The prestigious Brickell Award is given to a National Plant Collection holder who has demonstrated excellence in cultivated plant conservation
The call for nominations for the 2026 award is OPEN
We welcome nominations from anyone with knowledge of the work and research of a current National Collection holder. Please see more information and guidance notes HERE. The Brickell Award is an important way to celebrate the hard work and dedication to plant conservation of our National Collection holders, who do this work as volunteers. Nominations must be received by 31 March 2026. The winner will be announced at the RHS Badminton Flower Show in July.
2025 Winner - Linda Eggins
Plant Heritage is proud to announce that Linda Eggins, renowned Aucuba japonica expert and National Plant Collection Holder, is the winner of the prestigious Brickell Award 2025.
The award - named after Plant Heritage’s founding member and Vice President Chris Brickell - was launched for the charity's 25th anniversary in 2003 and celebrates excellence in cultivated plant conservation.
The judges commended Linda for her dedicated research and conservation efforts over several decades. In particular, they noted her important work to untangle the plant group’s complicated names and classifications, as well as her collaboration with others, including sharing her knowledge and plant material across the UK and internationally. Through her passion for these plants and her storytelling, she has helped to persuade others to appreciate their diversity, as well as their interesting history.
The Collection is curated at Winterbourne House and Gardens
The Brickell Award 2025: from L to R - Gwen Hines, Chief Executive, Cecilia Bufton, Chair, Linda Eggins, Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture & Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks and Daniel Cartwright, Head Garderner at Winterbourne House and Gardens
© Plant Heritage
2024 - The Mathers Foundation in West Sussex were recognised for their extensive work with their National Plant Collections of orchids (Oncidium; Pleione; Stanhopea & Acineta species. & hybrids)
2023 - Adrian Young was recognised for this work with Saxifraga Ligulatae and Saxifraga Porphyrum
2022 - Margaret and David MacLennan were recognised for their work on Galanthus
2021 - Roger Hammond for his work on Epimedium
2020 - Malcolm Pharoah for his work on Astilbe
2019 - Roger Parsons for his work on Lathyrus
2018 - Sarah Cook for her work on Benton Irises (Cedric Morris Introductions)
2017 - Dr Michael McIllmurray for his work on Maxillaria species
2016 - Margaret McKendrick for her work on Japanese Anemone and Judy Barker for her work on hardy chrysanthemums
2014 - Chris Lane for his work on Hamamelis
2012 - Dr Simon Charlesworth for his work on Lavandula
2011 - Margaret Easter for her work on Thymus
2010 - Brian Fearn for his work on Lithops
2008 - Dr Evelyn Stevens for her work on Meconopsis
2007 - Ray Stephenson for his work on Sedum
2006 - Beryl Bland for her work with the Ligulatae Group of Saxifraga
2005 - Sylvia Norton for her work on Lathyrus
2004 - Dr John Vanderplank for his work on Passiflora
2003 - Henry Noblett for his work on Astilbe and Dr Henry Oakeley for his work on the orchids Lycaste, Ida and Anguloa
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