SUCCESS blossomed for two gardening enthusiasts this week who scooped top trophies at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show – with one receiving special praise from Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen.

The duo overcame weeded out the competition to win gold medals at the Oscars of the gardening world in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

David Martin, 53, of Highworth, was selected to be part of the prestigious NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) south west team, who were tasked with designing and creating with designing a revitalisation and regeneration-themed display for the show’s main marquee.

David, who is chairman of Wroughton Floral Art Society, joined forces with eight budding gardeners to create the award-winning, 20 sq foot design. 

Revitalisation and regeneration featured an urban landscape of two 16foot metal towers, a wetlands area with willows and ferns and a contemporary section, decorated with calla lilies and ivy.

The display received wizarding approval when Lord of the Rings star favourite Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the hit trilogy, stopped by to admire the display and pose for a photo with the triumphant team.

“He was a really nice guy although by that point we were too tired to be starstruck,” David joked.

He said the team was in shock when they saw the gold medal on their display.

“There was this loud scream and then we all got very emotional,” he said.

“It means such a lot to all of us. We’re a mixed bunch here, pun intended, but we’ve worked really well together and it’s nice to know we’ve done it as a team.”

Swindon is fast emerging as a horticultural hotspot with another gold medal claimed by town topiary talent Reg Bolton of Stratton.

The 82-year-old was part of a four-strong team representing the Federation of British Bonsai who received the top prize for their selection of beautiful trees. 

This year, the bonsai boffin displayed his trees on a rectangular wooden platform with two levels, designed to reflect an oriental theme and a sense of wild woodland.

Reg, of the Swindon Bonsai Society, has won more than a dozen gold medals in his 19-year tenure at the show. 

He said: “There’s always that nervousness before the results but when I saw the badge I was so happy.

“I love everything about the show – the camaraderie you have with your team, the construction of the display, making it perfect. It’s an experience like no other.”

The Chelsea veteran said there is more to a display than the few days of exhibition the public sees.

“It’s all year round that we do this and it is an art form, making sure that you can keep the trees in perfect condition and prune them correctly,” he said.

The Japanese art form of bonsai uses miniature trees grown in containers and Reg said it is increasingly popular in the UK.

“Swindon is the centre of the bonsai industry in the UK and it feels fantastic to be a part of this,” he said.

The retired psychiatric social worker began his bonsai bonanza in 1969 and has since grown his field to 31 trees. 

He added: “I want to get better each year. There are things to improve on.”

The five-day Chelsea Flower Show attracts royalty and visitors from around the world.