AN AWARD-WINNING gardener has wowed judges once again and proudly accepted two gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Joe Perkins, from Hove, has managed gardens at the show for the past 12 years.

But this year he entered the competition for the first time under his own name.

The father-of-three asked Facebook to sponsor him, an unusual choice for the flower show, and the first time a social media company joined the event.

They teamed up and The Facebook Garden: Beyond the Screen was born.

Joe, pictured right, picked up the gold medals for “Best in Class” and “Best Construction in the Space to Grow” category.

He was the first gardener in the show’s history to win two awards in the same category.

Joe, 42, said: “I’ve been working at Chelsea Flower Show for a number of years and to receive this kind of recognition for my first solo show is a real honour.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported with the build, particularly The Outdoor Room.

“I’m really happy that the judges recognised what we set out to achieve with the garden and I hope what we’ve done can inspire others.”

The designed landscape was inspired by the Basque coastline, where Joe’s wife Natalia was brought up, as well as his home city by the sea.

It also celebrates Facebook gardening groups that have come together online – including groups for deaf gardeners, giant vegetable growers and “guerrilla gardeners”.

The garden celebrates the stories of people who use Facebook to find common ground with others and to connect in real life.

Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “Joe Perkins has designed an incredible garden that celebrates the people who have joined a Facebook group with others who share their passions, including the 1.5 million British people who are part of gardening groups on Facebook.

“It’s a privilege to see this beautiful design recognised with not one but two awards.

“It’s been an honour to be part of this journey sponsoring the garden and we’d like to thank everyone involved.”

The garden features a wave that washes water across a ‘tidal’ pool and over layered rock formations which represent the sedimentary rocks known as ‘Flysch’ which make up part of the Basque coastline.

A copper canvassed wave-form sculpture also forms a canopy over a timber deck, symbolising connectivity.

The first show at Chelsea was on May 20, 1913, when it was called the Great Spring Show and was held in a single tent.