Gardening world mourns renowned grower

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has posted an obituary for the late Pam Schwerdt, written by floral trials assessment panellist and vice-chairman of the herbaceous committee Tony Lord.

Mr Lord may be considered an authority on the 78-year-olds work, having written Gardening at Sissinghurst – the site where she made her horticultural name.

He explained that Ms Schwerdt had a long list of achievements to her name, including an MBE and the Benetton Foundation Carlo Carpa International Award for Gardens.

Born in 1931, the keen grower was joint-head gardener of Sissinghurst with long-time friend Sibylle Kreutzberger.

She was also a long-standing member of the RHS committee and was highly decorated by the organisation.

In 1980, she was given the title of Associate of Honour, while the garden and greenhouse body granted her a Victoria Medal of Honour in 2006.

Under her stewardship, Sissinghurst became a "Mecca" for growers, attracting interested parties from around the country.

In other news, the RHS has opened the voting system for its Great British Garden Competition to the public.