Ornamental Grower Of The Year 2022
In 2022, we launched our search to find the UK’s best ornamental growers. The Ornamental Grower of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate best practices in sustainable ornamental production.
Nominated by themselves, their customers or their suppliers, grower members must be able to demonstrate their commitment to the environment through a publicised plan, and must be working towards a target such as Co2 reduction, peat-removal, or water resilience.
Here are the results of this year's competition!
Martin Simmons, HTA Director of Membership, said, “These awards will acknowledge the hard work and outstanding creativity of ornamental growers across the country. They are also a token of appreciation for the vital work that ornamental growers are doing to help the country meet its environmental and net-zero targets.
“It is incredibly exciting to have this opportunity to recognise their contribution to horticulture and find some of the UK’s best ornamental growers.”
Finished Plant Grower Winner - Allensmore Nurseries!
Nominations commented that Allensmore supplies the best quality perennials in the trade, with top quality service, great knowledge of the industry and current trends in retail. Stock is sent in peak condition resulting in a fast turnover on the benches, and innovative ranges help retailers extend the season. Staff are always friendly and helpful and the company ethos to improve environmental performance was noted with the nursery being run efficiently and sustainably.
Best Young Plants Grower - Ball Colegrave
Ball Colegrave was noted as providing excellent quality and a diverse range, an excellent ordering and growing systems leading to reliability in delivery and confidence in scheduling production. “A delight to work with”.
Best Inspirational Business 2022 - Palmstead Nurseries!
With a focus on sustainability, Palmstead is moving towards peat free production by 2024. It has reduced its carbon footprint by 75%, increased water harvesting to become self sufficient in water use whilst protecting the local biodiversity, planting wildflowers around reservoirs and working closely with a local bee charity. Production is done mostly in-house from propagation to finishing; several trials are underway looking at LED lighting and an innovative vertical production system to make better use of the limited space and “plant need “resources available, lessening the environmental impact during production. (4th from left)
Best Young Grower 2022 - Eliot Bardon of Majestic Trees
Eliot has achieved a Distinction in the Kew Diploma and the RHS Level 2 & 3. He has excellent knowledge and great customer service skills. Taking on responsibility for the AfterCare programme, the management of the P&D programme and Training & Development programme he was promoted to the management team. “His horticultural knowledge is second to none and his passion and dedication to the industry is inspiring. His practical approach is both ethical and forward thinking, always bearing in mind the health of the plant as well as the environment, but what really captures you is his future outlook and his ability to put in perspective the challenges ahead to promote, love, create and dream about plant production in the UK”. (3rd from left)
Best Staff Member 2022 - Gareth Edwards, New Leaf Plants
Gareth has worked for New Leaf Plants since he was 13 years old as a Saturday job, he has progressed within the business, working in every corner of it to the position of Production Manager. Gareth is the heart and soul of New Leaf, from his knowledge and understanding of growing, to his staff management and ability to see the wider picture. He builds great relationships with staff members and is constantly looking at how the nursery can improve. A true horticulturist.
A panel of four judges then reviewed the entries over the summer and narrowed these down to a ‘highly commended’ and a winner in each category. The winners of the business awards and the best Young Grower will be automatically entered into the International Grower of the Year awards, hosted by AIPH (Association of International Horticultural Producers), with the best in global horticulture being announced at IPM, Essen next year.
Our panel included
Alan Down
Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the AIPH
Martin Cowell, Cowell's Garden Centre
Andrew Wilson, Technical Manager at ICL
Highly Commended awards were also handed out to:
New Leaf Plants - Finished Plants Grower
New Leaf is a family business that has a reputation for quality and focuses on sustainability including peat reduction (majority of plants will be grown in peat free by 2025), it has reduced chemical usage to almost zero, waters only with harvested rainwater, is investing in electric tractors, sales and delivery vehicles.
Allensmore Nurseries and Majestic Trees - Inspirational Businesses
About Majestic Trees, one nomination commented, “Majestic has the largest variety of stock of the highest quality”. A dedicated and passionate team, it has achieved Investors in People ‘Gold’ award, and has invested in R&D on pesticide reduction, is moving towards peat-free, and rainwater harvesting, and is Plant Healthy Certified!
Mollie Higginson of New Leaf Plants - Young Grower
One nomination commented: “An incredible young woman who gives me faith that the UK horticulture industry is in strong hands”. A founding member of the Young People in Horticulture Association she works tirelessly outside of her working day to bring together the industry's young people to collaborate, share, learn and grow. Her dedication is admirable but she does it all with a smile on her face.
Maria Bengsston, Majestic Trees - Best Staff Member
Maria has been with Majestic Trees for 10 years and is a fountain of knowledge. Holding an RHS Masters in Horticulture with distinction, she is the ‘pruning queen’ of Majestic Trees with over 12,000 trees under her care. A team manager with a combination of practical and computer skills makes her perfect for her role as Pruning and Stock Control Manager. She has dealt with the challenges of Brexit and the import of stock and new administration requirements with ease and is passionate about sustainability and plant health.