John & Hugh
John Cullen Gardens Limited was founded in London in 2009. In 2015 we made the move to Lincolnshire, having located the perfect new home in the country for our ever-expanding collections of plants.
We pride ourselves in the quality of our plants and also our knowledge and friendly customer service. We work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), The Herb Society and Plant Heritage.
We have also appeared on television and radio – watch here!
As seen at
We have also appeared on television and radio - click on the link below to view our appearances!
John Cullen, Managing Director
I was born in Edinburgh and moved to London in the late 1980s.
My first packets of seeds, from the local garden centre, were marrows and Achillea. Though so different, both packets yielded bumper crops, so much so that Mum couldn’t pass the pickings on to others quickly enough.
There, my love of all things horticultural began.
Prior to launching my garden business, I worked in the event industry, and particularly enjoyed the creative process involved in staging large-scale projects, both indoors and outdoors.
Throughout this time, my dream was to have my own horticultural business. I finally took a leap of faith in 2008 and studied with both KLC School of Design in Chelsea and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hugh Faulds, Creative Director
I have had a varied teaching career in graphic design, alongside dance and drama, but have always held a passion for every aspect of beauty and design.
In 2010 I studied for horticultural foundation with Capel Manor and in 2011, I completed a floral design course at the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers in London.
I also hail from Scotland and my pathway to horticulture took many twists and turns. Originally moving to London to train as a dancer, I decided on a teaching career, and taught graphic design and 3D art. I moved into social work, working with adults with learning difficulties.
I always wanted to move back into the creative industry and in 2010, joined John at John Cullen Gardens.
I am delighted to add my artistic flair to all our projects.
Maggie
Maggie came to us at the tender age of five, as her Mum was moving overseas. She is a Pomeranian/Spitz-cross who identifies as a Doberman!
She is always on alert and will spend hours retrieving sticks. Don’t make the mistake of throwing one for her as you will be there all day. Not one for daytime naps, she spends most days out in the nursery with us and always quality control checks the stock we are taking to shows.
Betsy
Betsy has been with us since she was a puppy. She is very nosey and guards the nursery; in fact she rather rules the roost here at Eagle Lodge. She is not a fan of bicycles and will often be found sitting by the gate just in case one passes, so she can warn us with lots of barking.
Bichon/Coton de Tuleur-cross, both of Betsy's parents were show dogs at Crufts. She’s a bit of diva and likes to strike a pose. Betsy is also definitely not a fan of mornings and loves her beauty sleep.
The Girls (and a couple of boys)
In 2020, we decided to introduce some chickens into the nursery. This was for two reasons:
First of all, chickens are natural predators and so help us to reduce the number of slugs and snails and other unwelcome critters.
The second reason was to get fresh eggs! Our first arrivals were rescue laying hens (Clarissa, Priscilla, Ginger, Blu and Maude); they were followed by a fine cockerel named Prince, then we were joined by two Black Booted Bantams, Jack and Jill, and finally a Gold Dutch called Doris.
They love to wander freely around the nursery and follow us wherever we are working, pecking at our feet and any critters we disturb. Currently the leader of the flock is Ginger, and she definitely likes to organise, as her name would suggest!