A highly experienced international horticulturalist is to become head gardener at a Cumbrian castle.
Lowther Castle and Gardens has announced Andrea Brunsendorf is to join its team in July.
Andrea has an impressive international reputation and a rich portfolio of experience from her time spent training and working at gardens in South Africa, Germany, France, Botswana, Jerusalem and the United States.
She is an alumnus of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and holds a Masters in Conservation from University College, London.
Her first major gardening position was at the Inner Temple Garden in London – a three-acre site belonging to the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
During her 11-year stint there she re-designed the 246ft long herbaceous border, introduced mixed borders of peonies and roses and did a lot of work to enhance the garden’s biodiversity. By the time she left the gardens were attracting 3000 visitors a week.
Most recently she worked at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania where she was director of outdoor landscapes, as well as for a private foundation in the Austrian Alps.
Andrea said: “Over the past 10 years or so, Lowther has been unfolding and interpreting its gardens gently and thoughtfully. I look forward to working with the team to continue this development, to bring even more of it to life and of course, as a horticulturalist and plantswoman, I look forward to the unique challenges this wonderful landscape will present.”
Jim Lowther, owner of Lowther Castle & Gardens, said: “The gardens at Lowther Castle are a bold and long-term project. To have someone of Andrea’s experience and depth of knowledge join us is truly exciting. I cannot wait to see how she brings her ideas and skills to bear.”
