Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’ from Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweather’s Nursery was named best in show at the New Plant Awards at the HTA National Plant Show this week.

Striking bright orange open flowers on sturdy upright stems have pronounced sepals thaty make it really stand out. With good bud colour and clean foliage, this compact and hardy trollius is easy to grow and is suited to any moist good soil in a sun or part shade position. Launched at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014, it is more prolific in flower than other varieties and re-blooms throughout the season.

Judging panel member Stan Green (HTA president) said ‘Dancing Flame’s vibrant colour, dramatic flowers and upright form made it a border plant with ‘wow factor’. “I am sure it will be a popular choice for garden centre customers when it comes to market next year,” he added.

He said this year’s judges reached their decision after viewing the plants in natural light. Hydrangea ‘Miss Saori’, which won the Plant of the Year award at Chelsea, was a very close second.

The awards were sponsored by the RHS and attracted more than 120 entries across five categories.

Full list of winners:

Annuals

Gold and Best in Category – Impatiens SunPatiens ‘Electric Orange’ – Earley Ornamentals

Gold – Dianthus Suntory ‘Pink’ – Channel Island Plants (UK) Ltd

Gold – Petunia Happy Magic Mini ‘Double Black’ – Channel Island Plants (UK) Ltd

Silver – Calibrachoa Minifamous ‘Double Soft Pink’ – Pentland Plants Ltd

Silver – Pelargonium grandiflorum ‘Bermuda Soft Pink’ – Eagle Plants Ltd

Bronze – Begonia F1 ‘Majestic Sunrise’ – Ball Colegrave

Herbaceous Perennials

Gold and Best in Category – Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’ – Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweathers

Silver – Dianthus ‘Twinkle Star’ – Whetman Pinks and Lovania Nurseries

Silver – Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ – Kernock Park Plants

Bronze – Eryngium x zabelli ‘Neptunes Gold’ – Lovania Nurseries and Seoint Nurseries

Bronze – Rhodoxis – Eagle Plants Ltd

Houseplants

Gold and Best in Category – Phalaenopsis ‘Japanese Cascade’ – Garden Centre Fresh

Silver – Phalaenopsis ‘1072’ - Javado UK

Bronze – Euphorbia Monadenium – Javado UK

Shrubs and Climbers

Gold and Best in Category – Hydrangea ‘Miss Saori’ – Javado UK

Silver – Hydrangea ‘Black Diamond Series’ Dark Angel Purple – Profitplant (Batchmere Ltd)

Bronze – Clematis Prince George – New Leaf Plants

Bronze – Starlet Roses ‘Carmen’ – Burston Nurseries

Bronze – The Poet’s Wife (Auswhisper) – David Austin Roses

Trees and Conifers

Gold and Best in Category – Mini Cherry ‘Cinderella’ – Blackmoor Nurseries

Bronze – Acer ‘Going Green’ – Garden Centre Fresh