RHS Inclusivity And Diversity Ambassador Manoj Maldé: ‘Gardening Is For Everyone’
Manoj Maldé worked in the fashion industry for almost 20 years before changing his career and establishing a now award-winning garden design business.
He has since worked as a TV Presenter, became an Ambassador and Judge for the RHS – and has recently made history with his husband, becoming the first couple ever to marry at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
We learn about Manoj and his fascinating background and career in his own words.
How Did You First Get Into Gardening?
“My childhood memories are of our home in Mombasa, where we had a massive balcony on the side of the house,” recalls Manoj. “That was our garden.
“My dad had large containers made for the balcony where he grew roses, jasmine, birds of paradise and various other plants.
“My own journey with gardening started when my brother, Nish, decided he wanted to create a vegetable plot at the end of the garden, here at our home in the UK. He recruited me and my other brother to help dig the plot and prepare the soil.
“It was Nish who showed me how to sow seeds and nurture plants. I used to help with the watering and weeding.
“I guess, like most children, my journey into gardening started with sowing those first seeds and that, in turn, sowed a seed in me to garden and nurture nature.”
What Led You To A Career In Garden Design?
“I worked in the fashion industry for 18 years and climbed the ladder, eventually became design director,” he explains. “I could see where the fashion industry was heading and it was not a pretty picture.
“I didn’t want to become a miserable old man in an industry that was becoming more and more about margins which was killing the creativity, so I decided it was time to do something for myself.
“I still wanted to be creative. I wanted to work with colour, proportions and textures. I had always enjoyed gardening.
“My husband had already started his own landscape maintenance business, so it made perfect sense to look at garden design as a second career. I had certain transferable skills which I brought over to garden design.”
You Got Married In May 2023 In Your Garden At The Chelsea Flower Show. Can You Share What That Meant To You And How It Came About?
“Clive and I have been together for 33 years.
“In 2017, I created a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show called Beneath a Mexican Sky. Little-known to me, Clive had approached the RHS about us getting married in the garden. However, time was short to get everything organised.”
“I believe some things are just supposed to happen when the time is perfect for that occasion to take place.
“I got asked by the RHS to create the RHS & Eastern Eye Garden of Unity. The garden was about bringing communities together harmoniously, so it seemed fitting that Clive and I should marry in the garden that I was about to create.
“I asked the RHS if this would be possible and they agreed immediately. As the RHS Ambassador for Inclusivity and Diversity, it was equally important to show the world that gardening is for everyone.
“Race, social class, skin colour, creed, faith, religion and sexuality does not come into the world of gardening.
“We all garden, whether it is growing a few herbs on a windowsill, having a house plant, a balcony or a back garden, it is all gardening and anyone can do it.”
What Is Your Process For Designing Gardens? What Are You Inspired By?
“I have Indian heritage and I was born in Mombasa, so colours are something that play an important role in my designs,” says Manoj. “My inspiration is drawn from various avenues.
“I love to look at architecture and also the different cultures and communities around the world. When I go on holiday, I’m always drawn to the traditional artisan skills of the people.
“In my design process, I often start with a lot of images. These will then be edited to create a mood board.
“The mood board becomes the start of my inspiration and I allow myself the flexibility to change some of the images as the design starts to develop. This mood board will also inspire the colour palette of the garden.
“Pencil sketches are next. These will be shapes on paper and there will be a lot of sketches until something emerges that I feel works as a garden.”
Gardening Can Traditionally Be Quite A Lonely Hobby. How Important Is Community When It Comes To Gardening?
“With more and more people living in apartments, community gardens are becoming ever more important,” Manoj explains. “They provide a space to create friendships, to network and to learn from each other.
“They provide a community with a sense of belonging and being part of something.
“Community gardens also provide that all-important outdoor space to connect with nature which so many people now do not have access to.
“We all know how important gardens are for our state of mind.”
You’ve Accomplished So Much As A Garden Designer. Do You Have Any Standout Moments?
“There have been so many wonderful highlights in the past few years,” he says.
“Qualifying as the first Indian RHS Judge and being made an RHS Ambassador is definitely up there for me.
“Never did I think that I would get asked to work on TV. That has been a standout career moment that has led to some lovely projects and connections.
“Being asked to create the RHS feature garden on Main Avenue has also been a very proud moment for me and it is humbling to hear so much positive feedback from the public about the garden.”
What Does Gardening Mean To You?
“I was in a highly stressful career before. Gardening has shown me that there are certain things more important in life than others, like slowing down, making family time and living within my means.
“When I was in the fashion industry, there was a great need for materialistic things. Although I still love and appreciate beautiful things, they do not seem quite as important.
“Being in this industry has shown me that everything doesn’t always have to be so manicured in the garden. In fact, it’s okay to have a few weeds growing.
“Gardening is my way of connecting with the natural world.”
What’s Next For You, Manoj?
“I have been approached by a publisher to write my first book. I love writing blogs, so this is the icing on the cake.
“The book launches next year and I am thoroughly enjoying putting it together with the publishers. I am very proactive in how I want the book to look.
“I cannot wait to walk into a bookstore and see the book sitting on a shelf with my name on it – I think it will feel a little surreal!
“It has been hard work to get to where I am in my career but it has been worth it and I have a lot to be grateful for, as well as lots of lovely people to thank who have really believed in me.”
What Would You Say To Aspiring Gardeners?
“For anyone thinking about giving gardening a go, my advice is to just go for it,” Manoj says.
“Don’t think too long and hard.
“You will be amazed at what a life-changing experience it can be. It is never too late to connect with nature.”
