Michael reveals his favourites from the recent FlowerTrials
Each year in the middle of June, there is a week in the Netherlands and Germany, when most of the large breeding houses open their glasshouses for visitors, this is where you can find more plants than you could ever plant into your garden. It’s called the FlowerTrials, and It’s such a special week, full of new ideas, and rediscoveries, and this issue I’m sharing some of my favourite findings with you from the 2024 trails. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find any of these beauties in the garden centres yet, but keep your eyes peeled, they are likely on their way soon!
Anigozanthus Series- ‘Kangaroo Paw’
This intriguing plant is one that we might be seeing more of, as it is very drought- tolerant. Bred by Marathon Plants who are based in Greece, the ‘Kangaroo Paw’ is a very unusual summer annual, with blooms in all shapes and sizes, and so many bright colours. There are still under development, so you might see them as bedding plants in the future, perhaps even as border plants, or even as a cut flower.
Astilbe ‘Luna’
I used to grow these wonderful plants with my grandma, so they hold great memories- she’d have loved to see this new cultivar ‘Luna’. Super fluffy, luminescent purple flowers clothe this astilbe from late spring. A moisture loving plant, which is great for those difficult shady corners. Or, why not try growing it in pots on the patio, just put a saucer of water beneath to keep it happy?
Catharanthus ‘Tropicana’
The plant that used to be listed as a houseplant in the 1980s in the UK, but it’s now undergone an overhaul, with many tropical and frilled versions being developed in northern Italy by Lazzeri. Even though it looks quite exotic, Catharanthus is of course happy in a warm summer, but can also cope with the extra humidity of summer rain. It is available in a kaleidoscope of very exciting colours.
Coleus ‘Skeletal’
This plant was being talked about everywhere on social media during the FlowerTrials week, thanks to its appearance and win at BBC Gardeners’ World Live as a best new plant. I think it’s the cultivar that will finally get the nation loving coleus. I am here for the feathered, rainbow foliage, the perfect filler for any container.
Dianthus ‘Pink & Proud’
I do love tabletop plants, you know ones that you can put in tiny little terracotta pots on top of an outdoor patio table. This little baby carnation really fits the bill, every single flower of ‘Pink & Proud’ is different, and they also have a very light fragrance, which is fab as most mini carnations often don’t. Full marks!
Petunia ‘Shake Blueberry’
You might be happy to hear that this petunia can be grown from seed, which makes it amazing value. Excellent, cutting edge breeding from Hem Genetics. The flowers go through the most exciting colour change. The tones are vintage, and bang on trend, if I dare say!
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