She started her writing career in the 1980s as a journalist contributing articles on the subject of gardening, in which she retains a strong interest.
[1][2] She is a long-standing member of the Devon Gardens Trust, in which organisation she plays an active role.
She lived for five years in a former gardener's cottage rented from the Tapeley Park estate in the parish of Westleigh, North Devon.
[2] Her historical works concentrate especially on the landed gentry of Devonshire and their mansions and estates, most notably Vanished Houses (1981 and 1997) and Devon Families (2002).
Lauder's articles published in the Journal of Devon Gardens Trust include: