The Farplants Group is celebrating success at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) National Plant Show.
Farplants won the visitor award for Best in Category – Herbaceous Perennials, with Digitalis Firebird. The West Sussex nursery co-operative also won four silver New Plant awards for their new introductions; Spiraea Walberton’s Plumtastic, Salvia Rockin Deep Purple, Gaura Walberton’s Gold Fountain and Digitalis Firebird.
Farplants entered 11 new plants into this year’s awards; three new shrubs and eight herbaceous perennials. The Digitalis Firebird caught the imagination of the visitors and scooped the Best in Category – Herbaceous Perennials visitor award.
Farplants managing director Brett Avery commented: “It was fantastic to see the industry out in force. After a roller-coaster season, everyone is feeling optimistic and the response to our new introductions has been incredible. We are constantly focused on innovation to help our customers’ stand out and it’s wonderful to receive recognition from the industry.”
The Digitalis Firebird is a cross between Digitalis purpurea and Digitalis canariensis (Isoplexis canariensis). The 90cm spikes of striking pink and apricot flowers start opening in June and then smaller flowering side branches develop through the summer.
Spiraea Walberton’s Plumtastic, from world leading plant breeder David Tristram, received a silver HTA New Plant award in the Shrub category.
Farplants received a silver New Plant award for Salvia Rockin Deep purple. Its intense flower colour is a perfect match for Pantone Colour of the Year: Ultra- Violet. It has a more compact habit than varieties such as Amistad, which opens up new planting positions.
Gaura Walberton’s Gold Fountain was the second new introduction from the Walberton Nursery’s breeding programme to be given a silver HTA New Plant award at this year’s show. Spotted in 2014 as a variegated sport in a crop of the popular Walberton’s Snow Fountain, the attractive variegation is stable unlike the other main variegated Gaura – Corrie’s Gold. The foliage is a rich gold colour complimented by delicate white flowers from June until October. It has a rounded dome habit and is hardy down to between -5c and -10c.
Other new introductions included; Euphorbia Honey Pot, Hibiscus Starburst Chiffon, three Alstromerias from the Garden Jewel series (Peaches, Pink and Yellow), and two Alstromerias from the Summer Series (Relieve and Saint).
