Michael Mansvelt has a gift for turning wild ideas into lush, living spaces. At Jungle Nurseries, his gardens are playful, ever-changing, and full of surprises. Virginia Winder caught up with him to talk about what drew him to the festival, the moments that stick with him, and why he loves sharing Jungle with visitors year after year.
What made you decide to enter the festival the first time?
I’ve always loved the way gardens connect people — the festival felt like a great way to share the joy, creativity, and peaceful chaos that is Jungle. It was also a little nudge to finish all those half-planted gardens!
What did you learn from your first experience that helped prepare for this year?
That visitors see things with fresh eyes — and they often notice details we’ve walked past a hundred times or even better our favorites, It taught me to pause, appreciate, and celebrate the parts of the garden that feel everyday to me but are magic to others.
Have you made any changes to your garden since joining the festival?
Always! It’s a living space, so it’s constantly evolving. We’ve added more seasonal interest and places to sit and soak it all in — the garden is growing rapidly so the spaces are always taking on new meaning.
What sort of feedback or reactions have stood out from visitors?
The joy! I’ve had people cry, laugh, even dance in the garden. One woman said it felt like walking into a dream — that stuck with me.
Is there a moment during the festival that really affirmed your decision to enter?
A group of schoolkids came through and one of them turned to his mate and said, “Bro, I love it here this is like Avatar.” I thought, if a 12-year-old can be that moved by a garden, we’re doing something right.
What are you most looking forward to this time around?
Seeing returning visitors notice what’s changed — and hearing what they loved the first time. Also just watching people slow down and reconnect, even if just for a moment.