Carolyn Hardy, who has died aged 86, was a grande dame of British horticulture who held leading positions in the country’s two major gardening charities as chairman of the National Gardens Scheme and vice-chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The combination of a military family background, a rigorous horticultural training, limitless energy and marrying into a family who owned one of the most admired gardens in the country together equipped her to make a substantial impact.
Her contribution was recognised by her appointment as OBE in 1998 and within the world of horticulture by the award of the Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1989. Carolyn Hardy and her husband Alan were one of only two married couples to have both received the award since its foundation in 1901.
Carolyn Evanson was born at Richmond, Yorkshire, on June 16 1930, the daughter of Major-General...
