This year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show is underway and the winners of the 2022 'Plant of the Year' have been announced!
Winner: x Semponium 'Destiny'
Bred by Daniel Michael of Surreal Succulents, 'Destiny' is a striking hybrid succulent achieved by crossing Sempervivum with Aeonium. Boasting enormous rosettes up to 60cm in diameter and varying in colour from bright green to deep purple depending on light levels, it is certainly making a statement! 'Destiny' is hardy to -2° and, while this means we won't be growing it in our gardens here in the North-East of England, it can be grown in a container as an indoor/outdoor plant although it will not be widely available this year.
2nd Place: Armeria pseudarmeria 'Dreamland'
Entered by Ball Colegrave, this new Armeria is from Plant Growers International 'Dreameria Series', which represents a breakthrough in Armeria breeding. Providing 'frost-to-frost' flowering, it will happily grow in containers or the garden. 'Dreamland's' salmon-pink pompom flowers sit above a cushion of narrow, green foliage forming a neat, compact plant. Low maintenance and heat tolerant, this Armeria is sure to be a popular choice with both professional and amateur gardeners.
Available in-store or on-line here
3rd Place: Salvia 'Pink Amistad'
Bred by Rolando Uria in Argentina and presented by John Zako of Middleton Nurseries, 'Pink Amistad' is an attractive, elegant plant. Pink flowers are carried on tall dark stems above mid-green, scented foliage. Drought tolerant once established and attractive to pollinators, this perennial is an ideal addition to any garden.
Available in-store or on-line here
With some outstanding plants awarded the accolade of 'Plant of the Year' in the last decade, this year's shortlist showcased 20 new introductions from some of the world's most renowned plant breeders. In the year of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, several breeders have acknowledged Her Majesty's long reign in the naming of their plants. British breeders, David Austin Roses have Rosa 'Elizabeth' and Ottershaw Cacti presented Aeonium 'Jubilee'. There was also a nod to the Royal Family with Peter Beales Roses Rosa 'Loyal Companion'.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 'Plant of the Year' finalists 2022:
- Iris Fran’s Gold – Burncoose Nurseries
- Rosa Bring Me Sunshine – David Austin Roses Ltd.
- Rosa Elizabeth – David Austin Roses Ltd.
- Salvia Pink Amistad – Middleton Nurseries Ltd.
- Salvia × sylvestris – Middleton Nurseries Ltd.
- Aeonium ‘Jubilee’ – Ottershaw Cacti
- Alstroemeria ‘June Ferelyth’ – Alstroemeria Select
- Rosa Loyal Companion – Peter Beales Roses
- Forsythia × intermedia ‘Discovery’ – Sparsholt College
- Geranium pratense ‘Storm Cloud’ – Sparsholt College
- Dianthus (Allwoodii Group) 'Electric Dreams' – London Fire Brigade
- Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Dreamland’ – Stonebarn Landscapes
- Echinacea 'Evolution Colorific' – Stonebarn Landscapes
- Buddleja davidii 'Little Ruby' – Stonebarn Landscapes
- × Semponium 'Diamond' – Surreal Succulents
- × Semponium 'Destiny' – Surreal Succulents
- Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Intense' – Moore and Moore Plants
- Rhododendron 'Starstyle Pink' - Hare Spring Cottage Plants
- Weigela 'Magic Carpet' – Binny Plants
- Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) ‘Purpleicious’ – Stonebarn Landscapes
The 2021 winner, Cercis candensis 'Eternal Flame', has proven to be a popular choice with gardeners due to it's beautiful appearance and versatility. How will this year's winners fair?