Hillier clinch a 67th consecutive RHS Chelsea Gold medal with ‘Duel and the Crown’ & catch the Royal eye
Hillier Nurseries have triumphed over a difficult growing season to win a record-shattering 67th consecutive Chelsea Gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with their Diamond Jubilee tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, Patron of the British Fencing Association.
During the Royal visit, Andrew McIndoe, Managing Director of Hillier Nurseries, had the honour of welcoming the Queen to the Hillier exhibit, where members of the British fencing team, Alex O’Connell and James Honeybone, staged a fencing display as the Queen and the world’s media looked on.
‘Duel and the Crown’ is the result of an exciting partnership with Beazley, specialist Lloyd’s insurer and premier partner of British Fencing, and marks the return of live fencing to the Chelsea showground for the first time in over 70 years. Every morning throughout Chelsea week on the Hillier exhibit, the British fencing team will be demonstrating their sport to thousands of show visitors. Come the Summer Games, there will be a new audience rooting for British fencers, and hoping that the association with Hillier Nurseries has inspired the athletes to medal glory.
“We are thrilled to have won our 67th consecutive Chelsea Gold medal,” says Andy McIndoe. “The Hillier Golden Legacy carries such a responsibility, and all credit must go to our fantastic team, who rose to the challenge magnificently. Ricky Dorlay, our Master Plant Preparer, deserves particular mention. After 47 years bringing over 3500 trees and plants to the point of perfection, Ricky seems to have mastered Nature itself!”
“The other exciting news is that the new Hillier plant introduction, Choisya ‘Aztec Gold’ has been shortlisted for Chelsea Plant of the Year”, says Andy. This new golden form of the Mexican Orange Blossom is a key plant on the Hillier exhibit – a mass of white blossom, and was been propagated by the famous Hillier plantsman, Alan Postill, who celebrates 50 years at the company this year.
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