Bunny Guinness

BBC Radio 4, 'Gardener's Question Time' panellist

Graduated in 1979

Landscape architect Bunny Guinness has designed private gardens for clients ranging from HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia to Sir Bob Geldof, but she is probably just as well known as a regular panellist on the long-running BBC Radio 4 programme 'Gardener's Question Time'.

Originally planning to study food science, she switched to horticultural science and then studied for a postgraduate diploma in Landscape Architecture at Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University) in 1979. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University in 2009.

She worked in private practice for a number of years before setting up her own firm in 1986, and has since gained a wealth of experience on landscaping projects including housing developments, pedestrian precincts, golf courses and public gardens. She has designed a total of nine show gardens, winning six golds, at the Chelsea Flower Show, including a gold for her first design – a 'Wind in the Willows' layout for children – in 1994.

While her design work remains the core business, Bunny has also featured in a number of TV series including ITV's 'Guinness in the Garden' and Channel 4's 'The Great Garden Challenge', and has contributed to many magazines and newspapers including the 'Sunday Telegraph', where she has written a column for about 12 years, 'BBC Gardeners' World' magazine and 'Gardens Illustrated', as well as being the author of several books on the subject.

Remembering her time at the University she said: