Interviews
Nic Wilson (Curator Of The Peat Free Nurseries List) On Why Spring Is Her Favourite Time
Nic Wilson is best known for her work as a Garden & Nature Writer. She writes for The Guardian’s Country Diary, has previously written features for the RHS and is currently in the process of writing a memoir on nature and its relationship with her chronic illness. Nic is also the Curator of the UK Peat Free Nurseries List – a resource accessed thousands of times by British readers looking for environmentally-conscious retailers. I was lucky enough to talk through her experiences in the horticultural industry and her favourite time to be in the garden. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “I’ve loved mooching around in gardens since I was a kid, playing with mud and sticks in the veg beds,” shares Nic. “I had my own little area to plant up and enjoyed being outside in all weathers. “I remember picking raspberries in the wild patch and learning to mow the lawn with my Dad’s exceedingly bad-tempered petrol mower.” From This, What Led You To A Career In Horticulture & Garden Writing? “I came at it via a very roundabout route,” she explains. “After studying English Literature at Durham University, I taught in a secondary school and sixth form college for over a decade. “When my first child was born, I left teaching and retrained in horticulture and garden design. I volunteered for several years in a local community garden and worked as a garden designer. “When I wasn’t busy with the kids, I’d be out gardening. I used to put them to bed and then plant bulbs in the dark with my head torch on! “I started a gardening blog in 2016 and loved getting back into writing again. It all spiralled from there after I won a writing competition with BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. “I’ve written and edited for the magazine and I currently work on the website. It’s been a fabulous opportunity and I feel lucky to be able to work on projects that really excite me. I also write about my local area and its wildlife for The Guardian country diary. “I split my time between garden and nature writing, although they are often one and the same. I also still do some literary research too. I feel very lucky to be able to combine my two main interests in my work – nature and language.” What Does A Day In Your Working Life Typically Look Like? “I have two kids (and three chickens), so I’m often busy with jobs in the house during the working day. I also live with chronic illness, which means at times I have to work from bed or take time to recover. “I’m lucky that, as a Freelance Writer and Editor, I can work quite flexibly around other commitments and my health. “Generally, I spend a couple of hours on my garden writing and editing in the mornings and then often go for a walk and concentrate on nature writing in the afternoons. “Some days I might be involved in reviewing books, volunteering with a local wildlife community group, giving talks, mentoring or running workshops. I also love to read, especially non-fiction, whenever I get the chance.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In The Garden? “Spring, without a doubt,” Nic muses. “I love to feel the garden waking from its winter slumbers. “Often, it’s those little exciting details beneath your feet as primroses, daffodils and snake’s head fritillaries start to appear. “Also, there’s nothing quite like hearing the first blackcap of the year or watching birds collecting nest material around the garden.” Do You Have Any Future Projects Coming Up? “My most recent narrative non-fiction is due to be published in October in Moving Mountains, described as a first-of-its-kind anthology of nature writing by disabled and chronically ill writers,” she shares. “My piece is about the way my quince tree helped me to feel in touch with the seasons when I was particularly ill a couple of years ago. “I’ve also been really busy writing a memoir on nature, place and chronic illness. I’m finding it a creatively exciting and personally challenging journey. It has taught me so much – mostly about myself.” What Advice Would You Give To Fledgling Garden Writers? “Find topics that enthuse you and engage your curiosity,” says Nic. “If you are excited by the process of writing, your passion will come over to your readers.”
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RHS Judge Tamsin Westhorpe On A Regular Day In The Working Life At Stockton Bury
Tamsin Westhorpe is the Director of Stockton Bury Gardens, where her family have lived for five generations. She is also an experienced Horticultural Journalist, Gardener and RHS Flower Show Judge – with her experience in the industry spanning over 25 years. I spoke with Tamsin about Stockton Bury Gardens and her favourite garden memories. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “As a child, I loved pottering in the garden and I’ve always grown little seedlings; I even had a greenhouse when I was about 10 where I used to grow tomatoes!” shares Tamsin. “My uncle, who runs the family farm, has always had a passion for gardening. When I was a child he lived on our family farm with my grandparents so when my sisters and I visited we watched him create a beautiful, 4-acre garden that developed over our childhood. “This garden was Stockton Bury, which I now run. “I found the whole process fascinating. Watching him was how I got into gardening.” From That, What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “Failure,” she laughs. “After leaving school, I wanted to be a sculptor, so I went to art school, but didn’t feel ready or fit in very well. “I left and got sent to work at a family nursery in Worcestershire called Burford House Gardens and I absolutely loved it. Until that moment, I hadn’t considered gardening as a proper career. “After that, I went on to study at Sparsholt College near Winchester to learn more practical skills and theory. I was there for 3 years and during that time, I spent a year working on placement at Bournemouth Parks Department. “Working there and doing the practical, hands-on side of gardening whilst being able to see what I’d done at the end of the day was really rewarding.” Has Gardening Shaped How You Go Through Life? ‘Definitely. I feel confident gardening. I was never that confident at school so it was amazing to find this career. “I feel happy and safe in a garden. Being surrounded by nature and watching the seasons change blows my mind – I can’t understand how some people aren’t interested! “I’m not an expert in one particular plant. I just love being outside, working with plants and having successes and failures. It’s quite artistic, which is what I always wanted to be.” Can You Tell Us More About Stockton Bury Gardens & What You Grow There? “We’ve been there as a family for 5 generations,” Tamsin says. “About 10 years ago, I decided to give up my magazine editing role at The English Garden magazine to help my uncle run it and became a gardener there. “The garden is 4 acres and is at the heart of our working farm where we have cattle, sheep and a cider orchard. My sister has now joined us and runs our café – it’s a proper family business! “Plant-wise, we have a lot of really unusual plants. The gardens are great all throughout the year, but it very much comes into its own in the spring. Some of the plants were gifted by amazing gardeners such as Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd, who knew my uncle. “It’s a real collection of unusual plants set out in a lovely way that isn’t too grand. There are sections to it, so it can be easily digested.” What Does A Regular Day In The Working Life Look Like For You? “It’s not very glamorous! “First thing in the morning, I go to the butchers to pick up the meat for the café. I then spend a couple of hours in the garden to get it ‘show ready’. When we’re open for the season, it’s all about making it look great, so I do lots of tasks like deadheading, cleaning bird baths, edging – basically all of the light maintenance. “I’ve also been picking fruit this week, which goes straight to the café. “After this, I work on the front desk and welcome the customers in. It’s important for us that people can meet the family so we can answer any questions they might have and offer them advice if needed. “It can be hard to fit everything in, which is why we don’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays – so we can catch up!” What Is A Surprising Garden-Related Fact About You That People Might Not Know? “I think the fact I used to do a lot of green-keeping really shocks people,” she shares. “I love a neat lawn! At Stockton Bury, we have no-mow areas and some other areas that are mowed, as we like to think beyond No-Mow May. “I was also an interior landscaper early on in my career, which involved repotting office plants and wiping any leaves that were stained. “Although I was working with plants, it was a very different experience and was a real insight into what office life was like. I’d never experienced an indoor working environment.” Do You Have A Particular Memorable Moment From Your Horticultural Career? “The most memorable (and funny) memory is from when I first started to work in the parks,” Tamsin explains. “I would get dropped in the woodlands with a broom and a huge leaf blower that had to be started by a pull cord. In those days, it was hard to get these machines going! I was completely on my own and sometimes, I just could not start it. “When I’d get picked up for lunch, I’d pretend that I could get it working, but in reality, I’d been working extra hard with the broom to do the same amount of work as the leaf blower would have done.” Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects You’d Like To Share? “I’m an RHS judge so I judge at the Chelsea Flower Show and I’m also the Editor of the Horticulture Trade Association Magazine that is available to members of the HTA. “I love that role because I get to speak to industry growers about sustainability, new growing techniques and consumer habits. “I also do a lot of talks all over the country and my aim is to demystify gardening and make people feel more relaxed about it. I also do courses at Stockton Bury for beginners that are mainly available in April, May and June. “My lectures and courses are my main priority for next year, as I love doing both of those.” What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Gardeners Who Are Looking To Give It A Go As A Career? “If you’re not academic, don’t let that put you off,” Tamsin says. “When you find something that you love, you’ll learn it. “Get some practical experience. Help at open gardens or offer to volunteer. If you fancy doing a qualification, the RHS courses are great, but try to do them in person at a college rather than online, as you’ll meet like-minded people and be able to get stuck in properly. “If you work with plants, you’ll remember them. If you’re just looking at a book it will be harder to make the information stick.”
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The Garden Ninja Lee Burkhill: From A Career In IT To The BBC Garden Rescue Team
Lee Burkhill is a Garden Designer and TV Presenter who is better known online by his online community as The Garden Ninja. Having pivoted away from his career in IT nine years ago, Lee has now been part of the BBC’s Garden Rescue team for over four years. In this interview, I explore the reasons behind Lee’s change of career, his approach to garden design and his relationship with the online gardening community – all in his own words. Please note that all imagery featured in this guide was provided with permission by Lee Burkhill. How Did Your Career In Garden Design Begin? “I’ve always been a hobbyist gardener, even as a small child,” shares Lee. “My granddad was an allotment gardener who grew his own veg and had a rose garden, so I always used to help him. “Gardening was an amazing hobby that took me away from work and the stress of life. Even as a teenager, I used to garden in secret because it wasn’t cool. I used to get bullied at school and gardening was the one place I could go to and just switch off. “Around 8 or 9 years ago, I was in a really stressful job and my husband told me that I needed to find something that I was more passionate about. I had a drive for work and to help people, but I wasn’t meeting it in IT. “Long story short, I signed up for a design course at RHS Harlow Carr and thought, ‘I’ll just see what happens’. It was like a snowball effect after that! “In 2016, I won a design competition run by the BBC and the RHS, where I had to create a Feel Good Garden. From there, my career took off. “It was a beautiful, happy accident, where all the things I used to love to do as a hobby became the garden design business and the YouTube channel.” Do You Have A Specific Process For Designing? “My process is always plant-based,” he explains. “The layout and hard landscaping is important, but for me, plants come first. “I think about what is going to suit the aspect and soil and start there. I then go about laying out the functions and materials that complement the plants. “Some gardeners start with the hard landscaping, but I start with the plants and then work my way back so that everything compliments nature, rather than throwing nature at a design.” What Are You Inspired By? “I get a lot of inspiration from travel. I travel around a lot in my motorhome during the winter and visit as many gardens and off-the-beaten-track towns and villages as I can, because you can get stuck in your own ideas and limit yourself by doing what you’ve always done. “Travelling and seeing all of these different influences really inspires me. “For example, I travelled down to Grenada in Spain and saw tiles, which made me think of mosaics. I’d never used those before and after that, a batch of my designs started to have patterns in them. “I then drove to Benmore in Scotland and visited their Botanical Gardens where I found evergreen Chilean plants that can cope with our British climate, which I have now started to use in designs where appropriate. “I never stop looking – there is always something else out there!” Do You Have A Favourite Memory Of A Garden You’ve Designed? “My favourite memories are always of those clients that are so engaged that you know when you leave them with the garden, they are going to get stuck in,” Lee shares. “There’s been a couple of clients over the past few years that still send me pictures of their garden and you can just see their skills developing. “A lot of people don’t realise that a garden is always evolving and changing and you have to do something to it – it’s not finished after the design is done. “Because of this, the clients that get involved and start to really understand the plant associations and why they’re there stay with me and are the best to work with. “When I leave, it always feels my work there is done!” Where Did The Garden Ninja Come From? “The Garden Ninja has become a brand in its own right. I started thinking about what to call the Garden Design business after I qualified. “I thought that it would be strange to name my business after myself and I wanted Garden Ninja to become a community and feel part of something outside of me. “It was born out of this idea to bring people together and to keep it accessible and approachable. “One of my very first clients said that when I came into her garden, it was like this Garden Ninja appeared and sorted it all out for her. I loved that, so I decided that would be my name! “I like to think that the community I’ve curated feel part of something, whether they are a complete beginner or an expert. I can make a living out of design, but the core of the business has to be about helping people along the way.” What Does A Typical Working Day In The Life Look Like For You? The typical day for the Garden Ninja is a mix of design and admin,” he explains “My creativity is usually at its best in the morning, so I do any design work then. All of my designs are hand drawn and then watercoloured, which I always do first thing in the day. “I then move onto anything physical, like planting jobs or YouTube videos, after lunch. I call this the ‘doing’ part of my day! All of the admin happens at the end of the day when my creative rivers have run dry and I’m tired. “Having said that, no two days of the same. Some are very design-heavy, whilst others are more planting-based. There’s also the TV work now and I also sometimes write for magazines. “It’s a real mix between the creativity, the doing and the administration. Over the past few years, I’ve been able to work out how and when to divide up these jobs to suit me.” What’s Next For You? “I’m doing a lot of guest lectures and public speaking at the moment which is all about getting people into design. “I’m also doing the Interflora World Cup in September, which is different for me because it’s floristry not gardening, but the two worlds do merge together quite well. “What’s truly next for me is spreading my Garden Ninja message through talks by getting out of the screen and in front of real people.” Do You Have Any Advice For Fledgling Garden Designers? “You need to really understand your plants, so if you are a complete novice, sign up to a beginner design course, as this will help you learn about plants as well as design,” Lee advises. “You can just give it a go, but you will struggle without knowing your plants. You don’t have to quit your job to do this, you don’t have to go to university, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage – just find a course that fits with your circumstances. “You will meet people with a similar mindset, start to build your contacts and it will set you off with a framework. Courses are invaluable and really help to get the wheels moving. “Like I said, really focus on the plants, as they are what make the garden. If you don’t understand landscaping, you can find a Landscaper to [complete] that part of the project, but plants are always with the designer.”
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Emma Bailey On Documenting Her Incredible Allotmenteering Journey
With a following of over 100,000 people on Instagram alone, Emma Bailey’s allotment journey has become an amazing resource for UK gardeners. She’s released her own gardening calendar, an allotment clothing line and regularly updates her blog and YouTube channel with advice and tips from her allotment. I spoke with Emma to dicuss her love of the humble allotment and what comes next in her journey. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “After my nan passed away, I felt drawn to nature and to being outside,” shares Emma. “I was renting at the time, so I could only really grow things in containers. I soon ran out of space and applied for an allotment plot, which is where I’ve been growing my own food and flowers ever since. “I think there is something very calming and therapeutic about being out in the garden and in nature. It helped me to make sense of things that made no sense and gave me a purpose. “My plants needed me and it gave me a massive sense of accomplishment when I managed to keep them alive or harvest something from them.” What Is It About Horticulture That You Love? “It’s just totally addictive!” “Once you get bitten by the gardening bug, there is no going back. I can’t imagine a spring where I’m not rushing around sowing every seed I can get my hands on. “For me, gardening is all about the possibilities, the excitement of seeing an empty patch of Earth and dreaming about what it could be. “I love the fact that it takes time and patience to grow a garden. I’m not a very patient person usually, as I’m always rushing around trying to get a million things done at once. “Gardening forces me to slow down a bit and live in the moment.” Why Did You Start To Document Your Allotment Journey Online? “I got my allotment plot about 4 months before the first lockdown,” Emma says. “When the lockdown happened, I started filming my allotment progress and uploading it to Instagram and YouTube. “I think I partly just wanted something to do. I love being creative, so this was a fun outlet for me to explore. “Once people started to watch and comment how much they were enjoying watching my gardening journey, I realised I was inspiring a lot of people to give it a go themselves. That motivated me to keep going. “I wanted to spread the message that growing your own food is not as hard as people think and it’s mainly about whacking stuff in the ground and hoping it grows!” What Small Changes Can Gardeners Make To Help The Climate? “Over the last couple of years, I’ve become a no-dig gardener,” she explains. “This means that instead of digging into my raised beds, I simply top them up with organic material every year. “Digging can release carbon into the atmosphere which is bad news for the climate. More than that, it can disrupt important microorganisms and the general structure of your soil too. “So, by layering on organic material, such as compost, manure and even leaf mould, you can improve the quality of your soil and help the climate too. “I’ve noticed that weeds have decreased since using the no-dig approach on my allotment plot too, which is a big bonus!” What Recommendations Do You Have For Those Thinking About Starting An Allotment? “It’s harder than you think. I do my best to show the reality of allotment life, the hard times and the work that goes into it because sometimes it’s really tough to keep going and stay motivated. “Not every day is as happy and fun as showing up and picking a few carrots for tea. Weeds are relentless, pests are disheartening and keeping on top of everything takes a lot of time. “So many people take on allotment plots and give them up shortly after when they realise the amount of work needed to keep on top of it all, so keep that in mind. “However, if you do put the work in, it’s incredibly rewarding and very addictive.” What’s Next For You & Emma’s Allotment Diaries? “I’ve achieved so much so quickly with my online allotment diaries. “I’ve written for gardening magazines, released an allotment planner, released my own allotment clothing line and smashed my target of 100k followers on Instagram! “I would love to start a Podcast in 2024. I know I’m late to the party, but I think there is room for a good, entertaining allotment podcast for people to dip into while they are out doing some gardening. “I would also love to release a book. Not so much a gardening book, because I don’t pretend to be an expert on the matter, but more of a collection of stories and lessons I’ve learned from my own experiences on the allotment plot. “I think a lot of the lessons I’ve learned from the plot can be applied to life in general, so I can see it being a sort of self-help book. “Aside from that, I’ll just keep uploading my allotment diaries and hopefully keep inspiring more and more people to get outside and whack something in the ground!”
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Elliott Beveridge's Teachings From His 25 Year Career As A Head Gardener
Currently working as the Estate Manager & Head Gardener on a private estate in Somerset, Elliott Beveridge has almost 25 years of experience working in the horticulture industry. I spoke to Elliott to understand more about where his love of gardening came from and discussed his current projects. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “I always knew that I wanted to work outside,” shares Elliott. “The idea of being stuck indoors for any extended period of time convinced me from a relatively young age that I needed to be outside as much as possible!” What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “I started my horticultural career as a green keeper on a golf course in Surrey,” he explains. “I loved being outside as I did the work, but the early starts (5.30am!) and the weekend rotas didn’t sit well with 17-year-old me. “Following on from that, I jumped into horticulture and, nearly 25 years later, have found myself still working in the industry.” What Are You Currently Working On? “I currently work on a private estate in Somerset,” Elliott explains. “The garden is undergoing a huge transformation with landscaping works, new gardens being installed, garden structures going up and large areas of arable farmland being converted into wildflower meadows.” “I am currently looking into restoring an old dipping pool within the walled garden. “The pool is groundwater fed and has the potential to be the jewel in the crown of the garden, but it will require some clever engineering to get it back to its former glory. “It should be an exciting project to be involved with.” Do You Have Any Secret Gardening Tips? “Take notes on what you are doing: when you sow, when you cut back, when you harvest, what has worked, what hasn’t, what potting compost you have used, how often your water. “It is a great resource to look back on in the winter months so you can amend things for the coming year.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of The Year To Be In The Garden? “I’m a huge fan of autumn,” Elliott shares. “A garden filled with autumn colour in addition to the bounty from the vegetable plot is always an exciting time. “It is also when you tend to focus closer on any winter projects that you have in the offing. “I see it as the very beginning of the year ahead, rather than the being of the end of the gardening year.” What Would You Say To Those Wanting To Get Involved In Horticulture? “Just give things a go,” he says. “The great thing with gardening is that if things don’t quite work out, have a think about how you might do it differently next time and keep going until you hit upon something that works for you. “Buy a pack of beetroot seeds and get them in the ground or scatter a wildflower mix on an area of unloved lawn. “Go for it!”
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Garden Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes On The One Plant He Can't Live Without
Recently winning a Gold Medal and the coveted People’s Choice Award for his garden at RHS Hampton Court, Paul Hervey-Brookes has established himself as one of the UK’s most conscientious designers. In our short chat, Paul shares his route into Garden Design and names a half-hardy plant he can’t live without! How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “When I was at school, I had the opportunity to become aware of the natural world and plants,” shares Paul. “This included plants which came from all over the world. In a way, they were the ultimate escape.” What Led You To A Career In Garden Design? “I was studying at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh with an interest in working in herbaceous nursery production,” he explains. Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens “George Anderson, the Head of Horticulture there at the time, took us to Paris for a field trip. There he showed me the school of landscape architecture at Versailles and the rest, as they say, is history.” What Does Your Process For Designing Gardens Look Like? “It’s very simple. My ambition is to create an emotion using a series of problem-solving tools which allows the space to enter the mind of the user and become part of their world. “I am inspired by what the client never says, the vernacular space and time – and above all, emotions.” Do You Have A Favourite Memory Of A Garden You Have Designed? “I once designed a garden for a very introverted client who wanted the landscape to feel defensive,” Paul shares. “I didn’t tell them that under a large dry moat which elevated the house which they rather liked, I had planted thousands of blousy parrot tulips! “It amused me greatly that the power of landscape can transform our perceptions of others and ourselves.” Do You Have Any Secret Gardening Tips? “It goes wrong,” he says simply. “Don’t be scared of that, as it is often the best way to learn and is ultimately part of the process of creating a garden.” What Is One Plant That You Can’t Live Without? Melianthus major “Melianthus major, mainly for the memories it evokes of my early work at Cotswold Garden Flowers.” What Does A Day In Your Working Life Typically Look Like? “I tend to work on paper and computer-based work in the morning, then most afternoons I either make site visits, research trips or work in my own garden, which is my experiment pad,” he explains. Do You Have Any Advice For Those Thinking Of Giving Garden Design A Go? “Like all creative fields, if it is your passion, go for it. “It is hard work where at the start you will feel undervalued and underpaid, but the flip side when those moments arrive are indescribable.”
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Neil Lucas Has Won 10 RHS Gold Medals - This Is His Advice For Aspiring Gardeners
Neil Lucas is the Director of Knoll Gardens and has spent almost 30 years tending to the gardens and running the nursery there. However, he is perhaps best known for his expert knowledge of ornamental grasses – through his expertise both as a Council Member for the RHS and having written two published books on the subject. I was lucky enough to speak with Neil and discover his beginnings in horticulture, his association with Knoll Gardens and his unique perspective when growing ornamental grasses. Please note that imagery in this guide was provided with permission by Neil Lucas. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? “When I was younger, I spent my summer holidays going to see my grandfather,” shares Neil. “He had a very big garden and was a keen gardener, often growing lots of dahlias and delphiniums. “Watching what he did in the garden helped me discover my love of plants very early in life. I think I can lay my love of gardening at my grandfather’s feet!” What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “I started life in the civil service after college, but after a little while, I decided that life’s a long time and I wanted to do something more suited to what I loved. The office-based life wasn’t for me! “I knew I loved plants and I wanted to see if I could make a go of it. “I started as a gardener and I did that for a long time, but for the last 30 years, I have been at Knoll. “As well as a gardener, I now also run the nursery here along with my fellow Director Ross Humphrey. I’m a gardener by genetics and a Nurseryman by trade.” What Does Gardening Mean To You? “It has had the deepest effect on me and speaks to just about everything I do and the attitudes I hold,” Neil shares. “I appreciate the environment as I think more people are doing, and while I love plants as individuals, what gives me the greatest satisfaction is seeing these plants growing together in a garden. “I think plants, not even gardening, have seeped into every part of my life and I can’t pretend that I’m not happy about it.” Can You Tell Us A Bit About Knoll Gardens And The History There? “We came to Knoll Gardens in 1994,” he says. “It was originally a carrot field that was planted up by John May, who turned it into a private botanic garden, which was what first interested us because there were hundreds of lovely, unusual woody plants there. “It then briefly became a tourist attraction, but since we arrived we have gradually been creating a naturalistic style garden that is good for wildlife as well as people. “Along the way, we realised that we needed the nursery for the money it provides that we can then put back into the garden. “Both the garden and the nursery have gone from strength to strength.” You’re An Expert On Ornamental Grass. What Is It About These Plants That You Find Interesting? “When I was young, I was really into trees and shrubs, basically all the woody plants,” explains Neil. “When working in gardens, I began to realise that grasses had the same kind of effect as these plants and were present in the landscape for a really long time. Of course, they have movement, but are the opposite to woody plants in many ways. “I didn’t particularly want to be a specialist when we moved to Knoll, but we decided that we wanted to push the nursery and go to Chelsea, and specialising would give us more opportunities to be seen. “The grasses were always there and presented a readymade opportunity into that world – so I took it.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In The Garden And Why? “The autumn, without a doubt. “Having said that, I love any time of year when it’s nice, but I’m not sure about the wet windy cold. “I absolutely love autumn, partly because I love woody plants and their autumnal colours, but also the deciduous grasses can look their absolute best in the autumn. “The low sunshine, calmness and clear days are also amazing. I almost wish that autumn could go on forever.” You’ve Had An Incredible Career As A Horticulturist. Do You Have Any Standout Moments? “One standout has to be winning our first Gold Medal at Chelsea,” shares Neil. “Although we’d done some other shows before and had won 3 Gold Medals, getting a Gold Medal (our 4th), at our first show at Chelsea was so special, because it’s the world’s ultimate flower show. “For us, to be first-timers and to get gold was a dream – we were delighted.” What’s Next For You? Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects You’d Like To Share With Our Readers? “The nursery continues to select and offer new plants, which we can send to our customers throughout the country by mail order,” Neil explains. “We have a selection program and like to offer new plants to widen the range. We select our plants with the UK climate in mind so that they will grow well in our customers’ gardens. “From the garden perspective, I like to have at least one project on the go. We did a major project last year and replanted our dragon garden. That was a huge project, so this year is a bit of a rest from that. “We’re always trying to move forward.” What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Gardeners? “Just go for it,” he says. “Training and learning is good, but it has to be practical. Getting out there and finding hands-on experience in what you will ultimately end up doing is the best thing – there is no substitute for being with plants. “You can’t do without that if you’re going to be a good gardener.”
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Michael Perry: 'Calling Myself A Plant Geek Is A Tribute To What I Was Afraid To Be'
Michael Perry, better known online as ‘Mr Plant Geek’, has been passionate about plants for as long as he can remember. As a Garden Blogger & Podcaster, he has worked hard to transform this passion into an incredible career. You might recognise Michael from his appearances on some of Britain’s most loved TV Shows, including This Morning and The One Show. I spoke with Michael about his work with Thompson & Morgan, starting out as ‘The Plant Geek’ and co-hosting his own podcast, which is now up to its eleventh series. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Michael Perry. When Did You First Start Gardening? “I learnt about gardening from my grandparents when I was young,” shares Michael. “They were really keen on gardening and were always growing lots of chrysanthemums and dahlias. They were exhibiting and judging at local flower shows, as well as selling plants at local markets. “This clearly rubbed off on me and gave me that thirst and passion for plants from a young age. I soon took over my parents’ garden. My dad was doing the typical stuff, growing fruits and veg and tending to a lovely lawn. I had a little patch that soon became half of the garden! “I was quite entrepreneurial from a young age as well. I obviously saw my grandparents selling plants and making money from their plants, so I used to do it at the end of my driveway. I also joined a market as soon as I could and began selling plants that I had propagated. “Throughout my school years, I had my refuge: plants. My life was based on what needed to be propagated and when – it really was ingrained in me from a young age. I have no idea what type of work I would even be doing now if I didn’t have the background I do.” From That, What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “I had a bit of a taste for a job in horticulture from selling plants myself, but I didn’t really know what options there were for me. I went to a horticultural college that I was happy at. “Still, I got to the end of school with little confidence, but luckily, I happened to see a competition in the local newspaper to design a garden by Thompson & Morgan. I entered the competition and put together a basic design filled with plants local to Sulfolk (where I’m from) and I won! “Afterwards, I wrote to Thompson & Morgan and asked them for a job. They took me on as an apprentice and I stayed there for 18 years. It seemed like fate.” Can You Tell Us More About ‘Mr Plant Geek’ & Where That Name Came From? “It all comes from those years at school & being bullied for my interests because it wasn’t the cool thing to be into,” he explains. “Now, 30 years later, I feel like calling myself a plant geek is a tribute to what I was afraid to be. “In addition to this, my social media is a portfolio for me to show what I do and Mr Plant Geek sums it up. It definitely isn’t an alter ego though!” You Have A Podcast! What Is The Plant-Based Podcast About? “In the podcast, everything comes back to plants, whether it’s about growing them, enjoying them or even wearing them! “I met my co-host Ellen Mary around 6-7 years ago and we are now on our 11th series of the podcast. It is really fun and informative, which is what I’m all about. “It’s about showing people what is possible with plants and also highlighting how fun and creative a career in horticulture can be.” What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In The Garden? “I’m a fan of spring because there is so much promise and colour that is just starting to come out,” shares Michael. “I also love daffodils and tulips. I wish it could be spring forever!” What Does Gardening Mean To You? “In recent years, I’ve realised that it’s a really great way to connect with other people,” shares Michael. “When you look at the friendships that have been able to develop over social media, it’s incredible. “It’s something that I didn’t have access to when I was younger. I was the only person I knew who was interested in plants and there was no way of finding anyone else who had the same interests. It’s so much more open now and I feel like plants connect people, break down boundaries and cross over languages. That’s not even touching on the proven well-being properties of being around plants as well. “People are realising more and more that most things come back to plants, which is amazing.” Do You Have Any Particular Career Highlights? “My first TV appearance was on Alan Titchmarsh’s show talking about black hyacinths and yellow snowdrops. That was a pivotal moment for me and even though I was really nervous, it sparked something for me. “We won an award with Steph’s Packed Lunch up in Leeds for the broadcast of the year when I worked on that, which was also special. “Just last week I hosted on the main stage at Tatton Park, which was a great opportunity. Doing industry speaking and being involved in various things at different levels is a real honour.” What’s Next For You? “Next week I will be in the US at the Garden Comm convention, which is very exciting,” he says. “Seeing how horticulture works in the US will be super interesting too! I always want to go to garden centres when I’m abroad to see how they do things.” What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Gardeners? “Don’t be scared of social media, because it is something that I wish that I had when I felt lonely at a younger age. You can connect with like-minded people no matter how niche your plant interests might be. “Embrace that in order to connect with others who you can learn from and also help.”
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Andy McIndoe: The Horticulturist With 25 Consecutive Gold Medal Exhibits At Chelsea
With 40 years of experience in the industry, Andy McIndoe has established himself as one of the leading Horticulturists in the UK. During his time at Hillier Nurseries, he was responsible for twenty-five consecutive Gold Medal winning exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show. He received the RHS Veitch Memorial Medal in 2017 for his work – one of the most prestigious awards in the world of horticulture. I spoke to Andy about his early career, his process for designing gardens and some of the standout moments from his 40 years in the industry. Imagery in this article has been provided with permission by Andy McIndoe. Where Did Your Relationship With The Garden Start? “I was always into gardening,” says Andy. “I grew up in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. We had a typical long garden of the time with some rose beds, a few shrubs, a vegetable garden and a couple of apple trees. We also had a tiny pond – I’ve always had a fascination for water. “My mother was quite a keen gardener and had a small greenhouse. I spent a lot of time in the garden, growing anything that I found interesting. I grew bedding plants from seed and sold them to the neighbours which funded my interest in tropical plants – a challenge in a house without central heating that was very cold! “I longed to grow orchids and by the time I reached 12, I had already started to acquire a few, which struggled for existence on the window ledge of our front room. I took over the greenhouse, lined it with polythene from the dry cleaners and heated it with a second-hand paraffin heater. “I was surprisingly successful – my hobby needed funding so I later got a Saturday job at a garden shop. I was also interested in flowers and fascinated by floristry which I had a flair for. I started entering floral art competitions and won a few prizes. The owner of the shop I worked at encouraged me and I found myself working in the florist as much as the garden side of the business. “My parents were wonderful at following my whims to attend orchid shows, visit gardens and horticultural shows, including Chelsea, where I made my first visit when I was 12.” What Led You To A Career In Horticulture? “I never wanted to do anything else. I had thought I might go to a horticultural college because I loved the practical side. However, Kenilworth Grammar School was University focussed. I was the first student that had ever said he only wanted to do a degree in Horticulture! “I went to Bath University in 1974. It was the only sandwich course with 3 periods in industry over a 4-year period. I loved Bath, university life and my work experience. “My first placement was Birmingham Amenities and Recreation dept and my second was at an independent nursery, garden centre and landscape business near Bristol. This one only happened because my placement with an orchid nursery fell through! “In my third year, I worked for Bruns Pflanzen in North Germany. This was challenging, but I loved it and Germany. I thought I would go back after university, but I got a job with Hillier as assistant manager of Winchester Garden Centre. That was in 1978 and I ended up staying with Hillier for 37 years!” What Is Your Process For Designing Gardens? What Are You Inspired By? “I always make the point that I am not a Garden Designer but I design lots of gardens,” explains Andy. “I am inspired by planting and the difference it makes. “Sometimes we forget that gardens are made of plants rather than paving, fences and furniture! As windows get bigger, you would think that the outlook becomes all the more important, but architects often seem to ignore the outside. Image credit: Columba Colivet “I focus on practicality and how the garden will be maintained in the future. I also focus on the main point the garden is seen from, how the boundaries are softened and how privacy can be achieved. “The client needs to have an idea of how much they are prepared to spend and also how long they are going to live there. The latter seems to be all the more important today.” What Does Gardening & Horticulture Mean To You? “For me, gardening is a way of life,” he says. “I have been lucky to work in the industry at such a time of change. The range of plants available to gardeners is vast today compared to that of 50 years ago. Gardens and how we use them have changed. The way that we buy plants has changed. “When I started in garden centres, they only sold plants, lots of peat, compost, houseplants and maybe pot covers, pots and a few chemicals. “I think the best thing about gardening is that it is forward-thinking. You are always looking forward to the next season: planning, planting and cultivating. The same is true if you are going to make a successful career of it – you have to think ahead.” What Are Your Standout Career Moments? “I’ve been lucky that I have had so many great opportunities over the years,” Andy muses. “Having been a part of the Chelsea Flower Show for over 35 years, Chelsea has always been a highlight. “For any exhibitor, meeting Her Majesty The Queen was always an unforgettable moment. When I left Hillier, I became involved in Jardin Blanc with Raymond Blanc and had 6 wonderful years creating the garden and flowers for Jardin Blanc at Chelsea. “I now have the pleasure of sharing my love of the show with groups of visitors during show week.” Do You Have Any Upcoming Projects That You’d Like To Share With Our Readers? “I have a number of gardens that I am working on at the moment – large and small. I do enjoy working on small spaces, they really make you think. The plants need to work hard to earn their keep and you need to think hard about your choices. “I have been working freelance for eight years and I do like to remain involved in many of the gardens I have created. Gardens do not stand still, so further input keeps them fresh. “My wife and I host a number of garden tours each year and hope to continue to do that. We also open our garden to groups, mostly in midsummer. During lockdown, groups struggled to plan, but I have more enquiries coming in for lectures and garden visits for next year.” What Advice Do You Have For Those Wanting To Give Gardening A Go Professionally? “It’s not a walk in the park as a career!” he jokes. “You will need to work at it. “If you plan to do this as a self-employed full-time job, remember that you are running a business and it will be more than a 9-5 job and more than 5 days a week. “You are unlikely to be rich, but if you love it you will be happy. Gardening, gardeners and plants are all undervalued, so it’s up to you to make them worth it.”
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