RHS Level 2: Principles of Plant Growth and Development

"My career in horticulture started at the Eden Project, where I completed a 1 year apprenticeship with the living landscapes team. I then returned to Eden after my foundation degree to be part of the outdoor garden team.

I have been developing my horticultural knowledge here at Eden for the last 10 years.

I’m really passionate about sustainable gardening, pollinator friendly gardens and getting young people into horticulture."

"I was a career changer 20 years ago when I joined Eden and my passion for plants became my vocation. The diversity of temperate plants in the Outdoor Garden means there is always something interesting to work with and at Eden there are often unexpected opportunities and experiences.

My main areas of interest are hardy, temperate perennials, bulbs and woodland plants."

"My background is in biology, and during my degree I specialised in botany, tropical ecology and conservation. I’ve worked on conservation and agroforestry projects across Central America and Mexico, developing a particular interest in tropical plant diversity, sustainable land use and the relationships between plants and their natural environments. 

I joined the Eden Project in 2023 and currently lead the horticultural team in the Rainforest Biome. My work involves looking after a diverse collection of tropical plants, from fruit crops and economically important species to orchids and other specialist collections. More recently, I have also undertaken specialist training in tropical plant taxonomy at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

I’m particularly interested in tropical plant ecology, propagation and plant conservation, as well as understanding the science behind how plants grow and develop. I enjoy combining this scientific knowledge with practical horticulture and sharing that knowledge with others. For me, understanding why plants grow the way they do is just as important as knowing how to grow them."

"I have worked as a horticulturist at the Eden Project for 18 years. I started in the Mediterranean Biome as I specialise in that range of plants. My interest in this range developed after doing a scholarship at Tresco Abbey Gardens, on the Isles of Scilly, where many Mediterranean climate plants flourish in their mild climate. I moved to the outdoor gardens to further my knowledge of temperate plants and really enjoy the range of different plants in the garden.

I enjoy being able to work with plants from all over the world, displayed in a mixture of cultivated and wild landscapes. I am especially passionate about South African plants and have a developed a new exhibit called the South African Veld where we are showcasing the beauty and diversity of the South African flora whilst also high lightening it’s fragility and need to protect its biodiversity.

My enthusiasm for growing crops has really grown since taking on our Global Gardens allotments, I am particularly interested in how the food we grow will change with climate change."

"When I started volunteering at Trelissick gardens in Cornwall in 2009 I realised that horticulture was the right career for me. I went on to study a two year diploma with the National Trust for Scotland at Threave School of Heritage Gardening and Branklyn Garden.

After completing my diploma I began a job in the Mediterranean Biome at the Eden Project in 2013 specialising in Mediterranean basin plants. Two years ago I moved into the Rainforest Biome which has given me the opportunity to learn a totally different type of horticulture and I am enjoying getting to know West African plants and their uses.

I have a particular interest in sustainable growing systems and soil science and I relish the continuous learning that a career in horticulture brings."

A full set of FAQs are available through the RHS website.