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Back in 2012 at Chelsea Flower Show with Nigel's Team

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From Architecture To Landscape: Thank You, Nigel.

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From Architecture To Landscape: Thank You, Nigel.

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Farewell Nigel. Studying landscape architecture and attending your lectures back in 2009 was a life-changing experience. Your enthusiasm was contagious-so much so that it led me to shift from the architecture of buildings to the design of landscapes.

The world is not enough to hold the impact you’ve had on so many of us. Thank you for everything.

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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I was very starstruck when asked to interview Nigel about his 2025 Hospitalfield show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. He was very kind and patient talking me through the planting and I couldn’t help tell him what an inspiration his work was to me in my gardening and design work. He was very gracious and kind when dealing with such an embarrassing fan! I was really struck by how kind he was, on top of being such a brilliant designer and writer.

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London

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I was lucky to work with Nigel last summer on his incredible Hospitalfield garden at Chelsea Flower Show. He was there all day, every day, spending time patiently talking to thousands of visitors and receiving well-deserved praise and congratulations. A remarkable, generous and brilliant man. I can think of no other person in the planting and landscape design world who would evoke such heartfelt admiration, respect and appreciation. Thank you Nigel, it really was an honour to work with you 💚

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中国重庆市沙坪坝区重庆大学沙坪坝北街重庆大学建筑馆

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中国重庆市沙坪坝区重庆大学沙坪坝北街重庆大学建筑馆

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中国重庆市沙坪坝区重庆大学沙坪坝北街重庆大学建筑馆

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In Memory of Professor Nigel Dunnett

I was shocked and heartbroken to learn of the passing of my PhD supervisor, Professor Nigel Dunnett. I feel that the world has lost yet another guiding light—someone who devoted his life to making the world more beautiful.

In my eyes, Nigel was an introverted and quiet person, not always someone who expressed himself readily through words. Yet perhaps precisely because of this, he poured the deepest warmth of his heart, his sharpest ecological insights, and his abundant intellectual gifts almost entirely into the field of ecological planting design that he helped to pioneer, and into those enduring works that continue to move us so profoundly. At this moment, with a heavy heart, I find it difficult to imagine how many wildflower wonders the world has now lost the chance to see bloom, following his departure.

My wife comforted me by saying that Nigel lived an extraordinary life—one that blossomed with rare brilliance—and that he was spared the prolonged suffering that ageing can sometimes bring. Amid the sorrow, I find some consolation in knowing that Nigel’s works and ideas have left a clear and lasting imprint on those of us who were his students. They have also been written, page by page, into my teaching slides, and will continue to influence generation after generation of landscape architecture students. As long as these ideas continue to be spoken of in classrooms, practised in design, and awakened again in meadow after meadow of wildflowers, it will feel as though Nigel has never truly left us.

R.I.P.

In memory of my dear supervisor,

from your PhD student,

Jia Yuan

Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture

Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University

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There are two types of lecturers in Landscape Architecture ones with dirt under their fingernails and ones without. Nigel managed to walk the fine line of being both, his teachings will live on through the landscapes we create.

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While at the University of Sheffield, we all always looked forward to attending his lectures and never missed one. The depth of knowledge he had in planting design, which he shared with all of us will always remain with us, helping us implement these in our projects in different parts of the world. His work will always remind us all of Nigel and who he was.

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It has been several days since I heard of the passing of professor Nigel Dunnett, yet I am still filled with shock and deep sadness.

Professor Nigel Dunnett, he was my tutor during my time in Sheffield, guiding me through my graduation project and thesis. His thoughtful mentorship, along with his generosity in sharing knowledge and experience, had a profound impact and greatly inspired me.

He was a pioneer in naturalistic planting which I admire. More than an accomplished scholar, he was a truly respected mentor. Through his writings, teaching, and built works, he passed on his knowledge and vision to us. His passion and spirit will continue to live on in those he has taught and inspired.

Thank you and farewell professor Nigel.

自從得知Nigel教授離世的消息已過了幾天，現在內心仍充滿震驚與悲痛。

Nigel教授曾是我在雪菲爾求學期間，指導我畢業設計與論文的重要導師。他細心而耐心的指導，以及慷慨分享的知識與經驗，為我帶來深遠的啟發與幫助。

他不僅是傑出的學者，也是令人敬重的導師。透過著作、教學與實踐，將寶貴的理念與經驗傳承給我們。而他的熱忱與精神，也將在我們心中持續延續。

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I stroll or run through this park most weekends and the thoughtful planting always brings me calm. I love seeing how much wildlife is attracted by the meadow planting and the naturalistic areas. Thank you for this fine example of what public park should be, Nigel. 💚

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Reading the sad news of the loss of Professor Nigel Dunnett and reading the personal memories of the many students, practitioners and collaborators is very touching. His influence in teaching and in practice has massively influenced the adoption of naturalistic landscape aesthetics and ecological planting design in China.

During by Bachelor studies of Landscape Design with Plant Science at The University of Sheffield (1993-1996) Nigel helped make the connection between the science and the art of designing with plants. He inspired a journey towards the application of ecological plant strategies (CSR theory) through green roofs and vertical greening, stormwater management, meadows and parklands. He bridged the academic world through taking his research into practice, inspiring many generations of Sheffield graduates.

When I joined AECOM in 2010 I was the only University of Sheffield alumni in the landscape studio at that time. Upon taking the role as studio leader, I set upon a mission to diversify the talent by bringing in more Sheffield graduates with an understanding in planting design. In 2013 thanks to the influence of the London Olympic Parklands I finally reached what I termed my ‘Nigel Dunnett Moment’ which I always include in lecture materials when teaching about planting design in practice and at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Thank you Nigel and to The University of Sheffield for inspiring generations of passionate planting designers!! Your legacy will continue to live on through the landscapes we deliver around the world.

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Whilst working for Leeds City Council, I was inspired by the Books Nigel contributed to on Rain Gardens and his work with pictorial meadows, which led to the design of a Show Garden at the RHS Chelsea flower show in 2009, illustrating a rain garden, the following year we created a show garden reflecting the industrial history of Leeds canal lock gates, incorporating a pictorial meadow representing the future of Parks, this resulted to in a sea change, replacing many of our formal bedding schemes in our parks with pictorial meadows and our approach to the management of urban green spaces. Inspiration is just a fraction of what Nigel gave to the world of Horticulture and the natural environment, huge thanks to his family for sharing such an amazing individual.

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I can't remember when I first encountered the Beech Gardens, only that it was some time ago and I remember thinking that they looked unlike any other urban gardens I had seen. Over the years I have revisited and revisited them, sat on the bench there, pushed a pram in, and then run my toddler around, and then taken another baby there besides. Whatever the time of year, they still captivate me. I love how simultaneously accessible and otherworldly the planting is here; something that can be liberally borrowed from while speaking of an in-between place. It's a feat of thoughtful, clever design.

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Field trips with Nigel, Spring and Summer 2010 

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It’s been over a month since we lost Professor Nigel Dunnett, and his absence is still deeply felt. As a former student, I remember him not just as a "star" professor, but as a heavyweight in the UK’s ecological design scene—one who carried his stature with remarkable grace.

Nigel was consistently meticulous and generous with his knowledge. Looking back at photos from the field trips he led across the UK, I realise how formative those experiences were, even if I didn't fully grasp his logic at the time. I worked in the UK for eight years before relocating to Shanghai, and it was during this professional journey that I finally had those "Aha!" moments. His lectures finally took on a new resonance, and I began to appreciate the true value of ecological design—a path I’m still exploring.

Beyond his books and portfolio, Nigel’s true legacy also lies in the practical insights he shared on social media, where many of us stayed connected to his work. This body of knowledge is a treasure trove that will continue to influence and guide the next generation of designers for years to come. Thank you.