With the promise of an Indian summer, the Floral Fantasia begonia trial continues to wow visitors to RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex.
Thanks to industry support, including Miracle Gro for the 20205-26 season, more than 130 varieties have been grown in beds and containers to show the breadth of this colourful plant group. An asset for garden centres, a visit is encouraged to help buyers with their decisions and keep planteria staff up to date.
Plants have been assessed throughout the year with a final meeting at the end of September to see which will proudly show off an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Coupled with this, is the People’s Choice visitor vote, which can help garden centres confidently choose which varieties are likely to ultimately be best sellers.
Karen Wilkinson, Marketing Director for UK & Ireland at Evergreen Garden Care, said the ideal behind Floral Fantasia, which is to encourage everyone to garden, perfectly aligned with Miracle Gro’s aims to inspire and educate. Its products are being used within the Floral Fantasia garden and results are being monitored. “It gives us feedback, insight and an independent view on how our watering and feeding products and peat-free growing media are working in a real and challenging environment,” she said.
Floral Fantasia is an independent legacy project created by the late Peter Seabrook to promote seasonal plants in a trial and garden setting. For 2026, it will be trialling antirrhinum– any breeders wanting to have their plants included in the trial, or in the garden are encouraged to contact Michael Smith at W D Smith & Son, Chair of the Floral Fantasia Working Group. Email michael@wdsmith.com
Industry supporters of Floral Fantasia
- Miracle Gro
- Volmary
- Ball
- Bpoa
- Beekenkamp
- Kerley & Co
- Syngenta flowers
- Whartons
- Mr Fothergill’s
- Hayloft
- Kings Seeds
- The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation
