Talks for groups
Learn about wildflowers and going wild in the garden
Hear how wildflowers can work in small to medium gardens, the wildlife they attract and help, and how habitats and planting can create a garden where nature thrives with you. My talks are light-hearted and informed by real-life, relatable experience and the latest thinking on wildlife gardening. Ideas, reflections and anecdotes are shared, illustrated with photos and video clips. Questions and discussion are encouraged!
Nature for school children
From fairy tale characters and seeds that look like Hundreds and Thousands, to grunting hedgehogs and fussy caterpillars: I help bring wildflowers and nature to life for children and spark their curiosity in helping garden wildlife. Picture and video slides and tactile hand-outs help engage short attention spans, with questions along the way! Wildflowers can be provided for planting and content tailored to your class.
Advice for you
If you’re in the Exeter area and seeking inspiration on how to enrich your existing space with wildlife planting and habitats suited to the conditions in your garden and your life-style, contact me for tailored advice.
I have some slots available in 2027 to visit and spend around an hour in your garden assessing and discussing possibilities together for the wilder space you dream of. You’ll receive a follow-up bespoke guide with planting and habitat suggestions, care and maintenance tips, relevant wildlife info and helpful links.
2027 fee: £90
Testimonials
“Lou recently spoke to Exmouth Garden Club. She is a fabulous speaker whom I would have no problem in recommending to others. She was so passionate about getting wildlife - particularly butterflies, moths and bees - into our gardens, and which plants would help you to do so. Her enthusiasm was contagious and everyone in the hall (we had 60+ people there) left the talk buzzing - many of our members talking about growing some of the wildlife friendly plants in their gardens. I think one of our members summed it up by saying that Lou was 'blooming marvellous'. Definitely one of the best speakers we have had to talk to the Club. Thank you Lou!” Jane Murphy, Chair of Exmouth Garden Club.
“…a real highlight of the day for me…The passion with which [Lou] spoke and reminded us all of our connection with nature…I related to so many of [her] reflections.” Amy Walkden, Chair of Butterfly Conservation Devon branch
“Such an engaging manner, coupled with humour and fantastic photographs of what is possible in an incredibly urban garden. I learnt so much...fabulous.” Linda, Newton Abbot Seed Library
“A highlight of the day.” Attendees, Green Phoenix Festival
“Our pupils, here at Whimple School, loved learning more about wildflowers and how they can attract a wide range of wildlife. Lou's passion and knowledge shone through during her talk, which was interactive, engaging and also informative. The pupils especially enjoyed finding out the nicknames of some well-known wildflowers and Lou happily answered their wide range of questions. She left us with a fantastic guide that has helped us to look after our plug plants properly. The pupils have planted them carefully and are looking forward to seeing the flowers bloom and the butterflies, beetles and moths come. We are also looking forward to welcoming Lou back again next year and can contact her in the meantime if we need any help.” Hannah, Teacher, Whimple School
“I spent a long time trying to find someone knowledgeable to advise me how to make my garden more wildlife friendly. Then I found Lou! She knows about both plants and wildlife, and is so enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge. It was a joy to walk round my garden with her and hear all her ideas. I didn’t catch the names of all the plants she mentioned but afterwards she sent me a detailed report containing all her suggestions, with links to the plants and where I can buy them. I couldn’t have asked for more! It is wonderful to meet someone who is so passionate about what they are doing.” Nicky, Exeter
about me
I’m Lou Jones and hold an RHS Diploma in Horticulture (commendation), which underpins my passion and practical experience creating my wild garden, tending my plant nursery and supporting others in cultivating wildlife-friendly spaces across my home city of Exeter, Devon.
Alongside this, I’m committed to ongoing self-study and expanding my knowledge to develop sustainable gardening practices that support biodiversity and people.
I give group talks and one-to-one advice, lead workshops with Zero Mile Gardens, and love creating Instagram content sharing the joy of a wild garden and beyond.
Fostering children’s affinity with garden nature is another heartfelt focus: I give classroom and assembly talks, including school grounds habitat creation at Whimple Primary School, lead outdoor sessions for Ide Primary School’s award-winning wildlife champions, help run garden education sessions with Zero Mile Gardens and volunteer with the Happiness Outdoors Project.
I’m experienced in therapeutic horticulture, previously working at Organic Arts’ community garden project.
My initial training was in journalism, going on to use my communication skills for the NHS and charities in London, Bristol and Exeter.
