Fiona Eadie grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand and has a BSc in Botany from Otago University. She first spent four years in Auckland undertaking native forest research with the Forest Service and then DOC, then a few years managing a delicatessen and eleven years managing the famous Oratia Native Plant Nursery. In 2001 Fiona headed back to her beloved South Island and Dunedin, and for the past 12 years has been head gardener at Larnach Castle, with its internationally renowned gardens. She also teaches horticultural apprentices throughout New Zealand and has a regular column in Commercial Horticulture magazine, where she teaches readers about the wonders of plants, plus a gardening slot on on Radio Live. As she says, "I love plants, and within plants, my largest passion is with New Zealand natives."