New and interesting plants
There are many new and interesting plants on show at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Here is a selection of our favourites.
Also see Graham Rices's blog for his veiw on the new introductions at the show
Dibleys Nursery
Dibleys introduced two new Streptocarpus at this year’s show - 'Roulette Cherry' (above left) and 'Roulette Azur' (above right). Both cultivars have superb and unusual markings, which are a new style of Streptocarpus. The plants are unique to the nursery in the UK.
Eagle Sweet Peas
Sweet pea ‘Maestro’ is launched on behalf of the National Sweet Pea Society. It is a beautiful lavender and has a strong perfume. From each sale 50 percent will be donated back to the NSPS.
Knoll Gardens
Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' has dark, wheat colored foxtail blooms rising above the foliage in spring and summer. It reaches a height of between 90cm and 1.5m (3-5ft). It likes a position in full sun and is extremely heat tolerant.
Derek Lloyd Dean
Derek Lloyd Dean exhibited two new Angel pelargoniums from the breeder, Malcolm Harris. Mr Harris lives in Berkswell, West Midlands, and all his pelargoniums are preceeded with 'Berkswell'. 'Berkswell Fondant' (above left) has a frilled edge and 'Berkswell Gypsy' (above right) is is a deep crimson pink.
Pine Cottage Plants
Agapanthus ‘Liam’s Lilac’, is a pale lilac form with slightly flared flowers displayed by a National Plant Collection holder Pine Cottage Plants, Devon.
Winchester Growers
Dahlia ‘Twynings Black Cherry' is the latest addition to the Twynings collection from Winchester Growers, Cornwall. It is a gorgeous rich, deep pink.
Squire’s Garden Centre
Squire's Garden Centre also had a new dahlia, 'Dracula' on display with intense red-violet flowers.
Avon Bulbs
And, on the theme of dahlias, Avon Bulbs had on display the pretty species dahlia, Dahlia coccinea var. palmeri, a native of Mexico. Not often seen at shows, this dahlia has vivid orange flowers and delicate lacy leaves on plants growing to 1.5m (5ft) in height.