Mark Rice

Dip GD (Inst GD),Cert GD (H.C. College), RHS General Certificate

My interest in plants started at a very early age and brought with it a passion to bring out the best in every garden I have the pleasure to work with.

My first job in gardening was at Bristol Zoological Gardens, I had the privilege from day one of being taught by experienced gardeners who had spent years (just like I would) in gaining knowledge and perfecting there own meticulous and successful way of actioning tasks. I learnt a huge amount from them, Fred Iles, Mike Lewis, Brian Palmer, Mike Jeffries, John Parks to name a few, and a lot of that knowledge you would never see written in a book.

My school teacher Mr Ron Rogers got me my first interview with Mr Gordon Bland ( Head Gardener @ Bristol Zoo ), he took me on to gain the experience listed above. I attended night school run by Mr Rogers in gardening ( picked up my RHS certificate ) and in Photography which has come through well in my photos on the website and I will be forever grateful of his help.

I covered many areas including the growing and propagation of Fuchsias, Geraniums, tropical plants in the animal enclosures, summer and spring bedding schemes and growing from seed to planting out, perennials, trees and shrubs.

After this I had a couple of stints with Bristol City Parks Department, and then gained a little experience in landscaping, but I was very much a plants person at heart.

In 1999 I decided I needed to go out on my own, refreshed some of my knowledge, with new fields such as Garden Design, obtained a Diploma from the Institute of Garden Design (commended) and a Certificate Of Garden Design (Distinction) from the Horticultural Correspondence College. My knowledge of plants I learnt while working at Bristol Zoo proved invaluable in my designs.

Relaxing time for me is out walking with my Springer Spaniel Fynne. Just like him I enjoy the woodlands, exploring the outside world and seeing what it has to offer. If we really want to get away then its off to the Highlands of Scotland, too far away to be found, no mobile just relaxation.

I’ve been married to my wife Michelle for 35 years and we have a son Kerryn and daughter Jade who we have encouraged to search for their ideal future and progress on, but when we are all together its always a pleasure to see them happy and enjoying life with their partners.

A lot of this reflects in my work, sometimes I have to remember its a business not a hobby, but it never stops me putting the personal touch to all the gardens I am lucky to work in and the enthusiastic clients I meet.

Fynne - 15/04/2010 - 09/08/2015

Working with me from 10 weeks old, my workmate, my partner and my best friend, my shadow for 15 years. I didn’t own Fynne we were just very good mates, I am lucky for the memories we made together.

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So lets work with it, call me, if you don’t ask?