Tributes to gardening expert Pat, 83

Pat Edwards, who kept Boningale Nurseries, near Albrighton, died on January 30.

Her weekly gardening column for the Shropshire Star was read by thousands of people, and she was a popular speaker at clubs and societies in and around Shropshire.

She was well- known for charity open days at her garden in Swallow Hayes, Albrighton, and for sponsoring and judging gardening competitions run by the Shropshire Star and its sister title the Express & Star.

Former Shropshire Star gardening writer Ken Tudor said she was known as an inspiration and a mentor for amateur gardeners she met during the competitions.

Long-time friend John Bulmer, who worked on many projects with her, said: "Pat was an incredibly knowledgeable plantswomen who was able to talk to people at all levels, from the very top professionals to the ordinary person who enjoys pottering about in their garden.

"She did so much to inspire people to improve and enjoy their gardens more.”

Mr Tudor, who ran the newspaper's gardening contests, said: “Pat was such a lovely person who paid a huge part in encouraging people to enjoy their gardens.

“She particularly enjoyed visiting gardens and invited many of the gardeners back to her private garden to share the joys of her amazing plant collection.

"The collection included a stunning collection of witch hazels , which were a feature of her 'crumpet parties' she held in the depths of winter for people to have a toasted snack and see the flowers.”

Regular competition entrant Roland Bostock of Station Road, Codsall, said: “Pat was a such wonderfully warm person and did so much for people who loved gardening in our area.

“It was brilliant to have the most famous gardeners in the country coming to our gardens. I will never ever forget the great Geoffrey Smith chatting to me about plants.”

Mrs Edwards trained at Writtle Agricultural College, and once worked in the gardens at Chequers.

Together with her late husband Mike, Mrs Edwards set up the Roses and Shrubs nursery in Albrighton in 1960.

In 1972 they took over the former Bakers Nurseries, which had survived two world wars, and renamed it Boningale Nurseries.

Boningale went on to become one of the biggest suppliers of landscaping plants in Europe.

Mrs Edwards also wrote a book about the story of the Russell lupin, a new hybrid breed of flower which h ad been perfected by gardener George Russell at Bakers.

Mr Tudor said he was particularly proud to have worked with Mr and Mrs Edwards on the Star's garden at the Stoke Garden Festival, which was sponsored by Roses and Shrubs.

“They were an amazing couple who sponsored events and always insisted we had the best judges, such as top stars Alan Titchmarsh, Geoffrey Smith and Roy Lancaster.”

Mrs Edwards died at Bradeney House Nursing Home in Worfield on January 30. Her husband Mike died in 1986, aged 54, and they leave sons Tim, the present chairman and managing director of Boningale Nurseries, Nick, and daughter Penny.

Her funeral will be at St Mary Magdalene Church in Albrighton on Tuesday at 3.30pm.