Naked Gardeners bare all in Perennial 2018 calendar
Known as The Grubby Gardeners, the models who span all sectors of commercial horticulture, bared all in order to raise much needed funds for Perennial.
Print8 November 2017
A group of gardeners have stripped off to star in a naked calendar to raise money for Perennial, the charity helping those in horticulture.
The Perennial Naked Gardeners Calendar is the face of the horticulture trade as The Grubby Gardeners span growers, garden designers, consultants, to Ireland’s own garden landscaper and host of the popular gardening podcast, The Sod Show, Peter Donegan.
Never has the time for charitable funding been needed more than now as in Ireland alone, following the devastating Storm Ophelia, we have seen some of the country’s largest nurseries left without any financial help from the government despite tens of thousands of euro worth of damage done to their businesses.
The Perennial Naked Gardeners Calendar 2018 makes a great Christmas gift and all proceeds will go towards helping those working in horticulture and their families during times of crisis.
Following the success of the 2015 Naked Gardeners Calendar, this hardy group of volunteers from across the horticulture industry collectively known as The Grubby Gardeners decided to get together again, baring all for their trade charity.
The stars of the 2018 Naked Gardeners Calendar are:
- Rocky Coles, Self-Employed Gardener, Northamptonshire .
- Peter Donegan, The Sod Show / Donegan Landscaping, Ireland.
- Cory Fernmoor, Head Gardener, Private residence, New Zealand.
- Joseph Ford, Garden Consultant and Designer.
- Ben Gregory, Plant Product Development Manager, Wyevale Nurseries.
- Darran Jaques, Plantsman and Designer, Urban Creations, Surrey / London.
- Andrew Lane, Formal Gardener, RHS Wisley, Surrey.
- David Lewis, Head Gardener and Garden Designer.
- Michael Perry, Mr Plant Geek, TV Presenter and Gardener.
- Kenny Raybould, Head Gardener, Neo Bankside.
- Dave Root, Director, Kelways, Somerset.
- Andrew Wain, Head Gardener, Wiltshire .
They were photographed by Jonathan Ward of Ginger Horticulture at RHS Garden Wisley.
Anita Bates, director of marketing and development at Perennial, said: “Thanks so much to the boys who had the idea for the calendar in the first place and were brave enough to shed their clothes in front of the camera.”
Bates continued: “It is all a bit of fun and makes a great stocking filler or Christmas gift, but it also helps raise money and awareness of the services we offer to horticulturists who are facing tough times.
“Christmas is often a difficult time for those struggling with challenges such as illness, accident, debt, bereavement, unemployment and so on, but Perennial is there for everyone working in and retired from all areas of the horticulture industry if ever they need help.”
Coordinator of the calendar, TV presenter and gardener Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) said: “The Grubby Gardeners are back with a calendar that is cheekier than ever. Shooting the last calendar was such fun and so it didn’t take much to persuade the chaps to get together again for this year’s calendar. We all feel passionately about the work of Perennial and its role in supporting everyone in our industry so we are glad to be able to help raise awareness and money.”
Perennial offers free, confidential advice and support to everyone working in, or retired from, horticulture, and their families, including gardeners, garden designers, landscapers, landscape architects, nursery and garden centre staff, parks and grounds care staff, arborists, and tree surgeons.
People turn to Perennial for financial and emotional help in times of need because of disability, sickness, poverty, financial hardship and old age – although increasingly younger people are seeking assistance from the charity.
Many individuals describe the services Perennial offers as a ‘lifeline’. The work of Perennial depends entirely on voluntary donations from the horticultural industry and the garden-loving public.
The calendar is available from: https://shop.perennial.org.uk/products/naked-gardeners-calendar-2018 for £10.
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