Entries are flooding in for the New Plant Awards and the judges will have a challenging task in selecting the best plants from a strong field...
The jusges are HTA President Caroline Owen from Scotsdales Garden Centre, Gardener and TV broadcaster Christine Walkden, plant breeder Peter Catt, RHS Trials Manager Mark Heath and Head of Horticulture at the Garden Centre Group Tim Clapp. HTA Operations Manager Martin Simmons will chair the judging panel.
Companies submitting entries this year include: Earley Ornamentals, Fitzgerald Nurseries, Seoint Nurseries, Kilworth Conifers, Hillier Nurseries, Beekenkamp Plants, Young Plants, Farplants, The Bransford Webb Plant Company, Ball Colegrave, Kernock Park Plants, Wyevale Nurseries, Profit Plant UK, Darby Nursery Stock, New Forest Plants, Eagle Plants, Syngenta FloriPro Services, Boweco, Javado UK, David Austin Roses, Frank Matthews, Channel Island Plants, Fairweathers, John Woods Nurseries, West End Nurseries, New Leaf Plants, Suttons Seeds, New Place Nurseries, Young Plants, Florensis Flowers Seeds UK.
The New Plant Awards cover five categories: hardy nursery stock, herbaceous perennials, annuals, house plants and breeder innovation. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best in Category awards will be presented, and Best in Category will go forward for Best in Show. Winners will be selected for the quality of plant, suitability for the market and whether it is an improvement on other plants currently available.
HTA Director General Carol Paris said: "The New Plant Awards continue to attract a high number of entries and provide a great focus for the show. It is hugely encouraging that despite the challenging seasons that the industry has been faced with we still see a plethora of new plants coming onto the market helping to inspire consumers."
