What did you do before gardening? I tried quite a few different jobs, from working in technical theatre to IT, but I soon found that I wanted to be outside.
Horticultural heroes John Massey of Ashwood Nurseries. He’s an incredibly kind man who is so generous with his time. I’m also lucky to be working alongside Fergus Garrett at Great Dixter at the moment. Fergus has an incredible knowledge of plants and biodiversity, and is super hard-working. I definitely look up to him. He continues to ensure Dixter is evolving and exciting, just as Christopher Lloyd did.
Favourite landscape Experiencing the varied landscapes of Turkey and observing the different plant communities has changed my whole outlook on gardening.
Dream plant destination Borneo. I have an interest in Nepenthes and it would be amazing to see them in their natural environment.
Never let your gardening become stagnant. Experiment and try new ideas – if they fail, it doesn’t matter, because that’s how you learn
Three most worthwhile tips Join plant societies for invaluable information and seed exchanges. Never let your gardening become stagnant. Experiment and try new ideas – if they fail, it doesn’t matter, because that’s how you learn. Consider how your gardening affects the wider environment. Ask what could you improve or change in your day-to-day management.
What garden rule are you happy to break? Not planting in threes and fives; this can look so unnatural. At Dixter we try to replicate what plants do in the wild, having areas of high density and areas of low density.
Where is horticulture heading? With temperatures increasing, we need to think about plants that are going to cope better in these conditions and observe the ones we already have to see which can tolerate it. This shouldn’t mean all gardens end up looking the same. A garden’s own identity is very important.
Advice for anyone wanting to become a gardener? Get as much experience as you can. Try working in different gardens and building up your specialties. Volunteer if possible. WRAGS (The Work and Retrain As a Gardener Scheme) is a really good option if you want to dip your toe into the industry without giving up your current occupation.
How has gardening for a living changed you? When you work with plants you notice things, such as plants growing out of the paving that other people would simply walk past. I’m also more connected to where my food comes from and understand what it takes to get that on my plate.
Favourite gardening tool? Sneeboer planting spade.
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