School of Horticulture - Kew Diploma

Past students - where are they now?

Charles A. Butterworth

Course 25

I was a student on Course 25. After graduation from the Diploma course, I spent a year studying Environmental Sciences at Stirling University, then realized that Plant Taxonomy was my real interest, so I went to Reading and graduated from there with a BSc in 1993. I then worked at Reader's Digest Books as a botanical consultant before doing a PhD on
cactus taxonomy at Iowa State University, from where I graduated in 2003.

After that I spent a year researching the taxonomy of the Hawaiian Silverswords at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in California. I am now a Research Scientist at the Desert Botanical Garden, where I have established a lab for the molecular (DNA) study of evolutionary relationships in cacti. I am also an adjunct professor at Arizona State University. My wife and I live in nearby Apache Junction, Arizona, where we have a large plot of native desert with Saguaro cacti.

As for Kew, I have a lot of fond memories, the bad ones seem to diminish with time (although there weren't that many). The Kew students could field a great cricket team (well, maybe not so great). Work with tree-gang was especially good, as was my time in the tropical nursery with the cactus collection.

Justin Turner

Course 34, graduated 1999
Landscape Restoration Specialist

I graduated in 1999 (Course 34 1996-99), and have specialised in the gardens advisory and consultancy sector for the private market. I have a variety of VIP and private clients who own large country estates and properties and I am employed in a variety of roles. These roles can include (and often double up!!) Gardens Adviser, Estate Manager, Head Gardener, Gardens Designer, Gardens and Landscape Historian, Trainer, Project Manager and all aspects of the setting up of gardens (buying of machinery, design of buildings and glasshouses, employment and interview of staff).

I now tend to restrict new work and clients to restoration/evocation (a feel of the past) work and offer my services as a Landscape Restoration Specialist/Project Manager as this is the work I most enjoy. I feel that restoring gardens of national, historical, or botanical interest and importance is where my main interest lies and this would therefore be my long term goal.

I am afraid that there is no college or Diploma that leads one to this job (I do not know of anyone else doing this variety of work in one package in the private sector), and it has taken serious hard work, some retraining, and a lot of perseverance to get to where I am currently. Kew has opened a great deal of doors for me, and has allowed me the freedom to choose the kind of work and clients that I work for. It is not very surprising that I meet a good deal of former Kew staff and students in very important and high profile positions during my travels. Kew gave me the confidence and the foundation with which to further my interests and skill set, whilst opening my eyes and allowing me to work in unique environments during Diploma work placements.

My favourite work placements while at Kew were:
The Tree Gang and Arboriculture Unit (Andy McClure), The Herbaceous Section of the Order Beds (Sarah Smith), and the Water Lily House (Dave Cook). It is ironic that the course subjects I disliked the most (the students all know which ones they are!!), are the exact same ones I need(ed) on a regular basis.

My advice to students:

• Don't burn your notes!
• Keep in contact with Staff at Kew
• Leaving Kew is the beginning of your Learning Curve, not the end.
• Don't swim naked in the Palm House Pond - it's freezing cold.
• Consider private sector service - relatively highly paid, gross shortage of 'Top' people for Head Gardener and similar positions, interesting work environments and clients.

For those interested I began a yahoo group for ex students at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thekewgardeners/

Justin also has a website at http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/jturner/

Christopher Weddell

Course 35 Graduated 2000
Superintendent of Garden Technical Services, RHS Wisley.

I have some very fond memories of student life at Kew, not least because of all the friendly people, and making sure that I made full use of every opportunity on offer. Some of the best placements I had were in those traditionally seen as the worst, mowing for 3 months was never my idea of fun but I soon got to know the gardens, the major collections, and a great number of staff. I made it work for me, which I consider is the best bit of advice on how to survive and make full use of being a student at Kew. Before I had graduated I had already taken up the post of Higher Botanical Horticulturist (HBH) in the Palm House, working for a graduate of the previous year, Emma Fox, which I did for around a year.

Seeking new challenges, and looking to extend my experiences, I went to work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 2001, where I started as the Information & Interpretation Technician in the garden at Wisley.

After a year I took up the new post of Senior Horticulturist in the Science Department, which involved me in the work of RHS Plant Committees, and in developing RHS interest in environmental issues.

In the Autumn of 2004 I moved back into the garden at Wisley to take up the post of Superintendent (Garden Technical Services), with responsibility for a multitude of work including information & interpretation, plant records, labelling, mapping and the Seed Department.

I have never had an ultimate goal, I have just wanted to always enjoy the work I am involved in, and to add to my experiences and interests. The Diploma has helped me achieve this by opening up a huge range of opportunities.

Christina Lavelle

Course 35, graduated 2000
Lecturer

I graduated in 2000. I've worked as a lecturer in horticulture since leaving Kew and also written a book on Organic Gardening whilst working full time. The book was awarded Best Practical Book of the Year by the Garden Writers Guild in November 2003 (at the Savoy in London!!) beating Monty Don's the Complete Gardener - whoo hoo!.

My long term goal was to head a prestigious private/national trust property. I accidentally fell into lecturing, but really enjoy it as it encompasses my two great interests - people and plants. It certainly seems logical after co-presenting the student lecture club in year 2 of the Kew Diploma.

I'd already worked for 13 years in horticulture before coming to Kew. The Kew diploma was the key to open the door to a higher level job and definitely more money. It certainly gave me a greater choice of jobs when applying for a job on completion of the course.

Due to the large ecology and conservation element within the course it has made me aware and enthusiastic about the environment and the conservation of wildlife in ornamental horticulture.

I have very fond memories (or lack of memories) from the student parties, a great study trip to Spain for two weeks and spending most of my wages in the Flower and Firkin.

I think my favourite placement was in the tree gang with the big hunky blokes!

If you are an ex-Kew Diploma student and would like to have your details on this web page to offer your experiences and help you get in touch with fellow ex-students please email c.harrison@kew.org

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