The public’s say on their favourite plant
The Royal Horticultural Society held a special People’s Choice vote for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade during its first virtual show in 2020. PS, I got it right – the winner is Streptocarpus Harlequin Blue!
For the first time in its history, the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show took place online after it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Each year, the show chooses an RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year selected by an audience of more than 100 plant experts, including members of trials forums and the seven RHS Plant Committees.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the virtual flower show hosted a People’s Choice vote for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade, allowing everyone to vote for their overall favourite from the previous winners.
Plant of the Decade – Promoting plant breeders and nurseries
The Chelsea Plant of the Year was launched in 2010 to promote the work of breeders and nurseries in producing improved and exciting new plants.
Katherine Potsides, RHS Head of Shows Development, said: “These competitions shine a light on some of the best in product design and innovations in plant breeding. They have become a highlight for our visitors and gardeners everywhere so we are thrilled we are able to share and celebrate them once again.”
The RHS website hosted the Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show (May 18-23), with free content.
Chelsea Plants of the Year 2010-19
2010: Streptocarpus Harlequin Blue – Dibley’s Nurseries (bred by Lynne Dibley, UK) and the winner of Plant of the Decade.
2011: Anemone Wild Swan (Macane001) – Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants (bred by Elizabeth MacGregor, UK).
2012: Digitalis Illumination Pink (Tmdgfp001) – Bee Up Front Garden (bred by Charles Valin, Thompson & Morgan, UK).
2013: Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis Soft Caress – SeeAbility Garden (bred by Ozzie Johnson of ItSaul Plants, USA).
2014: Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori (H20–2) – Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres (bred by Ryoji Irie, Japan).
2015: Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum Kilimanjaro Sunrise (Jww5) – Burncoose Nurseries (bred by Jan Willem Wezelenburg, Holland).
2016: Clematis koreana Amber (Wit141205) – Taylors Clematis (bred by Marco de Wit, Holland).
2017: Morus Waisei-kirishima-shikinari (entered as Mulberry Matsunaga) – Horticultural Trades Association (bred by Hajime Matsunaga, Japan).
2018: Hydrangea Runaway Bride Snow White (USHYD0405) – The Sun (bred by Ushio Sakazaki, Japan).
2019: Sedum takesimense Atlantis (Nonsitnal) – National Dahlia Collection (bred by Walters Gardens).
