The Chartered Institute of Horticulture is pleased to announce that the Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition 2026 will open for entries on Sunday, 1 February 2026. The competition is open to anyone across the UK and Ireland who is under 30 on 31 July 2026. It offers entrants the opportunity to test their horticultural knowledge, broaden their experience, and connect with others across the sector.
This long-established competition provides a unique platform for emerging horticulturists to showcase their skills. The overall winner will receive the prestigious title of Young Horticulturist of the Year along with a £2,500 travel bursary from The Percy Thrower Trust, generously provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society. The bursary supports a horticultural study trip anywhere in the world, enabling the winner to explore new ideas, research, or practical experience within their chosen field.
The Grand Final will take place on Saturday, 16 May 2026, in the Bright Hall at Rochdale Town Hall. Rochdale Town Hall, a Grade I‐listed landmark, sits at the heart of a town centre transformed by recent greening and public‐realm improvements. The restored building is now complemented by new planting, biodiversity features and redesigned pedestrian areas that link with wider green‐infrastructure projects across Rochdale. These include upgrades at Rochdale Riverside, improved connections to Broadfield Park and greener, more accessible spaces along the reopened River Roch. Together, these projects reflect the aims of the Township Green Infrastructure Action Plan by strengthening sustainable design, improving connectivity and creating welcoming civic spaces that support community use and long‐term environmental resilience.
Victoria George, National Organiser: “I’m delighted that this year’s Grand Final will centre on urban greening. Rochdale Town Hall will be a fantastic setting, and I’m excited I will see the amazing greening work across the town. It’s going to be a fantastic day for our finalists.”
Further details about the competition and how to take part can be found at: https://www.horticulture.org.uk/young-horticulturist-of-the-year/
For sponsorship enquiries for the 2026 competition, please contact the Chartered Institute of Horticulture at yhoy@horticulture.org.uk
Ireland Region
Once Round 1 entry has closed (28th February), the top 8 competitors from the island of Ireland will be invited to compete in person at the Ireland Regional Final. I’m delighted to announce that this year’s Ireland Final will be held on Wednesday, 25th March at the College of Agriculture, Food and Enterprise, Greenmount Campus, Co. Antrim.
Round 1 of the competition opens on the YHOY website on 1st February 2026.
To find out more about the competition and how to take part, visit the Young Horticulturist of the Year page at https://www.horticulture.org.
