Head Gardener's (Final) Blog: On Leaving Riverhill

I am writing this with mixed emotions, as my time at Riverhill Gardens is coming to an end. At the end of May, I will be leaving my role to take up a new challenge elsewhere. Having spent the last four and a half years at Riverhill, I can honestly say it has been an incredibly rewarding and memorable chapter of my life.

I was very fortunate to join the Riverhill team in 2021, and from the very beginning there has not been a single boring day. With the support of my wonderful team and our dedicated garden volunteers, we have been able to make many positive changes throughout the gardens and continue to raise horticultural standards over these years. This spring, the bluebells and rhododendrons have been magnificent and as I walked through the gardens, I felt very proud of what we had achieved together.

During my time here, we have celebrated many successes. We featured on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time in 2022, became an RHS Partner Garden in 2023, and last year we were delighted to receive Gold in the South & South East in Bloom competition. However, what I have found most rewarding of all has been the kind words from our visitors, whether shared in person, through online reviews, or in thoughtful emails and even hand written letters.

The charm of Riverhill extends beyond the plants and gardens themselves. The owner, my non-horticultural colleagues, and the many volunteers in the ticket office all help create such a welcoming and personal atmosphere. Malabar Coffee House adds another layer of warmth, and their excellent coffee, teas and baked treats have certainly helped keep the Riverhill team going in high spirits. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked within such a lovely community, where successes were celebrated together and we had so much fun together.

I wish everyone at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens continued success for the future, and I have no doubt that I will return to visit many times. Finally, I would like to thank all my colleagues, volunteers, and visitors for their support over the years. The continued support of visitors, members and those attending events and weddings is essential to Riverhill’s future, so please do continue to visit, return, and enjoy this very special place and community.

Thank you,

Misako