Interview with Lily Schlieker Blythe | International Women's Day 2026

Lily Schlieker Blythe is Head Gardener of Horatio's Garden London & South East. She's responsible for this pioneering garden, which supports people with life-changing spinal injuries spending time at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. It's the fifth of a total eight gardens to have so far been opened by nationwide charity Horatio's Garden and is a critical part of people's rehabilitation, providing a place for reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, joy and companionship.

Today, Lily's reflecting on the power and purpose of International Women's Day and why it remains such a vital moment to recognise progress, resilience and opportunity.

Tell us a little bit about your gardening style and how you make your gardening tips accessible for all gardeners?

My gardening style is rooted in working with nature rather than against it. I'm drawn to planting that supports biodiversity, that has a sense of wildness to it even within a structured space. I love plants that do more than one job: feeding pollinators, offering texture and scent, lifting the spirits of whoever encounters them. In terms of accessibility, I think it’s important to strip away the intimidation gardening can sometimes carry. There's a tendency to make horticulture feel like a discipline full of rules, and I'd rather people felt encouraged to give gardening a go.

Whether someone has a window box or an enormous garden, the fundamentals - curiosity, observation, a willingness to learn from failure - are the same for everyone.

Being a woman in horticulture and garden leadership can come with unique experiences — what have you learned about resilience and growth through your career?

There have been moments where I've had to work harder to be taken seriously, or where I've felt the weight of being the only woman in a room. But it’s definitely made me more resilient and I’ve learnt a lot from those experiences about how I lead and who I champion. Horticulture has surprised me with how generous and collaborative it is. There's a real culture of knowledge-sharing and peer support I haven't always experienced in other industries. Before this, I worked in TV production, where the dynamics could be difficult as a woman, and that contrast has made me appreciate what horticulture gets right.

That's not to say the horticultural industry is perfect, women are still underrepresented in senior roles, but the culture of the industry is definitely one of its strengths. 

International Women's Day celebrates both achievements and challenges women face. What does this day mean to you personally, especially as someone who nurtures growth and wellbeing through nature?

It means pausing to notice what's been grown by the women who came before us and by those working quietly and determinedly right now. I'm aware that my being in a leadership role in horticulture isn't something every woman has had access to, and I don't take that lightly. International Women's Day, for me, is less about celebration in a triumphant sense and more about reflection, acknowledging how far we've come, being honest about how far we still have to go, and feeling grateful for the community of women who make this work feel meaningful.

Do you think there are ways gardening and horticulture uniquely support women — whether through connection, creativity, or wellbeing?

There's good evidence that time in nature reduces cortisol levels and supports mental health, and I think that matters particularly for women, who statistically carry a disproportionate burden of stress - whether through caring responsibilities, workplace pressures, or both. But beyond the science, what I notice at Horatio's Garden is that the garden creates a rare kind of equality. It doesn't care about your job title, your diagnosis, or where you’ve come from. For women who spend a lot of their lives being evaluated - on their appearance, their competence, their likability - that neutrality is quietly powerful.

There's also something concrete and satisfying about horticultural work: you learn a skill, you see a result, you build confidence. It can be genuinely transformative, and I see it in the people who come through the garden all the time.

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in horticulture, therapeutic gardening, or environmental care?

Do it!

The world needs more gardeners. I’ve never regretted my career change and feel so fortunate to no longer be desk-bound. Being surrounded by nature and contributing to something I find meaningful has been liberating. A great place to start is volunteering. If you're interested in therapeutic gardening, you could reach out to your local community garden or charity garden. Of course, not everyone can afford to volunteer their time, but there are many apprenticeships on offer. I did the WFGA's WRAGS traineeship which is a great introduction to gardening and there are lots of amazing gardens that take part in the nationwide scheme.

As we think about the future of gardens and wellbeing, what changes would you like to see in how society values nature, healing, and women's leadership in these spaces?

The future I'm hoping for is one where the NHS, government and councils recognise the value of green spaces, preserve those that already exist, include them in future developments and ensure they are cared for by qualified gardeners. Because the evidence for their impact is compelling and the need is urgent. Within horticulture specifically, I'd like to see more women in senior roles, not because of tokenism, but because diverse leadership genuinely produces better outcomes.

And I'd love to see spaces like Horatio's Garden not considered as a lovely extra, but as essential, because for so many of the patients and families we work with, it really is.

If there was one message you wish every person coming into Horatio's Garden could take with them — what would it be?

The space offers something different to almost every person that uses it. Whether it’s a space to celebrate birthdays, host baby gender reveal parties, revise for A levels, learn a new skill, receive difficult news or just get some fresh air… we’ve seen it all! For patients and their visitors, I'd love them to feel completely at home here; to know that Horatio's Garden is their space, to use however they need it most. And for external visitors (who are able to visit by becoming a Friend of the charity or on National Garden Scheme open days) I hope they leave with a deeper appreciation of how important gardens are and how much they can offer.

Who are your gardening (or non-gardening!) heroes?

I have enormous admiration for Beth Chatto whose philosophy of right plant, right place feels as relevant now as it ever did, and her approach to working with difficult conditions rather than fighting them is something I try to carry into my own practice.

Beyond horticulture, I find myself inspired by anyone who does quiet, unglamorous, necessary work with genuine dedication - the kind of people who aren't seeking recognition but are changing lives nonetheless. In many ways, that describes the volunteers and staff I’m lucky enough to work alongside at Horatio's Garden.