New Hillier Bursaries support young horticulturists
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Zoe Hill
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Lexie Bull
Colegrave Seabrook Foundation has announced the first recipients of its new Production Horticulture Work Experience Bursary, launched to support the next generation of commercial horticulture professionals.
Funded by the RHS Bursaries Committee and organised in partnership with Hillier Nurseries, the initiative offers horticultural students and early-career professionals two weeks of hands-on training at Hillier’s Hampshire nurseries.
The inaugural bursaries have been awarded to Zoe Hill and Lexie Bull, who will each receive up to £1,750 towards travel, accommodation and subsistence costs during their placements.
Adam Dunnett, trustee of the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and Production Director at Hillier Nurseries, said the bursary attracted an exceptionally strong field of applicants, reflecting growing enthusiasm among young people entering the industry.
Zoe, currently a Tree Nursery Officer with the National Trust, will focus on commercial tree production at Hillier’s Andlers Ash Tree Nursery, gaining experience in soil preparation, pruning, irrigation, lifting and nursery logistics.
Lexie, who studies at Pershore College while working at Highfield Garden World, will undertake placements at Hillier’s Brentry Container Nursery and Broadmead Nursery, focusing on propagation, crop husbandry, pest management and container-grown tree production.
Both recipients described the bursary as an important opportunity to develop practical nursery skills and gain experience with one of the UK’s leading horticultural businesses.
The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation said it hopes to expand the programme in future years to offer placements across a wider range of nurseries and commercial growing operations.