Alan Titchmarsh has been announced as ambassador for English Heritage’s Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP).

It provides paid traineeships for aspiring horticulturalists and creates the chance for passionate individuals to take their first step into a career in gardening.

Trainees work for a year alongside professional garden teams at some of the country’s most important historic and botanic gardens from Osborne on the Isle of Wight to Aldourie Castle in Scotland.

There they have the chance to gain a rounded skillset and wide practical experience from which they can launch their horticultural career.

“I’m really proud to be the ambassador for English Heritage’s Historic Botanic Garden Training Programme. We have tremendous skills in this country, and it’s vital that we keep them going,” says Titchmarsh.

Trainees graduating this year include Helen Piper, who will be going on to the prestigious Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Horticultural Trainee Technician Scheme, and Elizabeth Bettney who has secured a fellowship at Longwood Gardens in the US.

A further 17 trainees based at 14 gardens are embarking on the programme this month. The National Garden Scheme has supported the HBGTP since 2022 with an initial donation of £375,000 over three years to fund seven trainees per annum.

National Garden Scheme CEO George Plumptre says: “Having Alan Titchmarsh as an Ambassador will add to the prestige of the scheme and really help to raise its profile.

“English Heritage’s HBGTP scheme combines excellent garden-based training with a strong track record in achieving good placements as trainees complete their course. Added to this, English Heritage look after some fabulous gardens where they support the National Garden Scheme with annual events for visitors.”