IndiA
Manager
I certified in 2022 with Plumpton College in RHS Level 2, Theory and Principles of Horticulture. Previously, I studied RHS Level 2 Practical Horticulture in York, where I’m from originally.
I love gardening with The Lady Gardener Team, every day is intensely physical and pushes us all to new limits. People call me a speed warrior, and I like to work fast!
Why I love gardening: My passion for everything green-fingered evolved on my travels. I love spending my days outside with such a diverse range of gardens to work in. I am particularly interested in sustainable practices and wildlife gardens.
Favourite plant: Ferns – I love the vibrant green foliage and the prehistoric element they bring to a space.
How I take my tea!: My favourite tea is Yorkshire obviously, being a Yorkshire lass, well brewed and milky!
Ellie
Head Gardener
Growing up in rural Derbyshire, I’ve always found my peace being around and learning more about nature (especially all things fruit & veg). Then, while living in Cornwall, my interest shifted towards organic produce and sustainability.
I decided to make this interest more than a hobby and moved to Sussex to study my Level 3 Technical Diploma in Horticulture at Plumpton College, not really knowing where it would take me. Since completing the course I’ve been gardening with the team and working with a local vineyard and farm. It’s been a really heartening time meeting so many knowledgeable and likeminded people! I hope to combine my learning and run my own market garden one day.
Why I love gardening: There’s new fascinations and challenges every day to feed my curiosity. I love the work we do as The Lady Gardener Team- the long term observation and care of all the wonderful and diverse spaces we get to enjoy and work on around Sussex, getting them growing in harmony and looking their absolute best.
My favourite plant: Pinus Radiata, the Monterey pine, especially on the coastline where they’re shaped by the wind, but in the garden I’m always pleased to see a veg patch, intertwined herb beds, and, in the summer, tomato plants (the best smelling thing in existence).
How I take my tea: However it turns up, and I don’t turn down a coffee either.
Elise
Garden Designer and Gardener
After finishing university with a degree in Graphic Design I realised I wasn’t cut out for sitting at a desk all day. Instead, I needed to combine my creative skills with my love for the outdoors, so I decided to transition to garden design, which I studied at Plumpton College for two years gaining a diploma at both level 2 and level 3. My design for ‘gardening in a changing climate’ came top at the Ardingly South of England Show in West Sussex in 2019.
Since then I’ve assisted with Julia’s award-winning garden at Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, and I’ve taken on the role of being The Lady Gardener Team's “In-House Designer”. With designs ranging from whole gardens to simple spruce-ups, I work with our clients to make the space they have the most beautiful and functional for their lifestyle, whether that’s a small city garden or multiple acres in the countryside.
Why I love gardening: I always find myself in awe of nature. No matter how big or small a space, if you allow plants to flourish there, you have the ability to create, tame and nurture a haven for yourself and an abundance of other forms of life.
Favourite plant: Japanese anemone (Eriocapitella hupehensis), Icelandic poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Crocosmia and the humble apple tree (Malus domestica).
How I take my tea! : Milk no sugar please.
Poppy
Gardener
I grew up in London and always felt a bit disconnected from nature, so I’ve been seeking that connection since childhood. I was brought up to appreciate what nature can offer—my wonderful mother loved herbal remedies. When I moved to Brighton and wanted more greenery, I found a beautiful herb garden and decided to volunteer there. Not long after my first session I was offered a job by the herbalist who ran the garden, and that’s how my gardening career started.
Why I love gardening: I love being outside and putting my strength to good use. Gardening feels natural to me, and I believe it’s vital that everyone reconnects with nature for our own mental wellbeing and for the planet. I also enjoy connecting with the community and the creativity gardening brings.
Favourite plant: Lavender. Lavender is loved for its beautiful scent and flowers and is used in herbalism for a wide variety of conditions.
How I take my tea! : Strong with milk and preferably a bit of honey.
RosY
Gardener
My love of gardening and green-fingered skills came about when I moved into a flat with the most gorgeous but over-run and neglected garden.
I spent the next five years nurturing and developing the garden, with brilliant results. I grew giant courgettes, I introduced a wild flower garden, re-created lawns, brought back to life many flowers and plants that were waning and of course added many more.
This was a fascinating learning experience for me, and jump started my gardening career.
Why I love gardening: I love the sense of achievement, watching something blossom that you’ve taken care of. Planting bulbs and waiting for them to grow, the first shoots and the first rose buds. Going out each morning and seeing what’s new. It’s fulfilling work!
Favourite plant: Daffodils for the colour and the representation that winter is over and spring has arrived. Courgettes, the huge leaves and beautiful flowers that produce such a yummy vegetable, what’s not to love?
How I Take My Tea! : Strong black tea please!
ant
Gardener
Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa I spent much of my time outdoors and was inspired by nature from a young age. My parents taught me the value of gardening and passed on their passion onto me. After working as a barista at a beautiful walled garden I couldn’t help but feel I was on the wrong team and longed to join the gardeners and so I completed my City and Guilds Level 3 in Horticulture with Plumpton college and have thoroughly enjoyed the change of industry. I am particularly passionate about sustainable practices and edible and wildlife gardens, I love me a pond! I am so lucky to work with a lovely group of like minded gardeners, feeling supported and challenged everyday.
Why I love gardening: II find having a part to play in transforming and nurturing all the gardens we visit a rewarding experience, checking back on corners of the garden I’ve payed special attention to gives a great sense of achievement. I enjoy the physical side of gardening and feel far more connected with nature, noticing the seasons change working outdoors throughout the year.
Favourite plant: The Disa! A genus of beautiful wild orchids native to South Africa. They grow along streams and can be a rare sighting whilst in the mountains and I have fond memories hunting for them with my family.
How I Take My Tea! : Strong no sug please!
Alice
Gardener
I have loved spending time in nature and taking in the details of plants since I was young. I love gardening because I get to help create balance and harmony amongst all the things growing there and I find that really satisfying!
Why I love gardening: I love working outside and having time with plants: They offer exciting innate insights, opportunities and a lifetime of learning.
Favourite plant: Hard to choose but I'd probably have to say sweet peas. I don't think there's a better smell out there!
How I Take My Tea! : I love my tea herbal and my coffee black!
MaisiE
Administration Manager (the face behind the emails!)
I’ve been working as an administrator since graduating from University (where I met Julia!) in 2012. During the past 13 years I have interspersed admin jobs where I learnt so much about how to manage the back end of a business (and who knew I’d geek out on that so much!), with periods of travel to different corners of the globe.
It was while I was away in Australia that my love for plants and the land was ignited and I started learning how to garden. Initially I started working with Julia as a gardener, which I absolutely loved- getting to be outdoors everyday, experience the seasons and bring new life to clients’ gardens. Soon we got talking and Julia unearthed my other passion for organisation and I started to take on some of the ‘behind the scenes’ work for The Lady Gardener Team which I also love, and which definitely keeps me busy!
Since having a baby I have transitioned to more of the organisational side of things but I’m looking forward to getting back out in the garden eventually.
Favourite plant: Chuck me in a field of wild meadow flowers and I couldn’t be happier.
How I Take My Tea! : I drink decaf black coffee but since I work from home you don’t have to worry about that!
JuliA B
Director
The Lady Gardener Team business was born in February 2018, upon moving back to the UK from Peru. While abroad I spent 6 years co-teaching organic gardening and permaculture to university students, but my background in horticulture and land-based skills started long before that - probably thanks to my Grandparents! In 2021 I was delighted to win my first Chelsea Flower Show award for designing and installing a garden in collaboration with the sculptor Steven Myburgh.
From a humble start of gardening alone on my bicycle, to now coordinating a large team of amazing, mainly female gardeners, it’s been quite a journey. I feel lucky to be leading a team of some of the most incredible strong women, who have plenty of passion for and expertise in gardening. Every day presents new gardening adventures, and we love overcoming them together.
Why I love gardening: Watching seeds grow is like watching a miracle in action. I believe growing organic food and saving seeds is a way to bring community together, to take care of our bodies, and on a grander scale, to heal the earth’s imbalances.
Favourite plant: Sunflowers, ferns, and romanesco broccoli: All because of the fibonacci sequence!
How I take my tea!: In the morning, strong coffee or tea with a dash of (oat) milk! In the afternoon, herbal teas or decaf is appreciated 🙂
