Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Born under the goosegog bush in Flore, Johnnie went to Woodlands School E, Sussex. Campion School and Cambridge University.

His first Job was a Buyer at Selfridges, London. Three years later he undertook a mammoth world tour, covering five continents and 55 countries. Working in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands flying medical supplies around the Islands, and at the same time visiting other regions like Irian Jaya and Rabaul in New Britain to witness some of the world's most unusual flora. A budding David Attenborough in the making ?... - well just maybe, - life can be full of unusual twists and turns.

Jonnnie's hobbies - Flying has always been a favourite pastime of Johnnie's, swiftly followed by travel. He likes classical music, Opera and Skiing and loves good food and wine.ΜύJohnnie has a great love for his cats - they are named Zambia (Zam) and Zimbabwe (Zim) but Rhodesia if he is naughty. Zim is close to the size of a Puma and have platinum coats with orange eyes and are gorgeous!

A love of horticulture

Johnnie's passion and inspiration into horticulture began at the age of six in East Sussex, - the gardens had been planted by Prince Munster, a German Prince in the 1850's, only for him to return to Germany at the outbreak of the first world war on account of political sensitivities. The Specimens planted rivaled many botanical gardens. A 'Golden oak' (Quercus robur 'Concordia') - one of only three fully grown specimens exist in Europe.

Johnnie opens his garden for The National Garden Scheme

In 2004, he became a finalist for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gardener of the Year. As a Garden Designer, Johnnie has been involved and designedΜύgardens as varied as a 40 acre country house garden to terrace and balcony gardens in Primrose hill, Chelsea and Kensington.

Johnnie has been the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ horticultural expert 'stand-in' on the Anna Murby show and at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Johnnie believes we never stop learning and with the organic garden movement gaining pace, it's an important opportunity for all to be conscious of the damage caused by Chemical intervention and is therefore in favour of more environmentally friendly options like the implementation of Biological controls and natural predators.

So let's work together with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ as like-minded gardeners in the years ahead, with the challenges it brings, to redress the balance through the use of natural predators, biological controls. As a consequence it will increase your bank balance without having to purchase the many un-necessary chemicals.

-----

Johnnie Amos' Commonwealth Botanic Gardens Series

On 14th October 2007, I launched my new series of Botanic gardens around the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories. Beginning quite naturally with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the worlds largest and earliest Botanic gardens, I interviewed Curator Nigel Taylor, who spoke about the importance of Botanic gardens, not only about the maintenance of these incredible gardens, where you come across the exotic and unusual but a place of scientific research, plant preservation and a constant fight to save species facing extinction in all parts of the world.

The Palm House at Kew Gardens

As the series progresses I interview all the Curators or Directors of the commonwealth's botanic garden's, seeking out research and conservation undertaken within these countries.

So if you are planning a holiday, do put them on your itinerary, as not only are the ravishingly beautiful but they say a lot about a country and its people.

Politics and governments may have changed in many of the commonwealth countries but the botanic gardens seem to straddle these changes and are therefore, seemingly timeless!

The botanic gardens like clock towers appeared and were as much part of the Empire we read about over the past 300 years, - both appeared as quickly as the map turned red around the world but their specimens were as unique as the colours and perfumes they produced.

So join me, Johnnie Amos and Mark Dean on my journey around the world - The Green Welly Show, every Sunday.