Welcome to the website of Chris Collins and many thanks for your visit. Find out what Chris is up to, what he's been up to and what he's going to be up to in the future! Follow Chris on twitter @cmcollins_hort |
The main thrust of the website is horticulture , and this page will give you his background and the his forrays into the world of television and media in the last eight years. But we will keep it light too , Chris has travelled extensivley , so expect some anecdotes of the unusual type. Also look out for Chris's blog (coming soon) , gardening for kids , Blue Peter garden news and the many horticultural projects and organisations Chris is involved in or supports.
It all began in the summer of 1984 , when he became an apprentice gardener with Brighton parks depatment. This was followed five years later by entry to the Royal Botanical gardens in Edinburgh. This initial eight years training provided him with the superb practical and scientific back ground that the immensly complex subject of horticulture requires.
Following this the adventures really did begin , as west Africa and the country of Cameroon were next up , as Chris worked as an intern at the Limbe Botanic Garden , reconstructing these historical gardens (the oldest in Africa) and also carrying out rainforest inventory work on Mount Cameroon. Within weeks of returning from Africa in 1994 a chance to work in Japan materialised and for the next four years , Chris worked in both a practical and consultantcy capacity , importing British horticultural goods , teaching British gardening methods and designing and building gardens . This was all based in the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.
After over five years abroad Chris decided to return to the UK where a period at the Royal botanic gardens Kew came next , working in the South Aboretum department before moving on to be head gardener at Westminster Abbey , a unique job which Chris describes as a unique experience.
In 2002 Chris entered the world of television and media and secured his own television series on BBC 2 , called 'The Plantsman' , since them he has appeared a variety of TV programmes including The Chelsea Flower show , Hampton Court Flower show ,Gardeners world , This morning , Castle in the country , Garden invaders , BBC breakfast , Digging for victory , GMTV , ITV's a garden for London , Garden rivals , Secret Gardens , Hard Sell , Garden Challenge , Turf wars and even armed forces television , flming in Bosnia and germany .
Since 2004 until the current day he has been the resident Blue Peter gardener working both on screen a with the presenters and keeping an eye on one of the countrys favourite garden .
He has also runs his own Design and soft landscape company 'CM Collins Horticulture' since October 2003.
In 2007 Chris was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh medal for his services to horticulture , he was also part of the team that won a silver medal at Chelsea in 2010 with 'the garden that kids really want' This website sets out to involve you in all his work and to reflect on adventures of times gone by.
CONTACT US:
Chris Collins (CM Collins Horticulture) provides a variety of services , we provide specialist landscape services which concentrate on soft landscaping and planting schemes , for more info check out the horticultiural services page .
As well as this Chris provides a school and community gardening visiting and lecture service , also after dinner speaking and of course services as a journalist , including writing , television broadcasting and radio. For more information on these services contact either of the these email addresses
Or the agent for all Chris's media work ,
For a full biog on Chris Collins visit the website:
and click on Chris Collins.
