IT HAS come up roses for a keen 90-year-old Petersfield gardener.
Philip Roots won a gold award in Petersfield in Bloom for the floral transformation of the garden at his retirement and sheltered housing complex.
He only entered at the final hour after roses he planted in the spring, with a grant from Ramscote landlord Radian, started to flower spectacularly.
And his display of 27 perpetual flowering roses – of trailing, tea, floribunda and other varieties – in two big raised beds and six tubs certainly wowed the judges.
His daughter, Melanie, said: “My father grew up in northern India and has always had a keen interest in plants, wild and cultivated, often choosing to grow those that grew wild near his school such as Himalayan poppy, dahlias and daphne.
“He had a fine rose and azalea garden in north Yorkshire but since he came to Hampshire 12 years ago, this is his first opportunity to get going on a proper garden.”
Philip’s was one of a fine array of displays that dazzled outside shops, schools, businesses and pubs, and in streets and gardens around the town.
Judges had their usual tricky task of picking the winners, but were delighted Petersfield had once again put on its best face in the annual contest.