Philadelphus Petite Perfume Pink wins RHS Plant of the Year 2025
The world’s first pink Philadelphus has been crowned Plant of the Year at RHS Chelsea 2025
A breakthrough in Philadelphus breeding has brought us the first ever pink form of this enduringly popular spring-flowering shrub.
Now, this exquisite mock orange has scooped top spot as RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025, securing a landslide victory with 43% of judges voting for this unique and versatile new cultivar.
Bred by Alan Postill, Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK (‘P1’) was launched by Hillier Nurseries and brought to RHS Chelsea 2025 by Sparsholt College.
The Philadelphus attracted a total of 57 votes out of 130 judges, with Hosta ‘Silly String’ and Salvia TROPICOLOUR SUNRISE (‘Tropog021’) (Tropicolour Series) taking joint second place.
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What’s the story behind Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK?
Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK was developed by Hampshire-based breeder Alan Postill, recently retired from the role of
“Alan had been breeding in his own garden at home, using plants in pots plunged into beds. His goal was to get pink into Philadelphus, and develop a compact dwarf variety that works well in a modern garden, with amazing perfume and prolific flowering,” explains Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale at Hillier Nurseries. “PETITE PERFUME PINK does it all.”
“His wife Jackie recounted a time when she and Alan were just leaving the house, coats on and ready to go, when Alan realised that the pollen on his Philadelphus was ripe,” says Charles. “The coats came off again and Alan went back to make his crosses with the pollen before they could leave. The plants always come first!”
“In 2018 Alan invited me to his garden. He said, ‘can you come and look at these Philadelphus – I don’t know if they’re any good’. I was blown away. They were absolutely magnificent. I said to him, let me take this to RHS Chelsea and win Plant of the Year for it.”
“Now here we are. Alan was absolutely thrilled when he found out his Philadelphus had won Plant of the Year – he was close to tears with emotion.”
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Breeder Alan Postill (left) with his wife Jackie and representatives from Sparsholt College, who brought Alan’s Philadelphus to RHS Chelsea 2025
What’s so special about Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK?
Breeder Alan Postill (left) with his wife Jackie and representatives from Sparsholt College, who brought Alan’s Philadelphus to RHS Chelsea 2025
“This is the first ever pink Philadelphus,” says Charles. “The colour break alone is unique. The size of 1.5m by 1.5m will make a spectacle in a large garden but is also great for small gardens. The fragrance is absolutely spectacular. It holds its gracefully arching habit, which is enhanced by the weight of the flowers on this very heavy-flowering cultivar.”
Tim Upson, RHS Director of Gardens and Horticulture, says: “I love the small flowers with pink-purple colours running through. It has a nice branching habit, and is great for a small or courtyard garden. Imagine sitting there in summer surrounded by the perfume.”
How to grow Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK
On top of its spectacular visual and fragrant qualities, PETITE PERFUME PINK boasts a low-maintenance attitude, too – even more so than other Philadelphus.
“It's really easy to grow,” says Charles. “It’s compact, so doesn’t need any pruning.”
Lucy Lewis, Horticulture Lecturer at Sparsholt College, who exhibited the Philadelphus at RHS Chelsea, adds: “It’s great for growing in pots. The shape works well for containers too.”
Find out more growing details for PETITE PERFUME PINK here and our full guide to growing Philadephus here.
Where can I buy Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK?
Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK can be purchased from RHS Plants, from Hillier Garden Centres and at Hillier online. It is also available in a selection of other garden centres.
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Charles Carr of Hillier Nursery and Lucy Lewis of Sparsholt College at RHS Chelsea 2025 receiving their Plant of the Year Award for Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK, shown in background
More about RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year
This annual award celebrates outstanding plants with a new or improved feature, setting them apart from those already on the market.Charles Carr of Hillier Nursery and Lucy Lewis of Sparsholt College at RHS Chelsea 2025 receiving their Plant of the Year Award for Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK, shown in background
Floral exhibitors in the Great Pavilion were invited to submit new plants to the competition ahead of the Show. Entries were carefully considered by a shortlisting panel of RHS and industry experts, who whittled down the number of contenders to less than 20. These shortlisted plants then went on to be displayed at RHS Chelsea where, on Press Day, members of our RHS Expert Groups viewed them and elected a winner.
The judges’ decision was based on three criteria: novelty and innovation, garden performance, and likely appeal for UK gardeners. The final vote is informed by the entry information submitted ahead of the Show, and the ‘wow’ factor of the plants on display.
These and all the shortlisted plants can be seen on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year display in the corner of the Great Pavilion. The shortlist can also be found here.
Last year the award was won by Prunus ‘Starlight’®, a new winter and spring ornamental flowering cherry with unusual star-shaped pure white flowers.
