Malcolm Pharoah has been awarded the honored Brickell Award 2020 for his National Plant Collection ofAstilbeheld at Marwood Hill Gardens . The Brickell Award ( named after Plant Heritage ’s establish appendage and current Vice - President Chris Brickell ) realize excellence in cultivated plant conservation . A small , socially distanced award presentation lead place on Friday 24th July 2020 at Marwood Hill Gardens , where Malcolm was present his Brickell Award by Jon Webster , Vice Chairman of Plant Heritage ’s Plant Conservation Committee . Lucy Pitman , Plant Heritage ’s Plant Conservation Officer , Beth Smith , Collection Holder of Phlomis , Matt Brewer , new Head Gardener , and Patricia Stout , Property Manager both from Marwood Hill Gardens , were also in attendance . You canview the presentation here .
Malcolm get down the Astilbe solicitation in the 1970s , when he worked as Head Gardener at Marwood Hill Gardens . In 1991 it was awarded full National Plant Collection condition , and now , 30 years on , Malcolm has gather up eight different species of Astilbe and over 200 cultivars - many of which are uncommon – all grow in the garden near Barnstaple , north Devon .
This collection , and now the Brickell Award , is the result of three decades of dedicated workplace by Malcolm , as well as close coaction with colleagues , and other Astilbe collection holder across the country . Malcolm has also worked with breeders across Europe to exchange dissimilar cultivar of Astilbe , and this , alongside his deep and ongoing commitment to cultivated plant conservation , has done much to restore and recover long - lose cultivars of Astilbe .
Matt Brewer , head gardener at Marwood , Jon Webster Vice Chair PCC & Curator RHS Rosemoor , Ann Fowler who helps With Collection at Marwood , Beth Smith NCH Phlomis , Malcolm Pharoah Brickell 2020 winner for Astilbe . ( Patricia Stout from Marwood Hill Gardens was also in attendance ) .
Astilbe ' Betsy Cuperus ' . A thunbergii hybrid raised by B Ruys in Holland in 1917 . Award of Merit Holland 1917 . Highly commended RHS Trial 1970 . Credit : Plant Heritage
Astilbe At Marwood Hill Gardens . citation : Plant Heritage
Vicki Cooke , Conservation Manager , Plant Heritage says : “ Malcolm has been a pivotal member of our Devon Group since 2007 , and has served on the commission for 10 twelvemonth too . His ongoing passion and dedication for conserving garden plant is just what the Brickell Award is all about , and we ’re thrilled to honour his body of work and Marwood Hill ’s beautifulAstilbecollection , in this elbow room ” .
Also known as ‘ false goatsbeard’,Astilbeproduces elegant plumage of heyday , from shades of rosy - pink to pure white , in belated spring and summertime . Astilbes are easygoing to arise wraith - resistant plant and can be found in a variety of sizes from small plants that fit absolutely in a border , to much taller variety show that can reach an telling 2 metres in height .
Malcolm Pharoah , National Plant Collection Holder ofAstilbeand winner of the Brickell Award 2020 , says : “ I am delighted to have advance this year ’s Brickell Award . I ’ve loved Astilbe for many year , and throughout my calling I ’ve cared for and grown as many varieties as potential , as well as researching fresh varieties . Our collection at Marwood Hill Gardens is looking particularly strike at the moment , as our Astilbes are in full bloom , so we hope that lots of visitor will be able-bodied to make out and share our use of them soon . ”
For more informationPlant Heritagewww.plantheritage.org.uk
