RHS Malvern Spring Festival
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Meet the Master Grower – W&S Lockyer

The family-run auricula, succulent and snowdrop nursery W&S Lockyer has been awarded the RHS Master Grower status for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Meet co-founder Simon Lockyer

What does it mean to you to be named RHS Master Grower?

This is such an exciting opportunity for us to share our passion and a heartwarming way to celebrate almost four decades of exhibiting at RHS Shows. This year, we’re bringing three displays featuring Primula auricula,

succulents and a colourful mix of perennials, from lupins to dahlias and foxgloves. We’ll also have a very special guest, my six-year-old, who is helping welcome visitors all week.

Where did it all start for W&S Lockyer?

When I was only 13, I remember spending my afternoons after school in the back garden with my dad William, growing auriculas and collecting snowdrops. Our simple hobby soon grew much bigger and in 1989, we held our first exhibition in London. A year later, W&S Lockyer was born. My dad passed away in 2016, but his passion continues to live in what my wife Louise and I do every day.

Louise and Simon Lockyer on the nursery
Propagating Aeonium with precision
Which plants best represent the nursery?

Auriculas were what first hooked my dad and me. Our collection grew so large we even had to spread into our neighbours’ garden. Today we count 3,500 cultivars. Snowdrops – another family passion – began in my nan’s front garden, and succulents became a bigger focus when Louise came along. She loves their endless shapes, textures and colours.

W & S Lockyer’s Auricula displays in clay pots are always popular
Your Auricula Theatres have quite a reputation. What makes them so special?

Instead of modern terracotta containers, our auriculas are displayed in original Victorian clay pots, which really makes them stand out. Plus, we always bring exciting varieties from our personal collection that you won’t find in garden centres. Rare cultivars for sale can be limited though, and on more than one occasion we’ve even seen visitors arguing over them. In those cases, there’s nothing we can do… they just have to fight it out!

Simon Lockyer reveals his top picks

The showstopper: Aeonium ‘Velour’ [Cristate form] is a fantastic conversation starter. You either love it or hate it – but it never goes unnoticed!

The grower’s fave: Primula auricula ‘Lockyer’s Gem’ holds sentimental value – it was the first plant Dad and I bred, in 1989.

The People’s Choice: Grey, green and striped auriculas are the crème de la crème. They don’t look real and are hard to find, so people quickly get addicted to them.

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How to grow cacti and succulents

How to grow cacti and succulents

Meet the speakers coming to the show

Meet the speakers coming to the show

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.