The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

whom the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...

Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society. The award was established in 1897 "in perpetual remembrance of Her Majesty's glorious reign, and to enable the Council to confer honour on British horticulturists." The Society's rules state that only sixty-three horticulturists can hold the VMH at any given time, in commemoration of the sixty-three years of

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...

's reign. Therefore, the honour is not awarded every year, but may be made to multiple recipients in other years.

Awards

1897 – The first 60 medallists

The first 60 medals were awarded on 26 October 1897: *

John Gilbert Baker John Gilbert Baker (13 January 1834 – 16 August 1920) was an English botanist. His son was the botanist Edmund Gilbert Baker (1864–1949). Biography Baker was born in Guisborough in North Yorkshire, the son of John and Mary (née Gilber ...

(1834–1920) *

Isaac Bayley Balfour Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour, KBE, FRS, FRSE (31 March 1853 – 30 November 1922) was a Scottish botanist. He was Regius Professor of Botany at the University of Glasgow from 1879 to 1885, Sherardian Professor of Botany at the University of Oxfor ...

(1853–1922) * Peter Barr (1826–1909) *

Archibald F Barron Archibald is a masculine given name, composed of the Germanic elements '' erchan'' (with an original meaning of "genuine" or "precious") and ''bald'' meaning "bold". Medieval forms include Old High German and Anglo-Saxon . Erkanbald, bishop o ...

(1835–1903) *

Edward John Beale Edward is an English given name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortune; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”. History The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-Sax ...

(1835–1902) *

William Boxall Sir William Boxall (29 June 1800 – 6 December 1879) was an English painter and museum director. Early life and education He was born at Oxford on 29 June 1800, and baptised 29 July at St Michael's Church, Oxford, to Thomas Boxall (d. 1847) ...

(1844–1910) * William Bull (1828–1902) *

George Bunyard George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...

(1841–1919) *

Frederick William Burbidge Frederick William Thomas Burbidge (1847–1905) was a British explorer who collected many rare tropical plants for the famous Veitch Nurseries. Biography Burbidge was born at Wymeswold, Leicestershire, on 21 March 1847, was son of Thomas Burbid ...

(1847–1905) * William Crump (1843–1932) * Richard Dean (1830–1905) *

George A Dickson George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd President ...

(c1835 – 1909) * Henry Honeywood D'ombrain (1818–1905) *

Charles Thomas Druery Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

(1843–1917) *

Malcolm Dunn Malcolm, Malcom, Máel Coluim, or Maol Choluim may refer to: People * Malcolm (given name), includes a list of people and fictional characters * Clan Malcolm * Maol Choluim de Innerpeffray, 14th-century bishop-elect of Dunkeld Nobility * Máel C ...

(1837–1899) *

Henry Nicholson Ellacombe Henry Nicholson Ellacombe (1822–1916) was a British plantsman and author on botany and gardening. Life Ellacombe, the son of Henry Thomas Ellacombe, was born at Bitton, Gloucestershire in 1822. He attended Bath Grammar School and Oriel Colleg ...

(1822–1916) *

Henry John Elwes Henry John Elwes, FRS (16 May 1846 – 26 November 1922) was a British botanist, entomologist, author, lepidopterist, collector and traveller who became renowned for collecting specimens of lilies during trips to the Himalaya and Korea. He wa ...

(1846–1922) * Michael Foster (1836–1907) *

John Fraser John Fraser may refer to: Politics *John Simon Frederick Fraser (1765–1803), commanded the Fraser Fencibles in Ireland and was (M.P.) for Inverness-shire *John James Fraser (1829–1896), 5th Premier of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, 18 ...

(1821–1900) *

Paul George Paul Clifton Anthony George (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "PG-13", he is a seven-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of th ...

(1841–1921) * George Gordon (1841–1914) *John Heal (c1841 – 1925) *

George Henslow George Henslow (23 March 1835, Cambridge, UK – 30 December 1925, Bournemouth) was an Anglican curate, botanist and author. Henslow was notable for being a defender of Lamarckian evolution. Biography The third son of Rev. John Stevens Henslow, ...

(1835–1925) *

Hermann Carl Gottlieb Herbst Hermann or Herrmann may refer to: * Hermann (name), list of people with this name * Arminius, chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe in the 1st century, known as Hermann in the German language * Éditions Hermann, French publisher * Hermann, Miss ...

(c1830 – 1904) *

Samuel Reynolds Hole Samuel Reynolds Hole (5 December 1819 – 27 August 1904) was an English Anglican priest, author and horticulturalist in the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th. Life Hole was born at Ardwick near Manchester the only son of Samue ...

(1819–1904) *

Joseph Dalton Hooker Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (30 June 1817 – 10 December 1911) was a British botanist and explorer in the 19th century. He was a founder of geographical botany and Charles Darwin's closest friend. For twenty years he served as director of t ...

(1817–1911) *

Francis Daltry Horner Francis may refer to: People *Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome *Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Francis (surname) Places *Rural Mu ...

(c1838 – 1912) * James Hudson (1846–1932) *

Gertrude Jekyll Gertrude Jekyll ( ; 29 November 1843 – 8 December 1932) was a British horticulturist, garden designer, craftswoman, photographer, writer and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, and wrote ...

(1843–1932) * Peter Edmund Kay (1853–1909) * John Laing (1823–1900) *

Charles Maries Charles Maries (18 December 1851 – 11 October 1902) was an English botanist and plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London to search for new hardy plants in Japan, China and Taiwan between 1877 and 1879; there he dis ...

(1851–1902) *James McIndoe (1836–1910) *

Henry Ernest Milner Henry Ernest Milner (18 April 1845 – 10 March 1906) was an English civil engineer and landscape architect. Personal life He was the son of landscape architect Edward Milner and his wife, Elizabeth Mary Kelly, who had eleven children, of whom ...

(1845–1906) *

Edwin Molyneux The name Edwin means "rich friend". It comes from the Old English elements "ead" (rich, blessed) and "ƿine" (friend). The original Anglo-Saxon form is Eadƿine, which is also found for Anglo-Saxon figures. People * Edwin of Northumbria (died ...

(1851–1921) * George Monro (c1847 – 1920) * Fredrick William Moore (1857–1949) *

Daniel Morris Daniel Morris (January 4, 1812 – April 22, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from New York during the American Civil War. Biography Morris was born in Fayette, New York on January 4, 1812. He attended the public schools and the Canandaigua ...

(1844–1933) * George Nicholson (1847–1908) * James O'Brien (1842–1930) * William Paul (1822–1905) *

T Francis Rivers T, or t, is the twentieth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''tee'' (pronounced ), plural ''tees''. It is deri ...

(1831–1899) *

Lionel Walter Rothschild Lionel Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, Baron de Rothschild, (8 February 1868 – 27 August 1937) was a British banker, politician, zoologist and soldier, who was a member of the Rothschild family. As a Zionist leader, he was present ...

(1868–1937) *

Frederick Sander Frederick may refer to: People * Frederick (given name), the name Nobility Anhalt-Harzgerode *Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670) Austria * Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria from 1195 to 1198 * Frederick ...

(1847–1920) *

Henry Schröder Henry may refer to: People *Henry (given name) *Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...

(1824–1910) *

John Seden John Seden (1840–1921) was a hybrid (biology), hybridist and horticulturist best known for the hybrids he created while in the employment of Veitch Nurseries. He was trained in hybridizing by John Dominy in 1861. In 1873 he began hybridizing tube ...

(1840–1921) * Nathaniel Newman Sherwood (1846–1916) * James Smith (1837–1903) * Martin Ridley Smith ( – 1908) *

Walter Speed Walter may refer to: People * Walter (name), both a surname and a given name * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968) * Gunther (wrestler), Austrian professional wrestler and trainer Walter Hahn (born 19 ...

(c1835 – 1921) Head Gardener at Penrhyn Castle, Wales * Arthur Warwick Sutton (1854–1925) * Owen Thomas (1843–1923) * William Thompson (1823–1903) * David Thomson (1823–1909) * Harry Turner (c1848 – 1906) *

Ellen Willmott Ellen Ann Willmott (19 August 1858 – 27 September 1934) was an English horticulturist. She was an influential member of the Royal Horticultural Society, and a recipient of the first Victoria Medal of Honour, awarded to British horticulturists ...

(1858–1934) *

George Fergusson Wilson George Fergusson Wilson (25 March 1822 – 28 March 1902) was an English industrial chemist. Life Born at Wandsworth Common on 25 March 1822, he was the sixth son in a family of thirteen children of William Wilson, at one time a merchant in Russia ...

(1822–1902) * Charles Wolley-Dod (1826–1904) * John Wright (1836–1916) *

George Wythes George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Preside ...

(1851–1916)

1900–1909

*1900 **George Herbert Engleheart (1851–1936) breeder of daffodils **

Trevor Lawrence William Trevor Lawrence (born October 6, 1999) is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Considered among the highest-touted college football prospects, he won the 2019 National C ...

(1831–1913), President of the Royal Horticultural Society 1885 to 1913 *1901 **

George King George King may refer to: Politics * George King (Australian politician) (1814–1894), New South Wales and Queensland politician * George King, 3rd Earl of Kingston (1771–1839), Irish nobleman and MP for County Roscommon * George Clift King (184 ...

(1840–1909) **

Eleanor Ormerod Eleanor Anne Ormerod (11 May 182819 July 1901) was a pioneer English entomologist. Based on her studies in agriculture, she became one of the first to define the field of agricultural entomology. She published an influential series of articles on ...

*1902 **

Mordecai Cubitt Cooke Mordecai Cubitt Cooke (12 July 1825, in Horning, Norfolk – 12 November 1914, in Southsea, Hampshire) was an English botanist and mycologist who was, at various points, a London schoolteacher, a Kew mycologist, curator at the India Museum, jour ...

(1825–1914), Mycologist *1903 **Thomas Smith, Daisy Hill Nursery *1904 **

Edward Mawley Edward Mawley (14 May 1842 – 15 September 1916) was an English meteorologist and horticulturalist. Educated at the South Kensington School of Art, Mawley practised architecture for several years. In 1874–1875, he and a friend went on a round-t ...

(1842–1916) *1905 ** Henry Eckford (1823–1905) *1906 ** Richard Irwin Lynch (1850–1924), Curator of the

Cambridge University Botanic Garden The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located in Cambridge, England, associated with the university Department of Plant Sciences (formerly Botany School). It lies between Trumpington Road to the west, Bateman Street to ...

Harry Veitch Sir Harry James Veitch (24 June 1840 – 6 July 1924) was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London. He was instrumental in establi ...

(1840–1924)

1910–1919

*1911 ** Charles Robert Fielder (1857-1946 Bramshaw) *1912 **

Ernest Henry Wilson Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson (15 February 1876 – 15 October 1930), better known as E. H. Wilson, was a notable British plant collector and explorer who introduced a large range of about 2000 Asian plant species to the Western culture, West; ...

(1876–1930) *1916 **

Edward Augustus Bowles Edward Augustus (Gus or Gussie) Bowles (14 May 1865 – 7 May 1954) was a British horticulturalist, plantsman and garden writer. He developed an important garden at Myddelton House, his lifelong home at Bulls Cross in Enfield, Middlesex ...

(1865–1954) *1917 **

William Jackson Bean William Jackson Bean (26 May 1863 in Yorkshire – 19 April 1947 in Kew, Surrey) was a British botanist and plantsman, who was curator of Kew Gardens from 1922 to 1929. He was responsible for some of the present collections of trees and woody plant ...

(1863–1947) **

Frederick Chittenden Frederick James Chittenden (1873–1950) was a British horticulturalist and first director of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Wisley Garden. He was the author of a number of books on horticulture. Life Frederick Chittenden was born, t ...

(1873–1950), first Director of the RHS Wisley Garden. ** Sir

Herbert Eustace Maxwell Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, 7th Baronet, (8 January 1845 – 30 October 1937) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, artist, antiquarian, horticulturalist, prominent salmon angler and author of books on angling and Conservative politician who ...

(1845–1937) **

Peter Veitch Peter Christian Massyn Veitch (February 1850 – 1929) was a member of the family of horticulturists who established the renowned family business Veitch Nurseries. Early days Veitch was the son of Robert Veitch and was born in the Cape of Good Ho ...

(1850–1929)

1920–1929

*1921 ** George Forrest (1873–1932) *1922 **

Arthur Boscawen Reverend Canon Arthur Townshend Boscawen (9 July 1862 – 17 July 1939) was a British Rector of Ludgvan in Cornwall, England, and a recreational and commercial horticulturalist who introduced the ''anemone'' as a commercial crop to Cornwall. Fami ...

(1862–1935) *1924 ** Arthur Grove *1925 ** Samuel B. Dicks (1845–1926), seedsman **

William Rickatson Dykes William Rickatson Dykes (4 November 1877 – 1 December 1925) was an English amateur botanist who became an expert in the field of iris breeding and wrote several influential books on the subject. He was also interested in tulips, amaryllis, and ...

(1827–1925) **

William Wright Smith Sir William Wright Smith FRS FRSE FLS VMH LLD (2 February 1875 Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire – 15 December 1956) was a Scottish botanist and horticulturalist. Life He was born at Parkend farm near Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire, the son of James T. ...

(1875–1956) **

George Yeld George Yeld (1845–1938) was a schoolmaster, climber, explorer and hybridiser of Daylily, daylilies and Iris (plant), irises. He was a member of the Alpine Club and editor of the ''Alpine Journal''. Much of his climbing and exploration was condu ...

(1845–1938) *1926 ** Herbert George Alexander (orchid grower) **

Frederick Vincent Theobald Frederick Vincent Theobald FES (15 May 1868 – 6 March 1930) was an English entomologist and "distinguished authority on mosquitoes". During his career, he was responsible for the economic zoology section of the Natural History ...

(1868–1930) *1927 ** Frederick Robert Stephen Balfour (1873–1945) *1928 ** W. Nelmes *1929 **

Sir William Lawrence Sir William Lawrence, 1st Baronet (16 July 1783 – 5 July 1867) was an English surgeon who became President of the Royal College of Surgeons of London and Serjeant Surgeon to the Queen. In his mid-thirties, he published two books of his lect ...

(1870–1934),

Lionel de Rothschild Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (22 November 1808 – 3 June 1879) was a British Jewish banker, politician and philanthropist who was a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family of England. He became the first practising Jew to sit a ...

(1882–1942)

1930–1939

*1931 **

Laura McLaren, Baroness Aberconway Laura Elizabeth McLaren, Baroness Aberconway CBE, DStJ (née Pochin; 14 May 1854 – 4 January 1933) was a British suffragist, author and horticulturalist. Life Her birth was registered in the Salford district of Lancashire on 14 May 1854. She ...

(1854–1933) *1933 **

George Percival Baker George Percival Baker (1856–1951) was a textile merchant and manufacturer, collector of fabrics from India and Persia, amateur botanist, mountaineer, oarsman, and amateur photographer. Biography George Percival Baker's father George Baker in ...

(1856–1951) **Frederick William Millard (1864–1964) *1934 **

Henry McLaren, 2nd Baron Aberconway Henry Duncan McLaren, 2nd Baron Aberconway, (16 April 1879 – 23 May 1953) was a British politician, horticulturalist and industrialist. He was the son of Charles McLaren, 1st Baron Aberconway and Laura Pochin. Education Born in Richmond up ...

(1879–1953) *1935 **Amos Perry (1871–1953), of Perry's Plant Farm *1936 **Stephenson Robert Clarke (1862–1948), of Borde Hill **James Comber (1866–1953), of

Nymans Nymans is an English garden to the east of the village of Handcross, and in the civil parish of Slaugham in West Sussex, England. The garden was developed, starting in the late 19th century, by three generations of the Messel family, and was bro ...

, Handcross ** Frederick Augustus Secrett (1886–1964) *1938 ** William Fleming Bewley (1891–1976) ** Frederick George Preston (1882–1964). *1939 **Charles Percival Raffill M.B.E.(1876–1951), Curator, Kew Gardens. Raffill was also honoured in 1934 as an Associate of Honour of the Royal Horticultural Society (AHRHS).

1940–1949

* 1940 ** Sir

Frederick Claude Stern Sir Frederick Claude Stern (18 April 1884, Knightsbridge, London – 10 July 1967) was a botanist and horticulturalist, known for developing the gardens at Highdown Gardens, for creating several cultivars of garden plants and for his publication ...

(1884–1967) – Highdown chalk garden * 1941 ** Edwin Lawrence Hillier – Hillier Nurseries * 1942 ** Lady Iris Lawrence * 1944 **

Arthur Dorrien-Smith Major Arthur Algernon Dorrien-Smith (28 January 1876 – 30 May 1955) was Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly from 1918 to 1920. Family Major Arthur Algernon Smith-Dorrien-Smith was born on 28 January 1876, in Oxfordshire, to Thomas Smith ...

(1876–1955) ** John Hutchinson (1884–1972) * 1945 **

Fred Streeter Frederick Streeter MBE (25 June 1879 – 1 November 1975) was a British horticulturalist and broadcaster. Streeter was born in Pulborough, Sussex, England, on 25 June 1879, to farm worker James Streeter and Dinah (''née'' Sayers). The family move ...

(1879–1975) – horticulturalist and broadcaster * 1946 **

Vera Higgins Vera Higgins (1892-1968) was a British botanist, author, translator and botanical illustrator known for being an authority on succulents and cacti, particularly ''Crassulaceae''. She graduated from Cambridge University and worked at the National ...

(1892–1962) * 1948 **

Wilfrid Fox Wilfrid Fox (1875 – 22 May 1962) was a dermatologist in the United Kingdom.Winkworth Arboretum brochure, published by the National Trust: Text by Bill Maleki. 2001 He practised at St George's Hospital, London. He became passionately interes ...

(1875–1962) –

Winkworth Arboretum Winkworth Arboretum is a National Trust-owned arboretum in the spread-out civil parish of Busbridge between Godalming and Hascombe, south-west Surrey, England. The arboretum was founded by Dr Wilfrid Fox, starting in 1938 and continuing throu ...

* 1949 ** Ernest Ballard (1870–1952) ** Harry Higgott Thomas (1876–1956) – Editor of ''Popular Gardening''

1950–1959

*1951 **Peter Crichton Kay (1889–1954) *1952 **Albert Maurice Amsler (1877–1952) ** Collingwood Ingram (1880-1981) ** Thomas Wallace (1891–1965) *1953 **Archibald Park Balfour **Sir

David Bowes-Lyon Sir David Bowes-Lyon KCVO (2 May 1902 – 13 September 1961) was the sixth son and last child of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Cecilia Nina Cavendish-Bentinck, as well as their tenth and youngest child. His el ...

(1902–1961) **C Edward Hudson * 1954 ** Raymond Henry Stoughton (1903–1979) *1955 **Robert L. Scarlett : for his contributions to horticultural experimental work in Scotland & United Kingdom. **

Lilian Snelling Lilian Snelling (1879–1972) was "probably the most important British botanical artist of the first half of the 20th century". retrieved 13 March 2014 She was the principal artist and lithographer to ''Curtis's Botanical Magazine'' between 19 ...

(1879–1972) *1957 ** William MacDonald Campbell **

Harold Roy Fletcher Harold Roy Fletcher FRSE (14 April 1907 – 27 August 1978) was an English botanist and horticulturalist. He was Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 1956 to 1970 and Her Majesty's Botanist 1966 to 1978. As an author he is kno ...

(1907–1978), Keeper of the

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies ...

John Scott Lennox Gilmour John Scott Lennox Gilmour VMH FLS (28 September 1906 – 3 June 1986) was a British botanist, curator of the Cambridge University Herbarium, and later director of Cambridge University Botanic Garden and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. Life ...

(1906–1995) **

Harold Hillier Sir Harold George Hillier (2 January 1905 – 8 January 1985) was an English horticulturist. In 1921, he joined the family firm, Hillier Nurseries, his early career spent in assisting his father in rebuilding stocks depleted by World War I. He ...

(1905–1985) – Hillier Nurseries *1958 **Frank P. Knight (1903–1985), Director of

Wisley Garden RHS Garden Wisley is a garden run by the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisley, Surrey, south of London. It is one of five gardens run by the society, the others being Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, and Bridgewater (which opened on 18 M ...

1960–1969

*1960 ** Maurice Mason (1912–1993) *1961 ** Sir Edward Bolitho of

Trengwainton Trengwainton ( kw, Tredhigwenton, meaning ''farm of eternal springtime'') is a garden situated in Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, England, UK, which has been in the ownership of the National Trust since 1961. The garden is noted for its collecti ...

Penzance Penzance ( ; kw, Pennsans) is a town, civil parish and port in the Penwith district of Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is the most westerly major town in Cornwall and is about west-southwest of Plymouth and west-southwest of London. Situated ...

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952 as the wife of King George VI. She was the l ...

(1900–2002) ** William Gregor MacKenzie, curator of

Chelsea Physic Garden The Chelsea Physic Garden was established as the Apothecaries' Garden in London, England, in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to grow plants to be used as medicines. This four acre physic garden, the term here referring to the sc ...

** Thomas Hope Findlay (1910-1994) Keeper of Gardens Windsor Great Park 1943-1975 **

Charles McLaren, 3rd Baron Aberconway Charles Melville McLaren, 3rd Baron Aberconway, (16 April 1913 – 4 February 2003) was a British industrialist and horticulturalist. He was the son of Henry McLaren, 2nd Baron Aberconway, and Christabel Macnaghten. Education He was educated at ...

(1913–2003) *1963 ** S. Millar Gault ** Sir James Horlick (1886–1972) of The Island of Gigha *1964 ** Gwendolyn Anley **

Hans Hvass Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

–

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish ance ...

writer on natural history *1965 ** John Paul Wellington Furse (1904–1978) **

Beatrix Havergal Beatrix is a Latin feminine given name, most likely derived from ''Viatrix'', a feminine form of the Late Latin name ''Viator'' which meant "voyager, traveller" and later influenced in spelling by association with the Latin word ''beatus'' or "bles ...

(1901–1980) **

William T. Stearn William Thomas Stearn (16 April 1911 – 9 May 2001) was a British botanist. Born in Cambridge in 1911, he was largely self-educated, and developed an early interest in books and natural history. His initial work experience was at a ...

(1911–2001) *1967 **

Arthur Hellyer Arthur George Lee Hellyer (16 December 1902 – 28 January 1993) was a well-known British horticulturalist. Career Gardening books and encyclopaedias In the course of a long public career, Hellyer wrote an extremely large number (over 100) of i ...

(1902–1993) – RHS. Horticultural writer and journalist. **

Sir Giles Rolls Loder, 3rd Baronet Sir Giles Rolls Loder, 3rd Baronet DL (1914–1999) was an English aristocrat, World War II veteran, public official, horticulturalist and yachtsman. Biography Early life Giles Rolls Loder was born on 10 November 1914 in London, England.

(1914–1999) of

Leonardslee Leonardslee is an English country house and English landscape garden and woodland garden in Lower Beeding, near Horsham, West Sussex, England. The Grade I listed garden is particularly significant for its spring displays of rhododendrons, azal ...

Lower Beeding Lower Beeding is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. The village lies on the B2110, B2115 and A281 roads southeast from Horsham, and is centred on Holy Trinity Church and The Plough public house, where the ...

Horsham Horsham is a market town on the upper reaches of the River Arun on the fringe of the Weald in West Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester. Nearby to ...

*1968 **

Graham Stuart Thomas Graham Stuart Thomas (3 April 1909 – 17 April 2003), was an English horticulturist, who is likely best known for his work with garden roses, his restoration and stewardship of over 100 National Trust gardens and for writing 19 books on garde ...

(1909–2003)

1970–1979

*1970 ** Roy Hay (1910–1989) ** Alan F. Mitchell (1922–1995) *1971 **

Alan Bloom Alan Herbert Vauser Bloom (19 November 1906 – 31 March 2005) was a British horticulturist and steam engine enthusiast. During his life he created over 170 new varieties of hardy perennial plants. These and Alpine plants and conifers were ...

(1906–2005) **

Frances Perry Frances Mary Perry MBE VMH (19 February 1907 – 11 October 1993) was an English gardener, administrator, writer and broadcaster. Biography She was born Frances Everett in Enfield, Middlesex, where she lived most of her life at Bulls Cross. S ...

(1907–1993) **

Patrick Synge Patrick Millington Synge (1910-1982) was a British botanist, writer and plant hunter. Career He was a graduate of Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. His first book documented a British Museum Natural History expedition to East Af ...

(1910–1982) *1973 **

Julia Clements Julia Clements (born Gladys Agnes Clements; 11 April 1906 – 1 November 2010) was an English flower arranger and lecturer on floral arranging whose career spanned over 60 years. She wrote some 20 bestselling books on the subject of flower a ...

*1974 ** Roy Copeman Elliott (Alpine gardener) ** Martin O. Slocock *1975 ** Henry Rawnsley Barr (1903–1987) **

Valerie Finnis Valerie Finnis (1924–2006) was a well-known British photographer, lecturer, teacher and gardener.Ursula Buchan and Anna Pavord (2007) Garden People: Valerie Finnis and the Golden Age of Gardening. Thames & Hudson. , Life Finnis was born in Crow ...

(1924–2006) *1976 ** Christopher D. Brickell **

John Pilkington Hudson John Pilkington Hudson, (24 July 1910 – 6 December 2007) was an English horticultural scientist who did pioneer work on long-distance transportability of what became known as the kiwifruit. He was also a celebrated bomb disposal expert. Backgr ...

(1910–2007) ** Lady Marie Loder of

*1977 **

Percy Thrower Percy John Thrower (30 January 1913 – 18 March 1988) was a British gardener, horticulturist, Television presenter, broadcaster and writer born at Horwood House in the village of Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire. He became nationally known thr ...

(1913–1988), Television gardener ** Mrs Desmond Underwood *1978 ** W Martin Robinson, vegetable expert. *1979 **

Christopher Lloyd Christopher Allen Lloyd (born October 22, 1938) is an American actor. He has appeared in many theater productions, films, and on television since the 1960s. He is known for portraying Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the ''Back to the Future'' tril ...

(1921–2006)

1980–1989

*1980 **Leonard Broadbent (1916–2002) – Professor in Biology at the University of Bath **Sheila Macqueen – Flower arranger *1981 **John Bond (1932–2001) – Keeper of Windsor Great Park and the Savill Gardens **

Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, 3rd Baronet Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, 3rd Baronet (2 May 1894 – 22 November 1972) was an English cricketer. Heathcoat-Amory was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm fast-medium. Early life and war service The son of Sir Ian Heathcoat-Amory, 2nd B ...

(1894–1972) and Lady Heathcoat-Amory (1901–1997) *1982 **

Adrian Frank Posnette Peter Posnette (real name Adrian Frank Posnette) (11 January 1914 – 17 July 2004) was a British plant pathologist. He was educated at Pate's Grammar School Cheltenham and Christ's College, Cambridge. Posnette was a keen sportsman in his youth ...

*1983 **

John Stewart Mattock John Stewart Mattock (23 April 1926 – 23 October 2017) was an English rose grower, and the chairman of the Chelsea Flower Show for twelve years. He was born in Oxford, the eldest child of John and Marita Mattock, where his father was a master r ...

*1984 **

Kath Dryden Kath or KATH may refer to: * Kath (city), the historical capital of Khwarezm * Kath (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname * KATH-TV, the NBC TV station in Juneau, Alaska * KATH (AM) KATH (910 kHz) is an ...

(−2009) – alpine plant expert''The Garden'', August 2009, page 511 (Royal Horticultural Society) *1985 ** Adrian Bloom –

Bressingham Steam and Gardens Bressingham Steam & Gardens is a steam museum A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or sci ...

Douglas Mackay Henderson Douglas Mackay Henderson CBE FRSE FLS (30 August 1927 – 10 November 2007) was a Scottish botanist, the 12th Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 1970 to 1987. Life He was born in Blairgowrie on 30 August 1927, the secon ...

(1927–2007), Keeper, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh **

Fred Whitsey Fred may refer to: People * Fred (name), including a list of people and characters with the name Mononym * Fred (cartoonist) (1931–2013), pen name of Fred Othon Aristidès, French * Fred (footballer, born 1949) (1949–2022), Frederico Rodr ...

(1919–2009)- Gardening correspondent of The Daily Telegraph *1986 **

Lady Anne Berry Lady Anne Sophia Berry (née Walpole, 11 December 1919 – 18 September 2019) was an English-New Zealand horticulturist who founded Rosemoor Garden. She offered the garden to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988. In 1990 she married Bob Ber ...

(1919–) ** Robin A.E. Herbert (1934–) Former President of RHS ** John B. Simmons (1937–) *1987 ** W.L. Banks **

Beth Chatto Beth Chatto (27 June 1923 – 13 May 2018) was an English plantswoman, garden designer and author known for creating and describing the Beth Chatto Gardens near Elmstead Market in the English county of Essex. She wrote several books about gard ...

(1923–2018) *1988 **

Roy Lancaster Charles Roy Lancaster CBE (born 1937) is a British plantsman, gardener, author and broadcaster. Background Charles Roy Lancaster was born in Farnworth, Lancashire and is most widely known for his work on the long running BBC TV programme, ''Garden ...

(1937–) *1989 **

Carolyn Hardy Carolyn Hardy OBE (16 June 1930-23 September 2016) was a British horticulturalist. She chaired the National Gardens Scheme (1979-1986) and was vice-chair of the Royal Horticultural Society for 10 years. Personal life Carolyn Evanson was born on ...

(1930–2016)- Chairman, National Gardens Scheme ** A.D. Schilling

1990–1999

*1990 **

Sylvia Crowe Dame Sylvia Crowe, DBE (15 September 1901 – 30 June 1997) was an English landscape architect and garden designer.Hal Moggridge"Crowe, Dame Sylvia" (1901–1997) Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; access ...

(1901–1997) ** D.J. Fuller *1991 ** P. Cox ** B. Mathew ** Frederick Alkmund Roach (1909–2004) **

Miriam Rothschild Dame Miriam Louisa Rothschild (5 August 1908 – 20 January 2005) was a British natural scientist and author with contributions to zoology, entomology, and botany. Early life Miriam Rothschild was born in 1908 in Ashton Wold, near Oundle in No ...

(1908–2005) ** D.J. Sales *1993 ** Alan Hardy (1926–1999) – Sandling Estate ** Mary Shirville Newnes (1926–2020) – flower arranger **

Charles Notcutt Charles Roger Macpherson Notcutt (30 May 1934 – 1 July 2015) was a horticulturalist and businessman. ''The Scotsman'', in its obituary, said that Notcutt was "an inspirational and popular leader of the horticultural community, establishing a ...

(1935–2015) *1994 ** Sir

Geoffrey Jellicoe Sir Geoffrey Allan Jellicoe (8 October 1900 – 17 July 1996) was an English architect, town planner, landscape architect, garden designer, landscape and garden historian, lecturer and author. His strongest interest was in landscape and garden ...

(1900–1996) – Landscape Designer ** James Smart – of Marwood Hill Garden *1995 ** Raymond J Evison(1944–) **

David McClintock David Charles McClintock, MBE, VMH, FLS (1913–2001) was an English natural historian, botanist, horticulturist and author. McClintock was notably active in the worlds of natural history, horticulture and botany within the UK and Europe. He w ...

(1913–2001) ** Helen Robinson (1919–2004) – Hyde Hall *1996 ** John G. Hillier – Hillier Nurseries **

Penelope Hobhouse Penelope Hobhouse MBE (born 20 November 1929), née Chichester-Clark, is a British garden writer, designer, lecturer and television presenter. Early life Born into an Anglo-Irish family in Moyola Park, Castledawson, she is the daughter of James ...

(1929–) ** C.R.M. Notcutt *1997 ** J.W. Blanchard **

Mary Grierson Mary Anderson Grierson (27 September 1912 – 30 January 2012) was a Welsh-born Scottish botanical artist and illustrator. The youngest of three children to parents hailing from Dumfries, she was encouraged by her mother to paint from an early ag ...

(1912–2012) – Botanical artist ** John Palmer,

Earl of Selborne Earl of Selborne, in the County of Southampton, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1882 for the lawyer and Liberal Party (UK), Liberal politician Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne, Roundell Palmer, 1st Baron ...

*1998 ** Joyce Stewart (1936–2011) – Director of Horticulture, RHS **

Rosemary Verey Rosemary Verey, (21 December 1918 in Chatham, Kent – 31 May 2001 in Cheltenham) was an internationally known English garden designer, lecturer and garden writer who designed the notable garden at Barnsley House, near Cirencester in Glouc ...

(1918–2001) *1999 ** H. Moggridge ** A. Moon ** Sir Ghillean Tolmie Prance (1937–) ** G.H. Rae

2000–2009

*2001 ** P. Erskine *2002 ** David Austin (1926–2018) for his rose breeding *2003 **

Peter Beales Peter Beales MBE, (22 July 1936 – 26 January 2013) was a British rosarian, author and lecturer. Beales was considered one of the leading experts on roses, especially species and classic roses, preserving many old varieties and introducing 70 ...

(1936–2013) for his rose breeding and media promotion of gardening ** Andrew Dunn for his pioneering of virus-free rootstock **

Peter Seabrook Peter John Seabrook Order of the British Empire (MBE), MBE (2 November 1935 – 14 January 2022) was a British gardening writer and television broadcaster, presenting programmes including the BBC's ''Gardeners' World''. He wrote a gardening colu ...

(1935–) for his rose breeding *2004 **

Ray Bilton Ray may refer to: Fish * Ray (fish), any cartilaginous fish of the superorder Batoidea * Ray (fish fin anatomy), a bony or horny spine on a fin Science and mathematics * Ray (geometry), half of a line proceeding from an initial point * Ray (g ...

for his work with orchid hybrids **

David S. Ingram David Stanley Ingram, OBE, VMH, FRSB, FRSE, FLS, F.I. Hort (born 10 October 1941) is an Honorary Professor of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies at the University of Edinburgh Ingram served as master of St. Catharine's College, Cambri ...

(1941–) for his pioneering research into plant diseases **

Alan Titchmarsh Alan Fred Titchmarsh HonFSE (born 2 May 1949) is an English gardener, broadcaster, TV presenter, poet, and novelist. After working as a professional gardener and a gardening journalist, he established himself as a media personality through a ...

for his broadcasting and authorial gardening educational outreach *2005 **

Martin Lane Fox Martin may refer to: Places * Martin City (disambiguation) * Martin County (disambiguation) * Martin Township (disambiguation) Antarctica * Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land * Port Martin, Adelie Land * Point Martin, South Orkney Islands Austra ...

for his work in landscape garden design **

Tony Lord Tony Lord is a United Kingdom gardener, photographer and author. In 2005 the Royal Horticultural Society awarded him the Victoria Medal of Honour (V.M.H) for his work as a garden photographer, horticultural consultant and writer. Lord started ou ...

for his work as a garden photographer and horticultural consultant **

Edmund Leopold de Rothschild Major Edmund Leopold de Rothschild (2 January 1916 – 17 January 2009) was an English financier, a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family of England, and a recipient of the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH), given by the Royal Horticul ...

for his work with rhododendron hybrids ** Tom Wood for his administrative work promoting horticulture *2006 **

Jim Buttress Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim' ...

, for his work as a garden show judge **

Sibylle Kreutzberger Sibylle is a given name. It may refer to: *Anna Sibylle of Hanau-Lichtenberg (1542–1580), eldest surviving daughter of Count Philipp IV and Countess Eleonore of Fürstenberg *Duchess Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia (1586–1659), Electress of Saxony ...

, for her work at

Sissinghurst Castle Sissinghurst Castle Garden, at Sissinghurst in the Weald of Kent in England, was created by Vita Sackville-West, poet and writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is desig ...

in Kent ** Dr.

Henry Oakeley Henry may refer to: People * Henry (given name) * Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portuga ...

, for his scientific work on orchids, the genera ''Lycaste'', ''Ida'' and ''Anguloa'' **

Pamela Schwerdt Pamela Schwerdt was the joint head gardener at Sissinghurst Castle Garden from 1959 to 1990, and a pioneering horticulturalist. Early life and education Pamela Schwerdt was born on 5 April 1931 in Surrey, the granddaughter of Edith Vere Dent, ...

, for her work at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent *2007 **

Colin Ellis Colin may refer to: * Colin (given name) * Colin (surname) * ''Colin'' (film), a 2008 Cannes film festival zombie movie * Colin (horse) (1905–1932), thoroughbred racehorse * Colin (humpback whale), a humpback whale calf abandoned north of Sydney, ...

– "for his long and distinguished service since 1983 with RHS Council and numerous committees." **

Christopher Grey-Wilson Christopher is the English language, English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the Greek language, Greek name Χριστόφορος (''Christophoros'' or ''Christoforos''). The constituent parts are Χριστός (''Christós''), "Jesus ...

– for "his many achievements as botanist, photographer, botanical explorer and author of many books and articles." ** Sir

Richard Carew Pole Sir John Richard Walter Reginald Carew Pole, 13th Baronet, OBE, DL (born 2 December 1938) is the present holder of the Pole baronetcy, granted to his ancestor by King Charles I in 1628. He lives at Antony House in Cornwall. He succeeded his f ...

(1938–) – former RHS President **

Brian Self Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meani ...

– "for his lifetime of service to amateur and professional fruit growers." *2008 ** John Ravenscroft – "for his plantsmanship, entrepreneurial talent and encyclopaedic knowledge of plants." *2009 ** Charles Baring, 2nd Baron Howick of Glendale **

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person to ...

- "for his passion for plants, sustainable gardening and the environment." ** John Humphris ** Lady Christine Skelmersdale ''The Garden'', August 2009, page 512 (Royal Horticultural Society)

2010–present

*2010 ** Peter R. Dawson ** Michael Hickson ** Robert T. Hillier ** John Massey – "for his valuable contribution to plantbreeding " ** Dowager Marchioness Salisbury *2011 ** Giles Coode-Adams ** Maurice C. Foster ** Richard Webb *2012 **

Stephen Blackmore Stephen Blackmore CBE FRSE FRSB FLS (born 30 July 1952) is a British botanist, who was educated at St. George's School, Hong Kong and the University of Reading where he completed his PhD in 1976 on the "Palynology and Systematics of the C ...

**Alice Boyd, Viscountess of Merton **David Clark ** John Parker *2013 **

Nigel Colborn Nigel Colborn VMH is a British TV presenter and gardening expert/writer. He is a former presenter of the long running BBC Gardeners World. He is often a panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time and is a regular presenter of Granada TV's ...

Brian Humphrey Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meani ...

*2014 **Chris Sanders *2015 ''Not awarded'' *2016 ** Mark Flanagan (posthumously) ** Johan Hermans *2017 **Nick Dunn **

Jekka McVicar Jessica "Jekka" McVicar (born 1951) is an English organic gardening expert, author, and broadcaster, particularly on the cultivation and use of herbs. Biography Born Jessica Stanley Clarke, she was brought up in Chew Magna, Somerset, and lea ...

– RH Vice-President *2018 ** Peter Catt **

Carol Klein Carol Ann Klein (born 24 June 1945) is an English gardening expert, who also works as a television presenter and newspaper columnist. Early life Born in Walkden, Lancashire, in 1945, Klein attended Bolton School but left school when she was 15 ...

** Charles Williams *2019 **

Fergus Garrett Fergus Garrett VMH is an English plantsman, horticultural educationalist and Chief Executive of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust. He is described as one of the most influential living garden designers and horticultural educators in Britain today. ...

Tony Kirkham Tony Kirkham MBE VMH is the former Head of Arboretum, Gardens & Horticulture Services, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Career Born in Lancashire, Tony Kirkham moved to Surrey to become, aged 16, a forestry apprentice with Tilhill Forestry Nurseries ...

** Bill Simpson *2020 ** Christopher Bailes ** Jim Gardiner ** Jim (James) McColl *2022 **

Monty Don Montagu Denis Wyatt Don (born George Montagu Don; 8 July 1955) is a British horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer who is best known as the lead presenter of the BBC gardening television series ''Gardeners' World''. Born in Germany and raised ...

**Brian Duncan **Peter Thoday

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Victoria Medal Of Honour British science and technology awards Gardening in the United Kingdom Royal Horticultural Society