Gardeners’ Chelsea successes

Friday 23rd May 2008, 11:45AM BST.

A garden centre in Shropshire today joined the county’s roll call of winners at Chelsea Flower Show.

Wilstone House and Gardens from Shropshire won its third Merit award in a row for “an outstanding stand” at RHS Chelsea.

Christo McKinnon, co-owner of Wilstone, said he was delighted.

He said: “I spoke to the judges, who were very impressed with the planting scheme that my wife had done to bring the stand to life.

“So far it has been the best show to date for us and lets hope it keeps on.”

Two Shropshire firms and a county MP have already struck gold and silver at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.

Flower arranger Kate Edwards, of Seven Oaks, Petton, near Shrewsbury, received a gold from judges in the flower arranging session. Mrs Edwards, was representing Stimulus Designer Group.

The Shropshire group of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG) won a silver flora in the floral marquee. Flower arranger Margaret Owen wowed judges with her display.

A company part-run by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, Ruffer LLP, was also a winner. Ruffer LLP,with Clare Agnew Design, won silver-gilt flora in the Best Show Garden.