Hester Forde

Hester Forde

Hester Forde is a renowned plants person, lecturer and garden writer. She has more than 30 years’ experience of growing and creating in her own garden at Coosheen. Anyone who has visited her garden in East Cork will know that she has an insatiable appetite for plants. Her garden has featured in Gardens Illustrated and The Garden. She is secretary of the Cork Alpine Hardy Plant Society which hosts speakers from all over the globe. She has recently lectured for Garden Masterclass.

Describe your approach to teaching.

My approach to teaching is practical and very much hands on learning and teaching from my own experiences in the garden and the nursery.

What inspires your own work?

A garden is ever evolving so looking at nature, visiting other gardens, seeing plants in the wild in their natural environment and keeping up to date with the latest introductions in the plant world inspires me.

Help preserve our future

We are part of a registered charity and rely on the support of generous donors, members and legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation, design and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

Find out how to support us