The winning Dahlia, with its double lavender-purple two-tone flower and bronze leaves, is said to be a robust, sturdy, well-branched plant and will be available to buy from garden centres from next year.

Named in honour of the acclaimed plantsman, the Peter Seabrook award, launched in 2023 in association with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, celebrates the dedication and expertise of specialist growers, breeders and nurseries. More than 90 plants were entered for this year’s award, currently on display at the show on the ‘Hot Off The Potting Bench’ gallery in the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Floral Marquee.

Plants entered for the Peter Seabrook Award must be new varieties, colour breaks or characteristics that improve on an existing variety. They can’t be available for sale to the public before BBC Gardeners’ World Live’s opening day on 12 June 2025.

Horticultural writer and commentator, David Hurrion, is the Chair of the Plant Introductions Panel at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, said: “Dahlias are always popular plants but to have one that’s compact enough to grow well in a pot, with dark, almost black foliage and the most incredible plum and pink flowers is a real treat. It’s a well-deserved winner and is bound to be a hit. Peter Seabrook would have absolutely loved it.”

Category winners for the awards were:

Annuals and Bedding: Calibrachoa Unique ‘Blood Orange’ by Kernock Plants
Edibles: Apple Rainbow by Frank P Matthews
Conservatory, Houseplants and Tender Plants: Streptocarpus ‘Beverley’ by Dibley’s Nurseries
Perennials, including bulbs and tubers: Dahlia Gardinetta® Velvet Crush by Ball Horticulture and Allensmore Nurseries
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs: Hydrangea Francy Purple by Cook’s Garden Centre.

Further plants on display, described as ‘ones to watch by the judges, include: Hosta Silly String by Darby Nurseries, Hydrangea macrophylla Zeta Noir by Darby Nurseries, Bidens ferulifolia Efraim’s Yellow by Volmary and Petunia Itsy Light Pink by Syngenta and Hemerocallis See You Tomorrow® by Thompson & Morgan

“Peter Seabrook was a passionate plantsman and a great friend of BBC Gardeners’ World Live. This annual award in his name recognises the commitment of growers and breeders to nurture and develop exciting new plants for us all to enjoy in our gardens. Our thanks to them again for making the Hot Off The Potting Bench gallery such a fantastic feature of our Floral Marquee,” said Bob Sweet, Horticultural Director at BBC Gardeners’ World Events.

The BBC Gardeners’ World Live Floral Awards today were presented at the Let’s Talk Plants Stage, sponsored by Hillier. Hosted by David Hurrion, the stage features expert guests including Monty Don, Adam Frost, Sue Kent and Charles Carr from Hillier Nurseries. The Visitors’ Choice winner will be announced on the show’s final day.

BBC Gardeners’ World Live takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 12-15 June.