Rose grower wins 30th gold at Chelsea Flower Show

A specialist rose grower has been awarded its 30th gold medal by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show despite facing a difficult year affected by the winter.

Peter Beales Roses, based in Attleborough, Norfolk, has been showcasing at the London flower show since the 1970s, where it has received numerous medals for its rose displays.

Judges said its display this year captivated a harmonious blend of artistry, scent and environmental awareness.

Ian Limmer, head rosarian, said: "To win our 30th Chelsea gold, and receive the highest possible marks by the judges is a huge honour for our whole team."

The display, which the Norfolk Wildlife Trust gave advice on, was themed around wildlife and sustainability to demonstrate how roses can form the backbone of an ecologically rich garden.

It featured two 20ft (six metre) Silver Common Birch trees to showcase how roses are able to scale the tree and become a habitat for birds.

The nursery housed about 3,000 plants that were specifically grown for the prestigious show, which included 1,500 roses.

Speaking prior to their win, Mr Limmer said the weather meant it had been a "difficult year" for the plants.

"I don't think we've had hardly any rain... we put in our root stocks at the nursery and we've not had any rain to settle them in.

"We've also had some intense summer. An early summer, with the heat and the light. It has made it a little more difficult to bring all these roses for Chelsea Flower Show.

"The poor plants don't know what to think," he said.

The show was also an opportunity for the nursery to introduce a new rose named Ashton Wold, created to honour the Ashton Wold Estate in Northamptonshire.

Peter Beales Roses first attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the 1970s where it won its first medal, a Bronze Flora, in 1973.

Since then it has won many gold medals from 1989 to 2025.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.