Jo Thompson is recognized as one of the UK's leading garden designers, her gardens featuring in many national newspapers and magazines. Listed by House and Garden magazine as one of the country's top ten garden designers, she is also a Royal Horticulture Society gold winning medalist and was named 'Best Rural Garden Designer'. She is also a visiting tutor at the London College of Garden Design and, this year, is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society's show selection panel. We had the fantastic opportunity to ask her a few questions.

How did you get involved with designing gardens?

I've been interested in architecture and the organisation space ever since I can remember: I would be the one dragging my parents around the Villa d'Este at weekends! My first outside space of my own was a rooftop terrace in Little Venice, London, overlooking the amazing Clifton Nurseries in Clifton Gardens, so a truly inspirational amenity in a fantastic location - I was very lucky, and wanted to make the most of this outside space, which one is so lucky to have in London. I wasn't put off by having to drag  huge bags of compost up 5 flights of stairs; the reward justified the effort.

5ive Words that describe your work?

Each of my gardens is utterly unique, yet they are known for sitting perfectly in their surroundings. My work takes in location and lifestyle, and, combined with a deep understanding of the client's brief, results in gardens that are wonderful to engage with and stunning to observe.

Your most beloved project and why?

Oh how to choose?! I love each and every one of my gardens as they improve the client's day-to-day life. I am really pleased with a garden we have just completed in Knightsbridge, which has an amazing barbecue and yet still a 'traditional English' feel which the client wanted. Rambling roses  and  overflowing planting soften the edge and make it chic yet also a comfortable place to relax and entertain.

Your advice to newcomers to London? Which parks should they be visiting?

Go to the London squares when they have their open days - some really great communal spaces. We are lucky to have great public parks - Regent's Park has fantastic flower displays as well as great attractions. St James' Park is an oasis right in the middle of the city.

What would you recommend to those looking to design a new garden and terrace?

My advice is to consult a garden designer who will enable you to achieve the impossible in the smallest of spaces. You really can have pretty much whatever you want - although of course that swimming pool may have to be a lap pool and also be a decorative feature. I like to get features performing more than one function in the garden: changes in level become seats, trees are also providers of shade, pools are decorative as well as a spot to cool down in.