HortWeek Podcast: Andrew Fisher Tomlin, author of The Modern Professional Planting Designer

Matthew Appleby and Andrew Fisher Tomlin

Andrew Fisher Tomlin is a prominent modern professional gardener and designer, specialisng in planting design and environmental sustainability. He is a co-founder and director of the London College of Garden Design (LCGD).

The Modern Professional Planting Designer, was published by Rizzoli New York in October 2025.

He is the patron of Veterans' Growth, a charity using horticultural therapy to support veterans with mental health issues. He previously served as a trustee for Perennial, the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society.

Fisher Tomlin is a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers and served as its past chair. He has also been a chair of assessment and judging for the RHS. He studied horticulture at Askham Bryan.

Tomlin's designs are defined by their resilience and environmental consideration, which reflects contemporary concerns about climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. His approach is heavily focused on planting design that uses layers and locally-sourced materials to create long-lasting and appropriate.

In the podcast he talks about how the book came about and what impact he hopes it will have, what he thinks of Chelsea designs this year, his views on international garden design versus that of the UK, on horticulture education, trends for 2026, AI and what his favourite plant is.

In September 2025, he was named toHortWeek's Power List of the top 25 landscape influencers, recognised for his work in education and planting design.

Make sure you never miss a HortWeek podcast! Subscribe to or Follow HortWeek podcasts via Apple PodcastsSpotify or your preferred podcast platform. 


Read These Next

Hydrangeas

Plant Focus: Shrubby hydrangeas for dry conditions

GroundsFest panel

GroundsFest panel discussion - Future-ready Landscapes: resilient planting, healthier soils and smarter inputs

Tom Arnold

Meet Tom Arnold, director on the Amenity Forum board

As part of a Meet the Board series, Tom Arnold, director of the Amenity Forum, founder and CEO of TopGrass and Chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, speaks about his passion for the amenity industry and his commitment to helping move it forward.