“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

  • Just a note to thank you for your very enjoyable talk yesterday. Our ladies really enjoyed it and many of them that it inspired them to visit Capel Manor. I do hope that you will visit us again
  • 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)

  • Thank you very much for coming to speak to our U3A group today, and for helping us out of our dilemma of a cancelled speaker.  It was a most unusual talk, and I think we all learned a lot about some familiar as well as some unusual plants.  I shall certainly be viewing plants like sorrel and dandelion with new interest, and consider how they may be eaten. (Chess Valley U3A - April 2025)

  • Thank you for your interesting and informative presentation to Caddington Gardening Club yesterday evening (August 2025)

  • "Now don't go home without me booking another talk for next year" Elizabeth - Goffs Oak Horicultural Society
  • Once again thank you so much for last night - and the plant list which I will find extremely useful. I can now start planning my borders