“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!

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.

 

Testimonials

  • I wanted to say thank you very much for an illuminating talk. There certainlyare many sides to Horticultural Therapy. We all enjoyed it. Cheers - be in touch later for another one,
  • Thank you so much for your really interesting and exceptional talk which is much appreciated
  • "Your talk was excellent, well illustrated and very well received." Rosie, Welwyn Garden Horticultural Society
  • 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)

  • "Anne's Wildlife talk was very interesting. I never realised how much we had lost and what is still at risk. I intend to use what I have learnt in my own garden to encourage the birds & bees." Speaker's Secretary Lea Valley U3A Garden Group
  • Just a short note to thank you for a very enjoyable talk yesterday evening. As you pointed out, gardening is great therapy. The important thing is to encourage us oldies to carry on doing it! (Evenley Gardening Society September 2024