Serving the stars: Ian Drummond celebrates 40 years with houseplants
In celebration of Ian Drummond’s 40th year in the industry, the houseplant specialist details his journey of infatuation with plants and beyond. From serving stars such as Sir Elton John or lining red carpets with plants, he’s made strides in biophilic design.
Growing up in central London surrounded by skyscrapers, urban development and housing estates, Drummond had little to no access to a garden, nor green space in general. “In so many ways, I was completely removed from gardening,” he explains. However, one of his earliest memories dates back to the age of four when he was handed a peacelily by his parents.
A trigger for his love of plants sparked, and from then on, his passion for plants only grew. By the time he was 13, he was working in the local florist’s houseplant section.
“I’ve got a big extended family and as soon as they realized there was something I liked – that was it. Everyone was buying me another plant until my bedroom was completely full of plants.
“I was obsessed with houseplants and that never went away.”
Back then, houseplants weren’t as popular as they are today. It definitely wasn’t considered a specialist career either, but Drummond spent every evening after school running the florists’ houseplant section in the centre of London. After being told he should work for The Royal Parks if he wanted to get into horticulture, he politely declined the suggestion and pursued the otherwise unfamiliar career in houseplants instead.
“At 16, I did an apprenticeship with Ken Hayford who owned a high-end florist and landscaping business. We were looking after government buildings, Harrods and Claridge’s. It was very creative-led, being controlled by a creative florist also covering horticulture.”
After staying there for four years and learning a multitude of skills, Drummond decided it was time to move on. He began working in Primrose Hill, inside a flower shop within a pub garden turned garden centre. From visiting “fabulous people’s houses looking after their plants, indoors and outdoors, I absolutely loved it,” he explains.
Iconic occasions
A year passed, and on a wet, windy day, Drummond approached a company that was repeatedly mentioned within the flower market walls. Just a few doors down from where he was based, he met Ed Wolf, founder of Indoor Garden Design, before joining as a technician watering plants until he worked his way up from supervisor, training manager and eventually creative director.
In 2013, Drummond, and two other directors, David Grace and Pippa Robinson, took over Indoor Garden Design from Wolf, and continued his legacy working high-end events such as London Fashion Week and Sir Elton John’s AIDS Foundation parties.
“The first year, we created a four and a half metre high Grey Goose vodka bottle made of plants which was a photo opportunity for everyone. I actually went along to the party that night, and was constantly pinching myself. It was probably the most glamorous party globally and every face you could imagine was there.”
Another highlight in Drummond’s 40 years working in the industry is exhibiting at his first RHS Chelsea Flower Show independently in 2010. “At the time, there wasn’t much opportunity to bring houseplants into Chelsea. I worked with Vitra and the response was great. After that, every year I was at Chelsea I was having to find opportunities to get in. Now, you obviously have the houseplant studios,” he explains.
Celebrating inclusivity
Now an interior landscaping consultant within his own company, Ian Drummond Botanical Design, he also works closely with plants@work as an ambassador and equality and diversity secretary. Involved since day one, previously acting as social secretary and chairman, he has been on the committee for a total of 25 years and an ambassador for 10.
Earlier this year, he launched the plants@work Pride network. Not only to support someone’s sexuality, but a person’s sex, race and background. “Wherever you’re from, it doesn’t matter,” he begins. Once upon time, he adds, “there was an awful lot of snobbery,” especially in relation to Drummond’s early childhood growing up in a council flat. The network stands to welcome everyone, reflecting the organisations ethos. plants@work will also be marching in this year’s London Pride.
“It reinforces our commitment to inclusivity. We like to celebrate the people who make our industry, it doesn’t matter how you identify. If you’re passionate about interior landscaping and houseplants, then the door is wide open for you.”
Another arm in Drummond’s career expands to the Peggy Drummond Foundation, an organisation founded by him six years ago in memory of his late mother. He describes his mother as a “real community person,” who was always intent on helping others. In support of local charities, individuals, the foundation arranges fundraising events because, “it doesn’t have to be anything huge, but you can make a big impact on people’s lives by just trying to help them and be kind,” he explains.
Drummond has been honoured with an award for his service by the Royal Horticultural Society by Chris Moncrieff at RHS Wisley.
So, after 40 years, Drummond pursues the same passions he possessed after taking in his very first peacelily. As biophilic design continues to bloom, and the interior landscaping trends blossom, his impressive career path sets an inspirational standard for those that follow.