Meet Anna Krapivina - Head Gardener
Meet Anna Krapivina - Head Gardener
Anna Krapivina, Head Gardener at Weston Park, brings with her an inspiring journey from rural Latvia to one of England’s most historic estates. Raised on a farm where her connection to the land began early, Anna’s path has always been rooted in horticulture, even if she initially studied HR at university. Her enduring passion for gardening eventually led her to retrain at Hadlow College in Kent, where she completed RHS Level 1–3 Practical Horticulture.
Before joining Weston Park in April 2024, Anna built an impressive career working on estates and specialist restoration projects. She held senior gardening roles at estates including Brightling Down Farm and Templeton House in London, once the home of Winston Churchill, where she played a key role in a decade-long restoration of the gardens. Her work included the creation of new garden rooms, shrubberies, flower gardens, and a reflecting pool, combining hands-on expertise with a strong understanding of soil science, plant health, and long-term garden planning.
At Weston, Anna has stepped into the legacy of Martin Gee after his remarkable 55-year tenure, bringing a vision that is both respectful and forward-looking. She describes her approach as “introducing jazz and rock and roll to the classical music” – a way of energising the gardens while preserving their historic structure and character.
Anna’s gardening philosophy is deeply influenced by the legacy of Capability Brown. “It is important that we keep the canvas he created – the grand scale rolling landscape of hills and lakes. He gave us the structure. My role is to look after the ‘sprinklings on top’, the soft landscaping of beds and plants, and take them forward,” she explains.
Her passion lies in restoration, plant health, and developing new garden schemes that feel alive, evolving, and connected to place. She is especially focused on improving soil health and nutrition across the estate, particularly within the Walled Garden. Seasonal challenges are part of the job she embraces: “Everything is starting to grow, bloom and open at the same time. As soon as the temperature hits 10 degrees, the grass starts to grow, but the challenge is getting the mower on without damaging the ground, especially when some areas are still waterlogged. Some spaces we leave for wildlife and pollinators, which is just as important.”
One of Anna’s favourite places on the estate is Temple Wood, particularly in spring when rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom. Her favourite flower is the English Rose, a symbol of the traditional beauty she so carefully balances with modern sustainable practice.
Her vision for Weston includes exciting restoration projects, such as reviving the Conservatory in keeping with its 1930s character. “I would like to bring it back in keeping with its 1930s style – which means no plastic pots,” she says. “We’ve found old rustic terracotta pots with salt markings, and they are far better suited to the setting.”
Looking ahead, Anna is also leading the development of Weston Park’s own plant nursery, aiming to grow more from seed and reduce reliance on imported stock. This long-term approach not only strengthens sustainability but also helps preserve traditional varieties and reduces the estate’s carbon footprint. “It’s so easy to buy plants,” she says, “but growing our own means we are more sustainable and more connected to the land. We want to continue building Weston’s heritage and move towards greater self-sufficiency.”
She is also keen to expand production in the Walled Garden for Weston’s kitchens and reimagine key spaces such as the Orangery and Fuchsia House to create year-round impact.
For Anna, Weston’s gardens are not just spaces to maintain but living history – constantly evolving and shaped by her team’s careful stewardship. With her blend of restoration expertise, creative vision, and respect for heritage, she is helping lead Weston Park into an exciting new chapter.
Anna also hosts a series of popular Lunch with the Head Gardener events at Weston – where guests enjoy a tour of the Walled Garden, learn more about Anna’s plans for the future and enjoy a two-course lunch in the Granary Restaurant.
Lunch with the Head Gardener will take place on Wednesday 22nd April, Wednesday 24th June, Wednesday 16th September, Wednesday 11th November.