Shropshire nursery takes silver gilt medal at its Chelsea Flower Show debut
A nursery based in the Shropshire countryside has returned from its first Chelsea Flower Show appearance with a coveted silver gilt award.
Laura and Jack Willgoss, who run Wildegoose Nursery at Munslow, near Craven Arms, are already making plans to return next year and go one better.
Laura said: "This is our first year at Chelsea and the first time we have exhibited.
"To win the silver gilt was a really nice surprise and a good achievement in our first year here.
"We'll be hoping to come back again next year when we will be going for gold.
"We have the largest collection of perennial violas in the country and this is the fourth year we've been in business."
The nursery at Millichope Park also scooped gold at the this year's Malvern Festival and has exhibited at other smaller shows throughout the year.
Four years after setting up their small business, to spread the word about perennial violas, the couple is also planning to open up the park's walled garden after obtaining two grants.
Laura said: "We've just received two grants, one from the heritage lottery and one from country houses foundation to refurbish the walled gardens.
"They should be open next year for the first time since the 1950s. The business has grown each year and we're really happy to spread the word about violas, which are such wonderful flowers."
The couple, who met as trainees at the RHS Garden at Wisley, Surrey, will host an open day at the nursery on June 28, where visitors can find out more information about the project to restore the walled gardens.
Meanwhile, Joanna Lumley used her visit to Chelsea to claim urban foxes are a welcome sight.
The 69-year-old Absolutely Fabulous actress has revealed she feeds them dog food – and even lets them curl up on the sofa.
She said she cares for several "completely charming" foxes that live in her back garden in London.
