The next generation of horticulturalists

Over the last few months I have had the opportunity of meeting many inspirational young horticulturists. Thanks to this experience I can confidently say that the future of our industry is in good hands.

It remains hard for nurseries and landscapers to find staff, but it seems that once someone gets the bug for horticulture there is no turning back. When a young adult or teenager makes a connection with the possibilities a career in the industry can offer, they can really take off and enjoy success. It’s up to those who are established in the industry to let the next generation prove what they are capable of and listen to their ideas.

Earlier this year I was invited to speak via Zoom to the Young People in Horticulture (YPHA) group about gardening media. This group was set up in January 2020 by Mollie Higginson of New Leaf Plants, Natalie Porter of Happy Plants and Liam Cleary of the Old Railway Line Garden Centre. The aim of the YPHA is to unite under 35s in the industry.

When I started in horticulture over 30 years ago, it was quite a lonely journey as it wasn’t seen as being a career path that offered sparkly and shiny enough opportunities to attract many other youngsters. This innovative group is not only promoting the benefits of working with plants and gardens, but it is encouraging collaborations, innovations, support, and friendship.

What impressed me was that those I have spoken to were so eager for information and had a real grasp on the possibilities available to them. They show no fear of advances in technology and the communication skills of the founding members are astonishing.

Horticulture isn’t just about weeding (which it was often thought to be the case in my day). The next generation are aware of the multitude of directions they can go in and have a yearning to improve the sustainability of businesses and gardening in general. If only I was 20 years younger – I’d be signing up.

Their ‘catchphrase’ on their website www.ypha.org.uk is ‘Uniting under 35’s in horticulture to prepare the industry for the future consumer.’ I have no doubt that they are doing this.

Show ready

Only this week I was fortunate enough to meet five young garden designers at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. I had previously met a few of them at RHS Chelsea where they were picking up tips from designers and landscapers during build up.

The hunger for information was evident at the outset and again I was impressed with their confidence in asking questions, their obvious plant knowledge and their respect and awe for the craft of garden design.

They had bravely entered the Young Designer Competition and created gardens to inspire the visiting public. To design and build a garden to be judged by the RHS is something that takes nerves of steel. Added to this was the pressure of completing the gardens on the hottest two days ever recorded in the UK. Each and every one of them achieved gardens of quality that are certain to be great springboards for the future careers.

Tom Clarke’s tranquil ‘Paradise Found’ garden offered a Moroccan courtyard theme. On speaking to Tom I discovered that he had grown all the perennials himself on his allotment.

Emma Tipping’s garden ‘Come Lime with Me’ was a vibrant space created to encourage friends to chill out together and Rachel Platt’s ‘The Covid Recovery Garden’ was focused on patient healing.

Alex Pettitt created ‘Slow Down, Breathe Deep’ which is a space to provide a sanctuary for NHS staff.

Lastly Will Scholey’s ‘Working from Home Garden’ also looked to the pandemic for inspirations and was created to offer the perfect place to work surrounded by plants. Will was crowned the winner of the Young Designer of the Year competition.

A couple of these designers explained to me that creating a garden at an RHS show had been a childhood dream. The mere fact that they had this as an aspiration is wonderful and credit to the coverage of the shows.

If you thought that there was a lack of interest from the next generation in horticulture you can rest easy. The talent is there in spades!

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