Percy Thrower

Known as the first celebrity gardener, British horticulturist, broadcaster and writer Percy Thrower was the face and voice of gardening for many years. He was the predecessor of today's television gardeners, such as Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don, starting his broadcasting career in the 1950s.

Percy's own father was a horticulturist, working as the head gardener at country residence Horwood House in rural Buckinghamshire, which was built for the Denny family in 1911. Percy began working there himself in 1927, at the age of 14. His horticultural skills were soon noticed and at 18, he was given a job at Windsor Castle tending the royal gardens, where the wage was £1 a week.

In 1935, he started a new job with the City of Leeds Parks Department and went on to pass his Royal Horticultural Society general examination. During World War II, he was also a lecturer at Derby Technical College, where he led local efforts in the Dig For Victory campaign.

His first television appearance came as a result of being commissioned to design a garden in Berlin in 1951. He appeared on a BBC programme called Picture Page. This led to a long career in broadcasting but he always believed he was a gardener first and a presenter second.

Percy was offered a regular slot on the BBC radio show, Beyond the Back Door, after impressing the presenter, Godfrey Baseley. Between 1969 and 1976, he presented the TV series Country Calendar, followed by Out and About. This later became Gardener's World, which is probably one of the programmes for which Percy is best remembered.

His other jewel in the crown was children's show Blue Peter, where he was the gardener from 1974 until 1987. His outstanding achievement was establishing the famous Blue Peter garden at the BBC television centre and persuading many celebrities to volunteer their time each week to cultivate it.

Away from the cameras, Percy was a stalwart supporter of Shrewsbury Flower Show, where he was horticultural advisor for 40 years – he also did a stint as chairman. He won many awards from the Royal Horticultural Society and was awarded the MBE in 1984.

He also wrote horticultural books and started his own garden centre, which is managed today by his three daughters. Percy could often be found sitting behind the counter and he was always willing to give gardening advice to anyone - he remained down to earth and approachable throughout his illustrious career. In fact, during an interview with Radio Shropshire, he said he believed his success came from being sincere and straightforward and by keeping his feet on the ground.

Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh has admitted it was Percy Thrower who first inspired him to become a gardener - and in the same way, Percy inspired a whole generation of British people to take up gardening too. Percy died on 18 March 1988, at the age of 75.

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