Tallis Inger-Flecker, Year 9, has been awarded Young Gardener of the Year for her age category, in a National competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Tallis is part of the Writhlington School Orchid project and is an expert in Gongora orchids from South America.
Tallis explained “Gongoras are fascinating because so little is known about them and their ecology. I am interested in what science can tell us about these unique plants and I have been pioneering DNA work and pollination to unlock some of their secrets.”
Tallis has also been working with the Bristol Aquarium and lead horticulturalist Wendy Desyllas describes Tallis as “A wonderful young horticulturalist to work with and someone with a great future ahead. Her lead on the design and building of the new orchid displays has been amazing and her work has had a very positive response from visitors.”
The RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition is part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, which actively involves over 32,000 schools and groups across the UK. Tallis will be travelling up to the Royal Horticultural Society gardens in Surrey to receive her award from TV gardener Frances Tophill.
If you want to learn more about Tallis and her plants the next Writhlington School Orchid Festival takes place on Saturday July 1st from 10am until 4pm.
