Bucket lists are often filled with countries we’d love to travel to and activities we want to partake in before we die – but with so many things to tick off, I wanted to create a separate list just for plant geeks! So, I went on Facebook and Instagram to ask you about all the plant-related things you wanted to do before you kicked the bucket, and I came out with a bumper list of fantastic suggestions.
If you’re thinking about your own plant and grdening-related bucket list, take inspiration from the plant geeks below and leave a comment with your bucket list suggestion!
1. See the Keukenhof bulb fields
‘Would love to see Keukenhof bulb fields in the spring…’ – Jan Willetts
2. Work as a volunteer in a British garden
‘I would love to work as a garden volunteer for a few weeks in a British garden!!!’ – Thomas Vollmert
3. Take a plant-related degree
‘I’d like to do a Masters degree in the history of garden design and whether it influenced art or art influenced design’ – Angela Alexander
4. Grow plants in another country
‘Would like the challenge of living in Reykjavik and growing as many flowers as possible, pushing the boundaries. Have seen tulips and bedding growing there, beaut!’ – Shaun Gutteridge
5. See exotic plants in their native habitats
‘To trek in a rain forest..river boat down the Amazon and see plants in their natural habitat’ – Nicky Waters
6. Visit an RHS flower show
‘Would like to go to Chelsea Flower show but never seem to get there’ – Jackie Anderton
7. See the work of a prolific garden designer
@kazuyuki.ishihara
‘I’d love to see a Japanese garden by Kazuyuki Ishihara at Chelsea’ – Angela Higgins
8. Have a themed garden
‘I would love to have the ultimate Tropical garden’ – Lindsey Kaine-Walley
9. Grow a specific plant
‘I want to grow an enormous Gunnera!’ – Debbie Molloy
10. Learn about plants from a professional
‘Would love to spend a few days with a professional gardner or florist to learn from them. What a dream’ – Living Fifties Loving
11. See the New England fall foliage
‘I’d most love to see New England in the fall’ – Hannah Powell
12. Recreate your dream plant as art
‘I want to have an egret orchid plant and to make one out of sugarpaste while being able to look at the real flower’ – Rosemarie Cole
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook. You can also listen to The Plant Based Podcast with Michael and co-host Ellen-Mary on iTunes, Spotify and Google.
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Conny Granger
I would love to see the collection of Blaschka glass flowers at Harvard University. I’ve seen photos online of a few of these close up and the detail is amazing. Maybe someday.
Martin MacMillan
I’d love to see the cherry blossom in Japan
Keith j Donnelly
Seeing any of the exotics that I grow, in their natural environment would be great.