Ann Treneman
About me
Author. Gardener. Journalist. Designer. That’s the most succinct way to describe what can only be described as a multi-faceted career. I was born and brought up in America but have lived in Britain for many decades. I have worked as a journalist for The Observer and The Independent and, for the past 25 plus years, have written for The Times on a wide range of subjects including politics and theatre. I currently write on gardening and as a “notebook” columnist. I have won multiple awards and, in later years, I took a break from daily journalism to study horticulture and landscape architecture which is how the latest chapter has unfolded.
My Times articles can be found here…
Photo by Grey Hutton.
About me and plants
My deep dive into gardening and horticulture began with earning the RHS Level 2 award at the age of 60, which only whetted my appetite to learn more. I went on to get an MA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Sheffield in 2022, studying with some of the most knowledgeable plant experts in the world. My main interests are garden writing and design. I have had gardens at the RHS Chelsea and Tatton flower shows and have worked as a designer and garden consultant.
About me and garden writing
I write on gardening for The Times and am the author of two gardening books: RHS Horti Curious: A Gardener’s Miscellany of Fascinating Facts & Remarkable Plants (2024) and RHS Greener Gardening: Containers: The Sustainable Guide to Growing Flowers, Shrubs and Crops in Pots (2024). My new book RHS The Garden Cure: 100 Remarkable Remedies for the Curious Gardener is published in October 2026. For more information – and to order them click here.
About me and RHS Chelsea Flower Show
It was thrilling to be chosen to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the experience has allowed me to see such horticultural extravaganzas from both side of the hedge, so to speak. My garden, in the “Container” category, was called “The Wild Kitchen Garden” and was planted with wild edible plants and trees. It won a silver-gilt medal and also received the People’s Choice Award. For an update on the garden, including a plant list, click the button below.
All Chelsea photos by Kat Weatherill
About me and my other books
My other books include a grave departure with a tour of Britain’s graveyards in Finding the Plot: 100 Graves to Visit Before You Die.
There are three collections of political intrigue charting the highs and (mostly) lows from my 12 year stint as a parliamentary sketchwriter:
- All In This Together: My Five Years as a Political Stalker (2015)
- Dave and Nick: The Year of the Honeymoon (2011)
- Annus Horribilis: The Worst Year in British Politics (2009).
