Lara Cowan

Botanic Shed

Founder of The Botanic Shed School of Nature and Landscape Management Business.

My work has been featured on BBC Gardener’s World podcast, in Good House Keeping magazine and I have recently been interviewed by the Telegraph.

Recently nominated ITV Woman of the Year and currently shortlisted for Great British Entrepreneur Family Business of the Year, I am all about the healing power of plants. Reeling from the pain of a life filled with trauma and one in particular leaving me with PTSD as a 22-year-old mum.

I began the healing process with Qi Gong and breathwork in 2002 and went on to find even greater peace in the woods and garden.

I hobbled along masking my symptoms and also those of ADHD until diagnosis by the NHS of both, aged 45 in 2024.

I set up my third business in 2015: The Botanic Shed, as a School of Nature in 2015 - it was originally a blog but is now providing me with everything I need, helping my team get what they need and I hope improving society in a small way.

The Botanic Shed also runs a Garden Vision and Landscape Management Company.

I trained in horticulture and design with Great Dixter and the RHS.

I give informal training in horticultural and design techniques to unqualified and qualified
gardeners and help people progress their careers.

I also employ people with autism to help them gain confidence to go on to study or work and run nature connection events in the community.

I previously founded and built Grenadine Escape Ltd a travel and property business which I operated for 20 years and partnered with Knight Frank International in sales, Then set up the London Inchquin Partners a London buying agency.

I live in West Berkshire with my husband and dog. My 26-year-old daughter works with me designing gardens in London and the Home Counties.