Profile

PENNY MEADMORE has been an occasional presenter for Gardeners’ World on BBC2. She trained in Botany at the University of Wales, and subsequently studied Horticulture and Agriculture at Wolverhampton, Garden Design with the Open University and Plants and Plantsmanship at the English Gardening School. She worked as an agronomist for McCain Foods before setting up on her own in 1996, and now she divides her time between supplying agronomic advice to professional growers, designing private gardens and tutoring workshops in garden design. Penny was a presenter for the BBC’s coverage of the 2003 Hampton Court Flower Show and Tatton Park in 2004. She has made a series, Garden Rivals, for UK Style and is also available for lectures and after dinner speaking, she can talk on agronomy and garden design and also gives an amusing talk titled 'One Day TV Makeovers' the truth behind the camera.

Biography

Penny Meadmore has rapidly established herself as a leading garden designer, with clear ambitions and a unique style. Since launching her own company, 'Penny Meadmore Agronomy', which encompasses diverse aspects of botany, horticulture and agriculture, coupled with extensive experience in the industry, she has been kept busy, and in high demand.

Her television career began in 2003. From being a guest expert on Gardener's World looking at pests with Monty Don, she was soon to be seen on subsequent programmes. She presented coverage from Gardeners' World Live in 2003 as well as coverage from the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. Penny can also be seen on UKTV Style's 'Our House' series as the garden designer, and as well as presenting coverage for Gardeners' World Live 2004, she could also be found lecturing in their Celebrity Theatre. Coupled to her presenting skills, Penny has also contributed to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine and more recently has begun a column in the WI Magazine, a hugely powerful publication with a readership on hundreds of thousands.

Graduating from the University of Wales with a BSc in Botany in 1986, Penny took up a position at Searle-Hayne Agricultural College as a technician. She went on to become a specialised agronomist whilst furthering her qualifications in garden design. Completing a postgraduate Certificate of Education in Horticulture and Agriculture in 1990, Penny then studied Garden Design at both intermediate and advanced levels with the Open College of the Arts. The English Gardening School awarded her a diploma in Plants and Plantsmanship with distinction in 2001.

As well as tutoring workshops in garden design across the country, Penny also provides agronomic advice to professional growers and market gardeners, covering a wide range of crops and husbandry. For this she also holds BASIS and FACTS certificates for chemical and fertiliser advice.

Penny's highly successful garden design company has found satisfied clients in her native East Midlands and in London where her experience and quality of design has become highly regarded, so much so, Penny has just finished work on Mohammed Al Fayed’s gardens.

Updated 28/02/2009