Vlogger, presenter, and gardener Lee Burkhill (Instagram/garden_ninja_lee)
Regardless of the time of year there’s always something to do in the garden, and we look to gay Garden Rescue star Lee Burkhill for help and inspiration. Plus, he’s a vocal ally to the trans community.
The green-fingered TV presenter and landscape designer has appeared on the popular BBC series alongside Charlie Dimmock since 2021 and has become a fan favourite in that time.
A private man, Lee likes to show off his gardening skills as well as tips and tricks off air as well on social media.
Here’s everything we know about the garden designer.
He’s always been a gardener
Well before he debuted on our screens with Garden Rescue Lee has had a feel for all things green. He told Sitting Spiritually that he’s loved gardening since his childhood. “The garden has always been my sanctuary to leave the world behind,” he added.
He used to work in IT
Before turning to gardening full-time in 2016, Lee actually worked in IT for 12 years. However, it was his husband who was “the spark” that pushed Lee to turn the computer off and pick ups his gardening gloves professionally.
Lee has his own gardening YouTube channel
Lee, who studied Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society at Edinburgh Botanical gardens, operates on the platform under the name ‘The Garden Ninja’. He currently boasts more than 69,000 subscribers and still posts videos ranging from colour in garden design, planting bulbs, and much more.
He got the name ‘the Garden Ninja’ from a client
Lee has also shared that his moniker came from one of his first clients who described him as a “ninja” after he fixed their garden. The name stuck.
He has one golden rule when it comes to garden design
And that is to start with bearing in mind the function of the garden. He told Sitting Spiritually that “A design could look gorgeous but if the client is not going to use it or engage with the garden, they won’t get the benefit.”
He is an award winning designer
Among the accolades Lee has collected are Chelsea Flower Show Director Generals Trade Stand Award 2018, Garden Media Guild New Talent 2017 Finalist, and RHS & BBC Feel Good Gardens Winner 2016.
His favourite gardens are…
The gardener is a big fan of the formal gardens of Marqueyssac in France which he’s described as “a feast for the eyes” thanks to its mountainous setting and use of geometric sets around the châteaux. He also loves the “breathtaking” Benmore Botanic gardens in Scotland.
Lee likes to keep things private
He doesn’t share much of his personal life, including his husband, on social media, which we have a lot of respect for.
Lee Burkhill is a vocal trans ally
Despite liking his privacy Lee has referenced the bullying he experienced at school. In touching on the homophobic abuse he has had from online trolls he stood in solidarity with trans people, recognising he was getting “a micro dose” of the abuse directed at the trans community.
He tweeted to his followers in 2019: “Starting to appreciate a microdose of what trans people must endure from some erroneous yet vicious online #trolls.
“Reminds me of being bullied as a teen for being gay. So today I want to raise a golden trowel to all #LGBTQoftwitter to all stand strong! #TransIsBeautiful”.
He loves to travel
A keen traveller, Lee’s idea of a great holiday is some time with his husband and their dog in their motorhome. He’s also gets inspired from his travels.
He has Type 1 Diabetes
Lee was 16 when he was diagnosed. He said it “threw my social life and school studies into chaos” but that things are better now.
He’s a fan of Tarot
One thing we can gleam from Lee’s social media, besides his green-fingered skills, is his love of tarot. He often posts readings and cards as well as what they mean.
Lee Burkhill has two dogs
Lee and his husband currently own two border terriers named Barry and Percy.
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