Malus toringo Aros is best in show at New Plant Awards
Malus toringo Aros from Frank P Matthews has been crowned this year as Best in Show at the New Plant Awards on the opening morning of the HTA National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.
The New Plant Awards, sponsored by the RHS, are the beating heart of the show and create an area bursting with inspiration for our visitors.
Judging Panel member Tim Upson, Head of Horticulture at the RHS comments, “Malus toringo Aros really stood out as a true winner. Whilst purple leaved trees are not uncommon this one has a particularly strong colour and good habit.
He adds, “It has a wide use in different garden situations and with its compact nature is particularly suited to small gardens and patios. With its long season of interest and colour this tree will have wide appeal to many customers and has great potential as a really good seller.”
The winners are:
Annuals Gold and Best in Category – Silene hybrid ‘Sl 11 04-61 Sparkling Rose from Kernock Park Plants Ltd
Herbaceous Perennials Gold and Best in Category – Adenophora White Blaze from Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweather’s Nursery
Houseplants Gold and Best in Category – Gloxinia sonata pink spot from Javado and Batchmere Ltd
Shrubs and Climbers Gold and Best in Category –Passiflora Riverside Snow Queen from Newey PPL
Trees and Conifers Gold and Best in Category – Malus toringo Aros from Frank P Matthews
This year’s judging panel included Tim Upson (RHS), Ian Hodgson (Garden News), Marcus Cousins (Aylett Nurseries), Ken Cox (Glendoick Garden Centre) with HTA’s Martin Simmons overseeing.
All the entries were validated by Joy of Plants.
In addition to the formal announcement in the New Plant Awards area on the opening morning of the show there was also a seminar session for visitors highlighting the award winning plants and the benefits that they bring to help bolster plant sales.
