New plants at RHS Show Cardiff
Here are a selection of some of the new plants launched at RHS Show Cardiff.
Words: Jean Vernon
Images: Martin Mulchinock
Narcissus ' Gwawr'
In honour of the daffodil's emblem status in Wales, Ron Scamp Quality Daffodils has launched a charming new variety called Narcissus 'Gwawr' which means ‘Dawn’ in Welsh. It is a strong floriferous variety with a white perianth and a pink trumpet with a white base. It’s a beautiful flower and has an ethereal beauty. In the twilight it simply glows.
Acer palmatum 'Bordervale Blush'
This beautiful seedling of Acer palmatum graced the stand of Bordervale Plants in the Floral Marquee. A chance seedling at this local Welsh nursery has produced a plant with delightful pink and green variegation that holds all summer. It’s outdoor grown and appears to be hardy. Bordervale Plants are looking into grafting it, so plants may be available in the near future.
Tritonia pallida
Here’s a pretty bulb from South Africa. It’s very hardy and flowers early in the season, with attractive veined creamy flowers. It spreads elegantly, forming new bulbs at the end of the roots and sprouting up nearby. Plants are available from Plantbase.
New mouse ear hostas
From the parent Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ comes a range of three small hostas, all fully hardy and each with the delightful, delicate mouse shaped ears that are exhibited by the parent plant. Hosta 'Holy Mouse Ears', Hosta 'Frosted Mouse Ears' and Hosta 'Snow Mouse Ears' were all on the Bowden Hostas stand at RHS Show Cardiff 2010.
Chrysanthemum 'Green Mist'
Florists nationwide will be rejoicing at the introduction of this reselected old variety. Seldom available as plants, this late chrysanthemum is a strong grower producing rich, lime green spider flowers. It’s a reselection of ‘Shamrock’ and requires winter protection. Stock is now available from Chrysanthemums Direct.
Primula siebolii 'Kashima'
Staddon Farm Nurseries at this year’s RHS Show Cardiff showed a pretty cherry blossom primula from Japan. Primula siebolii 'Kashima' is named after the Deer River that flows into Tokyo harbour. The Japanese grow these primulas beneath their beloved cherry blossom so that the delicate flowers grow up through the carpet of cherry blossom petals. This one has pretty pink snowflake formation flowers. Fully hardy and best in a moist woodland setting.
Streptocarpus 'Myfanwy'
Dibley's launched a new Streptocarpus at the Cardiff show. This pretty white variety with a hint of pink has deep blurred pink lines coming out of the throat and is a floriferous and vigorous grower. Named after a family friend who helps at the shows, plants of Streptocarpus 'Myfanwy' are now available.
Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'
Another new Heuchera was launched at this year’s RHS Show Cardiff. Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ is a green and frilly foliaged variety now available from Plantagogo.com. This one will tolerate a little more sunshine than some of the earlier lime green introductions. It is a compact form with pure white flowers.
Kalopananx septemlobus
Fresh from Japan and now on show on the Desert to Jungle exhibit, Kalopananx septemlobus is a tall slender hardy deciduous shrub, growing to about 4.5m (15ft) tall. Its architectural structure makes it ideal to add maturity and structure to a border without taking up too much space. It has attractive acer like palmate leaves with a rose like spiky stem that adds winter interest to the border. Fully hardy.
Angelica taiwaniana
This giant angelica from Taiwan is a new plant from Desert to Jungle. It’s a clump forming biennial or short-lived perennial with mid green leaves on very thick stems. Bearing attractive, dense, purple bracted umbels of cream football sized flowers and perfumed seeds. A real stunner.
Tiarella 'Cascade Creeper'
This pretty tiarella with heavily scented foamy pink tinged flowers is the now available from Plantagogo.com. It’s a good choice for dry shade and has a cascading habit so it can also be grown in containers and baskets in a shady spot with great results.
Devalia tyerimanii 'Sekka'
A limited number of Devalia tyerimanii 'Sekka' ferns are available from Mendip Bonsai. This elegant accent plant makes a fabulous addition to a bonsai display. It’s a crustated form of this delicate fern hand has rabbit fee root habit that grow over and curl round its planter. Delightful.