PlantNetwork Interviews

PlantNetwork , Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Observatree recently launched their UK Garden Sentinel Network project. To become more familiar with the ideas and the people behind the project, PlantNetwork had a chat with Peter Crow from Observatree, Matt Parratt from Forest Research and David Slawson of Imperial College.

Two of our treasured, long-standing Trustees are leaving the Board this year. With a total of 22 years of service between them, Don and Rupert reflect on what they have done for PlantNetwork and how it has enhanced their careers. Recommended listening for anyone who is thinking of being a trustee for a charity, or who is interested in PlantNetwork as an organisation.

The second in our series looking at bursaries for horticulturists. We talk to Adrian Thorne, Awards Manager of the Professional Gardeners' Trust. We discuss what the Trust fund, who they are, what makes a good application and how an award can transform your career. Learn more about the PGT at their website Follow the Trust on Instagram , TwitterX, Facebook Email Adrian

Rebecca interviews Sally Pettit, the Chair of the Merlin Trust, new Trustee, Lee Hales and Merlins: Michelle Woodall, Tracy Fahy and Rosie Trehan. For more information visit the https://merlin-trust.org.uk/ https://merlin-trust.org.uk/ website.

We meet Emma Mulcahy, our new(ish) Administrator. We find out what she did before she boarded the good ship PlantNetwork and a little about what she is passionate about.

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...

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 horticultu...

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 c...

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......

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...

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 plantnetw...

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 w...

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 spectacula...

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...

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...

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 diffe...

How often have you heard that you need to specialise, become more focused? Philip Turvil,  the Eco Business Director at the Field Studies Council, is living proof that this old saying can be taken with a pinch of salt. With a dash of networking and curiosity, he has been able to find a career that merges his passion for horticulture, environmental communication and management.   We are exploring d...

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 PlantNe...