RHS Expert Group Annual Awards

Sir Daniel Hall was a renowned tulip breeder and author. Daniel was a member of the RHS Narcissus and Tulip Committee for many years and served on the Classification Committee responsible for producing the first lists of tulip names and their classification. Some of his tulip introductions still exist today. This award in his name is presented by the RHS Bulb Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement with bulbs and related plants.

George Lockie was one of the great figures in post-war British horticulture. He was a longstanding member of the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee and was awarded the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2004, the year before his death. This award is presented by the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement relating to fruit, vegetables or herbs.

The name of Alan Bloom became synonymous with Bressingham, the garden he created by expanding the family nursery in Norfolk. He introduced over 170 new plants during his lifetime. Alan was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1971 and was made an MBE in 1997. The Alan Bloom award is presented by the RHS Herbaceous Plant Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement relating to herbaceous perennials and hardy annuals.

After running a nursery for some years, Jim Archibald travelled the world collecting specimens and seeds. His annual seed lists offered a range of unusual and rare plants, and their introductions were always erudite, well informed and witty. This award in his name is presented by the RHS Alpine and Rock Garden Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement relating to rock garden and alpine plants.

Established from a fund presented to the RHS in 1960 by H G Alexander in commemoration of the orchid collection at Westonbirt, the Westonbirt Orchid Medal is presented by the RHS Orchid Expert Group in recognition of outstanding scientific, literary or other personal achievement in connection with orchids.

Maurice Mason was originally a farmer who came to horticultural prominence for his plant collecting and his glasshouses – at one time he had 18 of them. In the 20th century, he was the single most important promoter of the exotic glasshouse collections in Britain. The Maurice Mason Award is presented by the RHS Tender Ornamental Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement relating to ornamental plants generally considered to be tender in the UK.

Sir Harold Hillier was a prominent horticulturalist who served as Vice President of the RHS from 1974 and was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour and was knighted in 1983 for his services to horticulture. Harold Hillier’s remarkable collection, the Hillier Arboretum near Romsey, was assembled over many years to bring together the most comprehensive collection of trees, shrubs and hardy plants in the UK. The Harold Hillier Award is presented by the RHS Woody Expert Group in recognition of significant personal achievement relating to hardy trees and shrubs.