Interested in botany from her youth, she studied at the Thanet Art School and attended drawing classes at the Chelsea Polytechnic.

[7] Her work drew the attention of Sir Edward Sailsbury, the director of Kew, who brought her to a publisher.

[5] The series was issued as a set of inexpensive paperbacks retailing initially for 6 shillings,[9] a departure from similar books for professionals and wealthy amateurs.

The series eventually grew to 31 parts, taking until 1973 to complete and containing over 1300 lithographic plates.

[10] She was married to the botanist, her colleague Joseph Robert Sealy,[15] whom she first met at Chelsea Polytechnic.