FOR the past 70 years they have taken home the top prize at one of England’s greatest garden shows.

Now the new team at the Hilliers Nurseries are hoping they can take home another gold when they appear at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show this month.

The largest exhibitor at the world-famous London show is looking to make it 71 years in a row that they awarded the prize.

But they have a new addition to their team after Andy McIndoe left the team in the autumn after being the lead designer for 21 years.

Sarah Eberly will lead the team as they create a traditional garden with a contemporary twist.

Based at the Royal Chelsea hospital, their 264-square metre display will feature more than 3,000 plants.

Over the course of 12 days the team will start to set up their display before the show opens on May 23.

But Sarah, 59, from Whitchurch, said there she didn’t find the challenge daunting.

“I love challenges,” she said. “I’m invigorated by this one and excited by it. I’ve been in this industry for 35 years. There’s always new challenges. It’s a huge learning curve.

“Hilliers are such a huge name in horticulture. When was training their manual was our Bible.”

he said that while the family firm is traditional she said they are updating themselves and that is what inspired her with her design.

Taking an 18th century landscape garden with a modern pavilion, meadow, grassland, and woodland areas and water feature she has “updated [the design] with a contemporary feel”.

Area manager George Hillier, and the grandson of Harold Hillier, in whose name the gardens are named after, said: “As far as Chelsea goes, for us it’s massively important to us. It’s the highlight of our year and having won 70 consecutive gold medals it’s hugely important to us that we keep winning. We love going to Chelsea.”

The 42-year old said he wish Andy all the best and look forward to working with Sarah.

“She knows out business inside-out and we’ve known her both personally and professional. She’s like part of the family.

“We’re just thrilled to have Sarah on board and can’t wait to see what the design looks like.”

Sarah talked about her desire to win gold with George and Ricky Dorlay.

She said: “I will do everything within my power to achieve that. I’m quite competitive not with other people but with myself. I have done so many shows that I know that there’s no such thing as a gold in the bag.”