The prestigious Brickell Award is given to a National Plant Collection holder who has demonstrated excellence in cultivated plant conservation
Alan Shipp
Howard Rice
2026 Winner: Howard Shipp
We are thrilled to highlight the work of an exceptional National Collection holder, Alan Shipp who has held his National Plant Collection of Hyacinthus orientalis since 1993. It has become one of the most comprehensive Hyacinth collections in the world. From an initial 50 to 60 cultivars, by 1998 he had increased the collection to 108 cultivars. As his success became known nationally and internationally, further discoveries emerged from Belarus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania and Switzerland. Today, his National Collection is impressive, with 243 cultivars, one species and 261 taxa overall.
Alan’s diligent and exceptional knowledge fuels his research into finding missing cultivars, he ensures the correct taxonomic identification of newly found or bred cultivars is correct. He has worked with contacts across Europe in both his research and conservation work, including the Royal Netherlands Bulb Growers Association and with the Vilnius based floriculture research station in Lithuania. His work in Lithuania has been recognised by the Lithuanian Embassy in London.
The judges praised Alan’s research in finding lost cultivars and keeping those out of favour in cultivation. He was also praised for his international collaboration and maintenance of historical cultivars. They were also impressed by his endeavours to keep such a large collection, and to continue the cycle of lifting and propagating his plants each year.
2025 Winner - Linda Eggins
Renowned Aucuba japonica expert and National Plant Collection Holder Linda Eggins was the winner of Plant Heritage's Brickell Award 2025. Named after Plant Heritage’s founding member and Vice President Chris Brickell, the prestigious award 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 (snowdrops)
2021 - Roger Hammond for his work on Epimedium
2020 - Malcolm Pharoah for his work on Astilbe
2019 - Roger Parsons for his work on Lathyrus - this National Collection has been successfully transitioned to Philip Johnson of English Sweetpeas
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 (witch hazel)
2012 - Dr Simon Charlesworth for his work on Lavandula (lavender)
2011 - Margaret Easter for her work on Thymus (thyme)
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 (passion flowers)
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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