Students taking part had to answer 40 multiple choice questions set by the Institute of Horticulture on a wide range of horticulture topics.
For the first time at Writtle College the competition ended in a tie-break and after some tie-break questions Callum Mullins, 22, from Leicester and in his final year of a BSc (Hons) Horticulture degree, was named the winner. He will go forward to the regional final on 21 March at Blooms of Bressingham.
Rosie Kippen, 20, from Colchester, in her first year of a horticulture degree, was only one point behind him, with third year horticulture student Jon Hayati, 23, from Aberdeen, only one point behind her.
Senior lecturer in horticulture Sandra Nicholson said: "We’re really pleased with the number of participants this year – we had 25 students taking part across all three years of the BSc (Hons) Horticulture and a Masters student too. The students were very enthusiastic and it’s great fun – the staff enjoyed having a go to test our knowledge too!"
The competition attracts over 1,500 entrants each year and the winner receives the £2,000 Percy Thrower Travel Bursary, provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, which funds a horticultural tour anywhere in the world.
It is open to any horticulturist who is below the age of 30, including those employed in horticulture or anyone studying for a horticultural qualification. The grand final will be on 13 April at Ness Botanic Gardens.
