Manoj Malde is living proof that you should always follow your dreams. Having worked in the fashion industry for almost 20 years, he decided to pursue his passion for plants, swapping haute couture for horticulture. Today he runs a successful design practice, works as a TV presenter and an RHS judge and, since 2022, has been the RHS's ambassador for inclusivity. Not bad for a mid-life change of career.
Born in Kenya, Manoj grew up surrounded by plants. "Although we didn't have a garden, we had this enormous balcony filled with roses, jasmine and colocasias," he recalls.
He and his family moved to the UK when he was four. "My brother started a veg patch in our new garden and I helped him. Then I became fascinated by houseplants and ornamentals.” Seeds were sown at a very early age.
"I loved my job as creative director in fashion," he continues, "but as time went on, I could see where the industry was heading. Quality was going down; everything became about margin." Manoj gave up his career and enrolled at The English Gardening School in London in 2010. Less than a decade later, in 2017, he won a Silver-gilt medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for his garden, Beneath a Mexican Sky. Mediterranean plants were set against a backdrop of pink and orange adobe walls, beside an azure-blue pool. It was stylish and radiant, and different from the usual Chelsea offering. People loved it.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Inspired by the historic house and setting at Park House in Cambridgeshire, landscape architect Robert Myers has woven together traditional and contemporary design elements to create a haven for people, plants and wildlife
