Nina joined Alaster Anderson full time after completing a two-year advanced technical extended diploma in horticulture at Sparsholt College – but she'd already impressed the company! She had been working with us part time during her studies after her love of gardens was sparked by spending lots of time on her family’s allotment during Covid lockdown. She revelled in the gorgeous sweet peas and loved harvesting potatoes (as she says, such a satisfying large crop for comparatively little work!) We were delighted when Nina joined us in September 2022.

What is your role at Alaster Anderson?

I assist Al every day with whatever he is working on, from sourcing plants to quoting for new projects. I do all the technical drawing in the office, which I enjoy – I took a course in Vectorworks and it is great to have this responsibility so early in my career. I'm also in charge of plant passporting, the traceability of all the specimens we use, even plants traded within the UK. I'm also on site quite a bit because it's really important to forge a relationship with the landscape construction team and learn about what they do.

Is there a garden that has inspired you?

There are elements of many gardens that I have loved- from the Exotic Garden and glasshouses at RHS Wisley to the Azalea Bowl and The Cascades at Exbury Gardens.

What is your favourite plant and why?  

I have a favourite form of flower, rather than one specific variety. I love racemes, which include lupins, wisteria and foxgloves. I like upright or long flowers because they provide such a lovely detail and structure to gardens.

What is your favourite project?

Definitely Brompton Square. It's my favourite because we created an instant garden, craning in trees over walls and garages. There was a magical atmosphere as soon as it was planted with big silver birch trees, hydrangeas and other flowering plants with so much colour. It was my first big project with Alaster Anderson and really good fun. It was quite amazing how suddenly everything happened at once!

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned at Alaster Anderson?  

I learn so much every day but the most important thing has come from Al and it's the importance of good soil. Soil needs to have good structure and be well drained if you're going to have a garden that performs well and that lasts. It's absolutely crucial.

What do you love about your job?

I’ve always felt this was a really good fit for me, ever since I started working here part time. We’re like a big family and I feel I belong. I love it all and I am very happy. Al is like a mentor and it's such a nice group of people, from the on-site teams to our Welsh office. It makes work so enjoyable and I can't think of a better place to have started my career.

You can reach us on 0207 305 7183 or email at enquire@alasteranderson.com