Dominica-born, Curtis Blondel is a well-known landscaper who works and resides in England.
Blondel currently lives in Enfield, North London and has been there for 8 years . He was born in Roseau, Dominica and spent his formative years in Colihaut. When he was a few months old, his parents left him in Dominica in the care of his grandmother so they could work in England. When he was seven years old, Blondel left Dominica to join his parents. His father passed away in 2013.
Blondel’s work includes the following services: garden/landscape designs, training in gardening techniques, renovation, landscaping advice, maintenance and planting schemes.
“I’ve worked in horticulture since the age of 10. In the early years work was mostly general maintenance of friend’s gardens” Blondel revealed during an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO). “I spent most of my schooling in London.”
After sixth form, Blondel was employed by a local authority in England to maintain and develop parks and recreational areas and during that time, he attended horticultural college and studied for 3 years.
“I also worked for a housing association. I was a spokesperson for Trees for Cities, informing local residents about the importance of trees and encouraging planting and care. I was offered work at the Eden Project , Cornwall, UK…to develop the humid tropics biome collection.”
Blondel also worked as a part time lecturer in a college of further and Higher education. With help from volunteers, he also developed a project to help local elderly and disabled residents to renovate their outdoor spaces and was interviewed by the BBC regarding that project.
“Since 2012, I have been self-employed, developing my business year after year. I have had a number of assistants helping me with landscaping projects, but the majority of the work is by myself,” he stated.
His largest project to date is designing and installing a memorial garden in Central London.
He expressed how “extremely rewarding” the “very challenging” experience was after it completion.
“Since then, I have expanded my business. Most of my clients have gardens surrounding their homes, but I have also helped to improve the outdoor aesthetics office buildings, and planted gardens for estate agents to make them look more attractive to buyers,” the horticulturist stated.
He said some clients prefer to do the physical work themselves, so he assists them by teaching the practicalities like assessing soil type, aspect, plant choice, planting and aftercare.
In the past two years plus, Blondel has focused more on design and renovation because according to him, they bring him and clients the most satisfaction.
“My most recent introduction to the list of services offered is Nature Immersion which helps people reconnect with nature, themselves and others,” he noted.
It would be nice if Mr Blondel could be contracted to augment the Botanic Gardens.
Great job I am a landscaper myself living in Dominica, but got my skills when I was living in St Maarten
When Curtis Blondel’s award winning Mary Seacole Commemorative Garden was featured on this news site five years ago I commented as follows:
This is something to be really proud of. As a fellow artist, I am really impressed. These are the world-class projects and world class Dominicans that we need right here in Dominica. I suggest that the government commission Curtis Blondel to contribute his talents to the “re-birth” of Roseau. He could start by re-thinking the River Promenade Project and taking beyond the earlier lack-luster designs. At the same time his presence would be an inspiration to youth.
In response Curtis Blondel stated:
I would love an opportunity to inspire others and add more beauty and creativity to the Nature Island.
The fact that that hasn’t happened, speaks volumes of our disregard for first-class home grown talent against the second rate from Dubai and elsewhere.