The excitement of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 will soon be upon us and The Horticultural Trades Association is buzzing about the new plants that will feature on its Discovery Zone exhibit ‘Helping Children Grow’.
The exhibit promotes National Children’s Gardening Week which takes place between 25 May - 2 June 2019 and is supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers. Working with National Children’s Gardening Week Ambassador Chris Collins the exhibit features fun and inspiring projects such as edible planters, a pizza wheel, runner bean tipis and a wildlife hotel.
Alongside the plants required for the projects there will be three new plants submitted by HTA members which will be put forward for the RHS Chelsea 2019 Plant of the Year Award. These are:
Nepeta Neptune bred by Kees Jan Kraan and entered by Thompson & Morgan. This brand new selection of Catmint has a compact upright habit of just 30cm. It is ideal for borders and patio pots. This low maintenance perennial is hardy down to -25ºC and will flower from June to September. Its flowers are mauve blue with beautiful dark blue spots.
Ajuga Princess Nadia bred by Nadia Plants and entered by Thompson & Morgan. Ajuga tenorii ‘Princess Nadia’ brings together the best variegated foliage and flower spikes of the genus. A controlled creeping habit, true hardiness, and evergreen foliage offers a wide range of garden uses and year-round interest. This truly is a plant for all seasons.
Apple Eden bred by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and entered by Frank P Matthews. The first of its kind, Eden is a non-browning commercial and garden apple. Delicious for fresh eating and cooking, it has a whole host of uses including cooking down to a snow-white puree that is sweet, so no additional sugar is needed. It is easy to grow and disease resistant.
More information on the new plants and ‘Helping Children Grow’ exhibit can be found at www.hta.org.uk/chelsea2019
