Family announces the death of Mike Dunnett

March 26 2019, by George Bullivant

Mike Dunnett, a well known and greatly respected industry pioneer, who was MD of Blakedown Nurseries for many years has died today, Tuesday 26th March 2019.

His energetic, entertaining and always thought provoking presentations at conferences in the UK and across the world were often the highlight of the event.

In more recent years Mike has split his time between consultancy projects and his stunning Worcestershire garden.

Full details of funeral arrangements will be added in due course. His family can be contacted via Adam Dunnett, Adamdunnett@hillier.co.uk

Funeral details

There will be a private family funeral service for Mike Dunnett at 12.30 pm Wyre Forest Crematorium.

This will be followed at 1.30pm by a thanksgivings service at St Peters Church. Martley, Worcestershire to which all are welcome. The dress code is whatever you are comfortable in.

Family flowers only, donations will be taken for St Richards Hospice & Greenfingers.

The wake will be held at The Talbot Hotel, Knightwick, Worcestershire.

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Here's what others have said...

Ian, 28 Mar 2019:

...George, I just heard this very sad news. Condolences to Carole and the whole family. Mike was one of life's "good lads", but he didn't take crap and told you what he thought of you and your ideas! He was such a pioneer and visionary for what was then quite a parochial industry. He shook it up in no mistake! I first met him and Carole in 1969 in their tiny cottage across the road from Blakedown. We kept contact as our mutual careers developed and then with his tremendous vision and energy he launched the first plant, Butterfly Blue, with volumes that seemed incredible. I remember the launch, "Pots of Money" in 1983 at a Heathrow hotel, when he said in his own inimitable way, "60,000 in year 1 lads or we're buggered"... he pretty much invented modern plant marketing and the entire industry owes him for that. Mike was also very encouraging to John Stanley and me when we left teaching and employed us out of sympathy I think! I worked with him to get his plants to the USA and S. Africa and helped him with Hines Nurseries here for a great relationship on new plants. I've always admired that rascally way he has with such determined self confidence but set in a very sharp business mind. We are so sad. Looking out from the kitchen window the first thing I see is a thriving patch of the original B. Blue just breaking bud and I can just hear that gravelly larf of his, and his voice rising as he says, "what are you doing to these mate? Call yourself a Horticulturalist!" R.I.P good friend, no more weeds to swear at now.... Ian and Lisa Baldwin

Julian Burton, 28 Mar 2019:

...Shocked and saddened by this news. His charismatic leadership and his contribution to the industry was immense and joining him on a committee or in a meeting was not only always a highly entertaining and lively affair but also a very productive use of time. A great loss to mankind.

Andy Whelan, 27 Mar 2019:

...It was a pleasure to have bought from Mike when he was at Blakedown. Thoughts are with the family.

Andy, 26 Mar 2019:

...Very sad news to hear about Mike Dunnett. So many of us in the Horticulture trade owe a lot to Mike and his forward thinking in his Blakedown years.

Family announces the death of Mike Dunnett

Funeral details

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