Ipswich: Charles Valin of Thompson & Morgan wins RHS Reginald Cory Memorial Cup

CHARLES Valin, plant breeder at Ipswich-based seed and plant company Thompson & Morgan (T&M), has been named by the Royal Horticultural Society as the 2013 winner of the Reginald Cory Memorial Cup.

The award is presented annually to a plant breeder whose work in hybridisation has resulted in the introduction of exciting new hardy hybrid varieties.

Mr Valin’s most famous creation is the foxglove “Illumination Pink”, which was Plant of the Year at the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show.

Due to his continued work, T&M will be launching further colours in the “Illumination“ range this year, including “Chelsea Gold”, an apricot version marking the show’s centenary.

Mr Valin, who comes originally from France, has been breeding plants

at Thompson & Morgan for nine years and is responsible for creating some of the company’s most impressive new plant varieties.

His achievements also include the hugely successful dwarf, branching buddlej “Buzz”, which now comes in five colours, and the highly popular fuchsia “Lady in Black”

He was also the first breeder to create an F1 hybrid laurentia and is also well-known for his work with hollyhocks, hellebores and begonias.

Thompson & Morgan’s managing director, Paul Hansord, said: “We are very proud of Charles’ and pleased that his work has been recognised by the RHS.”