Kevin Belcher’s Retirement
Ashwood Nurseries is saying a fond farewell and a huge thank you to our hellebore breeder, Kevin Belcher.
Kevin began work on the hellebore breeding programme over 35 years ago, with focus on producing Helleborus x hybridus varieties, when owner John Massey saw the potential of hellebores as a winter crop. With help from Jill Pearce, who recently retired in June 2025 after 34 years at Ashwood Nurseries, they have both produced masses of new hellebore strains and varieties to the nursery.
A large portion of Kevin’s work has gone into producing Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Garden Hybrids, selecting the plants for good colour, bold markings and strong growth. Kevin established the first true yellow garden hybrid hellebore in the late 1990’s. Kevin remembers that it was a reluctant plant to cross successfully but 6 years on our first Neon shades appeared, followed a few years later by the Daybreak, Sunrise and Sunset shades of Ashwood Garden Hybrids in 2014. These then lead onto the development of the Ashwood Evolution Hybrids which were defined in 2018. Since then Kevin has achieved most colour forms and flower shapes to produce a diverse catalogue of our Ashwood Evolution Hybrids.
Kevin’s work has also included many Ashwood Strains of Helleborus x sternii and Helleborus niger, as well as his documented inter-species crosses Helleborus x belcheri ‘Pink Ice’ and Helleborus x ashwoodensis ‘Briar Rose’.
Perhaps one of the biggest career highlights for Kevin was back in 2018, when Ashwood Nurseries exhibited the Ashwood Garden Hybrids at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with particular focus on the Ashwood Evolution Group. Not only did the exhibit receive a coveted Gold medal, but had also been awarded the President’s Award for the RHS president’s favourite exhibit in The Great Pavilion. The President’s Award was presented to John and Kevin later in the show.
It is widely recognised that Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Garden Hybrids are one of the best strains of hellebores ever produced, achieving numerous RHS Gold medals over many years of exhibiting at shows in West Minster. Kevin’s breeding programme involves selecting specimens, hand pollinating flowers and filtering suitable stock year on year. Not forgetting the work involved in the potting, maintenance and record keeping of the plants year-round. The outcome of producing hellebores with strong, long-lasting colour, large outward facing blooms with robust but attractive foliage is a credit to Kevin’s hard work over the years.
Onto a new chapter… There are still plenty of ongoing developments with our hellebore breeding programme. Joshua Tranter (left) has been shadowing Kevin and learning the ropes of the hellebore production for the past year. He will be taking on Kevin’s role in breeding and caring for our hellebore stock. Kevin has said he will be popping in to check on the results!
We are extremely proud that Kevin has been recognised by the RHS and has been awarded the prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal, for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture. In regards to the Ashwood Evolution Hybrids, their bright, clear yellow colouration is unique and the genotype is now used in breeding programmes across the world.
New chapter… There is still plenty of ongoing developments under the control of Joshua Tranter (left) and Kevin will be popping in to check on the results.
“Many congratulations Kevin Belcher VMM, thank you for giving Ashwood Nurseries international status in the wonderful world of horticulture” John Massey.
We wish him all the very best as he begins this exciting new chapter in retirement.