HOME + GARDEN
MEET THE GARDENER
CHRISTOPHER LAUFS
Senior Horticultural Manager and Buyer , The Millbrook Garden Company
FAMILY FOUNDED AND RUN , MILLBROOK BEGAN BACK IN 1979 . TODAY , IT BOASTS TWO THRIVING KENTISH GARDEN CENTRES IN GRAVESEND AND STAPLEHURST .
Where did your interest in gardening begin ?
My father was a keen gardener and one of my first memories growing up was helping him pull weeds in the garden . I despised doing it and it involved a lot of moaning on my part , but looking back I think that time spent in the garden is where it started . I spent a lot of time exploring and playing in between the shrubs and borders as a small child . And tasting things . I can oddly remember how certain plants taste !
Why did you want to be a gardener ?
I ’ ve always had a natural affinity to the life sciences , achieving well in those subjects in school . My career path started more as a passion towards the scientific aspect of plants as opposed to gardening as such .
Where did you study ?
I studied horticulture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on the foothills of Table Mountain in Cape Town , South Africa . The Cape Peninsula and surrounding areas are a hotspot of plant biodiversity , with more unique species here than anywhere else in the world . It was a great experience learning about all these unique species and learning the tools of the trade there .
Who was your inspiration ?
Not so much an inspiration , but I often think of my first boss , Phillip Scott , who taught me a lot about how to present a plant area to entice customers to purchase plants and how to get the most out of a retail space . He had many a wise word for me that still resonate with me today .
How long have you worked here ?
I ’ ve been working at Millbrook ’ s Gravesend centre for 4 years now and I am responsible for the buying and ranging of all the plants for the group , liaising with commercial growers throughout the UK and Europe . I have been in the horticultural industry for 18 years .
What appealed to you about working here ?
This is one of the biggest plant areas that I have had the privilege of running . The retail space is expansive , with two colour themed perennial borders planted right in the middle of it . The space gives me and my team the opportunity to experiment with different layouts and displays to really showcase good quality plants . My role also allows me to work closely with commercial growers and to have a bit of insight into that side of the industry is really exciting . I ’ m like a kid in a candy shop whenever I visit a nursery !
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