The ceremony, held at the RHS Lindley Hall in London, saw the presentation of the RHS’s highest honours: the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH).
Recipients of the Victoria Medal of Honour (VHM), which recognises those British horticulturists deserving of special honour by the Society. At any time, only 63 VMHs are held, reflecting the length of Queen Victoria’s reign –
- Chris Baines – landscape gardener, teacher and ecologist who created the first wildlife garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1985 and whose best-selling book How to make a wildlife garden is now 40 years in print.
- Philip McMillan Browse – during his long career in horticulture Philip has held positions as Director of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in California, Director of RHS Wisley and joint Horticultural Director to the Eden Project
- Linda Philips - one of the foremost pioneers in therapeutic and community gardening, and the founder and driving force behind the Lambeth Charity ‘Roots and Shoots’, introducing thousands of people in Lambeth and beyond to gardens and gardening.
- David Rae - spent his career at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, becoming their Director of Horticulture and founded and edited Sibbaldia – the International Journal of Botanical Horticulture.
- Jennifer Trehane - an acclaimed world authority on the genus ‘Camellia’ and has spent much of her working life making an outstanding contribution to the knowledge and understanding of its cultivation.
Recipients of the Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH), which was established in 2023 and recognises international horticulturists and UK non-horticulturists that have significantly impacted the advancement of the science, art or practice of horticulture for the benefit of all generations and the environment. At any time only 70 EMHs are held, reflecting the length of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign -
- Robert Bartlett Jr – the CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts has created a vast arboretum with over 26,000 accessioned plants from around the world which is used as research ground for the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory
- Andrew Fisher Tomlin - has brought horticultural excellence to garden design and educational innovation and has helped shape the next generation through his founding of the London College of Garden Design
- Henrik Sjoman - senior researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Scientific Curator at Gothenburg Botanical Garden whose work focuses on woody plants and their use, management and planting in gardens and urban areas
- Bill Thomas - a visionary leader of Chanticleer Garden who throughout his career has elevated horticultural excellence, inspired global garden design, nurtured plant diversity and fostered public engagement
- Christopher Woodward – since joining in 2007 has transformed the Garden Museum into an important centre of learning, education and the arts in the horticultural world which is open to all, even swimming from Newlyn to Tresco during covid to raise well over £500,000
- Peter Wyse Jackson – who has given outstanding service to botanic garden management, plant conservation, framing of international conservation strategies and leadership of Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Missouri Botanical Gardens
Tim Upson, RHS Director of Gardens and Horticulture, said: “A huge congratulations to all recipients of this year’s RHS People Awards, each of whom has made an invaluable impact on horticulture through their passionate dedication and expertise. From the creation of world-class gardens and research centres to wildlife gardening and horticulture for health and wellbeing, this year’s recipients have broadened access to horticulture and strengthened education and sustainable practice across the sector.”
The RHS People Awards also granted the following prizes:
The Associate of Honour - one of the Society's highest awards, awarded to persons of British nationality who have rendered distinguished service to the practice of horticulture during the course of their working career. This went to
Debs Goodenough,
David Jewell,
Christine Lavelle,
Sara Rittershausen,
Robert Vernon and
Mark Wasilewski
The Veitch Memorial Medal - for persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture, this was awarded to
Kevin Belcher,
Gary Firth,
Andrew Gaunt,
Lynden B Miller,
Roger Parsons and
Abraham Rammeloo
The Reginald Cory Memorial Cup - for a raiser whose hybridisation programme has resulted in the recent introduction and availability of new hybrids of merit, this was awarded to
John Valin
The Harlow Carr Medal - awarded for life to those who have made a significant contribution to horticulture in the North of England, through length of service, commitment to projects or unique capabilities, combined with reliability and professionalism. The 2026 medal went to
Roger Burnett.
The Roy Lancaster award - open to anyone under the age of 35 on the date of nomination who has achieved an exceptional contribution to the practice, science or promotion of horticulture, this was awarded to
Bertie Swainston
The Carew Pole Community Award - awarded to anyone in the UK who has made an outstanding contribution to a community gardening programme over a period of time, including community gardens, orchards, urban and rural programmes that bring value to the wider community in which they are based. This year’s award goes to
Maggie Haynes and
Sue Roe
For a full list of other awards presented at the ceremony, including the first-time Gold medal marquee winners from 2025 Shows, please visit: www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/our-people/rhs-awards
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