Horticulture students at Cannington were recently treated to an inspiring talk from former student Emilie, who returned to share her career journey and how studying horticulture transformed her life.

A career-changer from the world of linguistics, Emilie decided to follow her passion for plants and enrolled in the RHS Level 2 Practical Horticulture course at our Cannington campus. She didn’t stop there—alongside her studies, she gained hands-on experience by volunteering at a local community orchard and working with WRAGS (Work and Retrain as a Gardener’s Scheme). Through this journey, she even had the pleasure of meeting Carol Klein from Gardeners’ World!

Her confidence and skills grew while working with WRAGS, and soon, she became a key part of the award-winning Bath & West Show Garden build. The project, which won Large Gold and the People’s Choice award, was later replanted at ‘Heads Up,’ a charity supporting adults experiencing mental ill health and dementia.

Fast forward to today, and Emilie has turned her love for horticulture into a thriving career. After completing additional garden design courses, she has now launched her own garden design and maintenance business, Oriol Gardens. And as she told our students, she’s “still learning and loving” every moment of her new career.

Course leader Emma Butler reflected on Emilie’s journey, saying, “It’s always wonderful to see past students developing their careers, growing in confidence, and using the skills they’ve learned to succeed in their chosen paths.”

Emilie’s story is a fantastic reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your passion. Her journey from linguistics to landscaping is proof that with determination, hands-on experience, and the right training, a new career in horticulture is truly within reach.

Find out about our RHS Horticulture courses here.