​Growing up in the hot tropics of East Coast Queensland, Australia with its diverse landscapes from the Great Barrier Reef and miles upon miles of white sandy beaches, to gorges, rainforests and waterfalls, imbued Gillian with an innate appreciation for the beauty of plants and the importance of the diverse natural environment. Hence she has come to appreciate the importance of working with nature rather than against it.    

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Following a career as a qualified paralegal, Gillian realised that being indoors on a long-term basis was not for her. Her love of the outdoors kept calling her. Accordingly, she returned to her childhood love of being in the garden and growing plants from seed.

 

Through studying horticulture at Brooksby Melton College in Leicestershire, Gillian found a deep reconnection, so retrained as a garden designer, graduating with Distinction in Garden Design from the world-renowned English Gardening School based at Chelsea Physic Garden, London.  

 

After being awarded the two top prizes in her graduation year: Top Garden Design Student, and Top Plant Portfolio, a London-based client chose to build one of Gillian's student design projects.  She subsequently undertook the Planting Design Diploma at London College of Garden Design based at Kew Gardens, London while running her garden design business.

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Gillian is also Principal Garden and Landscape Designer, and Planting Consultant, on residential, commercial and community projects for ND Landscape Architects, which handles a broad spectrum of UK and international projects, from intimate garden designs to large-scale landscape and developments.  And because she likes to keep busy, Gillian is also NDLA’s Office Manager. 
 

Renowned for her versatility, Gillian is as comfortable balancing on a cherry picker, wading waist deep in water at Chelsea, or dangling from a long ladder - whatever it takes to get the job done, Gillian will do it. ​​