The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the winners of the 2023 Grower of the Year Awards. 

A total of nine awards across five categories were announced at the HTA’s annual conference, Horticulture, The Conference, on 5 October, including overall winners and highly commended.

Winners include Kyle Ross, production manager at Wyevale Nurseries, an ‘Ambassador for Horticulture’, and a committee member for the YPHA (Young People in Horticulture Association).

“We were delighted by the response to this year’s Grower of the Year Awards and the standard of entries was exceptionally high”, says HTA horticulture support manager, Martin Simmons.

“The Grower of the Year Awards demonstrate the high calibre of UK nurseries who lead the way in quality, levels of service, innovation and peat-free production and it is fantastic to be able to recognise young and upcoming talent that will ensure our world-class industry can thrive in the future.”

The full list of winners and highly commended entrants is as follows: 

Young Grower under 35  

Winner: Kyle Ross, Wyevale Nurseries   

Highly commended: Mollie Higginson, New Leaf Plants

“I was completely overwhelmed and honoured to be presented with this award, in such a strong category. I’m delighted to be representing the under 35s”, says Ross.

Finished Plant Grower  

Winner: Allensmore Nurseries   

Highly Commended: Bransford Webb Plant Company  

Peat Free Grower  

Winner: Greenwood Plants   

Highly Commended: Majestic Trees  

“It (this award) is testament to the dedication of our nursery teams that have made the transition to peat-free a success”, says managing director, Melanie Asker. “Eliminating peat from our nurseries has enabled us to grow more sustainably and will contribute to our long-term goal of reaching Net Zero.”

 Inspirational Business  

 Winner: Majestic Trees   

Staff Member  

Winner: Maria Bengtsson, Majestic Trees   

Highly commended: Karen Jenkins, Bransford Webb Plant Company   

The HTA also launched a two-part report at the conference, ‘From Nursery to Nature’ and ‘Delivering the Environmental Improvement Plan through the Value of Plants’, outlining the ‘significant value’ UK horticulture can contribute to growing a greener future.