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Plants
New plant launches
Kapiteyn BV
Kapiteyn BV is making its debut at the 2006 show. The specialist nursery is launching a new zantedeschia cultivar aptly named ‘Captain Chelsea’.
Knoll Gardens
Melinis nerviglumis, common name ruby grass, is not strictly new to the UK but is rarely offered. it is a native of South Africa, which makes attractive clumps of grey-green foliage topped by many beautiful ruby pink flowers during the summer. Although perennial it is unlikely to be hardy in parts of the UK but comes easily from seed if not overwintered. Melinis is excellent for tubs and containers and will thrive in a sunny, well-drained spot, growing to 50-70cm.
Others that, in all probability, are being shown at Chelsea for the first time include the white star sedge - Rhynchospora latifolia, and Carex 'Cappuccino'.
Rhynchospora latifolia (left) has conspicuously long leafy bracts held on bright green foliage lasting well into the season. Used as a pond marginal for years in a small way, Knoll Gardens is bringing the image of the white star sedge bang up-to-date, showing this beautifully unique plant as a patio pot plant, standing in a simple tray of water which opens its potential to any grower.
Full sun to light shade preferring moist soil or even shallow water. Not for the coldest areas. Height 60-80cm. Evergreen.
Carex 'Cappuccino' is a new form of Carex tenuiculmis from the USA and is superior to most other brown-foliaged grasses. As the name implies it is visually reminiscent of frothy coffee, possibly lighter in colouring to the straight species. Sun or light shade. Height 50-60cm. Evergreen.
Matthewman Sweetpeas
Matthewman Sweetpeas will launch sweet pea ‘Milly’, in memory of the 13 year old who was abducted and murdered on her way home from school. Twenty pence from every packet of seeds sold will be forwarded to the Trust.
Notcutts Garden Centres & Mattocks Roses
New plants include: Rosa ‘Abbeyfield Gold’ - named in celebration of the Abbeyfield Society’s Golden Anniversary of providing shelter and care to the older population; Coprosma repens ‘Pacific Night’; Rhodanthemum ‘African Eyes’; Lavatera Chamallow (‘Inovera’); and Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Sunshine.
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Sunshine', raised by Peter Seabrook, is a slow-growing grafted acer, whose new foliage opens shrimp pink and matures to soft gold with green variegation. 'Sunshine' holds its colour well into summer and is scorch resistant. The plant is an improved form of 'Prinz Handjery', which is similar to Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum'. A compact habit makes it ideal for smaller gardens or where space is limited (it grows to approx. 1.8 x 1.5m in 10 years).
Peter Beales Roses
Peter Beales Roses is introducing three exciting new roses; 'Our Beth' and 'Rural England' for very deserving charities. The third rose remains nameless until the Monday of the show. All that they can say is that it will be a surprise for a very well known fashion designer who will be present to receive the rose. It is a climber with large, very fragrant, almost fully double blooms of rich deep pink, bordering on carmine, borne in clusters. Continuous flowering but, if not dead headed will produce huge, rich orange-red hips which hang on the plant well into winter. Growth is vigorous and dense and the foliage is very healthy, large and dark green. An outstanding rose.
'Our Beth' is a shrub rose with delightful soft, blush pink flowers with a deeper centre, opening flat from rounded buds to a beautiful old fashioned cushion shape. It is very fragrant. An alluring rose, with plentiful dark green foliage on a vigorous wide growing shrub.
This rose has much significance to the directors and staff of Peter Beales Roses as it is named in memory of the late Beth Loasby who worked in the offices for almost 10 years. 10% of the proceeds from the sales of this cultivar will be donated to The Addisons Disease Self Help Group.
'Rural England' is a continuous flowering rambler. It produces masses of medium sized, soft pink flowers in large cascading clusters all summer through. Ideal for pergolas and arches, it has plentiful, mid-green foliage with no more than a smattering of thorns. Its colour is soft to mid pink and its continuity of flowers makes it a must for any garden. Although a good climber this cultivar is also effective if left to tumble in the border.
The nursery is introducing this rose at the request of The Campaign to Protect Rural England. Sir Max Hastings of the campaign will be on hand to receive the rose.
Thorncroft Clematis Nursery
Thorncroft is introducing four new clematis bred in Poland by Szczepan Marczynski. Three are named to mark the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Independent Trade Union Solidarnosc (in English - Solidarity). Formed in August 1980, it was instrumental in bringing down the communist regime in Poland and consequently in Central and Eastern Europe.
Three of these Thorncroft Clematis Nursery hope to have in flower for Chelsea: 'Solidarnosc' itself, a vivid red, velvety flower and 'Jerzy Popieluszko', a beautiful white named after a Polish Catholic Priest.
The third of these celebrating Polish Independence is 'Lech Walesa', a mid-summer flowering type. A pale blue-purple flower named after the world renowned first Chairman of Solidarity. This may not flower in time for Chelsea, but the nursery will be trying to produce a few blooms.
Finally, 'Polonez' is a late summer viticella with wine-red flowers.
Walkers Bulbs @ Taylors
Narcissus ‘Ffion Hague’ has a deeply frilled corona that changes with age from dark egg-yolk yellow to apricot pink; the bloom is supported by a strong stem and it is claimed to be a prolific bulb producer.