David Stuart earned his doctorate at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, and went on to a career in horticulture and landscape design. He was curator of Longstock Park Gardens for 14 years, during which period it held the national collection of Buddleja, a plant that he first grew to screen tennis courts. He now works as an independent horticultural consultant. He has judged shows for the Royal Horticultural Society and is a committee member and council member of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens.