How Gardener Sue Fisher Keeps Up With New Developments In The World Of Horticulture

With a wealth of experience spanning several decades, Sue Fisher works professionally as a Garden Designer, Writer and Speaker.

Sue has authored many books on gardening (including ones in collaboration with the BBC) offering insights into creating beautiful yet practical outdoor spaces that harmonise with the natural world.

I spoke to Sue about her work with the BBC, the common challenges facing gardeners today and how she sees the changing climate affecting horticulture in the future.

What Initially Piqued Your Interest In Horticulture?

“My mother,” Sue simply states.

“She was and still is, at the age of 94, a very keen gardener. When I was small, I was given my very own patch of garden which I loved. It was something I did out of choice.

“I’ve always loved being outdoors, so it’s just one of those things that appealed to me in a way that other things didn’t. I tried agriculture first, then went into horticulture and realised it was where I wanted to be, and here I am, 40 years later.”

What Motivated The Transition From A Role In The Trade To Becoming A Self-Employed Garden Writer And Designer?

“The better you get at it, the more you get promoted and move away from the actual career!” she jokes.

“It was one of those things where I loved what I was doing but the thing I really loved was enthusing about plants, so one of my responsibilities was promoting the plants across garden centres.

“I was doing lots of talks and getting people excited about gardening, so it made sense to give freelancing a go. I thought if it didn’t work out, I’d go back into the trade.

“Luckily, it just took off and I’ve not looked back – I’m very fortunate.”

How Did Your First Book Project With The BBC Come About, And What Impact Did It Have On Your Career Trajectory?

“That was a very serendipitous meeting and one thing I would say to aspiring gardeners is to make the most of those meetings if they ever happen to you!

“I’d been invited to give a local gardening talk near where I lived with other incredible experts, including the late Geoff Hamilton from Gardeners’ World.

“The talk I did was on planting a small garden and a couple of weeks later, I got a call letting me know that the BBC were looking for someone to a book on the subject.

“Once I picked myself up off the floor, I said yes – and that really opened the door to so many things for me. I ended up doing several books with the BBC after that.”

Among The Ten Solo Books You Have Published, Which One Holds A Special Place For You And Why?

“‘Essential Plants For Small Gardens’ was one of my favourites, even though it is out of print now,” shares Sue.

“It combined a lot of the planting advice with advice for growing the plants themselves. It was about making gardening less scary and making it user-friendly.

“Although people might only have a tiny space, it was about showing them how to make the most of it.

“I’ve done several books on containers that are always very close to my heart because you can have so much fun with them!”

Horticulture Is Ever-Evolving. How Do You Keep Up With New Developments And Continue Learning?

“I’m really delighted to see the change that has come about in horticulture because gardening sustainably is something that has always been close to my heart,” she says.

“I’ve been an organic gardener throughout my career. To keep up with the learning, I do a lot of reading and belong to various professional organisations, including those that specialise in the climate and wildlife.

“I do several hours of reading a week to keep up with everything!”

Are There Any Common Mistakes Beginner Gardeners Make That Can Be Easily Avoided?

“It’s very easy to get tempted into purchasing plants because they look gorgeous.

“The often-used mantra of making sure you have the right plant for the right place is important because plants are like people – they all have their own likes and dislikes.”

How Do You See Gardening Evolving With The Increasing Emphasis On Sustainability And Eco-Friendliness?

“With gardening, I’m optimistic,” Sue shares.

“There is a big move now towards sustainability on many levels, so there’s a lot of research going on into products that make a positive impact on the environment.

“Yes, there’s a little bit of greenwashing going on, and I do wear a cynical hat, so there are things out there that look good but are not so beneficial.

“Despite that, it is heading in a very positive direction. Anyone with a garden has the power to make a very positive impact in so many different ways.”

What’s Next For You?

“I’ve got some fabulous projects coming up,” reveals Sue.

‘I do private garden design and consultation as plants are my strength and I love them! I’ve got some lovely private gardens and sites down on the Cornwall coast which I am about to start on.

“I continue to write a monthly feature on ‘Must Have Plants’ for Gardens Answers magazine, as well as a lot of regular writing for Gardeners’ World. I love doing these as it really puts people in touch with plants and gardening.

“I’ve also got some garden tours coming up next year which is always nice, as I can work directly with gardeners and spread the joy of plants. The great thing about being freelance is that no two weeks are ever the same.”