John Anderson at Delta Sensory Gardens

Monday 30^th July 2018

John Anderson at Delta Sensory Gardens

My favourite Gardens and plants

John Anderson, Keeper of the Gardens at Windsor Castle and Savill Gardens promises an interesting and informative talk looking over his career from Mount Usher to Inverewe, Exbury and now the gardens of Windsor Great Park. This talk will highlight what plants and gardens have influenced John’s passion for gardening and look at which of these plants can be found at the beautiful Delta Sensory Gardens.

Biography

John Anderson trained at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.  His first gardening role was the position of Head Gardener at the famous Mount Usher Garden, Co. Wicklow. He made many changes and plant introductions over the period and wrote a plant inventory before he left in early 2002.

For the remaining part of 2002 Anderson travelled in the Southern hemisphere especially Australia , Tasmania and South Africa. On his return  in early 2003 he took up a new post as Head Gardener at The National Trust for Scotland premier garden at Inverewe in the north west corner of the Highlands. This coastal 40 acre woodland garden boasts some of the finest tender rhododendrons amongst a wealth of tender and exotic perennials in these islands.

Three years later he headed south to the world famous Exbury Gardens, home of the Rothschild 200 acres of woodland gardens along the south coast of Hampshire. After ten great years managing and directing this spectacular garden it was time to undertake a new challenge and in June 2016 Anderson became the fourth keeper of the gardens at Windsor Great Park with responsibility for the Savill garden, the 250 acres Valley Garden and the private garden of Windsor Castle Frogmore.

Currently vice-chairman of the RHS Woody Plant Committee. Awarded the AJ Waley medal for rhododendrons in 2014.

Delta Sensory Gardens

Delta Sensory Gardens continue to go from strength to strength since officially opening in 2007. The gardens are now well renowned as a major attraction for disability groups, the general public and national and international visitors. The gardens offer visitors of all abilities and age groups a unique opportunity to rest and indulge the senses. Voted as the best place to visit in Carlow on Trip Advisor in 2015. These beautiful gardens have come about with the help and dedication of well renowned and some award winning designers, such as Gordon Ledbetter, Mary Reynolds, Rachel Doyle, Elma

Fenton and Paul Martin. The theme for each of the 16 gardens celebrates the use of natural elements such as stone, water and wonderful foliage and plants. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to rest and indulge their senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing and visual delight.