Selina Tan decided on a career in horticulture after volunteering in gardening, and soon began an apprenticeship at Richmond Park. Last August (2024), she returned to the park as head gardener of the Isabella Plantation. She loves the sense of discovery that visitors get from the woodland gardens.
What inspired you to get into horticulture?
The office life was getting to me, so I started gardening volunteering. From that, I knew I wanted a job outside, and then I got an apprenticeship.
What was your career journey before joining The Royal Parks as head gardener?
I used to be a photo editor in print media. I got tired of sitting at a desk, so I started off volunteering at Gillespie Park and Kew Gardens, before I got The Royal Parks’ horticultural apprenticeship here at Richmond Park. The team here is so supportive. The assistant park manager, Jo Scrivener, did the Kew Diploma in Horticulture, and I didn’t think that was something I could even do, but the team convinced me I could, so I did.
My experience as a photo editor has probably helped me in my current role, in that it needs a very visual outlook. Planting and design are similar in that sense. There’s a sense of discovery, that visual aspect, for example, dappled shade that makes everything look different.
What do you like about working in Richmond Park, and the Isabella Plantation specifically?
I chose Richmond Park for my apprenticeship because it was one of the furthest out from the city. I hadn’t thought how complex and diverse it is, but I needed that change in scenery. The air feels more breathable.
The Isabella Plantation is its own thing – there are lots of rare plants that you wouldn’t find in the wider park. The apprenticeship here at Richmond Park allowed us to spend one year in the wider park, one year at Pembroke Lodge, within the park, and one year here at Isabella. They’re all so different so it’s great for learning.
I want to give the people who visit here a sense of discovery, and that’s why I love woodland gardens so much. Every time you come here there’s something new to discover.
Richmond Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a nature reserve, so this garden does have to follow strict guidelines. That means it’s organic and our decisions have to benefit the wildlife and not just be pretty. It’s about planting the right trees and being responsible for what already exists. Keeping the spirit of the gardens.
Despite a woodland garden looking natural, it’s actually quite temperamental and it needs a lot of planning and input from gardeners to ensure that the different species can thrive. You have to plan a hundred years ahead. The climate is changing and we have to think about the future – while protecting what we already have.
There are people who’ve been coming here longer than I’ve been born, so they’ll notice when we change things. You have to be mindful of the past while also thinking of the future.
What does your role look like day-to-day?
Day-to-day, you’re working with the weather and time of year. You’re working out how to achieve what needs to be done. If you miss a window, you’ll have to wait a whole year to try again. For example, right now it’s wet so we can’t mow.
The volunteers and apprentices spend a lot of time here, and I always want to make sure they’re learning and building new skills and knowledge.
If I were to give advice to someone designing a garden, it would be to take the time to understand what the light is doing and what the different species would look like once they are all grown. For example, think about which areas the light would highlight. Don’t rush to plant things, because the final vision depends on what you want to see in the end. Give the garden time to grow.
What is the importance of green spaces to you?
If we want people to look after the planet, they need to care about it, so it’s important to have places that inspire them to do that. Especially in London, we have a lot of great parks, and maybe they are taken for granted but people would notice if we didn’t have them.
What’s your favourite plant to work with?
Fruit and veg are great to plant, so you can eat what you grow and give people that relationship with where their food comes from. But really I love all plants, shrubs and trees.
I’d be happy in any natural space. I love the challenge of asking myself ‘can I keep this plant alive?’. You have to use your instinct and see if a particular plant needs a certain type of support, and then find the tools to do it.
