Learner stories

The RHS has been nurturing professional horticulturists at its gardens for more than 100 years. Find out how some of our current and recent learners started on their horticultural journeys

A love of horticulture

The names of the RHS courses and qualifications have evolved over time, but our commitment to quality, work-based training has remained constant. Read the stories of some of our current and recent learners who are studying and working in our RHS Gardens.

Apprentices

Lauren Moore

Lauren Moore

Otto Speight

Otto Speight

Natasha Hall

Natasha Hall

Professional Work Placements

Charly Bourne

Charly Bourne

Lawrence Weston

Lawrence Weston

Clemency Farrington

Clemency Farrington

Diploma Students

Eloise Curtis

Eloise Curtis

Leo McEwen

Leo McEwen

Felicity Gray

Felicity Gray

More on work-based training

Work-based training at RHS Gardens

For more information about work-based training at RHS Gardens, please check the work-based training page.

Applications are now open for:

  • Professional Work Placements (PWPs) at all 5 RHS Gardens until 2 April 2026

Applications are now closed for:

  • RHS Level 3 & 4 Diploma at RHS Garden Wisley - check back December 2026
  • Apprenticeships at all 5 RHS Gardens  - check back Spring 2027

Past RHS Learners – where are they now?

Past RHS learners currently work in botanical and private gardens, in publishing, for local authorities, and provide horticultural advice and education. Read the stories of a few of our learners who have studied in our RHS Gardens and find out what happened next on their horticultural journeys.

Through school, Mike had thoughts of becoming a policeman until a friend bought a greenhouse and started growing tomatoes and cucumbers for sale. Mike used to help out and thoroughly enjoyed it, finding he had an affinity with plants.

Mike Nelhams: 1974 to 1976

Through school, Mike had thoughts of becoming a policeman until a friend bought a greenhouse and started growing tomatoes and cucumbers for sale. Mike used to help out and thoroughly enjoyed it, finding he had an affinity with plants.

Learn more about Mike

As soon as I’d settled on a career in horticulture I looked to the RHS for possible training. Undertaking a two year practical training programme at Wisley (then called the ‘Wisley Diploma’) was immediately appealing so I spent a year at college studying for the qualifications I needed to be able to apply and was overjoyed to start the following autumn.

Holly Farrell: 2008 to 2010

As soon as I’d settled on a career in horticulture I looked to the RHS for possible training. Undertaking a two year practical training programme at Wisley (then called the ‘Wisley Diploma’) was immediately appealing so I spent a year at college studying for the qualifications I needed to be able to apply and was overjoyed to start the following autumn.

Learn more about Holly

Helen’s introduction to horticulture came on a family holiday when she was given a kit with a plastic rack and test tubes for rooting cuttings. They rooted well and she ended up with a bedroom full of plants.

Helen Bostock: 1998 to 2000

Helen’s introduction to horticulture came on a family holiday when she was given a kit with a plastic rack and test tubes for rooting cuttings. They rooted well and she ended up with a bedroom full of plants.

Learn more about Helen

Through school, Mike had thoughts of becoming a policeman until a friend bought a greenhouse and started growing tomatoes and cucumbers for sale. Mike used to help out and thoroughly enjoyed it, finding he had an affinity with plants.

Mike Nelhams: 1974 to 1976

Through school, Mike had thoughts of becoming a policeman until a friend bought a greenhouse and started growing tomatoes and cucumbers for sale. Mike used to help out and thoroughly enjoyed it, finding he had an affinity with plants.

Learn more about Mike

As soon as I’d settled on a career in horticulture I looked to the RHS for possible training. Undertaking a two year practical training programme at Wisley (then called the ‘Wisley Diploma’) was immediately appealing so I spent a year at college studying for the qualifications I needed to be able to apply and was overjoyed to start the following autumn.

Holly Farrell: 2008 to 2010

As soon as I’d settled on a career in horticulture I looked to the RHS for possible training. Undertaking a two year practical training programme at Wisley (then called the ‘Wisley Diploma’) was immediately appealing so I spent a year at college studying for the qualifications I needed to be able to apply and was overjoyed to start the following autumn.

Learn more about Holly

Helen’s introduction to horticulture came on a family holiday when she was given a kit with a plastic rack and test tubes for rooting cuttings. They rooted well and she ended up with a bedroom full of plants.

Helen Bostock: 1998 to 2000

Helen’s introduction to horticulture came on a family holiday when she was given a kit with a plastic rack and test tubes for rooting cuttings. They rooted well and she ended up with a bedroom full of plants.

Learn more about Helen

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“My training at the RHS meant I had a strong horticultural basis to build my career upon.”

Helen Bostock, Senior Horticultural Advisor, RHS

Next steps in horticulture

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.