The recently appointed Head Gardner for Cadogan Place Gardens, Ric Glenn, answers our questions on his green fingers and passion for botany.
What does your new role as head gardener for Cadogan Gardens entail day-to-day?
The role here is an exciting and complicated one of balancing high standards with budget disciplines . I manage a small team of gardeners and a stream of various contractors.
What does your gardening career comprise of?
I have a broad international horticultural background. I grew up on a production nursery in Australia. Recently, I was Head Gardener at Dulwich Park. I spent time at Kew Gardens studying tropical orchid cultivation. It was in Denmark that I gained my dip. Hort. qualifications, my proudest achievement.
What is different about working in Cadogan Gardens?
The level of professionalism and support I am surrounded by at Cadogan is not what always greets a new Head Gardener.
What sets Cadogan Gardens apart from other private gardens?
Come to the Cadogan Place Garden’s Open Squares weekend on June 8th -9th and find out.
What is your favourite flower/plant in the gardens?
My favourite changes daily. Today it is Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’; tomorrow it might be Mecanopis Cambrica.
What is your best gardening trick-of-the-trade?
Ah, that would be telling…
What has been your biggest gardening challenge so far?
I once did a seed collecting trip to Yunnan Provence in South West China. Yes, that was a challenge.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to receive the latest news from the Square.
