1 day Ago By [email protected] (Fionn Burrows)
A local plant expert has been honoured with a prestigious award by the Royal Horticultural Society. At an event in Sussex at the end of March, Dr Andrew Ward, of Norwell Nurseries, was presented with the RHS Alan Bloom Award in recognition of his “significant personal achievements relating to herbaceous plants”. Specialising in rare and unique plants, Andrew estimates he has given over 1,500 lectures about the subject up and down the country, sharing his three decades worth of gardening expertise.
The award is named after the well-known gardener Alan Bloom, who was an innovator in the world of horticulture and introduced over 170 new plants during his lifetime. As the latest recipient of the award, Andrew joins a prestigious group of plant experts, something he was very proud about while still trying to process the news. “To begin with I was absolutely flabbergasted,” he said.
“I knew absolutely nothing — you are nominated and then there is a secret committee which decides the winner. “The first I heard was when I was contacted by the society asking if I’d like the accept — which of course, I was delighted about.” He added: “ In the gardening world Alan Bloom was an absolute giant.
“He set up the Royal Horticultural Society and the Hardy Plant Society, and was quite well known for his television appearances too. “I’m very humbled to have received this award.” Andrew set up the plant nursery in Norwell 32 years ago alongside his wife Helen, who he shares his success with.
“It has absolutely been a joint project,” said Andrew. “I couldn’t have done it without her, and I was so glad to have her by my side when I was presented with the trophy.” Norwell Nurseries and Gardens attracted visitors from across the country with their unique selection of plants which sets them apart from a regular garden centre.
“We’re quite niche. We don’t do gnomes or Yankee candles. We’re all about plants,” he said.
Over the years the nurseries have been featured in national gardening magazines and even BBC 2’s Gardeners World programme..
