The New Plant Awards, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, will once again be at the heart of the HTA National Plant Show 2014 and will showcase the best in new plant introductions from UK plant suppliers.

Exhibitors are being encouraged to enter the Awards to promote their new plant varieties and gain recognition for them. There are five award categories for 2014 which are: annuals, herbaceous perennials, house plants, and new for 2014 conifers and trees and shrubs and climbers. Entry is free and creates a valuable marketing opportunity at the Show.

The award winners will be announced and presented by the judging panel on the morning of Tuesday 24 June. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best in Category awards will be allocated from which the Best in Show plant will be selected. Winners will be selected for the quality of plant, suitability for the market and whether it is an improvement on other plants currently available. All entries and winners will be displayed in the New Plant Area for guests to see. 

All entries will be entered into the Visitor Vote, sponsored by Floramedia, where visitors have the opportunity to vote for their Best in Category and Best in Show. Voting closes at 3pm on Wednesday 26 June and the Visitor Vote awards will be presented at 3.30pm that day.

Last year the New Plant Awards attracted over 100 entries and the New Plant Area proved to be a great source of inspiration bursting with new plants. New Leaf Plants took the crown of ‘Best in Show’ at the New Plant Awards 2013 with new introduction; Clematis ‘Beautiful Bride’ and also topped the list of visitor favourites as it was also award Best New Plant in the Visitor Vote.

Entries can be submitted online at www.nationalplantshow.co.uk