Olympic Wildflower turf grower wins special achievement award

Wildflower turf grower James Hewetson-Brown has won the Turf Pro Special Achievement Award.

His crowning glory was growing the wildflower turf used for the Olympics opening ceremony and parts of the Athletes' Village.

The flower-strewn turf from Wildflower Turf Ltd in Hampshire was specially grown and included a Top Green Euroflor mixture from Rigby Taylor.

James said: "I am delighted to have won this award. It is good to have played a part in the spectacular success of the Olympics.

"We needed specific colours in the Olympic wildflower turf and included a special flower seed mix created by Top Green and their distributors Rigby Taylor."

The wildflower turf could be seen in the opening ceremony on the banks in the centre of the British landscape scene created by director Danny Boyle.

"The turf was specifically grown for the opening ceremony," says James. "We needed specific colours so the seed mix was specially developed."

He received his award from Rupert Price of Ransomes Jacobsen, the sponsors, at a Turf Pro magazine awards ceremony at Savill Court Hotel in Windsor.

James formed the wildflower business in 2003 alongside his other established company, Coronet Turf.

He is constantly experimenting to try to achieve the right mix of native wildflower varieties to achieve a good colour balance.

His Olympic turf, grown on a soilless compost, included fescue and crested dogstail - ideal for wildflower meadows.

"A wildflower meadow is exceptionally drought tolerant in times of potential hosepipe bans," says James.

He supplies wildflower turf for parks and local authorities across the UK and has also supplied wildflower turf for film and TV productions, including the Harry Potter films and the National Theatre for their acclaimed 'War Horse'.

James also uses wildflower seed from Naturescape and grass seed from a number of suppliers.

Stephen Alderton, Top Green marketing and development director, said: "We are delighted with the success of James, who is proving just how important flower seed mixes are for the environment and for enhancing areas of low-maintenance turf."







PRESS CONTACT: Mike Beardall, Oakfield Media, on 01273 495619 or 07889 707807. E-mail: press@mikebeardall.com