I Inherited My Passion For Old Roses

The first plant I ever grew

When I was eight or nine and part of my school’s gardening club, we planted out marigolds into patterns spelling out our names. So many varieties of plants can evoke wonderful memories such as these, and it’s something that fascinates me.

The plant that shaped the gardener I am today

As a child, my family moved to East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Margery Fish’s iconic cottage garden in Somerset. The whole family was very much involved in its restoration, and it was here I developed an interest in gardening. One plant in particular that stays with me from those happy days is the hardy geranium, which my dad collected. However, I left gardening to pursue a career in the city, but soon realised it wasn’t for me. I decided to pack up and sail around the world, taking with me a book on hardy geraniums, which I would read, while fantasising about plants and gardening. When I came back home I threw myself into my new career.