After working in scientific research for a few years I decided to pursue my life long passion for plants and make a career change. I studied horticulture at Capel Manor College followed by a course in garden design with John Brookes. I worked in North London for several years designing and maintaining gardens before becoming a full time lecturer at Capel Manor College and later the Head of the School of Garden Design. During my years at Capel Manor I wrote and also taught on a range of courses on garden and planting design. Our students won national competitions and medals at the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower shows and many now run successful garden design practices. I gave up teaching in 2007 and am now living in Suffolk and working as a garden designer, lecturer and writer.