Gardens By Sue

I began designing gardens professionally in 1995 after completing a course run by the Bradford-based 'Open College of the Arts'. I loved doing the coursework and completed it in record time. It provided me with a strong portfolio of designs (albeit for imaginary clients) and a ringing endorsement from my tutor, herself a successful garden designer, to 'give up the day job, you have real flair'.

My breakthrough was in winning a competition in Gardeners' World magazine and the resulting feature in my local paper. It made clear that what I lacked in experience, I made up for in enthusiasm and natural talent; and this encouraged two sets of clients to let me cut my teeth on their gardens. I enjoyed it so much and found it came so easily that I bit the bullet and started advertising my service in Gardeners' World.

15 years on, I have the pleasure of knowing around 200 clients are enjoying gardens that are the result of my designs.