IPM Essen 2019, which took place last week, announced the winner’s of this year’s plant novelty awards, which attracted 58 entries from 31 exhibitors across eight categories.
A new strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum Granvia Gold from MNP flowers, won in the Bedding and Balcony Plant category. With larger flowers than other varieties, it blooms over a long period and in abundance, while its well-branching growth makes it a useful as a feature plant. Although it needs plenty of water, it is low maintenance on the bench.
Other category winners
Spring Bloomer: Primula hybrid BELARINA 'Candy Frost' from Kientzler. Winter-hardy, long-lasting, attractive flowers. Adds a particularly high-quality variety to the primrose range. The flowers are bi-coloured, full and do not open completely. Ideal gift for Valentine's Day?
Flowering Houseplant Euphorbia pulcherrima ‘Christmas Mouse’ from Selecta Klemm. The unusually soft-looking novel leaf shape of this poinsettia is reminiscent of mouse ears. The name is based on Germany’s popular ‘Christmas Mouse’ poem. It should make a good impulse purchase.
Green Houseplant Blechnum brasiliense 'Copper Crisp' from Cultivaris A trendy ‘jungle’ feel for warm indoor spaces, whether in a terrarium, glass garden or bathroom, but away from direct sun It has red buds and firm, deeply ruched, deep-green fronds.
Woody Plant Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Star' from Plantipp BV. A captivating firethorn with extraordinary red berry colour and significantly fewer thorns than usual. 'Red Star' also makes an attractive indoor plant. Blooming in June with a dense berry base that colours in September, it is frost hardy.
Perennials Sempervivum Chick Charms® 'Gold Nugget' from Plantipp BV (pictured above). A yellow leaf colour with striking red ‘flames’ in winter. Sempervivum is a beginner's plant, is uncomplicated, needs little care and is versatile for the garden, patio or balcony. It needs little water, can be planted in the full sun and is impervious to climate change.
Tub Plants Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' x Vitex agnus-astus First Editions ® 'Flip Side' from Bailey Nurseries. This ‘monk's pepper’ is popular with pollinators, flowering well into autumn. ‘Flip Side' is easy to cultivate, has good branches and is easy to cut. It makes a great bee pasture in a near-natural garden.
Jury’s Special Prize Mandevilla Sundaville ® MiMi Yello from MNP flowers. The bright apricot colour makes it clearly stand out. Its compact growth lacks the usual long tendrils for mandevilla but has good branching. A distinctive, elegant eye-catcher with potential as a high-quality gift. Full sun is no problem for this vasriety, which can even tolerate drying out for a short period.
See the gallery for pictures of the other winners.
A new strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum Granvia Gold from MNP flowers, won in the Bedding and Balcony Plant category. With larger flowers than other varieties, it blooms over a long period and in abundance, while its well-branching growth makes it a useful as a feature plant. Although it needs plenty of water, it is low maintenance on the bench.
