My day in cups of tea

Pots of tea and pots of plants? A marriage made in heaven. Julia Lamberth Dawson of The English Potted Plant Company tells us about her day in cuppas

Morning! Where are you having your first cuppa?

My husband brings me my first cup in bed. We live just outside London on an 18th-century estate – we’re in the old seamstress’ studio, beneath the clock tower. I like to be at my desk, or shed, by the time the clock strikes 9am.

What’s on your desk for today?

I’m a garden designer by day with a side hustle in vintage potted plants. My day is determined by the seasons, projects and orders to get out.

Elevenses! What can we get you?

Coffee please. Nothing fancy, Aldi No 4 in the plunger. My sons are baristas and a bit horrified.

A potted history of how you came to this career, please?

I trained at Kew but ended up in the corporate world. The pandemic led to my consulting contract being cancelled, so I had time to think about what I wanted to do, and this was it. I love the combination of business and creativity: finding treasure and dreaming up ideas.

What’s for lunch?

Lunch is always leftovers. I’m married to a chef so they’re usually pretty good!

We bet! What's on the cards for the afternoon?

Potting and packing, all in time for the courier at 3pm.

Any favourite listening as you work?

I’m a creature of habit. Radio 4 until after Woman’s Hour and then podcasts – The Rest is History, The Rest is Politics and, Craig Oliver’s Desperately Seeking Wisdom, usually accompanied by a lapsang souchon.

Nice! And when’s work done for the day?

Usually, I finish when it’s dark, but often carry on after supper, in front of the TV.

What’s your final tipple of the day?

Warm milk and nutmeg in bed. A childhood thing that I still love.