Forum at Leaf. Ian Thwaites. Cacti and Succulents.

Leaf Creative Gardening Forum is a series of monthly talks from experts in their fields. Subjects range from Garden Design to Specimens and Sculpture plus more. This Forum is a chance for creative, like minded individuals to gather and learn about and discuss their fields of interest.

Ian has been growing plants all his life and has a particular interest in Cacti and Succulents.  A past Chairman of the British Cactus and Succulent Society, Ian is also a qualified Cactus and Succulent Judge and has for many years officiated at shows and conventions.  Ian has travelled extensively looking for plants in their natural habitat and has visited South Africa, Namibia, Canary Islands, Madagascar, The Caribbean, Mexico and Chile and has been involved in the discovery of new species.  Ian is an elected member of the International Organisation for Succulent Plant Study (IOS) and through this organisation has travelled with some of the eminent botanists in this field and participated in their scientific research.

Ian is also a professional plant and garden photographer and is a committee member of the Garden Media Guild.