Roger Aylett, founder of Aylett Nurseries, has died aged 76.
Mr Aylett trained in horticulture at Oaklands College in St Albans, where he later became governor, always taking a keen interest in the training of young aspiring horticulturists.

He founded Aylett Nurseries Ltd in 1955 aged 21. Initially, he grew glasshouse crops, but soon developed his childhood interest in dahlias, becoming well known for his stunning dahlia exhibits and despatching plants all over the country.

These displays earned the business many awards, including 36 consecutive Gold Medals between 1961 and 1999 at the Royal Horticultural Society shows, and the Williams Memorial Medal, won in 1977 and again in 1994.

For more than 30 years Mr Aylett was a valued member of the RHS shows and Dahlia Committees, regularly seen assessing the dahlia trials at Wisley. The National Dahlia Society awarded him their Silver Medal in 1999. In 1998, he received recognition from the RHS with the Veitch Memorial Medal for outstanding contributions to the science and practice of horticulture, a moment he described as the pinnacle of his career.

My Aylett developed the family business into a successful independent garden centre, which was this year rated the third best independent garden centre in the UK by Which? Gardening.

Described by his family as "a true gentleman - quiet, unassuming, kind and generous", Mr Aylett, who died on May 18, is survived by his wife Hazel, his two married daughters Julie and Sally, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St Albans Abbey on Wednesday, June 3, from 2pm.