Jamie Harris Awarded the RHS A J Waley Medal 2025
We are incredibly proud to share that Leonardslee’s Head Gardener, Jamie Harris, has been awarded the RHS A J Waley Medal 2025.
Presented by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group, the A J Waley Medal recognises outstanding contribution to the cultivation and conservation of rhododendrons. First instituted in 1937, it remains one of the most respected honours associated with the genus.
Recognising a Living Collection
Jamie has been honoured for his expertise and conservation work in curating one of the most historic rhododendron collections in the world.
Under his leadership, the Grade I listed 240-acre landscape of Leonardslee has been carefully restored and renewed, ensuring the long-term future of the historic Loderi collection. These remarkable rhododendrons, first championed by Sir Edmund Loder, remain at the heart of the estate’s horticultural identity.
To stand beneath the Loderi in full bloom is to witness not only spectacle, but stewardship. Scale, fragrance and presence shaped by decades of knowledge and care.
A Career Rooted in Horticulture
Before joining Leonardslee, Jamie held senior roles at Polesden Lacey for the National Trust and previously worked at Nymans and Chartwell. Across each garden, his focus has remained consistent: conservation, cultivation and the strengthening of skilled teams.
At Leonardslee, that commitment has extended beyond restoration. Jamie has grown and supported his gardening team, worked in close partnership with the estate’s owners, and played a critical role within the wider RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group.
The RHS Committee noted that his dedication to rhododendrons at Leonardslee, and the continued care and cultivation he gives them, makes him a fully deserving recipient of the A J Waley Medal.
A Moment for the Estate
This award is a significant personal honour for Jamie, and a proud moment for Leonardslee.
It recognises the importance of conserving historic plant collections with integrity and vision. It also celebrates the quiet, detailed work that ensures these landscapes endure for generations to come.
As the rhododendrons begin to unfurl across the woodland slopes this season, there is particular satisfaction in knowing that this living legacy is in such capable hands.
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award and very grateful to the RHS for the accolade. The plant collection at Leonardslee is the best I’ve ever worked with during my career and this award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work that my team and I have been putting in to protect, curate and promote these amazing rhododendrons.”
