New Hydrangea ‘Cherry Explosion’ to fundraise for Perennial

Garden centres wishing to support and raise awareness for the horticultural industry charity Perennial can now stock our new easy-to-grow hydrangea to sell to gardeners (March 2024).

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’, which was launched by us at the 2023 Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) National Plant Show, is now available for retailers to order.

Collaborative

Andy Johnson, our Managing Director, explains: “We’re delighted to be adding another plant to the collection already available to garden centres to sell to consumers to help fundraise for the charity.

Plants for Perennial is a collaborative scheme between the organisation and four major wholesale nurseries in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, including us.

It’s designed to raise awareness and funds to support all those who work with plants, flowers, grass or trees. These are the people who help nurture, create and tend the plants and green spaces that help boost everyone’s wellbeing and health.

Pop of Colour

“Last year, all the nurseries involved collectively raised an amazing £16,000 for the charity and we know that every plant adds a seed of hope to someone’s life while creating an abundance of colour, form, fragrance and wildlife in gardens.

“This year, we’ve added another plant to the collection, which is the first shrub to be included in the Plants for Perennial range. This is our new Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’. It provides the perfect pop of colour to any garden space, without the need for high maintenance.”

Its long-lasting blooms attract an abundance of pollinators and are ideal for cutting, while its foliage turns deep burgundy in the autumn for extended seasonal interest.

Plants for Perennial

Our Retail Sales Manager, Colin Stanley, who has been heavily involved in the fundraising initiative, adds: “It’s wonderful to be adding this plant to our Plants for Perennial offering for retailers this year. It’s a fantastic colour break in lace-cap hydrangea and provides a literal explosion of extra-large, cherry red open flower petals with a profusion of sparkling pink flowers in the centre. The flowers appear from top to bottom of the plant too.

“This new hydrangea is happy growing in any well-drained soil and particularly likes a sunny spot, preferably morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. It requires little maintenance, only deadheading and a late season prune to retain its compact, rounded shape.

“Very easy to grow with minimal trimming to shape it required, it has a naturally compact, round habit. Overall height and spread achieved can be up to three x four metres, so it would make a wonderful hedge.”

Perfect Pollinator

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’ has a long flowering period from June through to late September. The more indirect sunlight the plant receives the more vibrant the flower colour. If planted in acid soil the flowers will turn lavender in colour.

It’s ideal for planting in containers for a splash of colour on the patio, or in mixed borders and is a perfect pollinator and an excellent provider of cut flowers for arrangements.

Ourselves and the other three commercial growers involved with the Plants for Perennial scheme are selling a range of plants for the charity.

The 2023 plant selection included the two salvias from us, Dianthus ‘Pink Celebration’ from Allensmore Nurseries, Nemesia ‘Peaches and Cream’ from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company and Clematis ‘Prince George’ from New Leaf Plants.

Collection

The collection includes Salvia ‘Cuello Pink’ and ‘Cuello White’ also from us, as well as the new Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’, Dianthus ‘Pink Celebration’ from Allensmore Nurseries and, new for 2024, Fuchsia ‘Waltz Jubilteen’, Nemesia ‘Peaches and Cream’ from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company and Clematis ‘Prince George’ from New Leaf Plants.

Perennial Corporate Partnership Manager, Phil Swainston, explains: “We’re thrilled that the Plants for Perennial scheme is continuing to flourish and grow, with huge thanks to Allensmore Nurseries, The Bransford Webbs Company, New Leaf Plants and Wyevale Nurseries.

“Buying these beautiful plants this year will continue to raise funds and awareness for people working in horticulture and their families, whose plant and garden creations we all benefit from.” 

What is Perennial

Perennial is the UK’s only charity supporting all those working in the horticultural community, as well as those who have retired, who dedicate their passion, time and energy to keeping Britain beautiful. 

 The ultimate aim is for everyone to know that Perennial is there for them. That not only is there free, tailored one-to-one confidential support on hand when needed, but that everyone can access the free advice and information available 24/7 online, covering topics such as the impact of health issues, bereavement, redundancy, family breakdowns, career progression, as well as impartial money management and health & wellbeing tools.

How to order

If you’re a retailer and would like to stock our Plants for Perennial Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’ or Salvia ‘Cuello Pink’ and ‘Cuello White’, please get in touch. www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk/get-in-touch/