The Chartered Institute of Horticulture has unveiled the 2021 Young Horticulturist of the Year at the grand final award ceremony, which took place at the beginning of September at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s site Logan Botanic Garden.
The winner, Tim Stafford, is a third-year student on the Kew Diploma in Horticulture. He has completed his apprenticeship NVQ Level 2 in Work-Based Horticulture, working at Heckfield Place and studying at Sparsholt College, Hampshire.
Following his graduation from Kew, Mr Stafford will be starting a new job in a private garden in Cheshire.
As the winner of this year’s competition, he receives the £2,500 travel Bursary provided by the Percy Thrower Trust, which he will be able to use to fund a horticultural trip to anywhere in the world.
Second place went to David Pearce, (West Midlands & South Wales) who is the Head Gardener at Whatley Manor Hotel which has an emphasis on ecological and sustainability horticulture. Third place went to Cailean Stewart, (Northern) who is a gardener at Nunnington Hall, and about to take up a new position at RHS Harlow Carr.
Picture caption: Tim Stafford