Nina Baxter
Director
Nina Baxter is an accomplished garden designer, plantswoman and horticulturist and has been widely recognised for her planting designs. She has been involved with the College for many years and became Director and Course Leader for the Planting Design Diploma in July 2023.
Following a successful first career in marketing and communications, Nina went on to gain professional qualifications in Horticulture, Plantsmanship and Garden Design from the Royal Horticultural Society and the English Gardening School. In 2004 she launched Nina Baxter Garden Design, which she runs with her husband Matthew, and this continues to be a leading design practice, working mainly in London and the Southeast.
Alongside her design practice, Nina and Matthew built up a garden maintenance business over eight years, which is now successfully owned and run by the employees they trained.
Prior to starting her career in garden design, Nina gained qualifications in teaching and Neuro Linguistic Programming and created and delivered communications training programmes for businesses. Along with her extensive plant knowledge, Nina brings these skills to her role at London College of Garden Design.
Nina sits on the Marketing Committee of the horticultural industry’s charity Perennial (The Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society) and hosts the gardening podcast ‘Rich Pickings’ with Jo Thompson.
As well as designing gardens across south-east London, Kent, and Surrey, Nina has worked with internationally-renowned designers on award-winning gardens at RHS flower shows including Chelsea, Tatton Park and Hampton Court. She has formed a lasting working relationship with Jo Thompson as head of Jo’s planting team, that continues to this day.
As well as being a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Nina is an RHS Chair of Judging and Selection Panels for all of the RHS flagship flower shows.