T r e g e n n a C a s t l e H o t e l , S t . I v e s .

I have known Barbara in a professional and personal capacity since 2000. Initially as her teacher of Garden Design (City & Guilds) at Duchy Rosewarne Horticultural College; where she gained Distinctions for several of her modules.

Having seen the standard of her work I included her in projects that I was developing at the time and have continued to do so over the years since. On several occasions I have employed Barbara’s skills as a plants woman and her ability as a gardener to work with my clients to help look after and develop the gardens that I have designed for them.

I have observed that she has a particular interest and talent for wetland/woodland/wildlife and wildflower gardening and has created an exemplary garden in Lelant.
In contrast she works with me at times in the Subtropical Walled Garden at Tregenna Castle in St Ives that I created just over 20yrs ago; with its hotter drier exotic planting with which she is equally competent following her experience of working in Australia and other tropical countries including the subtropical gardens on Tresco. This is helpful to me, especially with regard to the best growing and after care needs for certain species or plant groupings that require special consideration if they are to survive and thrive.

Barbara is very well versed with the broad scope of planting that Cornish gardens can offer and takes time to constantly learn more about traditional and modern aspects of horticulture.
She produces designs in the established way of drawing by hand, and is quite intuitive with planting plans and what a space needs, being well informed by her wide experience.

John Moreland