HOSTA specialists Ann and Roger Bowden from Sticklepath have won their first gold medal at the Malvern Spring Flower Show.
A display of 100 hostas, in all different sizes and colours, together with a sculpture by Alan Biggs of Belstone and pots from Country Lanes Garden Centre in Okehampton, got them the top honour after receiving the silver guilt on previous occasions.
Mr Bowden said it was a surprise to win and was a reward for all the hundreds of hours they put in preparing displays.
The couple have won a gold medal at Chelsea in the past and are hoping to repeat that this weekend.
They will also be attending the Hampton Court Flower Show and and BBC Gardeners' World show later this year.
Cleave House at Sticklepath, where the Bowdens hold the National Collection of Hostas — extending to more than 900 varieties — will be open under the National Garden Scheme from 10.30am to 5pm on June 1 and 2.