First Impressions .........

......by Ben Houston, HBGBS trainee at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses - August 2008

"I am really enjoying my time at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses; working with people who share my love of plants. It has been a great way to get the hands-on experience for a future career in a Botanical or Historic garden, and also develop my knowledge of plants. I have gained plenty of new practical skills from the passionate gardeners, they are always keen to give a helping hand. The plant idents have been a great way of improving my plant knowledge and finding out interesting facts, the workshops and lectures have given me vital information. The projects have given me the chance to build on my passion for British Natives and a chance to see the conservation which is being achieved by determined organisations.

The experience so far has been brilliant and my enthusiasm is growing by the day.  The scheme has given me skills which will be essential in my future career.  I am looking forward to all the new things I will learn over the next 6 months; and I’m enjoying every minute.  I would definitely recommend the placement to anyone with a passion for plants, it’s a brilliant unique opportunity." 

Update - April 2009

"I have secured a place on the Kew Diploma which will allow me to gain the skills needed for a career in botanical gardens and eventually lecturing. The year I had at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses on the HBGBS scheme taught me the groundings and basics I needed to succeed as a horticulturalist in a botanical garden. Thanks to the year there I could further develop my skills at Cambridge Botanical Garden and move on to Kew."

Quotes from our Garden Placements:

HBGBS trainee supervisor Stella Roberts, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
September 2007

"The scheme was a wake-up call for me to see what other organisations were doing to support training. I found the scheme a good opportunity to network with other gardens undertaking this initiative".

HBGBS trainee Laurie Kerr, placement at Tregothnan Botanic Garden
November 2007

“I began working at Tregothnan Botanic Garden on the HBGB Scheme in
the middle of August and cannot believe 3 months have gone past already! My experience at Tregothnan has given me hundreds of new skills and experience of working in a truly breath-taking environment.  I am involved in a major re-development of a section of the garden incorporating a Southern Hemisphere plants. I have planted a tea plantation which Tregothnan is now famous for. I have been given responsibility of developing the vegetable garden, growing food for the mansion and I can now drive a tractor! I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work alongside John Price- a Camellia expert to collect some cuttings from what is thought to be the oldest collection of indoor grown Camellia's in the UK at Chiswick house. We are propagating these plants to ensure their survival. My first plant collecting mission! Every day is different in the garden and I am enjoying every minute of it. Every person I have met has been really welcoming and helped me to settle in and enjoy my year here. I have my own cottage and small garden on the estate allowing me to practice my skills and grow my own veg. It's an amazing opportunity and lovely to become part of this historic landscape. I am looking forward to spring and seeing the garden at its best!”