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MEET THE GARDENER CONT .
Describe your typical day ?
My day starts off walking the site and prioritising what needs to be done , be it working stock , displays or maintenance . I have a great team at Millbrook and everyone works hard to achieve these goals . It ’ s then on to ordering . This can get quite frenetic in the peak season with strict deadlines and , since the pandemic , limited availability . Later in the day deliveries usually start turning up , so it ’ s all hands on deck processing these and working them onto our shop floor . This is probably my favourite bit as we get to see plants rolling in fresh from the growers looking their best .
What is your favourite part of your job when working with customers to advise on their own gardens ?
I really enjoy educating customers , even if it ’ s just something simple like the basics of watering . Since the pandemic we ’ ve seen an influx of new gardeners come into our centres which is great . Helping these customers better understand how plants work and helping them understand what they need to do to achieve success in the garden always puts a smile on my face .
What ’ s your least favourite part of gardening ?
Pulling weeds ! Be it at home or at work . We have large paved sections in our plant area and keeping it looking tidy is like painting the Forth Bridge !
What things should customers consider when visiting the garden centre ?
Realising the seasonality of our industry . Growers work very hard to make sure that their plants are available when they are looking at their very best . So if you are looking for a certain plant that flowers in late summer , that ’ s the time to visit your local garden centre as you have a better chance of finding it in stock then . Also , work with your garden , not against it . Be aware of the different light , moisture and exposure levels within your garden and look for plants that suit these positions .
What ’ s your biggest achievement as a gardener ?
Every year the Garden Centre Association judges all the plant areas in the UK on how well they look , the quality of their plants and their retail standards . In 2019 we were finalists , meaning our plant area was one of the best in the country .
Do you have a favourite plant / tree ?
Can I only pick one ? I have a soft spot for an Agapanthus , especially the tallflowering praecox species . Planted en masse and flowering at the height of summer ! Honourable mention goes to Clivias , but alas , they are only for indoors here in the UK .
What ’ s the one plant / tree everyone should have in their garden ?
A salvia of any kind . They are easy to keep , come in a wide array of growth habits and colours . Salvia ‘ Hot Lips ’ is a customer favourite for good reason . The successive flowers change from deep red to white as the summer progresses . Salvia ‘ Rose Marvel ’ is also absolutely stunning . Planted or displayed in big clusters is quite a show stopper .
What ’ s your favourite season in the garden ?
Early spring . There ’ s this magical period every year . Sometimes it just lasts a week or a few days . The weather has broken and it ’ s sunny out after a glum winter . The spring tulips and daffodils are in full flower and so are the rhododendrons , azaleas and magnolias . The plant area is fully stocked with fresh , good looking plants and we are all geared up for another busy season .
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