20 yrs' experience, RHS Level 3 qualified, Head Gardener & plant nursery owner.

A wealth of experience

With over 20 years’ experience in professional horticulture, I have had the pleasure of working at some of the country’s most esteemed gardens and with some of the world’s best garden designers.

Student to Senior Gardener

I started as a student gardener at Trentham gardens whilst studying for my RHS qualifications.

I worked at Trentham Gardens at one of the most exciting times when the garden was being regenerated with expansive planting schemes from Tom Stuart-Smith and Piet Oudolf. I got to work alongside both designers and then went on to oversee Tom Stuart-Smith's scheme as Senior gardener of the Italian Garden for 4 years. During my time at Trentham designing new beds and garden areas was a key part of my role as the garden was always changing and evolving.

From Senior Gardener to Head Gardener

I moved to Devon in 2010 to work at the National Trust Knightshayes garden. 5 years in this plantsman’s garden taught me so much about woodland garden plants, shade loving plants and an extensive collection of shrubs and trees from around the world.

Later I moved to the position of Head Gardener at Castle Drogo. This time I oversaw a Lutyens designed garden of formal terraces and ornamental shrubbery set in the stunning surrounding of Dartmoor. This job involved redesigning areas and project managing large landscaping projects.

From Head Gardener to Nursery owner

After working for the National Trust for 9 years I had the opportunity of owning my own plant nursery Tor Garden Plants specialising in pond marginal and moisture loving plants. I now run this alongside my garden design business, and it allows me to grow and source an extensive range of plants. As part of the nursery, I also have a National Plant Collection overseen by Plant Heritage the plant conservation charity. In 2021 the nursery also featured on Gardeners World.

Contributor to Publications

I have written articles for different publications over the years and recently was asked to contribute to the book 'What Gardeners Grow'.

‘We asked Emma to suggest planting for our new wildlife pond. She did this and impressed us enough to ask her to design and plant all the area around and in the pond, a substantial area. She produced first class beautifully drawn plans showing every plant. She then sourced and supplied all of the plants and trees. She and her team then planted the entire area. They are lovely people to have around. She has remained available for monitoring and suggesting improvements while always being open to our requirements and suggestions. After just over a year we cannot believe how the pond and surroundings look. We were and are very impressed with Emma’s work. - Bob -Devon Consuls