This year's coveted Plant of the Year prize has been awarded at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
This year's winning entry is Agapanthus 'Black Jack' ('Dwaghyb02'), which is exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), bred by De Wet Breeders and supplied by Thompson & Morgan.
Agapanthus 'Black Jack' produces 10 times as many florets per flowerhead providing a flower season twice as long as competitors, with black buds that open to deep black-purple striped blooms which fade to deep purple, taking on a metallic sheen with age. Vigorous and striking in borders and containers, this new introduction is easy to grow and heat tolerant.
The plant that came second was Hydrangea serrata 'Gotemba Nishiki', which has striking tricolour foliage flushed with vibrant pink, white and green in the spring. As the pink fades out, unique lacecap style summer blooms burst from pale pink buds into two tone ruby red blooms with pale centres.
Third place was awarded to Weigela Camoflage ('Tmwg15-01'), a compact Weigela with variegated bright-green and black-green foliage. Smothered with bright red funnel-shaped flowers on arching stems in May and June that are great for pollinators.
Nineteen new plants that have been developed in the last year by breeders and nurseries were chosen for the shortlist, and all the shortlisted plants are on display at the Great Pavilion throughout the Chelsea Flower Show this year.
The shortlist this year included two new wallflowers and a striking orange Geum as well as a new lavender and a yellow plum tomato. Last year, Surreal Succulents won Plant of the Year 2022 with × Semponium 'Destiny'.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023
- Agapanthus 'Black Jack' ('Dwaghyb02') WINNER
Exhibited by: Sparsholt College (GPA008) Show plants supplied by: Thompson & Morgan Breeder: De Wet Breeders - Agave 'Blazing Saddles'
Exhibited by: Burncoose Nurseries (GPF085) Show plants supplied by: Javado Plant Breeder: Hans Hansen from Walters Gardens - Clematis TUMAINI ('Evigsy151')
Exhibited by: Raymond Evison Clematis (GPB033) Breeder: Raymond J Evison Ltd - Cordyline MAGIC STAR ('Tus020')
Exhibited by: Sparsholt College (GPA008) Show plants supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd Breeder: Gregorz Tuszynscy - Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Shimmer'
Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090) Show plants supplied by: Burpee Europe Breeder: Burpee Europe – Henk van der Velde
- Erysimum COLOUR VIBE RED ('Cdcery1')
Exhibited by: Sparsholt College (GPA008) Show plants supplied by: Hilliers Breeder: Charles Carr - Erysimum Taffeta Series
Exhibited by: Birmingham City Council (GPE071) Show plants supplied by: Sow Successful Ltd Breeder: Sow Successful Ltd - Geum 'Orange Pumpkin'
Exhibited by: Sparsholt College (GPA008) Show plants supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd Breeder: Green Globe - Helianthus annus 'Desire Red'
Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090) Show plants supplied by: Burpee Europe Breeder: Burpee Europe – Henk van der Velde - Hydrangea serrata 'Gotemba Nishiki' (EUPHORIA PINK)
Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090) Show plants supplied by: Thompson & Morgan Breeder: Osco Garden BV - Lathyrus odoratus 'Dawn Everest'
Exhibited by: Darren Everest Sweet Peas (GPC049) Show plants supplied by: Darren Everest Sweet Peas Breeder: Frank Verge - Lavandula x intermedia EXCEPTIONAL ('Hillav')
Exhibited by: Sparsholt College (GPA008) Show plants supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd Breeder: Hillier Nurseries Ltd - Philadelphus PEARLS OF PERFUME ('G15097')
Exhibited by: Proctors Nursery (GPD051) Show plants supplied by: Hayloft Plants Breeder: Garden Genetics – Rick Grazzini - Rosa DANNAHUE ('Ausa6b15')
Exhibited by: David Austin Roses Ltd (GPE070); Show plants supplied by: David Austin Roses Ltd; Breeder: David Austin Roses Ltd
A compact and upright apricot-hued rose that will repeat-flower all summer. With a lovely fragrance and excellent health, this rose will thrive in containers, in shaded areas, or close to a wall. - Salvia x sylvestris PURPLE SPRING ('Sally2014')
Exhibited by: Middleton Nurseries (GPC050) Show plants supplied by: Burpee Europe Breeder: Burpee Europe – Henk van der Velde
- Streptocarpus 'Dolina'
Exhibited by: Dibleys Nurseries (GPE079) Show plants supplied by: Dibleys Nurseries Breeder: Lynne Dibley - Tomato 'Bliss'
Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090) Show plants supplied by: Burpee Europe Breeder: Burpee Europe – Henk van der Velde
- Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'JS Brainstorm'
Exhibited by: Hare Spring Cottage Plants (GPD065) Show plants supplied by: Thompson & Morgan Breeder: Jan Spruyt - Weigela CAMOUFLAGE (Tmwg15-01')
Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090) Show plants supplied by: Thompson & Morgan Breeder: Charles Valin
