Allen Haskell, a world-renowned horticulturist whose clients included the queen of the Netherlands and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, died yesterday at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. He was 69.

Haskell started in the flower business in grade school, when he delivered gladiolas by bicycle. In 1954, he opened Allen C. Haskell Horticulturists Inc. The 10-acre nursery in New Bedford, Conn., set up like an old English country village, is widely considered the premier small nursery in New England.

Haskell, a lifelong resident of New Bedford, was a staunch supporter of local institutions, including his alma mater, the Bristol County Agricultural school. He was known for spectacular exhibits at the New England Flower Show, which gives a reward annually in his honor.

His work attracted the attention of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who sent her head gardener to New Bedford to purchase an expensive topiary collection for her palace.

He was hired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to do the container plantings for her daughter Caroline Kennedy’s wedding in Hyannis Port. Haskell also made frequent appearances with Martha Stewart on her television show.

Haskell also had a reputation for being difficult to get along with.

He received numerous awards from organizations including the Smithsonian, the Garden Club of America, and the American Horticultural Society.