HORTICULTURAL staff and students at Sparsholt College are celebrating winning an RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 Silver medal last week.

The staff, students and partner Plant Heritage are celebrating the news this week that once again the college has won a medal at the 104-year-old annual event.

The People’s Plants designed and built by horticulture students, highlights the work of the charity Plant Heritage, including their Plant Guardian Scheme, National Plant Collection scheme and Threatened Plants Project and how people across the UK can become actively involved in conservation of cultivated plants from their own back garden, greenhouse, allotment or windowsill.

Lecturer Chris Bird, who led the student team, said: “We are thrilled and proud to have been awarded a silver medal at RHS Chelsea which is this country’s most prestigious flower show.

“We were keen to tell the Plant Heritage story and hope our garden will inspire others to become involved in the conservation of cultivated plants.

“For our students, exhibiting here culminates two years of study during which they have acquired the skills and know-how for a career in the horticulture industry.

“And whether embarking on their professional careers or progressing on to the degree course they each have an RHS Chelsea Silver medal as testimony to their talents.”

Sarah Quarterman, Plant Heritage chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to be the sponsor of Sparsholt College’s display this year and for The People’s Plants to receive a Silver Medal today is the icing on the cake.

“It has been an exciting experience partnering the team of students and Chris Bird, and we are grateful for all their hard work and efforts into bringing our plant cultivation and conservation story to life.

“We hope visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show make it a priority to see this spectacular and innovative plant display and are encouraged to find out more about how anyone with a passion for plants can become involved in our plant cultivation and conservation schemes.”

Sparsholt College Hampshire has a long history of Chelsea medal success achieving six Gold medals, three Silver-gilt medals, five Silver medals (including this year) and three Bronze medals since 1998.