Anne Swithinbank
Anne grew up in North Kent on the outskirts of London and from a young age was fascinated by plants and nature in general. Having trained at Kew, worked in parks department nurseries and as Glasshouse Supervisor at RHS Wisley, she has been a freelance horticulturist since 1986. The early days were a mixture of small landscaping projects, garden maintenance, writing and presenting alongside Geoff Hamilton on Gardeners’ World. Other TV highlights were two series of ‘Bloom’ for Channel 4 and ‘Gardens of The Caribbean’. Anne has been a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time for 27 years and began writing for Amateur Gardening at the same time as moving from a dry, sandy soil in Surrey to clay with flints in East Devon 23 years ago. A large plot full of wildlife habitats, edible and ornamental plants is Anne’s workshop and inspiration.
Latest articles by Anne Swithinbank
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Types of orchids: 10 stunning varieties for your home
Plants Discover our favorite types of orchids for growing indoors
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Hazelnut care and growing guide: introduce these trees to your backyard
Plants Find out how to grow hazelnut trees for their tasty nuts but also to help wildlife and as useful providers of home-grown plant supports
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Best fall flowers and plants: 14 top choices for late color
Plants These fall flowers and plants will bring vibrant color to your beds and borders throughout the autumn months
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Best Mediterranean plants: 16 sun-loving options to try
Plants Drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants make great gap fillers, climbers and architectural specimens to bring exotic glam to your garden
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Milkweed care and growing guide: expert tips for these butterfly favorites
Plants Introduce these insect-friendly plants to your backyard by learning how to grow milkweed, the nectar-rich darling of North America
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Red hot poker varieties: 16 types for sizzling summer color
Plants With their upright stems and bold colors, these red hot poker varieties are a favorite garden perennial flowering in summer and fall
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Best summer-flowering shrubs: 16 beautiful varieties to grow
Plants Fall in love with these gorgeous summer-flowering shrubs and enjoy months of scent and color in your plot
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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Best container plants: 14 top picks for pretty summertime pots
Plants We've rounded up the best container plants for creating a show-stopping display on your patio, deck, or windowsill
By Anne Swithinbank • Published
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16 varieties of garden pinks: stunning types of dianthus to grow
Plants There's so much to love about old-fashioned garden pinks with their gorgeous scent and pretty frilled petals
By Anne Swithinbank • Published