A PROFESSIONAL gardener from Kington has won a prestigious National award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Rowan Griffiths, 33, works at Hergest Croft Gardens, in Ridgebourne Road, and is this year's recipient of the Roy Lancaster Award which is given to an individual under 35 who has achieved an exceptional contribution to the practice, science or promotion of horticulture.

Mr Griffiths was awarded the honour at a glittering ceremony which was recently held at the Royal Horticultural Society headquarters in London to recognise the Society's Peoples Awards for 2023.

In a touching message after the win, he said he owned a special debt of gratitude to Lawrence Banks of Hergest Croft Gardens.

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He managed the gardens since 1988 and lived at Ridgebourne with his wife, Elizabeth.

He had two sons, Edward and Richard, four grandchildren and three dogs, and was a banker and treasurer of the Royal Horticultural Society.

He added: "I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many true botanists over the years whose discipline and diligence to their specialised areas of expertise is astonishing.

"‘Plantsmanship’ which is perhaps more difficult to define, allows for the latitude of our curiosity as gardeners as we explore the historical, cultural, geographic, botanical, and any of the unexpected tangents that plants often stir in gardeners.

"I also owe a special debt of gratitude to Lawrence Banks of Hergest Croft Gardens, who passed away last year, who provided me with the opportunity and environment to grow my knowledge."

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Roy Lancaster, most widely known for his work on the long-running BBC TV programme Gardeners' World and the BBC Radio show Gardeners' Question Time,  presented Mr Griffiths with his award.

Mr Griffiths said: "It is a special honour to receive this award in Roy’s name, especially as he has been a source of knowledge and inspiration to me from the early days of my horticultural career.

"As a professional gardener, it is wonderful to be recognised for ‘plantsmanship’."