In 2020, the Merlin Trust is celebrating 30 years of funding life-changing travel for young horticulturists. Founded by Valerie Finnis, the Merlin Trust provides early career gardeners with an opportunity to visit plants in their natural habitats, and to expand their knowledge and understanding of horticulture.

To celebrate this year’s anniversary, the Merlin Trust was awarding an additional place on an Alpine Garden Society tour to the Rocky Mountains, now postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This additional place was made possible due to a generous donation from Tim Brotzman. Tim, who runs a nursery in the United States, donated the royalties from the sale of two eastern redbud tree cultivars developed at his nursery – Cercis canadensis Vanilla Twist and  C. canadensis ‘Covey’ (Lavender Twist®) – to the Merlin Trust in recognition of the help and support he received as a young horticulturist from Valerie and her husband Sir David Scott.

Tim said, ‘I am happy to know my contributions can help in perpetuating a program that captures the very essence of who [Sir David and Lady Scott] were.’

As soon as it is possible to travel safely again, Tim’s donation will enable a young horticulturist to take part in a tour of a lifetime!

Find out more about the Merlin Trust: https://merlin-trust.org.uk/