Jan O'Brien BA (Hons) English Language & Education; PGCE Primary Education
Probationary Member
Biography
Jan O’Brien is an award-winning garden designer, writer and horticultural storyteller based in Lancashire. Her work explores the stories behind gardens and the people who create, nurture and enjoy them through writing, photography, video and digital content. Her narrative-led show gardens include Willow Moments and Memories, which received a Silver Merit and Best Interpretation of Theme at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025, and Threads of Life, which received a Platinum Award and Best Interpretation of Theme in 2026. Jan’s writing has appeared in What to Grow magazine, alongside Threads of Life – Chapters of Life, her Substack exploring gardens, people and the stories that connect them. She is passionate about community horticulture and using gardens and creative projects to support charities, bring people together and start conversations around things that matter. For Jan, gardens are about far more than plants, they are about people, stories and connections.
Additional Interests
I’m inspired by nature and landscapes, design, colour, textiles, floral art, crafts and creativity, as well as unusual combinations of plants, materials and ideas. I’m particularly interested in using design to tell stories, engage people and create connections. I love exploring new places, gardens and heritage, photography, theatre and the arts, and hearing people’s stories. Supporting and encouraging others is important to me, particularly through charity, volunteering, community and collaborative projects. I enjoy discovering independent growers, makers and creative businesses and the passion behind what they do, always with time for tea and cake along the way!
Contact Details