garden at Westonbirt is an example of this," he says.

Restrained and requiring little maintenance, based on simple palettes and plants that look natural in whatever environment Anthony is working in, his gardens seem to grow out of their surroundings.

"The way a garden sits in the landscape is my main concern. I sometimes feel that I fill the foreground like a stage and the background is done by a far bigger hand than mine," he says.

But while borrowed scenery gives presence and credibility to his designs, this is the result of the fusion between his inspiration and his vision, never mere serendipity.