Michael Mitchell started Slack Top Alpine Nursery on leaving Askham Bryan Horticultural College in 1986 and now has thirty-five years' experience in the propagation and cultivation of alpine and woodland plants. Michael has taught alpine courses for the Royal Horticultural Society at their garden in Harrogate for several years. Michael and his wife Allison started exhibiting their alpine plants at several of the major UK flower shows in 2006 and have since won seven gold medals.