“Seeing how everyone benefits from the sessions makes it all worthwhile; horticulture is a great leveller and a marvellous therapeutic tool.”

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Based in Potters Bar, Herts, happy to visit groups in Hertfordshire, London, Essex, Middlesex, Befordshire, Buckinghamshire & Cambridgeshire. Though will travel further but will cost more – see Bookings Page for fees and check out my Testimonials

I am also happy to continue to Zoom especially in the winter to both local groups or those who are further away, you may be at the other end of the country or even in a different one!

I am also available for as a guest lecturer for cruises etc, I do am registered with a bureau for this so if your interested in offering my a gig get in touch.

Please contact me at: anne@anneluder.co.uk

I worked as a garden designer for over thirty years, designing both public and private gardens; specialising in allergy-free and challenging gardens. I like to incorporate edible plants into my designs, as well as upcycling and was environmentally aware back when we were called “cranks”. When planning a garden I encourage & involve the owners so they are reflected in the design whilst learning how to maintain their garden and develop it.

At the beginning of my horticultural career, I spent four years in charge of propagation at a nursery in Essex where we offered support, tutoring and a sense of purpose for those with disabilities. This led me to becoming a part time lecturer at Capel Manor College, Enfield, now retired, specialising in therapeutic horticulture for severe physical disabilities. I grew the provision of this therapy at the college. Today HT is finally being acknowledged for all the things that I and my fellow horticultural therapist’s knew and practised years ago.

I am the Honorary Horticultural Landscape Consultant and Trustee of a Natural Burial Ground in Cheshunt where we are re-creating a British native woodland and meadow.

Over the last few years I have developed my interest in ancient and biblical plants plus those mentioned in the holy writings of other faiths. My curiosity led me to look at the mythology surrounding these plants, their usages in past times ie food, building etc and how these plants are impacting on our lives today ie cancer treatments. These are the “Ancient & Bible Plant Talks” all of which are stand alone. From these talks have I acquired the nickname: The Biblical Botanist. These are all amusing and excellent if you want a quirky talk and not religious. Another keen interest is taking my own pictures so I know I am not infringing copyrights! However, I must thank the friends who also send me pictures they have taken – many of which are outstanding.

PS I have a wonderful repositary of Coeliac recipes from when I ran a gluten free resources website back in the early days of the web and have 2 kindle recipe books available on Amazon

Testimonials

Thank you so much for joining us today for our AGM and enlightening us to how colour and shape can influence our mood. It made me think back to when I did my garden design training and you certainly demonstrated it through the pictures that you showed us. (Herts Beds & Cambs Cottage Gardening Society - May 2024)
On behalf of the society I'd like to thank you for the very enjoyable and thought provoking talk on Gardening with Natives yesterday. We look forward to having you to speak for us again in the near future. (Wheathamsted Horticultural Society March 2024)
Your talk was excellent, informative and, I think, very helpful to us with all the good ideas for managing our gardens as we get older - and there were some excellent ideas. The talk was very well received as evidenced by the end of meeting gathering of our members to talk to you and to take a closer look at the examples of equipment that you brought (Hertfordshire Engineers - August 2025)
On Bulbs & Rhizomes - "The most frequent response to your talk was that it was fascinating and they had no idea how important those plants were. There were also three retired pharmacists in the audience who enjoyed it as well !" - Joe, Speakers Secretary
Another stimulating talk that made me and my fellow gardeners think. Anne does not talk - she imparts knowledge and involves her audience. I asked for a talk on Roses but never thought she would go back to the age of the dinosaur. I have invited her back knowing that whatever topic I choose as speaker's secretary Anne will deliver - Ida, Hitchen Horticultural Society
Thank you Anne for coming and imparting your knowledge, several people have said how interesting your talk on Gold Frankinsence Myrrh & More was and your first remark that Bible GOLD was olive oil has really struck a cord with most of us. Obvious really.(Harpenden Ladies Probus December 2022)