News
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The Women Who Shaped Landscaping and Interior Green Spaces Tuesday, 03 March 2026
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Cultivating a Career in Interior Landscaping Tuesday, 03 March 2026
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A Silver Milestone: Celebrating 25 Years of plants@work at Provender Nurseries Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Valentine’s Day – the love of plants Friday, 13 February 2026
plants@work
‘Wish You Were Here’ – A Theme That Made Us Stop and Notice
As the excitement of National plants@work Week 2025 settles, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the campaign’s installation — the riverside postcard scene that formed the heart of this year’s theme: ‘Wish You Were Here’.
To delve deeper into the creative thinking behind this imaginative installation, we sat down with Ian Drummond, plants@work Ambassador and long-time creative force behind NPWW. Ian has played a key role in developing the themes since the very beginning of the campaign in 2013. His vision for this year’s campaign—a striking riverside desk scene—was both playful and purposeful.
Why did you choose a postcard theme with the classic ‘Wish you were here’ message?
“As a PR stunt, the unreality of the situation enhances the appeal. People are more likely to take notice if it’s unrealistic — if it stands out. So a working office desk by the river fulfils those opportunities and makes people sit up and notice.”
And of course, setting up an office desk on the banks of the River Thames in Windsor certainly made people look twice! It’s not exactly practical to work by a riverbank. What was your goal in suggesting this unusual concept?
“The more unrealistic, the more people will take notice and ask questions – well, that’s the plan! This allows our members — hopefully — to explain the benefits of a plant-filled office or space to work in. We can promote the many advantages of having plants around you in an office environment — from softening noise and improving air quality, to boosting productivity, encouraging creativity, reducing stress levels, and more.”
What legacy do you hope this installation leaves? Do you see this theme influencing how offices incorporate plants going forward?
”The ‘Wish You Were Here’ theme invited businesses, designers, and the public to imagine their own green escapes within everyday working environments. Whether that’s planting up their own desk or creating a breakout area filled with greenery, the goal is to encourage people to enjoy the many benefits that plants and nature offer us.”
Ian Drummond is a well-known figure in the interior landscaping industry, with a career spanning over 30 years dedicated to transforming spaces with plants. As a former Creative Director of Indoor Garden Design, now ID Botanical Designs, and long-time plants@work Ambassador, Ian’s work blends horticultural expertise with bold, imaginative design. Over the years, he has created standout plant installations for clients such as Harrods, Claridge’s, The British Fashion Council, and RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and has collaborated with leading design studios, architects, and global brands. Guided by his core belief—“Follow your instincts—they will never let you down” It’s this belief that allows Ian to embrace bold, imaginative, and often surreal design concepts that command attention—and open meaningful dialogue around workplace wellbeing and biophilic design.
The successful Windsor installation was brought to life by plants@work committee members: Ian Drummond of Botanical Designs and plants@work Ambassador; Steve Dieppe, MD of phs Greenleaf; Shirley Smith, Director of Botanica Nurseries, and Craig Edser, Regional Manager at Nurture Landscapes Ltd, with digital content captured by Sam Jones, Marketing and Social Media Manager at phs Greenleaf, and postcard and GIFs designed by Joanna Hargreaves. Their creative and collaborative efforts reminded us that even in the most unexpected places, plants have the power to transform, inspire, and calm.
If you missed it, you can still view the campaign highlights and get involved by creating your own #WishYouWereHere office. Let’s continue promoting the value of plants at work — not just for a week, but all year round.