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by Chelsea judge Graham Rice
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Chelsea Newcomers
Roses always dominate the new plant introductions at Chelsea. Launched by celebrities with often entirely unjustified fanfares, a few always prove to be really good plants and even if they fade away after a year or two they often raise valuable funds for charity and at the same time give gardeners a few years of pleasure.
Two newcomers especially stand out this year and both should prove to have a long life. 'Halcyon Days', from Mattocks Roses (0345 585652), will surely survive the curse of the celebrity launch, in this case by society model Lady Victoria Hervey, which has been the prelude to the disappearance of so many roses launched at Chelsea. Bred for exceptional resistance to disease, something all gardeners will appreciate, this new Floribunda opens deep sugar pink and fades gently to pale rose.
My other pick is from David Austin Roses (01902 376376). At every Chelsea they launch a batch of new varieties and there's no doubt that some would have been better kept unreleased. 'William Shakespeare 2000' looks different. In deep crimson ageing to deep purple, and with a powerful old rose fragrance, it's also neat in growth and another rose which is unusually disease-resistant.
However, it's not the new roses that most visitors seek out, it's the new perennials and the one that's making the most noise this year is Geranium 'Rozanne' from Blooms of Bressingham (01379 687464). A new hybrid between the ever dependable Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety' and G. himalayense, this is a wonderful white-eyed blue and although the waterfall of plants on the stand looks a little thin, when grown in the garden 'Rozanne' is more compact and the flowers have more impact. |
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Rose 'William Shakespeare 2000'
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Geranium 'Roxanne'
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| For sheer impact, the hardy perennial Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate', from Hillier Nurseries (01794 368733), is hard to beat. Long, narrow bright yellow leaves set off three-petalled purple-blue flowers in a dramatic long-season combination.
I always like to see the new hostas from Goldbrook Plants (01379 668770) as they're often the first to have the latest introductions from the USA. The neat growing Hosta 'Medusa', with wavy dark green leaves splashed with creamy white in the centre looks great and only makes a dwarf clump 30cm/12in wide. But the real breakthrough is Hosta 'Obsession'. Another from the prolific breeding programme of North Carolina hosta fanatic Tony Avent, the bright green leaves are feature a unique jagged border which is almost black. This really is different. |
| Three Counties Nurseries (01297 678257) have had quite a resurgence recently. Years ago they grew dahlias, then as dahlias fell out of fashion they took to pinks and in recent years they've discovered aquilegias. First they introduced the tall States Series and now they're first with the new dwarf Butterfly aquilegias. Bred in the USA in three colours and a mixture, these delightful little varieties are wonderful spring patio plants.
Chelsea is not usually the place to see new bedding plants but there are three this year which are well worth looking for in garden centres and mail order catalogues next year - and, of course, on e-garden. Petunia 'Fragrant Cloud', bred in Devon, is shown on the London in Bloom exhibit and is already famous for its scent. A nicely bushy variety, with white, lavender tinted flowers.
Penhow Nurseries (01633 400419) won a Gold Medal for their huge bowls of diascias and nemesias. These long flowering patio plants are so prolific; the pure white Nemesia 'Sugar Baby' has clouds of pure white flowers… I can't wait to grow it.
And Viola 'Magnifico'. This is a lovely little thing, with white flowers edged in purple - and the flowers come in such quantities you can hardy see the leaves. This one is starting to appear in garden centres now - so keep your eyes open.
See also the preview article on new plants. |
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Nemesia 'Sugar Baby'
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Viola 'Magnifico'
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