GREEN-fingered students have continued their gold streak of success at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For the ninth year Sparsholt College took home a Gold Medal thanks to its Behind the Genes garden, which also won Best Discovery Exhibit.

This year the college teamed up with Thompson & Morgan to showcase a garden which was an insight into the processes of plant breeding, selection and development helping to showcase the commitment and expertise involved in plant breeding from the past and into the future.

The garden prompted show visitors to think about the future of plant breeding and the possibilities it holds.

This year the team was joined by Lance Russell, a current Thompson & Morgan horticulturalist and manager who first visited RHS Chelsea as a student member of the Sparsholt College Gold Medal-winning team in 2014.

Lecturer Chris Bird spoke of the college’s success and said: “It was a great feeling to receive a double award for our Behind the Genes garden.

“The team worked really well together and all members tapped into their existing and current skills, there was a lot of sharing of knowledge.”

RHS Horticulture student, Jessica Collacott, who was part of the RHS Chelsea 2019 winning team said: “It was mentally and physically challenging but I’ve learnt so many new skills. I’ve built new friendships and the team really bonded as a group.

“Working with Thompson & Morgan brought a whole different element to the garden and the experience.”