New flowering plants shortlisted
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Hydrangea serrata ‘Euphoria Pink’
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Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ - African Lily
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Tradescantia andersoniana JS® 'Brainstorm' PBR - Spider Lily
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Weigela 'Camouflage' - Weigela florida
Thompson & Morgan is proud to announce that four of its new flowering plants have been shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023 award and will be judged at the show on 22nd May. All plants are available to view in the floral marquee.
- Hydrangea serrata ‘Euphoria Pink'
- Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’
- Tradescantia andersoniana JS® 'Brainstorm' PBR
- Weigela 'Camouflage'
Hydrangea serrata ‘Euphoria Pink’
The first Hydrangea serrata that’s all about stunning foliage AND flowers!
The striking tricolour foliage of this handsome Hydrangea flushes vibrant pink, white and green each spring. As the pink fades, unique lacecap-style blooms burst from pale pink buds into two-tone red flowers with pale centres.
Ideal for pots, containers & borders
This easy to grow shrub is ideal for moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in sun or shade and is hardy down to -20C.
The latest in Hydrangea breeding
'Euphoria Pink' was discovered in a long-term Japanese breeding programme with rooted cuttings sent to Osco Garden BV in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Van Son & Koot Nursery BV from Kaatsheuvel / Netherlands rooted cuttings under license and prepared the plants for the show.
Exhibited in partnership with Stonebarn Landscapes, stand GPF090, and Mr. Nagasaki T. from Japan representing Osco Garden BV, Aalsmeer/Netherlands.
Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’
African Lily
Larger and longer-lasting blooms produced in profusion!
'Black Jack' offers bigger flowers and more blooms through the season. This amazing Agapanthus produces 10 times as many florets per flowerhead for a flowering season twice as long as its competitors.
The “must have” Agapanthus for a striking display
Easy to grow and heat tolerant, 'Black Jack' boasts strong vigour and a striking presence in borders and containers. Large flowerheads are filled with black buds that open to deep black-purple striped blooms – these fade to deep purple and take on a dazzling metallic sheen with age.
A unique variety from 20 years of breeding
De Wet Plant Breeders, South Africa, set out to produce disease resistant, vigorous, heat-tolerant and multi-flowering cultivars and a black cultivar was always high on the wish list. 17 years into the program, they finally got "the one"! 'Black Jack' is a unique Agapanthus that’s the result of years of dedicated hybridised breeding.
Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ is exhibited in partnership with Sparsholt College, stand GPA008.
Tradescantia andersoniana JS® 'Brainstorm' PBR
Spider Lily
A breakthrough in breeding!
Tradescantia 'JS® Brainstorm' produces masses of blooms with a high flower count per flower head for an eye-catching display. Dark purple buds open to reveal large magenta-purple blooms with prominent bright golden anthers with fluffy filaments.
The longest-flowering Tradescantia – enjoy flowers for 6 months!
Flowering continuously over an astonishing six months from June to November, 'JS® Brainstorm' blooms for two months longer than most other Tradescantia.
Selected from a long-term Tradescantia breeding programme
'JS® Brainstorm' was initially selected for its purple foliage and subsequently for its large flowers, number of flowers per umbel and long flowering period. This easy-care perennial is versatile, low-maintenance and hardy to -30C.
Tradescantia 'JS® Brainstorm' is exhibited in partnership with Hare Spring Cottage Plants, stand GPD065.
Weigela 'Camouflage'
Weigela florida
Vivid variegation plus bright red blooms!
‘Camouflage’ is a stunning compact Weigela with variegated bright green and dark black/green foliage. These petite plants become smothered with bright ruby-red funnel-shaped flowers borne on aching stems in May and June, attracting pollinators to the garden.
Sensational for small spaces
Weigela ‘Camouflage’ is a deciduous, low-maintenance, fully hardy shrub that’s perfect for small gardens and container growing. Grow in a sunny or semi-shaded position, in any well-drained soil.
From T&M’s own breeding programme
T&M’s Weigela breeding programme began in 2008 with the aim of producing compact plants with fabulous, coloured foliage, which are ideal for any size of garden. The programme continued until 2018, when selections were made from stock in the field and ‘Camouflage’ is the first in a series with variegated foliage.
Weigela ‘Camouflage’ is exhibited in partnership with Stonebarn Landscapes, stand GPF090.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023
The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year award celebrates the new and exciting plants launched at the show and the prestige of winning is recognised worldwide. RHS Chelsea is the ideal global platform for the launch of new plants, which often go on to be bestsellers.
The judges will be looking for the winning criteria, which includes the following:
Innovation
The plant must be genuinely new and offer significant benefits within those features. This will outweigh a new colour on an existing plant for example.
Appeal
Will the plant stand the test of time? It will need to sustain its popularity to secure a place with those of true significance.
Excellence and impact
Judges (and gardeners) will be looking for the “wow” factor.
The judging panel is comprised of industry experts with a wealth of knowledge and passion who come together, volunteering their time, to make the incredibly tough decision on the winning plant.