The HTA has revealed a new collection of plants that will feature in the 2014 Plant of the Month calendar.
The 12 plants were unveiled as the calendar was launched by TV presenter and gardener Christine Walkden at the annual HTA National Plant Show.
The new 2014 calendar will highlight plants which are widely available in garden centres and are looking their best on a month by month basis.
Promoted to both members and gardening media, the Plant of the Month calendar has been nominated and agreed by the HTA Retail Suppliers Group and HTA Retail Management Group to ensure that it meets the needs of growers and retailers.
The full list of plants that feature in the 2014 calendar are:
- January - Helleborus
- February - Heathers
- March - Pansy/Violas
- April - Rhododendron
- May - Pelargonium
- June - Roses
- July - Salvia
- August - Hydrangea
- September - Japanese Anemone
- October - Conifers
- November - Trees
- December - Sarcoccoca
This year, each plant has a celebrity champion who will all give their unique perspective on the plant and why it’s their favourite in the garden.
These include:
- TV presenter and journalist Esther Rantzen CBE
- Musician and singer Katie Melua
- Love your Garden’s Frances Tophill
- TV gardener David Domoney
- Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins
- The One Show’s Christine Walkden
- Urban Birder David Lindo
- TV personality Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE
- Founder of The Edible Bus Stop and former Chanel model Mak Gilchrist
- BBC Gardeners’ World photographer and Garden Media Guild winner Jason Ingram
- Plant Pathologist and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Pippa Greenwood
HTA Director General, Carol Paris said: “Plant of the Month provides a real focus for retailers and consumers alike. The 2014 calendar brings a new lease of life to the campaign – and encourages retailers and consumers to think about planting at certain times, for example planning and planting spring bulbs in the garden during Autumn. We are also delighted to welcome our celebrity plant champions on board and hope the campaign encourages and inspires the nation’s 20 million gardeners.”
