The ex-presenter of TV’s Gardeners’ World was loved by millions of green-fingered amateurs for his knowledge built up over a lifetime’s love affair with the pastime.
Cassie King, who collaborated with Peter at the Chelsea Flower Show – where the Queen and other Royals often stopped to chat about his winning displays – said: “He was an inspiration to me. I will be forever grateful.”
Matthew Appleby, the editor of Horticulture Week, said “Peter was the most respected and the greatest gardening writer of his time” while the Royal Horticultural Society called him “one of the champions of horticulture”.
Peter, made MBE in 2005, is thought to have had a heart attack at home in Chelmsford, Essex. He had cared for his wife Margaret who died in 2020 after living with Alzheimer’s.
Their children Alison and Roger wrote: “He leaves a big gap.”
