PlantNetwork Interviews

Amelia Crawford is the botanical artist behind Sylvestris Botanics. We find out more about Amelia's art, her inspirations and her wider career in conservation. Her career is almost completely unclassifiable, and her work very beautiful. You really need to visit her website!

Kristina Clode is an award-winning garden designer who specialises in naturalistic planting and sustainable designs that consider, among many other things, the carbon footprint of materials and construction. Kristina has won The Society of Garden Designers 'Design for Environment Award' for the last two years. See more examples of Kristina's work at her website: www.kristinaclodegardendesign.co.uk

We catch up with Sam Hickmott in our first ever follow-up interview! Sam is Head Gardener at the National Trust's Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Garden. You can contact Sam with your questions by email or through instagram: samuelfinchhorticulture.

Mercy Morris, Administrator with PlantNetwork, tells us about her horticultural career to date. She discusses her National Plant Collection, regrets the ubiquity of her favourite tool and rejoices in the possibilities available in the sector. The sound quality isn't brilliant (we recorded in very noisy cafe) but Mercy is wonderful to listen to!

Joe Clements, Conservation Assistant at the Lowther Estate, tells us about his horticultural training and how useful that is in his conservation role, his new role as a beekeeper, regenerating farmland and the trials of growing succulents in Cumbria.    We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens and the different careers pursued by horticulturists in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

Rupert Wilson, Principal Data Manager with the RHS, tells us about the extensive plant information held by the RHS, the annual publication of Plant Finder and the importance of people in plant records. Can you guess what Rupert's book choice will be?!   We are continuing to explore different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens and the different careers pursued by horticulturists in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

Misako tells us about a theatre-going Metasequoia, being inspired to explore a career in horticulture by TV gardening programmes, and some horticultural differences between the UK and Japan.   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens and the different careers pursued by horticulturists in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

Nick Fraser, Senior Gardener with the National Trust, talks about caring for three very different gardens in North Yorkshire including a garden that has been organic for over 20 years. Nick also talks about his interest in native plants and insects.

Freelance horticulturist Yoke van der Meer spoke with PlantNetwork about her career and her blog, Wonderful Weeds Weekly, which seeks to make weeds more popular! 

Meet Cal Stewart - gardener, educator, mixologist and dandelion fan! Cal has recently moved from being a full-time gardener to a full-time garden educator to better share a passion for all things plant and garden related, as well as taking on the role of Northern Regional Organiser for the YHOY competition.

To celebrate the PlantNetwork Year of Sustainability, we will be exploring sustainability issues and projects as part of the PlantNetwork podcast series. In the first of these special episodes, we find out about the challenges and opportunities posed by "The Tangled Bank" project at St Andrews Botanic Garden with curator Beccy Middleton.

In the first podcast for 2022, PlantNetwork speaks with Jess Brown of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo about gardening for pandas among many other animals. Find out more about the working life of a zoo horticulturist - and join us in February for a webinar focusing on zoo horticulture.   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens and the different careers pursued by horticulturists in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

PlantNetwork talks to Doug Stewart, a 'general practitioner' of horticulture. We discuss careers, perceptions of horticulture and sustainability as well as favourite plants…   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens and the different careers pursued by horticulturists in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

Meet a young horticulturist who is also a passionate spokesperson for the industry! PlantNetwork talks to Mollie Higginson of New Leaf Plants and co-founder of the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA). Find out how Mollie found her way into horticulture and what she and the YPHA are doing to help other young horticulturists get the most out of the sector.    We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

Meet Richard Baines, the Curator of Logan Botanic Garden, author and a truly passionate horticulturist who has definitely taken his work home with him. In this episode, he tells us about curating an exotic garden in Scotland, his love of rhododendrons and his horticultural journey. Listen in to learn where to find rare gems in Logan Botanic Garden, plant exploration abroad, and the most spectacular place in the UK to see daffodils.    We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

A select few join the Professional Gardeners' Guild Traineeship every year and if you are lucky to be one of the select, there is much to be gained from your placements. Who wouldn't want to live next door to a grand country house with access to the surrounding garden? During the three past years, Frances Porter has worked at three entirely different gardens. We speak to her just as she completes her traineeship and about to embark on a professional horticultural career.   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Rebecca Slack, PlantNetwork Coordinator.

How did a fully booked course get Sam Hickmott into his horticultural career? Sam is a young head gardener looking after the Grade 1 listed landscape garden in a World Heritage Site, Prior Park. We hear how Sam got into horticulture and his thoughts on why more young people don't pursue a career in horticulture. Making it to the regional finals himself, making new contacts and armed with new facts, he also encourages anyone under 30 to participate in the annual Young Horticulturist of the Year (YHOY) competition.   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more. This episode is hosted by Piers Horry, National Trust Garden and Outdoor Manager.

What is it like to work as the Curator of Botany and Horticulture in a zoo, where the majority of visitors are coming to see the animals? Phil Esseen of Chester Zoo tells us about a set of unique, but fascinating challenges and we hear about important collaborative conservation work both in-situ and ex-situ in places like Madagascar, Rodrigues and Chile to name but a few.    We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more.

An entertaining chat with Philip Turvil of the Field Studies Council about his role as Eco Business Director; his passions for horticulture, environmental communication and management; and getting to know new work colleagues virtually, among many other topics. Yet another example of where horticulture can take you in your career!   We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more.

In her job as a Senior Community Outreach Advisor at the RHS, Lettie Irving found a position she didn't know existed. Hear how it allows her to combine working with people and plants, using Zoom to engage with communities, and the importance of photography in the garden. We are exploring different ways to work in horticulture. Get to know the people behind the gardens in this series from PlantNetwork – An interview with.... Visit plantnetwork.org to learn more.

Kate is a horticulturist with a very international perspective. We find out more about Kate's varied role and how it all started in a bonsai shop!

We talk to new PlantNetwork Trustee and National Trust Garden and Outdoor Manager, Piers Horry, about his role, his career in horticulture and trees.

Our March webinar focused on biostimulants - if you registered to attend or you are a PlantNetwork member, you can catch-up with the webinar at: https://plantnetwork.org/meetings/webinar/biostimulants-and-plant-health/ This podcast episode carries on the discussion from the webinar and we learn more about the potential of biostimulants for improving plant health and resilience to pests and diseases with Julian Ives from Dragonfli and Neil Procter from Koppert Biological Systems.

This year is the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables so we talk to someone who is passionate abut growing vegetables. So much so that when Matt isn't caring for Global Growth Vegetable Garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, he is looking after multiple allotments...

With growing recognition of the health and well-being benefits of gardening, PlantNetwork speaks with horticultural therapist, Imogen Jackson, about her role at Horatio's Garden. Imogen introduces us to her Horatio's Garden and the work she does with patients with spinal cord injuries, as well as how she became a horticultural therapist (and head gardener!)

Volunteers are crucial to many, if not most, public gardens, with Friends' groups often providing considerable support to gardens and their horticultural teams. We hear from Dr Shiona Mackie who has been instrumental in establishing the Friends of Botanic Gardens Forum, linking and supporting Friends' groups across the UK. We also find out about garden guides, the importance of inspirational teachers and ballet.

In this episode, we talk with Lucy Bell, Botanical Horticulturist at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, finding out about her responsibilities for the Broad Walk, her love of herbaceous perennials, and her plant-related modelling career! We also hear about Lucy's experiences of being on furlough during the first COVID-19 lockdown and how she feels now she is back at work.

We start 2021 with a chat to Juliet Sargeant, RHS Chelsea gold medal winning garden designer and founder of the Sussex Garden School. Find out more about Juliet's design ethos and her secret mission as well as her surprising confession regarding her own garden. Juliet also has advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in garden design.

In our final episode of 2020, PlantNetwork takes a slightly different tack and talks to a botanist, Dr Waheed Arshad.  We find out more about his role as a botanical data specialist, how he first became interested in botany and plants as well as writing to the Queen (on home-made paper) among many other things.

In this short special edition for Christmas, recorded during National Tree Week in November, we hear from a small number of PlantNetwork members willing to share their favourite trees.

Simon Toomer, Chair of PlantNetwork, interviews Mark Ballard, finding out more about his role at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum. Simon asks Mark about his career, developments at Westonbirt and plans for the future. If you are considering a career change to horticulture, this episode is definitely one for you.

In a change to the usual format, this podcast episode features Christopher Weddell, Senior Gardens Advisor at English Heritage, speaking with Rob Brett, Curator at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. The conversation ranges across career pathways, chats with Charles Darwin, Mick Jagger and orchids, and the importance of baobabs and asparagus on deserted islands. Curious? Dive in!

Cards on the table - Andy isn't a horticulturist. He does, however, work with horticulturists through his role as National TOPSOIL Manager, supplying topsoil and soil-based products to horticulture and other land-based industries. We hope the interview shows that there are a range of occupations out there that link to horticulture.... It was also an opportunity to find out a little more about one of key supporters and sponsors.

In this episode, PlantNetwork talks with Shelley O'Berg about her diverse and varied role as First Gardener and Horticultural Training Officer at the beautiful Cambo Gardens. We also hear about her work experience on Ascension and St Helena Islands and what it is like to learn the flying trapeze.

PlantNetwork speaks with Daniel, a Level 4 Diploma student, ahead of his graduation on 27 August from the RHS School of Horticulture. We find out about his experiences as a student at RHS Garden Wisley as well as his training at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, a growing interest in montane flora and hopes for the future. Jazz trumpets at the ready!

The gallery at The Hepworth Wakefield reopens on Yorkshire Day - 1st August - so to celebrate we talk to The Hepworth Wakefield's Cultural Gardener, Katy Merrington, about this very new garden, being open during lockdown (despite the gallery being closed) and why this garden offers something different to visitors.

The latest episode takes a much needed visit to Cornwall in the excellent company of Gary Long, Head Gardener at Trewithen Gardens. Gary tells us about the exciting projects taking place at Trewithen as well as a career that has so far involved the planting of a tea plantation and an unofficial competition to become the longest serving head gardener at Trewithen.

We hear from Stephen Herrington, Head Gardener at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in West Sussex, who introduces us to Leonardslee and other gardens he has worked in, in the UK and elsewhere. Not many people have discovered a new plant species!

It was a privilege to speak with podcaster, writer and gardener Tamsin about her portfolio career and her gardening aspirations. Find out how Tamsin came to have a number of strings to her horticultural bow... Being a horticulturist can open a whole raft of opportunities.

Pam Smith continues our series of interviews with horticulturists. It was a particular treat for PlantNetwork to speak with Pam as until 18 months ago, Pam was the PlantNetwork Administrator and hence knows a great deal about the PlantNetwork community! Pam is a very experienced horticulturist - find out more about her career, favourite gardens and the plants she can't garden without. Be warned - her enthusiasm is infectious!

In this third episode, which falls just after the 20th birthday of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, PlantNetwork speaks to curator Will Ritchie about the garden, future plans and what plants he might take to a deserted island. Find out more about gardens and the people behind these gardens in this series - new episodes added every few weeks.

In the second episode in our series of 'Interviews with...', PlantNetwork speaks with Simon about his role with the National Trust, his career, future aspirations, favourite gardens and desert island plants.

As part of the PlantNetwork 'Interviews with....' podcasts, PlantNetwork speaks with Nick about his current role, his career in horticulture, horticultural inspirations and desert island plants....