An Attleborough firm, Redgrave botanist and a sculptor from Diss were all winners at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
A Norfolk flower grower has risen to the occasion to claim gold-medal success at this year's Chelsea Flower Show – with a royal visit adding the crowning glory for the proud exhibitor.
Among the elated winners are Attleborough-based firm Peter Beales Roses, which secured its tenth successive gold medal after impressing the judges with its spectacular design. The firm also enjoyed an impromptu visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who stopped to admire blooms including the new Sandringham Rose, launched this year.
'It was so relaxed and they were charming,' said nursery manager Ian Limmer. 'They were asking questions about different varieties, and it was such a privilege to have those two or three minutes with them on the stand.'
Mr Limmer said the royal visit was the perfect way to celebrate the company's 23rd gold medal – and its tenth in a row.
'I don't know if I can put the feeling into words,' he said. 'It is relief, it is joy – all sorts of emotions. I am ecstatic for the whole team. It is such a prestigious show, and there are so many gardens out there which have been on a run of golds but have been given a silver-gilt. So to get 10 golds in a row is so exciting, and so important for us.'
Garden will help hospital
Harleston landscape firm Bespoke Outdoor Spaces has scooped a gold medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. It built a garden for television personality Chris Beardshaw who designed the Morgan Stanley Garden.
The garden will now be sited at its permanent home at Great Ormond Street Hospital and will provide a much needed, private and reflective space for
parents and families of the children undergoing treatment at the hospital. Jody Lidgard, director of Bespoke Outdoor Spaces, said: 'It has been a great
experience again to be at the show. It is the who's who of the horticultural world.
'I am very proud to be part of the relocation of the garden to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. With the help of DIY SOS we will be transporting the garden up onto a three storey roof as soon as the show is over. It is a real feel good story and a truly sustainable home for this beautiful garden.'
Another gold winner at the show was Redgrave's Dr Christopher Grey-Wilson. The former Kew Gardens botanist won his eighth gold medal for designing a garden for the Alpine Garden Society.
Granite block holds secret wood inside
A Diss letter carver and sculptor is celebrating after the garden he helped to create won two awards at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Gary Breeze, who has a workshop in Beehive Yard, and fellow carver Martin Cook have designed the garden called Antithesis of Sarcophagi. The garden won a gold medal and was named Best Fresh Garden.
The garden consists of a 2.5 metre cubed block of granite which has hieroglyphics on it. There are six holes in the granite and when people looked through them they saw a thriving British woodland - which included silver birch trees, bluebells and ferns.
It has been admired by numerous visitors, including Girl's Aloud member Sarah Harding.
Mr Breeze has been involved in numerous high profile projects including the tomb of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral.
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