Terry Baker, of the Botanic Nursery in Atworth, shows off his foxgloves (17118)TWO west Wiltshire plant nurseries have won awards for their colourful displays at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

Westdale Nurseries, in Bradford on Avon and The Botanic Nursery in Atworth, Melksham, were awarded silver and bronze medals respectively, in the floral marquee category at the Royal Horticultural Society's flagship event.

Westdale was awarded a Silver Flora for their island display of bougainvillea a Brazilian vine plant discovered by French navigator Admiral Louis De Bougainville in 1768.

The bougainvillea is normally a climbing plant, but can be trained to stay bushy in pot plants and hanging baskets.

Tricia Clarke, who runs Westdale Nurseries with husband Charlie, said: "We were a little disappointed not to have done slightly better, but the weather has not been kind to us."

The bougainvillea plant should be in the sun at least four hours a day.

The Botanic Nursery won a Bronze Flora for its display of perennial hardy foxgloves.

The Digitalis purpurea foxglove, known as the purple or common foxglove, is native to the UK, but there are over 25 varieties that can be found throughout central and southern Europe.

The Atworth-based nursery has been showing plants at the Chelsea event for 15 years, previously winning a Silver Gilt award.

Owner Terry Baker said: "Our main thrill is to show the keenest gardeners something a little different."

The Botanic Nursery is offering people a chance to see its award winning flowers until Tuesday, as part of Foxglove Week.

The south west National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, based in Yatton Keynell, Chippenham, scooped a Bronze Grenfall in the flower arranging category.

The annual flower show, held in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, was held from May 24-28.

It is widely regarded as the most prestigious flower event in the country and is now in its 83rd year.

Chelsea Flower Show factfile

The show was originally called the Royal Horticultural Society's Great Spring Show when it was first held in the RHS' garden in Kensington in 1862.

In 1937 an empire exhibition was held for the Coronation year of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, featuring wattles from Australia, pines from Canada and gladioli from east Africa.

The show was cancelled during the Second World War as the land was required by the War Office for an anti-aircraft site.

Experts believe the show mirrors changing horticultural fashions, from the Japanese bonsais in 1913, through to the paved backyards of the 1980s.