Romsey-based Hillier Nurseries are having a double celebration after scooping two national awards in London recently.

The company won "Grower of the Year" and "Best New Plant Variety" in front of over 400 guests at the annual awards ceremony of industry title Horticulture Week at The Riverbank Park Plaza in London.

The introduction of a new elm tree Ulmus 'New Horizon,' which is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, secured the second award of the night in the "Best New Plant Variety" category.

Hillier Nurseries played an active role in securing the future of the species - 70 per cent of which has been wiped out in Europe and North America since the first outbreak of Dutch Elm Disease back in the 1920s.

The company worked in partnership with a German nursery on trials to select a variety appropriate for the UK and Irish market. So far trees have been sold to more than 30 local authorities. Hillier Nurseries captured the "Grower of the Year" accolade thanks to its long term strategy to be the UK's leading supplier of semi-mature trees.

The company invested heavily in land, machinery, training and stock to meet market demand for semi-mature trees which can be planted at any time of the year and look impressive from day one.

The strategy has clearly paid off, resulting in the company supplying some landmark projects such as the City of Manchester stadium and the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh in addition to working with B&Q on the supply of semi-mature trees.