Introducing our New Head Gardener: Pete Buchanan.....

We're delighted to introduce Pete Buchanan, who has recently joined Riverhill as our new Head Gardener. Pete has completed the RHS Diploma in Horticultural Practice at RHS Garden Wisley and previously trained at Audley End House and Gardens. He brings a broad range of horticultural experience to the role, with a particular interest in the care and development of historic landscapes.

We caught up with Pete to find out a little more about his background, what attracted him to Riverhill and what he's looking forward to in his new role.

Tell us a little about yourself and your horticultural background.

After a career change from teaching, I've been lucky enough to spend the last few years working and training at some really wonderful gardens. Most recently, I completed the two-year RHS Diploma in Horticultural Practice at Wisley in Surrey, and before that I spent a year at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex as part of the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme. My passion for horticultural heritage really began at nearby Sissinghurst in Kent, where I volunteered in the gardens before embarking on my professional horticultural training.

What I've valued most throughout my training is the opportunity to learn from so many knowledgeable gardeners, each with their own experience and ideas. I've taken an enormous amount from those conversations and the practical work we've undertaken together, and I'm excited to bring everything I've learnt to Riverhill.

What first attracted you to Riverhill?

I think it was the sheer variety within the garden that first caught my attention. I love the contrast between the more formal areas surrounding the house and the woodland beyond, and the way the planting sits within such an extraordinary wider landscape. There's a lovely sense of being able to wander from one space into another, with something new to discover around every corner. It’s a garden where you genuinely feel like you’re going on an adventure!

The opportunity to work in a smaller garden was another big draw. After experiencing the scale of places like Wisley, I'm excited about developing a much closer relationship with Riverhill and being involved in all aspects of its care and development.

What areas of horticulture are you particularly interested in?

I've always been drawn to gardens with a strong sense of history, and I find the challenge of looking after these special places while allowing them to evolve really interesting.

The idea of a garden's 'spirit of place' is something that really resonates with me. It's that distinctive character and atmosphere that makes somewhere feel different from anywhere else, often fostered through an appreciation of the planting, history, surrounding landscape and the people who have cared for it over the years. I love the idea of understanding what gives a place its identity and finding thoughtful ways to bring out those qualities.

Another area that interests me is how we can adapt our approach to horticulture in response to a changing climate. During my training, I explored some of the challenges facing established plant collections and the opportunities to make them more resilient for the future.

I love ornamental horticulture and creating beautiful planting combinations, but I'm equally interested in finding ways to encourage biodiversity and provide valuable habitats for wildlife. There's no reason why these things can't go hand in hand, and it's an approach I'd love to develop further at Riverhill.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

There are so many things! One of the biggest attractions for me is the opportunity to settle into one place and really get to know it. My work up until now has involved moving between different teams and locations, so I'm excited about being able to follow the changing seasons at Riverhill, watching plants develop and becoming familiar with the individual quirks and characteristics of the garden. There's something really rewarding about that continuity and being involved in the longer-term management of a garden.

I'm especially looking forward to working with the existing team and volunteers, many of whom have been connected to Riverhill for many years. It'll be lovely to get to know everyone, hear their thoughts and ideas, and benefit from their understanding of the gardens. I've always enjoyed the collaborative side of horticulture, and some of the best ideas come from sharing knowledge and approaching challenges from different perspectives. I hope to bring my own experience to the role while drawing on the expertise of those already here, and I'm excited to see what we can achieve together.

And, of course, I'm looking forward to meeting visitors. I really enjoy chatting to people about horticulture, and it's always lovely when you can share something you're enthusiastic about with someone else.

Do you have any particular plans or ambitions for Riverhill?

My first priority is to get to know the gardens and the people who care for them. There's already so much knowledge and experience within the team, and I think it's important to draw on that understanding when considering how best to take things forward.

There are some wonderful plant collections at Riverhill, and I'd love to explore how we might develop these further, introducing new planting where appropriate while making the most of what's already here.

I'd also like to build on the sustainable practices already in place, whether that's through plant selection, improving soil health or creating more opportunities for wildlife. With the challenges of a changing climate, it's important that we continue to question how we do things and remain open to different approaches.

Working closely with the gardeners and volunteers will be central to this. I'd like us to identify opportunities for improvement together, combining their experience of what has worked well at Riverhill with ideas I've picked up elsewhere. For me, it's about finding the right balance between caring for what we already have and allowing the garden to continue to evolve.

Above all, I want us to keep Riverhill looking its best and to ensure it remains somewhere people love visiting, whether they're coming for the first time or have been returning for years.

I'm really excited to be here, and I can't wait to see what the coming seasons bring. Please say hello if you see me around the gardens over the next few weeks!