My Life in Plants
The first plant I grew
When I was just eight years old, my grandfather taught me to grow strawberries. I still remember the magical moment I tasted my first berry. I’ve loved gardening ever since.
The plant that shaped the gardener I am today
Soon after, I was given a second-hand greenhouse and grew lots of plants from seed, including Strelitzia reginae, the fabulous bird of paradise plant. To my delight all five seeds grew, but it took six years before they eventually flowered. That’s when I learned you often need patience as a gardener but, boy, can it pay off in the end!
My favourite plant in the world
Silver birch is such a graceful and beautiful tree. I’m especially fond of stunning white-barked varieties such as Betula utilis jacquemontii. I grow a multi
stemmed one in my garden where it looks absolutely breathtaking, but for real drama see them en masse in gardens like Anglesey Abbey.
The plant that changed my life
After leaving college I worked for Hilliers of Winchester, where arboretum curator Roy Lancaster took us on tours. One day, he stopped by the paperbark maple, Acer griseum, and spoke with such passion I suddenly realised I wanted to work in gardening forever. I now have more than 40 years experience, am QVC’s resident gardening expert and even have my own plant products at www. qvcuk.com.
The plant that made me work hardest
For years I couldn’t germinate seed of the Chilean climber Lapageria rosea.
A gardener told me to run cold water over the seeds for 24 hours. I tried and it worked. Nowadays, of course, I could have simply looked up growing tips on the internet!
The plant I would like to grow more
Last summer I trialled a new compact, hardy rhododendron called ‘Tinkerbird’, with amazing jasmine-scented, white flowers. Ken Evans, who launched it on my TV show, told me there are lots more varieties, in other
colours, but they’re not hardy.
One day, if I ever get a big conservatory, I’d love to grow more of these beauties.
The plant I am in human form
Maybe the sacred bamboo
Nandina domestica, evergreen and, hopefully, quietly interesting all year round!
The plant I always give as a gift
Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’. It’s easy to grow and as tough as old boots. The football-sized heads of white flowers look amazing for months, and even the seed heads look wonderful in winter.