The annual RHS Plant of the Year competition, now in its 14th year, celebrates new developments and innovations among the world of growers.
Exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 by Green Jjam Nurseries and bred by Ken Tobutt, the Prunus ‘Starlight’ was selected as the winner by over 180 experts from RHS Plant Committees and Trials Assessment Forums.
Emma Allen, RHS Head of Horticultural Relations, said: “I’m delighted to see the Prunus ‘Starlight’ has won this year. It has fabulous star-shaped flowers, really unusual, which are reminiscent of the star magnolia. Former winners have gone on to fly off the shelves, so we hope that this win brings similar future success.
In second place came Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate (‘Vg001’) with large vibrant cherry-coloured flowers, chocolate scent and contrasting yellow pollen. The plant, bred by Valin Genetics and supplied by Whetman Plants International, will be exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners’ Question Time.
Agave ‘Praying Hands’, exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners’ Question Time, bred by Hans Hansen and supplied byThompson & Morgan, took third place in the competition.
For the first time, a mushroom also made the shortlist – Pleurotus euosmus, a tarragon oyster mushroom, exhibited by Caley Brothers and bred by Adrian Ogden of Gourmet Woodland Mushrooms. A reportedly quick and easy to cultivate mushroom, through growing kits and accessible to anyone regardless of space, experience and budget.
“We are also delighted for everyone who has made the shortlist, as the competition showcases innovations and new plant features from the best of the plant breeding world for the domestic gardener”, added Allen.
The winners and shortlisted entrants of the RHS Plant of the Year will be on display on the RHS Experience stand in the Great Pavilion at 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024.