World-renowned horticulturalist and Bromeliad expert, Don Billington, has won another Gold Medal this week for his collection of plants from the glasshouses at Walton Hall and Gardens.
Plants from the conservatories are now on display at the prestigious RHS Chelsea flower show, with the display illustrating how bromeliads grow in a natural setting.
The display illustrates how Bromeliads, as typically slow-growing plants, take between one and three years to mature into flowering plants.
In 2019, Don moved his collections to the restored and refurbished glasshouses at Walton Hall and Gardens, as part of the estate’s partnership with Myerscough College.
Fresh from his win at Chelsea, Don said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the tenth gold medal. It’s quite a milestone to make.
“This year having the display of bromeliads open to the public at Walton Hall provides the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the plants.”
Working in partnership with Walton and Walton Lea Partnership, Myerscough College offers courses in foundation learning, animal studies, and horticulture and landscape studies from the dedicated learning environment at Walton.
Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “It’s fantastic news that Don has once again been recognised for his hard work at Chelsea Flower Show 2022, showing an incredible achievement in getting 10 gold medals in a row at one of the world’s most prestigious flower shows.
“Don’s Bromeliad collection is on display in the glasshouses at Walton, so I would encourage you to visit and experience these award-winning plants for yourself.”
To find out more about the horticulturalist courses at Walton, visit myerscough.ac.uk/about/our-centres/warrington.
For more information about Walton Hall and Gardens, visit waltonhallgardens.co.uk.
