Safeguarding horticultural knowledge
Earlier this year we shared A New Chapter at Jekka’s, outlining how the farm is evolving while remaining rooted in the values that have guided us for more than forty years: sharing knowledge, nurturing plants responsibly, and supporting the horticultural community.
One of the most important ways we can honour that legacy is by helping to pass on the skills that underpin great horticulture. That is why we are proud to be part of HORTISTRY, a new initiative dedicated to safeguarding specialist horticultural knowledge for the future.
We are proud to be part of HORTISTRY.
Jekka's cuttings in her glasshouse
Introducing HORTISTRY
HORTISTRY is a new cross-sector initiative formed in response to a growing challenge within UK horticulture; primarily, the loss of specialist skills. As experienced growers retire and structured training routes diminish, much of horticulture’s most valuable expertise, including propagation skills and plant husbandry, is at the risk of being lost. These skills live not in textbooks, but in people.
Want to know more? Jekka wrote about the challenges facing small nurseries in a blog online.
HORTISTRY aims to safeguard that living knowledge through peer-led, hands-on master classes designed specifically for practising horticultural professionals. These sessions provide a collaborative environment where growers can refine techniques, exchange experience and learn directly from leading practitioners in the field.
Jekka is honoured to contribute to the advisory group alongside friends and colleagues she has known across the sector, including:
- Lady Susan Bacon, Raveningham Gardens
- Chris Trimmer, National Trust, Plant Conservation Centre
- Matthew Potage MHort, The Royal Parks
- Jon Wheatley MBE VMH, Stonebarn Landscapes
- Peter Jones, Director of Horticulture, Eden Project
- Petra Hoyer Millar, Editor of the dirt
“These are not skills you learn solely from a book,” says Jekka. “They are learned through practice, patience, and sharing knowledge. If we do not actively pass them on, we risk losing them.”
Together, the advisory group are committed to nurturing skills, supporting professional development, and strengthening the horticultural community.
Jekka's Herb Garden: providing inspiration for garden designers
The April Pilot Workshop
The first HORTISTRY pilot masterclasses will take place on 18 April 2026, with two events held simultaneously: one in the East of England at Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens and one in the West, at our award-winning Herb Farm, Jekka’s.
We are delighted that Jekka’s will host one of the inaugural HORTISTRY pilot workshops, welcoming 36 professional horticulturists for a day dedicated to propagation and practical skill-sharing. During the day, professional horticulturists will rotate through small, hands-on propagation sessions designed to give participants direct experience of essential techniques.
At the heart of Jekka’s are Jekka's Herb Garden and Jekka's Herbetum, both created as living resources for learning and celebration of herbs. Jekka's Herb Garden brings together culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs from around the world, while Jekka's Herbetum, displays Jekka's collection of over 400 culinary and medicinal herbs in plant families and serves as a unique reference garden for growers, chefs and plant enthusiasts alike.
Together they provide a setting not only for inspiration but for education, helping visitors understand the variety of herbs and how to both grow and maintain herbs through the seasons. It is within this living classroom that we are delighted to host the HORTISTRY master class, sharing practical skills and knowledge that has been cultivated and passed on for decades.
Participants will rotate through three focused master classes:
- Softwood cuttings: taught by Jekka McVicar VMH
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Seed sowing: led by Jon Wheatley MBE VMH, Managing Director of Stonebarn Landscapes
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Fruit tree grafting: demonstrated by Nick Dunn VMH, Managing Director of Frank P Matthews
Each master class is small-group and hands-on, prioritising participation and real experience. This is learning by doing; the way horticulture has always been passed on.
The day will also include contributions from Chris Trimmer, Nursery Manager at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre, offering insight into the role of propagation in conservation and biodiversity.
Places are limited and the workshops are designed specifically for practising horticultural professionals. Attendance is free, with applicants asked to register their interest.
Jekka's propagation techniques
Supporting the Future of the Profession
Our recent transition has allowed us to reflect deeply on our purpose. While our structure evolves, our values remain constant: integrity in growing, generosity in sharing knowledge, and responsibility to the environment and to future generations.
HORTISTRY is not simply about addressing a skills gap. It is about strengthening a community. It is about ensuring that the quiet, meticulous expertise developed over decades by plant enthusiasts continues to inspire and empower the next wave of professional growers.
At Jekka’s, we believe horticulture flourishes when knowledge is shared freely, when experience meets enthusiasm, and when tradition and innovation grow side by side. We are proud to play our part in this movement and look forward to welcoming participants in April as we grow the future, together.
Visit Us at Jekka’s
Whether you are a seasoned grower or simply love herbs and gardening, Jekka’s offers a range of herb experiences throughout the year. Please see our Events Calendar for more information.
Do you want a team away day or a private master class? Join us for your own tailored Discovery Day.
Alternatively, come and visit Jekka's for a private tour, for an Open Days or discover the magic of plants at our Herb Days (tickets can be purchased here). If you wish to develop your skills, participate in one of our hands-on Master Classes. There’s something for everyone, from learning practical techniques to exploring the beauty and flavour of herbs in our gardens.
Jekka's Herbetum: Jekka's collection of herbs displayed in herb families
Want to know more?
You can find more of Jekka's knowledge about herbs freely available online in Jekka’s blog, our past newsletters and videos as well as Jekka's latest book '100 Herbs to Grow' and Jekka's existing books, namely 'A Pocketful of Herbs' or Jekka's Complete Herb Book, and also by browsing Jekkapedia and exploring our herb based recipes.
Please also see Jekka's herbs of the month blogs: Bay (January), Rosemary (February), Salad Burnet (March), French Tarragon (April), Angelica (May), Alliums (June), Lavender (July), Basil (August), Mint (September), Szechuan Pepper (October), Thyme (November) and Curry Tree (December)
Herb plants are available and you can organise a collection from our herb farm in South Gloucestershire or at one of our Open Days. Please see our 'Looking Good List' for availability and use our webform or email your list directly to us (sales@jekkas.com). We no longer offer a general mail order service for our plants