What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
Coming from a previous site that had huge running budgets and facilities to a small site, no bigger than a postage stamp, was a real eye opener… joining a garden that had adopted a certain look and feel to their work and the quality of its turn out also.
What exciting projects are coming up?
North Garden five year restoration project - we 're planning a complete overhaul of the area, new plantings, very little of the old planting to be left, new path layouts and additional path networks, flowing water and working ponds up and running. We're putting in an additional glade and the feeder pond area will be opened out too, giving us a chance to look at nineteenth century grass paths and ponds.
Any top gardening tips?
Make time to spend working in and alongside your plant collections, getting to know and understand the way in which they grow, look and feel. Don’t be afraid to try new things, think outside the box and be bold in your decision making and planning.
Any advice for those looking to start a career in gardens?
Gain all round experience first off, don’t streamline your knowledge to one key area or focus, you can do this at a later stage. Someone with all round skills and knowledge sits head and shoulders above one dimensional thinkers.