Aberglasney Gardens has welcomed two new students as part of its 2024 Student Bursary Scheme.

Francesca Miles and Freddy Fuller have embarked on a 12-month, funded training opportunity at the Carmarthenshire gardens.

Ms Miles, who moved to Carmarthenshire seven years ago to pursue a career in architecture, decided to turn her passion for gardening into a profession.

She had admired the gardens since relocating to Wales and is now thrilled to be training at Aberglasney.

Ms Miles said: "I have been fortunate to have been working at Aberglasney for a few months now.

"I jumped at the chance when offered a place on the Aberglasney Bursary scheme.

"I have never been without a garden - even while renting in London.

"I belong to a family of enthusiastic gardeners, my great grandfather was an award-winning Coleus grower, and I was fortunate to go to a school that fostered my love of plants at a young age."

Freddy is one of the new students on the bursary schemeFreddy is one of the new students on the bursary scheme (Image: Aberglasney Gardens)

Mr Fuller, originally from Lancashire, has joined Aberglasney after completing his HBGTP qualification at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

He worked in an independent houseplant shop in Bristol for four years, which solidified his love for plants.

He also volunteered at Bristol Botanics in the glasshouses and gained his RHS Level 2 practical qualification.

Mr Fuller said: "Because my background is mostly in tropical plants, I’m really looking forward to working in Aberglasney’s Ninfarium.

"It’s such an amazing and unique space.

"The small amount of work I have done in there since I recently started has got me very excited for what is to come.

"I have dozens of houseplants and I am constantly rescuing and propagating more."

Aberglasney’s director of operations, Jim Stribling, said: "Our new students have just fitted right in with the gardening team already.

"Since our gardens are ever evolving, we are often able to provide students with unique and valuable opportunities to participate in significant landscape projects.

"I’m sure this year’s students will enjoy playing a part in making Aberglasney’s gardens special for our visitors to enjoy."

The bursary at Aberglasney is a 12-month funded training opportunity to work and learn about the historic and diverse gardens.

Students gain hands-on experience with the professional gardening team and are trained in all common UK garden tasks as well as more specialist subjects, including specialist bulb planting and a variety of propagation methods.

There is still one more place to fill for this year.

More details are available on the Aberglasney website.