Meet the designer of The SongBird Survival Garden in the All About Plants category at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Nicola’s love of nature, plants and rural landscapes stems from her upbringing in rugged Dartmoor National Park. Nicola’s parents were florists and avid orchid growers. They regularly created the Orchid Society of Great Britain stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 1978-1990, winning seven Gold medals during that time.
After studying at The Pickard School of Garden Design, Nicola joined Homebase’s yearlong Garden Academy scheme in 2014. Writing had always been another interest which led her to spend a year working as a Trainee Horticultural Journalist for the RHS’ The Garden magazine.
In 2018 Nicola took part in the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show and was awarded a Silver-gilt medal.
In 2019, Nicola set up her own garden design studio in Rutland. She continues to write for horticultural magazines including The Garden and The English Garden.
The SongBird Survival Garden
Nicola says: “I was drawn to work in the horticultural industry because it encapsulates so many different things that I love. From plants and nature to creativity and problem solving, no two days are ever the same and no gardens I design are ever the same either. I also love that it’s an industry with endless opportunities to keep learning and developing, whether that's from a professional point of view, or just at home experimenting in my own garden.
“My style of garden design is driven by trying to create gardens that feel
rooted in their surroundings. I love designing gardens for character
properties where we can use local materials and traditional crafts to create spaces that hopefully feel timeless. I like to use a lot of curves shapes in my designs work and there are always plenty of plants.”
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