THEY’RE blooming marvellous.

The green-fingered gardeners of Hampshire went head to head with the country’s best and came away with a wheelbarrow of awards from Chelsea Flower Show.

Hillier Nurseries is among those celebrating today after winning a top prize at the show for the 70th year running.

The Romsey-based firm struck gold in the Great Pavilion Awards section for its stunning display of 4,000 trees, shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants in a series of interlinking gardens.

Gardener Ricky Dorlay has worked on their displays at the firm for the last 50 years.

The 74-year-old said: “I am absolutely thrilled and a bit emotional. You never take anything for granted, so it's absolutely wonderful news.”

Hampshire Carnivorous Plants also won gold in the Great Pavilion Awards section after wowing judges with its exhibition from the US and Canada.

Daily Echo:

Hilliers Nurseries’ Ricky Dorlay and MD Andy McIndoe

Nursery Matthew Soper and his team have won the top prize every year since they began exhibiting 17 years ago.

The medal is also their 119th gold prize they have received from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) since the nursery, based in Lower Upham was launched in 1996.

Matthew said: “I’m thrilled. We’re only a small nursery so it’s quite an achievement.

“We came in this morning and the medal was on the table. When you’re walking up to it you never know. It’s a relief that after all that work it’s been worth it.”

Meanwhile Sparshot College, near Winchester, was awarded gold in the Discovery Awards section – their 13th medal and sixth gold at the show. Their display called The Hop Cycle which was designed and built by a team of 13 horticulture students shows the history of the hop and its uses.

It also features beer barrels and pumps from their exhibit partner Wadworth brewery, a penny farthing and a pub sign.

Lecturer Chris Bird said: “They have had to work incredibly hard for the honour but their huge efforts have reaped them the ultimate prizeAs horticulturalists embarking on their professional career there can be no greater stepping stone than RHS Chelsea Gold.”

Breast cancer charity The Haven also won gold in the artisan section for their garden which will be transported to the new Wessex Haven in Titchfield before it opens in October.

Designed by Sarah Eberle on the theme of peace and tranquility, it features a willow sculpture by Tom Hare.

Deborah Slaughter from The Haven said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. The garden will raise awareness that we’re due to open in October and our work providing support for people with breast cancer in Hampshire and beyond.”