
Sophie King
Sophie joined the Ideal Home team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. Her love of writing began as a child – spending a lot of her free time crafting fairytales or writing up wildlife projects.
After studying English at Royal Holloway, University of London, Sophie began writing for Grow Your Own magazine, which spurred on her love of gardening.
Sophie's tried growing almost every vegetable under the sun, and has a soft spot for roses and dinner plate dahlias. Her favourite rose variety is ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and she loves 'Café au Lait’ dahlias. She's also a big fan of houseplants, especially orchids – she finds it impossible to resist adding more to her collection when visiting her local garden centre!
Sophie has interviewed a myriad of incredible gardening experts throughout her career, including guest stars on The Dirt, the gardening podcast she co-hosted during her time at Grow Your Own.
As Gardens Editor, Sophie's always on the lookout for the latest garden trend. She loves sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to compact balconies.
When she hasn't got her hands in the soil, Sophie can be found curled up on the sofa with her cat and a good book.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
At the end of my garden, there’s a gravelled area that’s secluded behind a trellis screen with a swinging bench. It’s incredibly comfortable, and I love lounging out there in the evening, surrounded by cosy festoon lights. Honeysuckle grows along the trellis and puts out a beautiful scent when it’s in bloom during the summer, too.
What’s your home addiction?
Orchids! I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a teenager, and they make a lovely feature in my bedroom. I’m especially fond of the light pink Dendrobium varieties.
What is your next home project?
I want to continue working on my bedroom. There’s a wall I’d love to make a feature out of with some nice wallpaper, so I’ll be hunting through the catalogues to find the right design.
Latest articles by Sophie King
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I went to Italy and found the most beautiful star jasmine arch – so I asked the experts how to recreate it
I've never seen anything like it!
By Sophie King
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7 side return garden ideas to make the most of this overlooked outdoor space
There's plenty of room for creativity!
By Sophie King
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7 plants you should never touch – steer clear of these garden culprits to avoid rashes, irritation and injuries
Keep an eye out for these harmful plants
By Sophie King
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Foxgloves are everywhere at the Chelsea Flower Show again this year – these are the best varieties to grow at home
They're a Chelsea staple!
By Sophie King
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Adding sand to your garden border could help you grow stronger plants – and this coastal garden at the Chelsea Flower Show is the perfect example
It offers a glimpse of what gardening could look like in years to come
By Sophie King
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This first-of-its-kind Chelsea Flower Show Garden made outdoor succulents the star – and you can get the look at home with these 3 varieties
It's a masterclass in outdoor succulent growing
By Sophie King
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5 emerging garden trends I spotted at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – from exciting planting schemes to future-friendly gardening techniques
I left feeling even more inspired than last time!
By Sophie King
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4 ways to keep squirrels away from fruit trees and protect your future harvests
Get there before they do!
By Sophie King
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The best patio heater for every space and budget – tried-and-tested favourites that will warm up chilly summer nights
Wall-mounted, tabletop and more
By Sophie King
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This watering pan test could help you figure out how much water your lawn needs – here's how it works
Think of it as a free watering indicator...
By Sophie King
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These 5 flowers are unusual but really easy to grow – and will guarantee extraordinary displays in your garden
I asked plant experts for their recommendations
By Sophie King
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Japanese garden lighting ideas – 6 subtle yet effective ways to illuminate your outdoor space
Cast shadows, highlight water features and more
By Sophie King
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4 things I wish I knew before I started a raised vegetable bed for the first time as a now-seasoned gardener
Companion planting, pest control and more
By Sophie King
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I'm a gardens editor, and these are my 6 go-to places for picking up cheap terracotta pots that still look super stylish
I've rounded up my favourite stockists
By Sophie King
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How to grow jasmine for a screen of beautiful, fragrant blooms
It's a must-have in the garden
By Sophie King
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A mulching plug could be the secret to a greener, healthier lawn – here's how the lawn mower attachment works
It's simple, but it has a lot of benefits
By Sophie King
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How to kill weeds but not grass – the safest ways to avoid damaging your lawn
Keep your lawn in tip-top condition
By Sophie King
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Dandelions are the stars of No Mow May – here's why you should keep them in your garden
Another reason to avoid mowing your lawn this month!
By Sophie King
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6 pergola lighting ideas for a luxe outdoor living aesthetic
Beautiful ways to illuminate your space after dark
By Sophie King
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Pinching out your plants will bag you more harvests and flowers than ever before – and it's a really simple technique
We're exploring what 'pinching out' means, and how to get it right
By Sophie King
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Should you deadhead tulips? What you need to know if you want your bulbs to flower again next year
The task could be key to bigger and better displays next spring
By Sophie King
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Gtech's Cordless Lawnmower CLM50 made cutting my grass a breeze – it's incredibly easy to use and set up
It's the smoothest I've ever mowed
By Sophie King
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This secret gardening ingredient could be the key to stronger rose plants – and even more flowers
Is mycorrhizal fungi worth it? We spoke to the experts to find out...
By Sophie King
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Garden colour schemes that work with Cuprinol's Natural Stone – 5 beautiful palette pairings
The best colour matches, from sage green to dusky pink
By Sophie King