Julia Atkinson-Dunn

Influencer | Presenter | Writer | Speaker
Julia is a writer and artist based in Christchurch. After 12 years of independent publishing as New Zealand's first design blogger Studio Home, a turning point occurred with the purchase of her first home in her mid 30's. From here she tracked her adventure of learning to garden with her social media audience before taking up the invitation to write a regular column for Stuff, published online and in some of the country's premier regional papers including The Press, The Post and The Southland Times.

Driven to provide relatable and friendly advice for new gardeners with a focus on ornamental planting like herself, she photographed and wrote Petal Power, released in early 2021, followed by Flowers for Friends later that year. Her books have been a resounding success with huge popularity in New Zealand followed by Australia, UK and USA. In spring 2023 her most comprehensive book to date, A Guided Discovery of Gardening will be released in the southern hemisphere, followed by the northern in early 2024.

Her curiosity, friendly personality and natural inclination to share have paved the way for extensive interviewing and feature writing around gardening, leading to speaking and hosting opportunities and the launch of her own online gardening magazine Unearthed in June 2023.
Location - Christchurch

Full Biography

Credits
Writer
2021 - Petal Power - 12 plants with personality for garden and vase - Publisher - Koa Press
2021 - Flowers for Friends - Casual, seasonal arranging for gardeners - Publisher - Koa Press
2023 - A Guided Discovery of Gardening - Knowledge, creativity and joy unearthed - Publisher -Koa Press
2023 - Unearthed - membership-based online gardening magazine - Founder and editor
2020 - 2023 - Stuff gardening column - online and top regional newspapers

Presenter
2019 - The Magic of Gardening - Presenter - in collaboration with Garden Marlborough
2021 - Beginner Gardener Ambassador and Host - Grow Ōtautahi festival
2021, 2022 - Host and moderator - Guided talks at Hurunui Garden Festival
2021 - 2023 - Various Canterbury Garden Clubs, Canterbury Horticultural Society, A+P Shows and Rural Women's Dinner Clubs.
Training
N/A
Awards
N/A
Skills
Writing, Interviewing , Photography, Marketing, Project Strategy

Website