Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business. A known breeder of plants, Hillier recently announced that all of its nurseries have transitioned to 100% peat-free operations.
Every year, the company works to introduce new plants which for 2025 includes; a pink-flowered Philadelphus, golden-leaved Geranium and the first-ever white-flowered Rhaphiolepis.
- Philadelphus x ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ (P1) is a new addition to the Philadelphus family, bred by renowned UK plant breeder, Alan Postill. Unique for its pink flowers, an unprecedented colour for the genus, this cultivar has a strong, sweet fragrance and is a compact, mound-forming shrub, featuring arching stems adorned with deep green foliage. Starry flowers emerge from pink buds, fading to white at the edges as they mature. Ideal for mid-border planting, as a standalone specimen or in a large patio container, it thrives in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Hardy throughout the UK, it requires little care beyond light trimming after flowering.
- Geranium x Gold Nugget ™ (Hillger) has vibrant golden yellow foliage with splashes of red and pale pink flowers in early summer. This clump-forming hardy perennial grows into a neat, rounded mound with deeply cut leaves. Perfect for the front of borders, patio pots or mixed planters alongside grasses and other perennials, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the golden tones reportedly intensifying in brighter light. Exceptionally hardy and easy to maintain, it prefers moist, free-draining soil and benefits from the removal of spent flowers and old foliage in winter.
- Rhapiolepsis indica ‘White Cloud’ was bred in the Netherlands by Wout van den Dool Botanics and is a significant introduction to the Rhaphiolepis genus as the first-ever variety with pure white flowers. This compact, evergreen shrub is covered in large, fragrant, upright panicles of white flowers with glossy deep green foliage. Easy to grow, ‘White Cloud’ is ideal for low borders or patio containers. Hardy to -7°C, it flourishes in full sun and moist but well-drained soil, though it may need protection in colder areas.
Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier, commented: “We take great pride in bringing innovative and high-quality plants to market, and this year’s introductions are no exception. Each of these varieties offers something unique, whether it’s the rich fragrance and rare colouring of ‘Petite Perfume Pink’, the vibrant golden foliage of ‘Gold Nugget’, or the elegant, pristine flowers of ‘White Cloud’. We’re excited to see them brighten up gardens across the country.”
The new Hillier introductions will be available at Hillier Garden Centres and online from spring 2025.
