Phil Smith, Head Gardener, Wollerton Old Hall Gardens – ‘The Fragrant Garden’
Phil Smith is the Head Gardener at Wollerton Old Hall Garden in Shropshire. Taking the reins in 2016, Phil has continued to develop and maintain what is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of an English Country Garden. Full of exuberant colour, themed borders and crisply manicured topiary, Wollerton Old Hall offers something [...]
Colm O’Driscoll, Head Gardener, Airfield Estate – ‘Airfield Estate – a work in progress.’
Since Graduating from the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Colm has had a diverse career gaining experience in many areas of the horticultural industry before being appointed head ornamental gardener in Airfield Estate in 2013. Inheriting a garden that had undergone a major redesign, Colm’s initial task was to manage the transition of the gardens [...]
Troy Scott Smith, Head Gardener, Iford Manor Gardens – ‘Roses.’
Troy Scott Smith was born and brought up in Yorkshire and it was there amongst the wonderful countryside that he developed an appreciation of plants and later where he began his career in horticulture and it is the natural world that nourishes and inspires him most deeply. Coming from a family of great naturalists, it [...]
James Wickham, Garden Designer and Freelance garden writer – “In good company.”
James Wickham is a regular contributor to ‘The Irish Garden’ and has worked for ‘Gardeners' World’ magazine and at the RHS Garden Wisley. Now based in County Roscommon, James works as a garden designer and freelance garden writer. His garden is home to a collection of plants that are highly personal, often reflecting James's friendship with many [...]
Averil Milligan, Gardener and Contributor to Gardener’s Corner, Radio Ulster – ‘Going back to my roots’
Averil has been involved in Horticulture for over 34 years in various roles but most of her time has been at the helm looking after historic gardens and their visitors. After college, she took a role as propagator at Hillsborough Castle for 7 years in the tough years in Northern Ireland, the garden wasn’t open to the [...]
Tamsin Westhorpe, freelance writer and curator gardener of stockton bury gardens – ‘Life as a garden writer’
Tamsin has over 25 years’ experience in the horticultural industry. Her career has seen her edit ‘The English Garden’ Magazine, contribute to national newspapers and magazines, lecture at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset and care for parks and gardens. She is now a freelance writer and curator and gardener of Stockton Bury Gardens in Herefordshire. [...]
Diarmuid Gavin, Garden Designer and TV Presenter – ‘Creating Gardens,Home and Away’
March 30th at 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m Diarmuid Gavin, Garden Designer and TV Presenter - 'Creating Gardens,Home and Away'
Timothy Walker, Botanist – “On Top but Never in Control”
"On Top but Never in Control" Timothy Walker was previously Director of Oxford Botanic Gardens. This is the story of making his wife's small town garden. Zoom Talk, hosted by Wexford Garden & Flower Club
Conrad McCormick, garden designer, freelance garden journalist and environmentalist – ‘Fantastic foliage and phenomenal flowers.’
Conrad is a garden designer, freelance garden journalist and environmentalist. He has appeared on the RTE/BBC NI Gardening Together TV show and regularly contributes to BBC Radio Ulster's Gardeners Corner programme. He has a passion for unusual and exotic plants which he grows in his suburban North Antrim garden.
Rosie Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants – “From Back Garden to Chelsea Gold”
"From Back Garden to Chelsea Gold" Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants was founded in 1988 by Rosy Hardy. Anyone who has visited Chelsea Flower Show will surely have spent time looking with envy at their stand. Herbaceous plants in garden settings - they have won 24 Gold medals so far Zoom Talk, hosted by Wexford Garden [...]