About We Love Plants

Nic Howard

Registered Member of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers

I’ve always been fascinated by the relationship between people, plants and place.

A garden is rarely just a garden. It’s the setting for family life, a place to entertain, relax, reflect and connect with nature. At its best, it becomes an extension of the home itself, somewhere that feels deeply personal and entirely at ease within its surroundings.

For more than twenty-five years, I’ve been helping homeowners create gardens that do exactly that. Whether I’m working with a contemporary new-build, a listed country house, a mature garden in need of fresh direction or a challenging site, I start by understanding the character of the place, the people who live there and the opportunities hidden within the landscape. From there, the design evolves naturally, shaped by the site rather than imposed upon it.

Plants have always been at the heart of my work. They bring atmosphere, movement and soul, soften architecture, support wildlife and create the seasonal interest that makes people want to spend time outdoors. My gardens are designed to become richer and more beautiful with age, evolving gracefully over time.

I’ve worked on everything from intimate courtyard gardens and family spaces to award-winning country landscapes and Chelsea Flower Show gardens. Yet what I enjoy most is helping clients see possibilities they may not yet see themselves.

Together with my team at We Love Plants, I guide clients through every stage, from initial ideas and masterplanning through to planting, implementation and long-term aftercare. The goal is always to create a garden that feels beautiful, timeless and completely at home within its surroundings.

Melanie

Every creative business needs someone keeping the wheels turning, and for us, that’s Melanie.

As Office Manager, she brings structure, organisation and calm to the fast-moving world of garden design. From coordinating projects and supporting the team to refining systems and helping the business grow, Melanie is the steady hand behind the scenes that keeps everything running smoothly.

While the designers are busy dreaming up gardens, Melanie makes sure those dreams stay on track, creating the space and support that allows the whole team to do their best work.

Outside the office, she’s a devoted live music fan with an uncanny ability to get tickets for the hottest shows in town. Whether it’s Madonna, Taylor Swift or Oasis, chances are she’s already got a ticket and a playlist ready.

Keeping the wheels turning and the playlists updated.

Scott

With more than 30 years of experience in horticulture and floristry, Scott brings an exceptional combination of plant knowledge, creativity and craftsmanship to We Love Plants.

As Head Horticulturist, he leads our maintenance team and oversees the ongoing care of our clients’ gardens, ensuring they continue to thrive long after planting day. From seasonal pruning and plant health to the evolution of planting schemes over time, Scott’s expertise helps every garden look its best throughout the year.

His background in floristry gives him a unique eye for colour, texture and composition, qualities that shine through in both our gardens and the bespoke Christmas installations he creates for clients each year.

Artistic by nature and rarely far from a theatre, Scott is as passionate about performance as he is plants. His floristry career has taken him to some remarkable places, including royal residences and prestigious events, though he’s just as happy discussing perennials, pruning or the latest West End production over a cup of tea.

Bringing creativity, craftsmanship and horticultural expertise to every garden.

Olivia

Olivia joined We Love Plants after graduating from the prestigious KLC School of Design at West Dean, bringing fresh ideas, creative energy and a meticulous eye for detail to the studio.

As Assistant Garden Designer, she supports projects across all stages of the design process, from developing concepts and visual presentations to refining the details that help transform ideas into beautifully resolved gardens. Thoughtful, organised and eager to learn, Olivia has quickly become a valued member of the team, combining creativity with a calm and considered approach.

Before entering the world of garden design, Olivia worked in the insurance industry, an experience that honed her attention to detail, problem-solving skills and ability to keep complex projects organised. It’s a combination that serves her well in the studio, where creativity and precision go hand in hand.

Outside work, Olivia has a keen eye for interiors, a love of travel and an appreciation for good design in all its forms. From helping build a playground in Kenya to endlessly refining the perfect cushion arrangement at home, she brings enthusiasm, warmth and curiosity to everything she does. She shares her home with Taggy the dog, a cat who firmly believes it’s in charge, and an ever-growing collection of interiors magazines.

Fresh ideas, careful thinking and an eye for the details that make all the difference.

Katie

Katie plays a central role in keeping our projects organised, our clients informed and the studio running smoothly. As Project Manager and Office Administrator, she coordinates the many moving parts involved in delivering successful garden projects, helping to ensure everything progresses efficiently from initial enquiry through to completion.

Often the first person you’ll speak to when contacting We Love Plants, Katie helps guide new clients through the early stages of their journey, arranging consultations, managing project administration and supporting communication between clients, suppliers and contractors. Her friendly approach, attention to detail and natural organisational skills make her an invaluable point of contact throughout the design and build process.

Having recently returned from maternity leave, Katie has seamlessly stepped back into the fast-paced world of garden design, balancing spreadsheets, schedules and project timelines with the same skill she now applies to family life.

Outside the studio, Katie has a passion for all things beauty, fashion and makeup. Known for her impeccable style and infectious sense of humour, she’s equally capable of coordinating a complex project or being momentarily distracted by a new lipstick launch, the promise of a good snack or a cute doggy cuddle.

Keeping projects organised, people connected and dogs pampered.

The Office Dogs

Meet our three Basset Fauve de Bretagne, universally acknowledged as the true decision-makers at We Love Plants.

Otis is the original. A grumpy old gentleman with a world-class side-eye and a firm belief that most things could be improved if people simply listened to him. He maintains a quiet but vigilant watch over the studio and takes his supervisory duties very seriously.

Henry, the middle child, is considerably more laid-back. Friendly, affectionate and entirely untroubled by office politics, he’s happiest when receiving attention, accepting treats or persuading unsuspecting visitors that he hasn’t been fed for days.

Rubus, affectionately known as Big Bird, is the youngest, largest and unquestionably the most chaotic. His responsibilities include demanding cuddles, tormenting his older brothers, excavating flower beds, conducting unauthorised landscape alterations and charging around the garden with boundless enthusiasm and very little concern for the consequences.

Together, they provide morale, entertainment, occasional quality control and just enough disruption to keep the rest of us on our toes.