What makes me an expert Plantswoman?

I have been a professional Plantswoman for 21+ years. The term 'Plantswoman' refers to a woman with a keen interest and wide knowledge of plants and their cultivation, and I have more than most! What sets me apart from many garden designers is my extensive knowledge of plants, which is unrivaled locally. I design gardens too of course but what really sets me apart is the two decades worth of experience working on plant nurseries and my garden expertise and know-how gleamed from growing, tending, sell plants and advising those wanting to create their own little oasis in their gardens. That's why I call myself a Plantswoman rather than just a Garden Designer. 

Following 24+ years of intense immersion in all things horticultural, I have developed an encyclopedic knowledge of garden plants, their habits, needs and how to use the right plant in the right place. I use this expertise on a daily basis to design, create and manage gardens across Leicestershire. The story of my career goes some way to explaining how and why I became a plantswoman, how I have gleamed my knowledge and reputation as a garden and plant expert and why I love doing what I do.

​I knew at the age of 18 that i wanted to have a career that would spark a passion in me and have me springing out of bed on a morning. I had always been keen on gardening when i lived with my parents and sisters in rural Leicestershire, living the 'Good Life' and running wild in our family garden and veg patch.  Having completed an Environmental Management and Conservation degree and bought my first house at 21, i immediately wanted to be outside, concentrating my efforts in the small patch of green which came with the property. ​
​I read books and magazines on gardening, watched Gardeners World religiously and any other garden related programmes, visited gardens, plant nurseries and garden centres avidly, wanting to learn as much as i could about propagating, growing and tending plants and gardens. I knew that this was going to be a life long passion and if i could make a living from it i would try my hardest to do so.
I enrolled at the reknowned Brooksby Horticultural College on their Royal Horticultural Society year long course, to learn the basics of gardening and horticulture (being awarded a distinction 12 months on) and I went in search of a job at a local nursery in October 2000. I still can't believe i was lucky enough to be offered a position at Brooklea Nurseries in Rothley as a nursery assistant especially as winter was fast approaching. The traditionally run Retail Nursery and Market Garden was the perfect place to learn and I soaked up information like a sponge. I was responsible for growing, sourcing, tending and displaying plants and as my knowledge grew I would also offer advise to the amateur gardeners who came to the nursery in search of quality plants for their gardens. I continued to garden my small plot and took on 2 allotments to grow fruit, vegetable and cut flowers. I really was living and breathing horticulture and gardening 24/7!  Over the 9 years I worked at Brooklea, I climbed through the ranks, eventually managing the nursery and market garden for the last two years. 

I came to a point where I wanted to increase my knowledge of the industry further so in 2009 I moved to Miles Nurseries Ltd in the village of Hoby near Melton Mowbray. There I would take on the roll of Production and Retail Manager, using the knowledge of growing, tending and selling plants to increase the range of plants sold and grow the business. Working at the nursery allowed me to develop my plant knowledge further, so that I now have the reputation as the go to 'Plant Expert' locally.

I also enrolled in a Diploma in Garden Design, for which I was awarded a distinction. The Training allowed me to formalise my design process and create landscaping and planting design plans to transform gardens for my clients.

In 2020 I left the plant nursery world behind so I could concentrate 100% of my time on my own Garden Design company. My days are now spent putting the 21 years of hands on horticultural experience to good use, designing and creating beautiful gardens for my clients across the East Midlands.

So how do I use the expert knowledge and design skills I developed over the last 24+ years to help clients create and manage their own green spaces? Well there is more information on my Planting Design page.
 
If you need advice and inspiration for your garden space  I offer a bespoke service of Garden Design Packages and Planting Design Packages.  Find out more about our services on our FAQ page and if you are ready to discuss your project Get in Touch.