A FLOURISHING Hampshire gardener dug for gold to become a record breaker in the most prestigious gardening show.

Green-fingered Sarah Eberle has now won more categories at Chelsea Flower Show than any other designer.

The 59-year-old designed two gardens this year – including for Hillier Nurseries – scooping gold for both.

The new awards included an award for a garden with Jim Hillier and Ricky Dorlay for Hillier Nurseries in the Great Pavillion, which helped her break the record and maintain the nursery’s position as the Royal Horticultural Show’s most successful exhibitor.

It means that Sarah has helped the Romsey centre scoop their 71st consecutive gold, a standard which the nursery had wanted to maintain despite enrolling her for the first time as a new designer.

It was the first time Hillier had used an independent designer at the show after Andy McIndoe left last year and the first time the firm had used showcased.

Meanwhile, Sarah’s garden for Viking Cruises, created with Belderbos Landscapes, also won gold in the artisan category and was named ‘best in show’.

Sarah Eberle, a former design director at Hillier Landscapes said: “I’m elated to have won two golds and one ‘best in show’. I am absolutely over the moon and relieved.

“Hillier have been such a huge part of my life and career that it is totally fitting that I have reached the full set of Chelsea Gold through working with them.

“With their 70 consecutive golds, that was some pressure. You take on the challenge and then you get here and think ‘what have I done?’

“The highlight is getting the results we wanted.”

Jim Hillier added: “We are absolutely thrilled that it’s a gold. Everyone at Hillier has worked so hard for this result over months and months, and we could not be any prouder or more delighted.

“So many elements were new for us this year – the location, the designer, the design – but it has all come together in spectacular fashion.”

Sparsholt College also came out on top, scooping their 17th award and fourth silver with their garden, The People’s Plants, which aims to inspire people to become involved in plant conservation. The garden was created by a team of 15 horticultural students and lecturer Chris Bird in partnership with charity Plant Heritage.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show also featured a garden by former Hillier gardener Andy McIndoe and Pip Bensley whose non-competitive design, Jardin Blanc, adorned Raymond Blanc’s VIP dining area.