Rosemary Legrand

Rosemary is a former nursery owner and daughter of the late George Hyde, who was a hybridist of azaleas and rhododendrons. Many of his award-winning hybrid plants can be seen at the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley, Surrey, the de Rothschild rhododendron gardens at Exbury, Hampshire, and the National Trust Gardens at Kingston Lacy in Dorset.

Rosemary had the honour of presenting Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth with a collection of her late Father’s azaleas named after the Late Queen’s former Head Gardener, Fred Nutbeam, at Chelsea Flower Show in 1996. 

Her enjoyment of photography is used to great effect in creating the atmosphere of the gardens she discusses in her range of illustrated talks.  She has travelled extensively to gardens in many parts of the world including Japan, where she was inspired by the unique and exquisite gardens of which she has amassed a substantial library of pictures.  

Rosemary is an experienced public speaker and has given presentations to a wide range of organisations since 1992.  She is on the RHS Speakers Register, and a speaker for NAFAS. She wrote a number of contributions for the book ‘1001 Gardens You Must see Before You Die’ and articles for horticultural publications. She is the Chairman of the New Forest Branch of the Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group affiliated to the RHS.