Highfield’s Lexie Bull wins prestigious Horticulture Bursary
Trainee horticulturalist Lexie Bull from Highfield Garden World has been awarded one of only two prestigious new Production Horticulture Work Experience Bursaries launched this year by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.
Supported by funding from the RHS Bursaries Committee and organised in partnership with Hillier Nurseries, the bursary offers horticultural students and early-career professionals two weeks of specialist work experience at the internationally recognised Hampshire nursery.
Alongside her role at Highfield Garden World, Lexie is currently studying at Pershore College in Worcestershire and has developed a strong interest in container plant production.
As part of the bursary, she will spend time at Hillier’s Brentry Container Nursery, gaining practical experience in propagation, potting, irrigation, plant nutrition, crop husbandry and pest and disease management across large-scale ornamental plant production.
A second placement at Broadmead Nursery will provide further experience in container-grown tree production, including formative pruning, staking and integrated pest management.
Speaking about the award, Lexie Bull said she was excited to develop new skills and gain hands-on experience within the nursery sector.
Jon Mason, planteria manager and director at Highfield Garden World, said the business is committed to supporting the next generation of horticulturists and praised Lexie’s enthusiasm, work ethic and forward-thinking approach.
The new bursary programme has been created to encourage more young people into production horticulture by providing practical industry experience and career development opportunities.