Topiary guru hedges bets for next time

Jason van der Hulst was runner-up in the Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year competition for the second year in succession. Photo / John Stone

The head gardener at Jane Mander Retirement Village in Whangarei is the runner-up in the Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year competition for the second year in succession.

The contest aims to identify the country's finest public parks and gardens horticulturist. Contestants are judged on practical elements including potting, nursery skills, machinery maintenance and repair, as well as business skills, leadership potential and public speaking.

Jason van der Hulst was the only retirement village horticulturist in the finals. He won the public speaking test, but missed out on the top prize, which went to Wellington Botanic Gardens head gardener Karl Nolden.

"It's great to get recognition alongside the teams from the big publicly-funded gardens," Mr van der Hulst said. "It would have been nice to take first place this year, but I'm happy to be runner-up again."

The Jane Mander facility is among 28 retirement villages operated by Ryman Healthcare. Mr van der Hulst has worked there for six years.

"I love being out in the fresh air and being able to walk away from a job and be able to see what I've done and what impact it has on the people around me," he said.

Mr van der Hulst is well known for his topiaries, which include bowlers, cricketers and a tennis player.

He has a spare spot on the wall where he is planning to cultivate his next project - a topiary of All Black captain Richie McCaw in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Will Mr van der Hulst, 29, have a third crack at at winning Young Amenity Horticulturist title next year?

"I would dearly love to, but the cut-off age is 30 so I may be excluded," he said.