Daily Archives: June 21, 2025

Wednesday, July 2, 12:00 noon Eastern – Green Spaces, from Wisley to Regent’s Park

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For almost 20 years, The Primrose Hill Lecture Series has been exploring, and debating, some of the most important issues we face as a modern society. It is now recognized as one of London’s leading spaces for bold, lively and informative talks. It is a non-profit organization run by volunteers: the money we raise goes towards valuable community work – including vital local services for the homeless, vulnerable young people and the elderly – and the upkeep of the building that hosts them. On Wednesday, July 2, enjoy a live virtual event with Matthew Pottage in conversation with Catherine Horwood on Green Spaces from Wisley to Regents Park. A virtual ticket is £10 and may be purchased through Eventbrite HERE. Ticket holders may watch after the event on YouTube after the event concludes, as well.

Matthew Pottage is the youngest-ever curator of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley gardens. He has recently been appointed the first ever Head of Horticultural and Landscape Strategy for the Royal Parks where he will manage restoration projects across Richmond Park and Bushy Park, and create a new garden in Regent’s Park. An author and regular panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, he started at RHS Wisley as a trainee, progressing from Garden Manager to Curator in just 12 years. He has overseen the creation of the Exotic Garden, the Wisteria Walk, the Heather Landscape and the Clear Lake. He also has plenty of advice for patio gardeners.

Catherine Horwood is an author and historian specializing in horticultural and social history. Her books include Beth Chatto – A Life with Plants, Rose and Potted History – How Houseplants Took Over Our Homes. A long-term resident of Primrose Hill, she is a passionate gardener and has opened her gardens for the National Gardens Scheme. She is a trustee of the Camden Highline and is currently working on a biography of garden designer and author Penelope Hobhouse.

Dr. Lea Johnson Named Director of Conservation at Native Plant Trust

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Native Plant Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Lea Johnson as Director of Conservation. Dr. Johnson brings extensive experience in community ecology, ecological restoration, and urban ecosystems, blending foundational scientific research with practical applications for sustainable land management and ecological design. Bringing Dr. Johnson on board marks an important step forward as the organization celebrates its 125th anniversary, prepares to accelerate the rate of rare plant monitoring, and expands native plant seed banking and plant production activities.

Dr. Johnson’s distinguished career highlights her passion for interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at restoring and protecting environments impacted by human activity. Her innovative research spans multiple spatial and temporal scales and has enhanced ecological interventions across diverse US ecosystems, including the Northeast, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Prior to joining NPT, Dr. Johnson served as Associate Director of Land Stewardship and Ecology at Longwood Gardens. In addition, Dr. Johnson is an affiliate faculty member in the Plant Science Graduate Program at the University of Maryland’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.