RHS People Awards

An annual celebration of people who have made an outstanding contribution to the practice and promotion of horticulture and gardening

What are the RHS People Awards?

The annual RHS People Awards recognises the achievements and hard work of individuals making an outstanding contribution to horticulture and gardening. Anyone can make a nomination and each year we love to hear about the people you believe should be recognised for their talents.

Nominations are assessed by the RHS Awards Committee, which is comprised of experienced horticulturists from across the horticultural industry. The Committee recommends the strongest applications to the RHS Horticulture Board and RHS Council for a final decision.

Nominations

Nominations for the 2025 RHS People Awards are now closed.

View award criteria and faqs (245kB pdf) >

Awards presented in 2024

The following RHS People Awards recognise and celebrate individuals and their work:

The Victoria Medal of Honour

The Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) was established in 1897, with the assent of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, to enable the RHS Council to confer conspicuous honour on those British horticulturists deserving of special honour by the Society. In recognition of the duration of Queen Victoria’s reign, only 63 medals may be held at any one time.

The 2024 Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) was awarded to Chris Lane and Neil Lucas

Chris Lane, Keith Weed, Paul Phillips (2023 recipient), and Neil Lucas

Jan Pennings, Rosie Atkins, Keith Weed, Charles Dowding and Chipper Wichman

The Elizabeth Medal of Honour

The Elizabeth Medal of Honour was established in 2023, with the gracious assent of His Majesty King Charles III in perpetual remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s glorious reign. The Medal enables the RHS Council to confer conspicuous honour on international horticulturists and UK non-horticulturists that have significantly impacted the advancement of the science, art or practice of horticulture for the benefit of all generations and the environment. In recognition of the duration of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, only 70 medals will be held at any one time.

The 2024 Elizabeth Medal of Honour was awarded to Rosie Atkins, Charles Dowding, Jan Pennings and Chipper Wichman

Additional awards: At the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Olivia Chapple and George Plumptre were also awarded the Elizabeth Medal of Honour. These were converted from their RHS Carew Pole Awards, given in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Associate of Honour

An Associate of Honour may be awarded to persons of British nationality who have rendered distinguished service to the practice of horticulture during the course of their working career. The Associate of Honour is held for life and the number of Associates may not exceed 100 at any one time (excluding those Associates who also hold the Victoria Medal of Honour).

The 2024 Associate of Honour was awarded to Tony Hall, Kim Hurst, John Lanyon and Jaimie Parsons

John Lanyon, Jaimie Parsons, Keith Weed, Kim Hurst and Tony Hall

Mike Calnan, Tim Briercliffe, Keith Weed, Monica Musalem Bendek and Mr and Mrs Stephenson Clarke

The Veitch Memorial Medal

The Veitch Memorial Medal may be awarded annually to persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture. The Veitch Memorial Medal is held for life and there is no limit to the number of medals that may be awarded.

The 2024 Veitch Memorial Medal was awarded to Monica Musalem Bendek, Tim Briercliffe, Mike Calnan and Mr and Mrs Stephenson Clarke

Reginald Cory Memorial Cup

To encourage the production of new hybrids of garden origin, the Reginald Cory Memorial Cup may be awarded to a raiser whose hybridisation programme has resulted in the recent introduction and availability of new hybrids of merit. This award is not limited by plant hardiness or to the breeding of a particular genus or species, though fruit and vegetables are excluded. The Cup is held for one year and awarded annually.

The 2024 Reginald Cory Memorial Cup was awarded to Vance Hooper

Peter Van Rijssen (collecting award on behalf of Vance Cooper) with Wesley Kerr

Carol Miller (collecting award on behalf of John Gibbons) with Keith Weed

The Harlow Carr Medal

The Harlow Carr Medal may be awarded for life to those who have made a significant contribution to horticulture in the North of England, through length of service, commitment to projects or unique capabilities, combined with reliability and professionalism.

The 2024 Harlow Carr Medal was awarded to John Gibbons

Roy Lancaster Award

The Roy Lancaster Award is open to those under 35 on the date of nomination who have achieved an exceptional contribution to the practice, science or promotion of horticulture.

The 2024 Roy Lancaster Award was awarded to Josh Egan-Wyer

Keith Weed and Josh Egan-Wyer

Steve Catanch with Keith Weed

Carew Pole Community Award

The Carew Pole Community Award may be awarded to anyone in the UK who has made an outstanding contribution to a community gardening programme over a period of time including community gardens orchards urban and rural programmes that bring value to the wider community that they are based.

The 2024 Carew Pole Community Award was awarded to Steve Catanach

Other RHS Awards

The following RHS Awards recognise and celebrate other horticultural excellence:

Designed for professional horticulturists who wish to grow their careers, the RHS Master of Horticulture is the Society’s most prestigious training programme. Upon completing this degree level equivalent, holders of the Award may use the designation MHort (RHS) after their name.

The Master of Horticulture was awarded to the 2020 cohort: Diane Bray, Jonathan P Cansdale, Maria Contreras, Christian Cox, Jonathan Ensell, Ka Yu Kinsey Fan, Lee Hale, Emily Huening, Julie Jowett, Larry Lai, Anny Li, Joseph Lofthouse, Joanne Parr, Ian Robertson, June Tainsh, Claire Tatler, Anne Taylor, James Treacy, Simon Ward, Nicky Webber, Tony Wiseman and Anna Lai Fong Yap

Provided from a fund bequeathed in 1961 by the late William John Martin Hawkey in memory of his grandmother, Elizabeth; his mother, Ellen; and his wife, Emma Hawkey. This award is offered for the best exhibit of cut flowers shown to the Society during the year.

The E H Trophy was awarded to Bloms Bulbs for their exhibit of cut flower tulips at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Awarded for the best exhibit of fruit shown to the Society during the year at any of its Shows.

The Stanley Lord Bowl was awarded to Hartpury Heritage Trust for their exhibit of Perry Pears at Malvern Autumn Show 2023

First presented in 1912 by the Trustees of the Peter Barr Memorial Fund and awarded annually by the RHS Bulb Committee to someone who, in the Committee’s opinion, has done good work of some kind in connection with daffodils.

The 2024 Peter Barr Memorial Cup was awarded to Carlos van der Veek

Provided from a fund presented in by Herbert George Alexander (1875-1972) V.M.H. in commemoration of the collection of orchids made at Westonbirt. From 2013, the award is given annually to an individual for any scientific, literary or any other outstanding personal achievement in connection with orchids.

The 2024 Westonbirt Orchid Medal was awarded to Simon Pugh-Jones

Awarded annually to the best group exhibit of plants normally grown for decorative effect in a protected environment including greenhouses, conservatories or dwelling houses at a show judged by the RHS Tender Ornamental Plant Committee or by a panel from, or including members of that Committee during the year. The exhibitor receiving the Trophy may be amateur or professional and may not receive the Trophy more than once in every three years.

The Anthony Huxley Trophy was awarded to Roualeyn Fuchsias for their exhibit of fuchsias at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2023

Awarded annually for the best exhibit of medicinal and/or culinary herbs staged during the year at one of the Society’s Shows.

The Colin Spires Herb Trophy was awarded to Kitchen Garden Plant Centre for their exhibit of herbs and edible plants at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

Instituted in 1959 in commemoration of Reginald Farrer, plant collector and authority on alpine plants, this Trophy is awarded for the best exhibit of plants suitable for the rock garden or alpine house staged during the year at one of the Society’s Shows.

The Farrer Trophy was awarded to Kevock Garden Plants for their exhibit of alpine woodland and damp loving plants at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

Awarded for the best exhibit of vegetables staged during the year at one of the Society’s Shows.

The Gordon-Lennox Trophy was awarded to South West in Bloom and Burpee Europe for their exhibit ‘Learning to grow gather and show’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

Instituted in 1896 by the Trustees of the Williams Memorial Fund in commemoration of Benjamin Samuel Williams. Awarded annually for a group of plants and/ or cut blooms of one genus (fruit and vegetables excepted) which shows excellence in cultivation, staged at one of the Society’s Shows during the year. No exhibitor may receive this medal more than once in three years.

The Williams Memorial Medal was awarded to Hampshire Carnivorous Plants for their exhibit of carnivorous plants at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2023

The Mrs F E Rivis Prize is provided from a fund presented in 1960 by A K Hincks in commemoration of her sister, Frances Elizabeth Rivis, with a view to encouraging excellence in cultivation. This prize is awarded to the gardener or other employee responsible for the cultivation of the exhibit for which the Williams Memorial Medal is awarded.

The Mrs F E Rivis Prize was awarded to Matthew Soper, Hampshire Carnivorous Plants

Presented by the Executors of the late Sir George Holford in 1928. This award is offered for the best exhibit of plants and/or flowers (including fruit and vegetables) staged during the year by an amateur or group of amateurs, at one of the Society’s Shows. Since 1992, exhibits from garden trusts have also been eligible, provided that they are continuations of trusts run by private families and are not government funded.

The Holford Medal was awarded to the Orchid Society of Great Britain and Dr H. F. Oakeley for the exhibit of Anguloa at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2023

Presented by the late Arthur Lawford Wigan in 1911, the Wigan Cup is now awarded for the best exhibit shown to the Society during the year by a Local Authority.

The Wigan Cup was awarded to Birmingham City Council for their exhibit ‘The history of Birmingham’s parks and plants’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

The Lindley Award is awarded annually to the best educational exhibit shown to the Society during the year.

The Lindley Award was awarded to Jurassic Plants Nurseries for their exhibit of ‘Rare trees shrubs exotic fruits living fossils!’ at Malvern Autumn Show 2023

Awarded annually for the best exhibit shown to the Society during the year. No exhibitor may receive this medal more than once in three years.

The Lawrence Medal was awarded to Kells Bay House & Gardens for their exhibit ‘The Ferns of Kells Bay Gardens’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

Have a question?

For more information about RHS Awards or Nominations, please email [email protected] or telephone 020 7821 3068.

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