Chelsea Plant of the Year

Choosing the best new plant at Chelsea

Words: Matt Biggs

On the evening of Monday 24 May, after the excitement of Press Day, RHS committee members convened for one of the events of the horticultural calendar - to select RHS Chelsea Flower Show ‘Plant of the Year’. The RHS Advisory Committee had already selected a shortlist of 20 new introductions, from plants displaying ‘innovation and excellence, while having public appeal’.

Legendary garden writer Peter Seabrook started proceedings, extolling the virtues of Lobelia erinus ‘Waterfall Blue Ice’ (Miracle-Gro’wers Learning Journey - Flowers: GPE3) , while the audience listened impassively. Eyebrows were raised with his second introduction: a ‘black’ Petunia (Miracle-Gro’wers Learning Journey - Flowers: GPE3) , which, he assured the audience, was ‘a remarkable colour break’ – though some were not so sure! This was swiftly followed by an eclectic range of plants; gorgeous Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ white, with a lavender band on the reverse (Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants: GP9); a fragrant, apricot Begonia; a drought-resistant Brachyscome from Australia; and two vibrantly-coloured ‘Heucherella’, with their typical ‘zing’.

There was barely a response from the assembled worthies until an unnaturally large-flowered ‘Hydrangea’ took to the stage, the room filled with audible whispers - ‘Should be tested for steroids’, ‘Revolting’, ‘How lovely’ - no one could really decide! Next, came the case for an extraordinary ‘Nepenthes’. Its supporter confessed it normally appealed to a niche market, ‘who wore anoraks, white socks and open-toed sandals’. Few voted - for fear of being included in that category!

Finally, the exhibitors left the room and the serious matter of voting began. Little happened until a host of arms waved their voting cards for Saxifraga ‘Anneka Hope’ (Kevock Garden Plants: GPH5) with a similar number for Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ – it was so close! The room filled with murmurs of excitement and ‘by a short head’ the winner is… Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ shown by Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants.