Florist who won gold promotes sustainable flowers

Nicola Hill said winning the gold medal award felt amazing

A florist who won her first gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show has encouraged people to buy more sustainable flowers.

Nicola Hill, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, started her flower farm three years ago to provide locally grown flowers that cared for the environment.

Her compostable design, named Peach Perfect, featured seasonal homegrown flowers and received an award for the Floral Creations category last week.

"It feels really amazing, it's quite incredible to win the award," she said.

Ms Hill, who previously won a silver-gilt medal at last year's flower show, said one of the event's highlights was being interviewed by horticulturist and BBC Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don.

"It's nice that the way I produce my flowers is appreciated by the judges and the RHS is really positive about sustainable flowers," she said.

Ms Hill dedicated a day to arrange her flowers for the show

"It still feels really surreal, I feel really privileged to go along to the show and compete," she said.

She hoped that her design would inspire people to find their local flower farmer and buy British instead of imported flowers, in order to reduce their carbon footprint.

"People are becoming more aware of the effects on the environment and they are seeking out alternatives when it comes to flowers," she said.

Ms Hill also works as an architectural designer and became a self-taught florist after finding a love for gardening.

"I didn't get my first garden until I was 40 and arranging flowers, being outside and watching things grow makes me so happy," she said.

The flower farmer encouraged people to keep their gardens wildlife-friendly by not using weed killer, keeping a hole in fences for hedgehogs and planting lots of flowers.

The arrangement featured a framework of willow with flowers like Allium and Colibri poppies