We entered eight new varieties for the New Plant Awards at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) 2022 National Plant Show in June – and brought home four amazing awards.

Among the plants we submitted were Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Magic Ball’, which scooped a Best in Show and a Gold in the Shrubs and Climbers’ category.

The new thornless Rosa ‘Cutie Pie’ also won gold in the Shrubs and Climbers’ category and bee magnet Delphinium ‘Red Lark’ was awarded Silver in the Herbaceous section.

Our entries

Andy Johnson, our Managing Director says: “Our 2022 entries included some that are great for pollinators and some that are perfect for anyone who has a smaller space and wants to have something stunning in a pot on their patio.  “We were so happy to be back at the show after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

It was wonderful for our team to be once again meeting customers face-to-face. We had our new full colour, printed 2023 catalogue to hand out too. Our highly experienced and knowledgeable team, including our Retail Sales Manager, Colin Stanley, our Garden Centre Sales Executive, Lisa Ashford and our Production Manager, Kyle Ross, were delighted to be there. 

Celebrate

We’re very proud of Kyle who was also at the show representing the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA), as he is a committee member for the organisation,
so he split his time between their stand and ours.

We’ve all experienced turbulent times in the past two years and to be able to attend this event once again was something we were keen to celebrate, so it was brilliant to be putting forward a bumper number of plants for the judges’ consideration and to win these four awards!

Best in plants

The New Plant Awards at the HTA National Plant Show showcase the best in new plant introductions from UK plant suppliers.
It’s seen in the industry as the place for retailers to find the next bestselling new plant to inspire their customers.

The eight new plants we entered were.

Rosa ‘Cutie Pie’ 

A wonderful new rose to hit the market, that’s dwarf and completely thornless! From May to late summer, this mound forming rose erupts into hundreds of miniature
pink/white flowers, which are adored by pollinators. Hardy to -25°c this shrub is wonderful in a pot on its own or dotted around borders, especially alpine borders.
Cutie Pie requires no pruning, as the flowers fall off and its compact nature means it will stay short and rounded.

Sarcococca ‘Purple Gem’ 

The new accompaniment to bestselling Winter Gem, Purple Gem boasts deep purple/red stems, which stand out clearly against its dark glossy foliage. For the garden,
Purple Gem is ideal, as it will grow in any soil type and is hardy to -18°c. White flowers with purple tips smother it from February to April,
meaning it’s one of the first plants to wake up in your garden. The flowers being heavily scented is just another bonus. 

Chionochloa ‘Taupo Lights’ 

Hailing from New Zealand, this new variegated grass is compact and the perfect architectural garden plant. It grows to about 50cm in height but then
puts out glorious plumes of flowers on 70cm stems. Hardy to -5°c. Plant Taupo Lights in a sheltered spot or keep it in a pot as a focal point for the patio. 

Olearia phlogopappa ‘Spring Bling’

This aromatic shrub, commonly known as the Daisy Bush provides a literal haven for pollinators as the evergreen silver foliage becomes engulfed in
masses of white daisy-like flowers from April to June. Boasting full hardiness this plant will thrive in a pot as a statement piece or in a border.
Prefers a full sun position, in well-drained soil. Maximum height: 1.5m, maximum spread: 1.5m.

Lomandra longifolia ‘Arctic Frost’

Lomandra Arctic Frost is an evergreen grass-like perennial that thrives in sun or part shade. Hardy down to -10°c,
this plant provides shelter for insects and other invertebrates as the foliage expands. Flowering from April to June, it boasts multiple flower spikes,
which protrude from the mass of variegated foliage.
It can be kept in pots or weaved through borders for architectural interest. Maximum height: 60cm, maximum spread: 1m.

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Magic Ball’

Physocarpus Magic Ball is a stunning new shrub to hit the market offering nearly year-round interest. Pink flowers erupt in July until September.
Thrives in full sun or partial shade. This shrub has a compact habit with a maximum height and spread of 1.5m.
It changes foliage colour numerous times throughout the growing season. Full hardy to -20°c.

Escallonia hybrid ‘Showstopper’

A beautiful, full hardy down to -8°c, shrub reaching a max height of 1.2m and spread of 80cm. This plant is compact and rounded in its nature,
with stunning white-pink flowers erupting in masses in July-September, which are a favourite of bees.
Grows in any well-drained soil, can be planted in a bed or is perfect in a patio pot for summer colour.

Delphinium ‘Red Lark’

The best new herbaceous plant to enter the market! Stunning red plumes of flowers from April-June. Grow in full sun. It’s a hardy perennial by nature.
The ultimate pot plant but striking grown at the back of borders too. Attracts bees in particular. Spread 50cm height, 70cm with flowers.