President of The Caley Lewis Normand said, “It is a huge honour to be able to share the hard work and dedication to Scottish gardening and horticulture demonstrated so brilliantly by our winners with a wider audience. Scotland has an international reputation for making great plantspeople and our recipients this year, and every year, showcase this.
“The Caley awards recognise both domestic and professional gardeners and horticulturists, just as the Caley is there to support and represent both groups across Scotland. It is humbling to see some of the amazing work that people are often very quietly doing for their local communities, all the way up to a national level. There are a huge number of people out there dedicating time, expertise, and love to achieve wonderful things and The Caley is very keen to recognise their achievements.
“There is nothing better than seeing our Caley members and the wider gardening and horticulture community gather to support our current winners and encouraging future generations to achieve greatness.”
Our very own columnist Eli Appleby-Donald was the proud recipient of a Certificate of Merit and said, “There were people getting certificates to acknowledge all the amazing things they have done and the communities they work in or assist.
“I loved seeing the students getting awards. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m passionate about recognising when a student puts that extra work in so it was great to be able to applaud all the folk on their education journey and hear how they’ve gone that extra mile to help their fellow students or just to be the best gardener they could be as they learned. We applauded lecturers who received medals acknowledging their lifetime of service to educating the next generations of horticulturists. All in all, it was absolutely brilliant to see it all happening.”
These awards acknowledge a wide range of service to gardening or horticulture.
An award that recognises the achievements of the many and varied groups working across Scottish horticulture like community groups, friends’ groups and many more.
Eli Appleby-Donald (above), and Jessie Anderson (not present).
An award that recognises the achievements of students and apprentices of horticulture.
An award made to a high achieving horticulture student or apprentice. Awarded this year to Laura Wileman (not present).
Introduced in 1990 to mark the 90th birthday of the Society’s then Patron, Queen Eizabeth, the Queen Mother. The medal is awarded for outstanding service by a non-professional.
Vicki Reid Thomas is this year’s winner for her work over 25 years with the Edinburgh District of Scotland’s Garden Scheme, coordinating the region, bringing in new gardens and raising over £300,000 for the scheme.
An award made to a Scottish botanist or cultivator. This medal is awarded biennially and was established in 1851 by Dr. Patrick Neill, one of the Founders and the first Secretary of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. He instigated the award of this medal to a distinguished Scottish botanist or cultivator and a bequest to sustain it.
Phillip Lusby MBE has a long and storied career working in nature conservation and particularly in protecting Scotland’s native flora. Phil’s work helped save the threatened Silene Viscaria. As a lecturer at RBGE, Phil developed the UK’s first and only undergraduate degree at a botanical garden. While quietly saving several Scottish plants from extinction, Phil established protocols that are now in operation around the world.
This medal was introduced in 2003 for distinguished service to horticulture by an educationalist, advisor, or administrator.
Gregory Kenicer is Head of Graduate Learning at Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, a researcher and writer on Lathyrus, as well as 'The Dictionary of Scottish Plant Names, 'Plant Magic', and 'Scottish Plant Lore'. He is also an inspirational lecturer, researcher, and author.
This is a discretionary award made to professional and non-professionals who have made a significant contribution to Scottish Horticulture over their lifetime.
Alistair and Mary Gray are this year's recipients (not present), for a lifetime of work within multiple horticultural societies, including Brechin Horticultural Society, the Scottish branch of the National Vegetable Society, and for their support of others in societies across Scotland.
An award first introduced in 1959 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Society. The award is strictly limited to a maximum of 50 recipients at any one time and is awarded to anyone, anywhere, either professional or amateur, who has made an outstanding contribution to Scottish Horticulture. It is the highest award given in Scottish Horticulture and permits holders to use the post mominal letters SHM. This year’s worthy winner are:
Ann Steele SHM – Ann is the Head of Gardens & Designed Landscapes with the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and supports the UK government with Biosecurity as part of the Plant Health Advisory Forum. She has spearheaded the NTS Garden Apprenticeship Scheme and the new PLANTS project, which is documenting the full collection of plants held in NTS properties.
Pam Whittle SHM – Former President of The Caley, current Honorary Vice President of the Caley, Pam has made a huge contribution to securing a permanent home for the Caley at Saughton Park, Edinburgh, as well as fundraising to deliver a new teaching glasshouse. Pam’s tireless support of Scottish Horticulture has remained a constant for over 20 years and her personal passion for showing Daffodils sees her travelling the length and breadth of the country to exhibit and support shows. Pam organises multiple shows each year on behalf of The Caley including the very highly regarded Spring Show in April.
Billy Caruthers SHM – Billy founded Binny Plants over 30 years ago and is a world-renowned Paeonia grower and specialist. Billy has exhibited at many shows including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where in 2022 he received a Gold Medal. He has supported many horticulturists over the years and is a well-known figure speaking across Scotland on plants and particularly peonies.
Look out for nomination forms for this year's awards in autumn time when you can nominate those you feel most deserving of recognition in Scottish gardening and horticulture.
The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, known affectionately as ‘The Caley’, was established in 1809 by a group of seventeen Edinburgh worthies at a meeting held at the Royal College of Physicians.
The Caley is always ready to welcome new members and offers a wide range of benefits in joining. From workshops and classes to talks and trips, there is sure to be something to interest anyone in Scotland with a love of plants and gardening. Find out more about how to join Scotland’s National Horticultural and Gardening Society on their website.