A horticulturalist with a keen interest in wildlife, sustainability and biodiversity has joined the team at a specialist plants centre in Shropshire, which celebrates its 10th birthday next year.
Plants adviser John Burroughes from Shrewsbury has a wealth of knowledge under his belt, which he hopes will be of benefit to customers at Love Plants, based at Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters in Shrewsbury.
He has worked in horticulture for most of his working life, although he did spend time with a marine conservation charity in Ireland and more than three years as an RSPB reserve warden in Norfolk, Devon, Yorkshire and Lancashire.
He has also worked for the National Trust in Cornwall and at Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury, rose growing centres in Shropshire and at private estates and properties where he looked after the gardens.
He began his gardening journey working for a council where he achieved a City & Guilds Horticulture Level 2 qualification which encouraged him to study for a degree in Environmental Science.
“I am looking forward to advising Love Plants customers about gardening with a conservation aspect in mind,” said John. “It’s all about promoting the growth of plants in the garden that encourage wildlife and create habitats.
“Understanding the environment and the specific plants that animals and birds like best will attract mores species to your garden and help to maintain a higher rate of biodiversity.”
John joins Love Plants’ assistant manager Li Zakovics in having a specific interest in gardening for wildlife, sustainability and biodiversity.
