AN EDITORIAL PROCESS YOU CAN TRUST

Our Reviewers each have at least five years full-time work experience in horticulture, a full RHS Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture – and most importantly, each has been awarded the RHS Master of Horticulture accreditation (MHort) – a title reserved for those who have completed a three-year programme in the study and application of Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Our Reviewer team helps to ensure the factual accuracy and helpfulness of our content – as well as helping to provide their own unique insight and advice for our readers.

MASTER HORTICULTURIST FROM CORNWALL, ENGLAND

Colin worked as a Living Landscapes Development Manager and Specialist Horticulturist at The Eden Project in Cornwall for more than 5 years. He also has 5 years of experience as the Nursery Manager at Surreal Succulents and 3 years working as a Gardener at St. Michaels Mount. Colin has been selected as a 2023 Longwood Fellow. He has a National Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture (Distinction), an RHS Master of Horticulture award (Distinction) and an MSc in Sustainability & Ecology from the Centre For Alternative Technology. Colin is a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and the Professional Gardener’s Guild.

MASTER HORTICULTURIST FROM SEAFORD, ENGLAND

Dan has more than 27 years of experience in horticulture. His professional experience includes time spent working as a Head Gardener at Walstead Place and Deans Place Hotel – as well as one year working as the Horticultural Manager at Wyevale Garden Centres. Dan is a candidate for the RHS Master of Horticulture award; has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture from Plumpton College and a National Diploma in Arboriculture. Dan is a Certified Instructor with the SFG Foundation and is a Member of the Arboricultural Association and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.

MASTER HORTICULTURIST FROM MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND

Peter has been a Horticultural Lecturer and Technician at Bedford College for more than 5 years, with 2 years spent as a Gardener at Age UK Milton Keynes and 1 year as a Horticulturist at the Manea School of Gardening. Peter has been awarded the RHS Level 3 Diploma in the Principles & Practices of Horticulture and the RHS Master of Horticulture award (Distinction) – including the Chittenden Award for achievement throughout the course.

MASTER HORTICULTURIST FROM BEDFORD, ENGLAND

Roy’s background includes 6 years as a Professional Gardener at Wildwood Horticulture. His education includes RHS Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas from Shuttleworth College of Horticulture and the RHS Master of Horticulture award. Roy is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Member of the Professional Gardener’s Guild and a Member of the Association of Professional Landscapers (Professional Gardener). He has also received the Trustmark certification.

Our editorial team is primarily based within the UK, but we have contributors based much further afield. All of our team have varied backgrounds with one thing in common – an unparalleled enthusiasm for horticulture.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FROM LEEDS, ENGLAND

Thomas graduated from the University of Leeds in 2010 with a BA in New Media. He established Horticulture Magazine in 2019 with a small but dedicated team of gardening writers. Thomas leads the content production process, helping to ensure the highest editorial standards for our readers. He is a full member of the Garden Media Guild.

SUSTAINABLE GARDEN DESIGNER FROM FIFE, SCOTLAND

Elizabeth has honed her gardening skills on her own rural property over the past 7 years, and on her allotment prior to that. With an MA in English and Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews, Elizabeth has learned horticulture hands-on in the real world, as well as through in-depth research into sustainable models of living and growing. Elizabeth has also obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association, where she is a fully registered member. She has completed many permaculture designs for gardeners and farmers around the world – and has also written a number of e-books on Permaculture Design and Organic Gardening.

HORTICULTURAL THERAPIST & GARDENER FROM WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND

Living on the south coast Ed takes full advantage of the mild climate and divides his time between running horticultural therapy sessions in community gardens, working as a professional gardener and writing for national and regional publications. With a BSc in Occupational Therapy, Ed previously worked within health settings where he saw the benefits of gardening. Through further training with Thrive, Coventry University and Pershore College, Ed completed the Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (DipSTH) and has managed and run therapeutic, kitchen and community gardens in the UK ever since. Ed is another full member of the Garden Media Guild.

VIDEOGRAPHER & PHOTOGRAPHER FROM DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND

Emily started her gardening adventure because she didn’t want to bombard her close friends with cute little seedling photos. Now, with over 78k followers taking part in her Instagram community, she’s very glad she did! Emily is a Professional Writer for The Kitchen Garden Magazine – including several front-page features detailing her gardening experiences. She is a full member of the Garden Media Guild.

GARDENING PRESENTER FROM SUFFOLK, ENGLAND

Ade Sellars AKA ‘The Good Life Gardener’ is a Gardening Presenter, Writer and Producer. Ade is one-half of the gardening duo Agents of Field – winners of the Garden Media Guild ‘Blog of the Year’ in 2016 and the ‘Vlog of the Year’ award in 2021. Ade is RHS qualified, a member of the Garden Media Guild and as a presenter can be seen giving gardening talks up and down the country, including Gardeners’ World Live, RHS Hampton Court and Toby Buckland Garden Festival.

FOREST GARDENER FROM KEIGHLEY, ENGLAND

Pippa trained with the RHS and has spent time as Head Gardener of a large private estate where she developed a huge range of skills. She is now self-employed as a Garden Designer, Forest Gardener, Horticultural Consultant and author of ‘A Plant Lovers Backyard Forest Garden’. Pippa gardens exclusively organically to enable wildlife to thrive alongside people. She is a member of the Garden Media Guild.

CARNIVOROUS PLANT EXPERT FROM ESSEX, ENGLAND

Megan is a Horticulturist and Nursery Assistant specialising in Carnivorous plants. Megan graduated from Writtle University College in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) in Horticulture (1st), having won the Aberconwy Award for her thesis and the Alan Martin Award for Demonstrating A Love of Horticulture. Her professional experience includes time spent with Beth Chatto Gardens and Perrywood Garden Centre. Megan has grown hundreds of carnivorous plants in her greenhouse, as evidenced on her Instagram and YouTube channels.

GARDENING WRITER FROM OXFORD, ENGLAND

Chris’ educational background includes a BA in Music from the University of Leeds and an MA in Psychology from Oxford Brookes. He has spent time working with the Leeds Green Action Society, helping their food cooperative by growing various fruit and vegetables on their two allotments in Hyde Park, Leeds.

GARDENING WRITER & PODCASTER FROM BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

Adam is a Garden Writer, Speaker and Podcaster, sharing his experiences from his time tending to his family garden in the Midlands. Adam runs a weekly podcast which is available on Apple and Spotify, where he engages with prominent figures from the world of horticulture. He is a full member of the Garden Media Guild and regularly speaks at gardening shows in the UK, including RHS Malvern and RHS Wisley Flower Show.

GARDENING WRITER FROM KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Kersie is a professional and vocational writer who learnt the basics of gardening as a toddler, courtesy of his grandfather. He is an active gardener who has very much learned his skills ‘hands-on’ throughout many years in the garden.

GARDENING WRITER FROM BRIDPORT, ENGLAND

April is a writer specialising in gardening and the environment. April graduated from the University of Southampton in 2013 with a BA (Hons) degree in English.

DIGITAL WEB EDITOR FROM CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

Mollie joined the team in 2022, shortly after completing her MA in Creative Writing at the University of Leeds. As Digital Web Editor, Mollie is responsible for briefing, copyediting, formatting and quality control – whilst also liaising with our community of contributors.

GARDENING WRITER FROM EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Jonathan is a gardening writer and passionate environmentalist from Edinburgh. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2009 with an MA (Hons) degree in English Literature.

Whilst researching and proofreading our guides, it is common for us to reach out to industry professionals and ask for their own unique insight and commentary.

These are people who work every day of their lives in the industry: Nursery Directors and staff members who grow plants in commercial settings; Head Gardeners who tend to Britain’s country estates and attractions; Plant Society Secretaries, Presidents and Board Members – and many more besides who dedicate their lives to the field of horticulture.

Here are just a few of our expert contributors: