Malus sieboldii Aros from Frank P Matthews has been crowned this year as Best in Show at the New Plant Awards on the opening morning of the HTA National Plant Show. The show, sponsored by Hortipak, takes place today and tomorrow (20 and 21 June) at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.
The New Plant Awards, sponsored by the RHS, are the beating heart of the show and create an area bursting with inspiration for our visitors.
Judging Panel member Tim Upson, Head of Horticulture at the RHS comments, “Malus sieboldii Aros really stood out as a true winner. Whilst purple leaved trees are not uncommon this one has a particularly strong colour and good habit.
He adds, “It has a wide use in different garden situations and with its compact nature is particularly suited to small gardens and patios. With its long season of interest and colour this tree will have wide appeal to many customers and has great potential as a really good seller.”
The winners are:
Annuals
Gold and Best in Category – Silene hybrid ‘Sl 11 04-61 Sparkling Rose from Kernock Park Plants Ltd
Herbaceous Perennials
Gold and Best in Category –Adenophera White Blaze from Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweather’s Nursery
Houseplants
Gold and Best in Category – Gloxinia sonata pink spot from Javado and ProfitPlant (Batchmere Ltd)
Shrubs and Climbers
Gold and Best in Category –Passiflora Riverside Snow Queen from Newey PPL
Trees and Conifers
Gold and Best in Category – Malus sieboldii Aros from Frank P Matthews
This year’s judging panel included Tim Upson (RHS), Ian Hodgson (Garden News), Marcus Cousins (Aylett Nurseries), Ken Cox (Glendoick Garden Centre) with HTA’s Martin Simmons overseeing.
All the entries were validated by Joy of Plants.
In addition to the formal announcement in the New Plant Awards area on the opening morning of the show, there was also a seminar session for visitors highlighting the award-winning plants and the benefits that they bring to help bolster plant sales.
All New Plant Award entries can be viewed at the show and visitors too can have their say by taking part in the Visitor Vote Awards, sponsored by Floramedia. The winner of the Visitor Vote Award will be announced on the afternoon of Wednesday 21 June.
To view the full awards list, click here, otherwise for more information and to register in advance please visit www.nationalplantshow.co.uk
