Thomas Willey

Hi I’m Tom, I’m the Planting , Styling and Aftercare Team Leader. In my daily role I am responsible for maintaining the gold standard of our planting and aftercare team. I make sure every part of this process is handled with care and precision. I am deeply inspired by Monty Don’s commitment to organic gardening. Like him I believe that every garden is an eco system and the use of chemicals disrupts the natural equilibrium and I try to influence this approach within the company as much as possible.

One of my favourite parts of my job is teaching. Whether it’s training our team or sharing learnings with our clients, I find it incredibly rewarding to pass on the skills I’ve gathered over the years. I also love propagation; there is a unique magic in growing something from a cutting or seed and seeing it thrive in one of our gardens. I have a particular soft spot for Bearded Irises, Sweet Peas and Hyacinths they may be seen as old fashioned to some but to me they have timeless elegance.

My obsession with high standards started at 14, working under an old school plantsman who taught me that good enough never is. Working alongside him I learnt invaluable lessons that I use and share everyday. After gaining my Level 3 Diploma with Distinction from Askham Bryan College and competing in the Young Horticulturist of the Year, I joined the team here in 2021 to bring that same level of detail to everything we grow. I am passionate about what I do and in developing a team with the same passion and enthusiasm.

When I’m not gardening, I’m usually tinkering with my fleet of vintage vehicles, including two Triumph motorbikes and a classic Rover SD1. While mechanics can be testing, I love the problem-solving involved in keeping them running. Saturdays are normally reserved for heading down to my mate’s garage to catch up over a beer. I also have a passion for music; I love heading out to gigs and can often be found singing at my local club alongside some truly accomplished musicians. Much like my approach to horticulture and mechanics, I find there’s something special about the harmony and skill required to produce a great performance. My annual highlight is heading to the Isle of Man TT and the Manx Grand Prix for holidays there’s simply nothing like the atmosphere of motorcycle racing.