Cosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos' by Van Hemert & Co Seeds from Hazerswoude (above) won the Plantarium Press Award in the Garden, balcony and patio plants category. In the Concepts category, this award went to Hydrangea macrophylla Music Collection® by De Jong Plant BV from Boskoop (below.)

The jury were unanimous in their verdict of Hydrangea macrophylla Music Collection®. The Music Collection® is a complete concept with an attractive range of plants in appealing colours. The link with music appeals to a new generation of garden lovers, according to the press jury. With regard to Cosmos binnatus ‘Xantus’, there was a particularly close finish as the winner was only 2 points ahead of Anemone Wild Swan by F.N. Kempen BV from Mijdrecht. The jury felt that Cosmos binnatus ‘Xantus’ marked a breakthrough in the Cosmos range as a result of its unique pale yellow flowers. The Plantarium press award was presented by the chairwoman of the jury, Ms Hester MacDonald from World Radio Switzerland.

Second and third place

In the Garden Plants category, 18 entries were judged by the jury. Second place went to Anemone Wild Swan and third place to Kiwiberry®, a new and highly productive kiwi series submitted by Joh. Stokwijk & Zn. Boomkwekerijen BV.

There were 6 entries in the Concepts category this year. Exotic Sensations by Plantport Boskoop Kweeksmakelijk BV from Boskoop and Parfum de Nature Rozen by Lakei Boomkwekerijen from Lottum ended up in joint second place.

Judging

The jury for the press award consisted of over 25 journalists from the following countries:

the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Ukraine.

The 33rd edition of Plantarium ran from 26 to 29 August 2015 in the Plantarium building at the International Trade Centre Boskoop-Hazerswoude. For further information, please visit www.plantarium.nl.