An award-winning Kerry garden designer has received a prestigious recognition from the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Billy Alexander was awarded the Lawrence Medal for his Gold Medal and Best in Great Pavilion winning exhibit, The Ferns of Kells Bay Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show last year.
The Lawrence Medal is awarded for the best exhibit shown to the society during the year and is the highest award an exhibitor can receive for their display.
Mr Alexander, who has restored and developed Kells Bay House and Gardens on the Ring of Kerry, also won a Chelsea Gold Medal in 2021.
He said: “I am honoured to receive this award, which is evidence of high standards of excellence in Irish Horticulture, and is also a recognition of the fantastic ferns which grow so happily at Kells Bay. I am delighted that so many people saw the exhibit and recognised how the simplicity, beauty and elegance of the ferns can enhance any garden.”
The presentation of the award was made at the Annual RHS Awards ceremony in London.
Billy Alexander has also been appointed to the RHS Judges Panel.
As well as designing award-winning garden displays, Billy supplies tree ferns to botanic gardens in France, Britain, and Ireland.
Source: RTE.ie