Jimmy O’Connor has been crowned Young Horticulturist of the Year in the Institute of Horticulture’s annual competition.
O’Connor, who is only in his first year of the BSc Horticulture course at the Salesian College, Warrenstown, saw off the competition to claim the trophy at the Irish National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin.
He collects the Percy Thrower travel bursary worth £2,000, allowing him to travel to a destination of his choice to undertake research into plants and horticulture.
His particular interest is in the flora of Greenland, and has suggested that this is a region he would be keen to visit in the near future.
O’Connor defeated joint runners-up, twice finalist Ian Roofe from Salhouse Garden Centre near Norwich, and Alex Summers, who is studying for the NCH at Broomfield College.
IoH president Tony Girard told the competitors: “This was a close run competition and you’ve done yourselves proud. It’s very encouraging to see so much young talent entering our industry.”
The Young Horticulturist of the Year is open to anyone under 30 who is studying, or engaged professionally in, the industry.
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