I caught up with Fran, Fulham Palace's newest Garden Apprentice, and asked her a few questions as a way to introduce her to you all.
What excites you most about gardening at Fulham Palace?
The broad diversity of gardening tasks and the learning opportunities. I have learned the correct stone fruit training in fan form but also how to grow potatoes. I now know how to drive the triple mower and also how to seed a lawn. I can try, but still sometimes fail, most importantly though I always learn so much about all aspects of gardening. And then there are so many exciting projects on the way (as well as those already accomplished) that gives us apprentices the unique opportunity to be a part of the development of a botanical garden.
If you could pick a tree/ flower /plant, what would it be and why?
That is a really tricky question for a gardener! That is like saying, which of your children is your favourite! But as a former florist I can tell you that flowers are my great passion - so I will try to pick one for every season: Fritillaria meleagris in Spring, you can spot them along our woodland path. The different varieties of sweet peas that we have planted in our vegetable garden and which we pick now to create gorgeous, fragrant flower posies to sell on the Barrow. The Dahlias in Autumn (here at Fulham Palace, the precious Bishop Dahlias in the Walled Garden are already blooming!). And in Winter, the unique Helleborus niger (Christmas rose).
Which is your favourite part of the Palace?
The Walled Garden, there is such an intimate atmosphere in this garden surrounded by history and nature. I love it. And of course everywhere, where our lovely mice hunter and garden cat is hanging around - he knows the best spots!
What dish do you love to cook?
As cooking is one of my big passions, I love to experiment with all the flavours and ingredients the world provides. I like to cook a fresh meal every day, often with vegetables from the garden at Fulham Palace - so yummy!
What is the one song you can't get out of your head?
'Shake it off' by Taylor Swift. Thank you, dear Lizzy, the whole garden staff is humming it now.
What is your favourite book or film?
I love French movies, so an all time favourite is 'Amélie'. And as a keen reader, the English bookshops are a paradise for me, especially for garden literature.
Thanks Fran!
From left to right: Fran, Lizzy and Josh - our Garden Apprentices. Photo taken by Isabel Wooller, Garden Volunteer.
Ahou - Volunteer Comms Assistant