Raymond Evison: Guernsey Post Celebrates
Guernsey Post is delighted to announce the release of a special stamp issue which celebrates the achievements of Raymond Evison OBE, VMH, a world-renowned authority, breeder and grower of clematis cultivars, who this year was awarded his 25th Gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (stamp issue date 13 November 2013).
Guernsey Post?s 25 Years of Gold issue features five of the clematis that Raymond Evison exhibited at the highly successful 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In total he exhibited 50 different varieties at the show, all of which were raised in his famous Guernsey nursery, something rarely done – if at all – by any other exhibitor.
The clematis depicted on the stamps comprise the Anna Louise, a free flowering plant with large violet purple flowers which has been featured on gold medal exhibits at Chelsea many times in the past; the Chelsea, a very compact plant with French Grey rounded flowers which was launched at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show to celebrate its 100th anniversary; the Giselle, a stunning multi-flowering clematis with six-pointed dusky purple/pink sepals; the Samaritan Jo, a stunning multi-coloured flowering plant; and The Countess of Wessex, a delightful white flower which was launched at the 2012 Flower Show by HRH The Countess of Wessex and admired by Her Majesty The Queen on Raymond Evison’s clematis exhibit. Completing the set is clematis Edda, a compact plant which is to be launched at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Raymond Evison said: ?I am delighted that Guernsey Post has produced this very special set of postage stamps. It is an honour to be celebrated in this way and I am grateful for the huge team effort from our nurseries.?
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: – ?Over the years Raymond has enjoyed huge successes at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and this year he celebrated his 11th consecutive gold medal. We are thrilled to be able to showcase just some of the beautiful clematis which drew the crowds at Chelsea, including three which made their debut at this year?s show ? and we?re particularly delighted that Raymond has photographed the stunning images which are depicted on our stamps.?
