Suttons wins for 3rd time in 5 years with a colour-changing shrub
The Plant of the Year Award at the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show has been won by Suttons for the third time in five years, with an unusual shrub. A judging panel of experts chose the colour-changing leaves of Cercis canadensis Eternal Flame, bred through a collaboration with partners Hillier and Stonebarn Landscapes.
To win, plants must fulfil these three criteria:
- Innovation: The plant must be genuinely new and offer significant benefits within those features.
- Appeal: Will the plant stand the test of time?
- Excellence & Impact – Both judges and gardeners will be looking for the “wow” factor.
In 2017, Suttons took the title with Dwarf Mulberry Charlotte Russe and in 2019 with Sedum Atlantis. Read more about the Plant of the Year 2022 and Plant of the Year 2023.
Plant of the Year winner: Cercis canadensis Eternal Flame, Stonebarn Landscapes, www.stonebarn.uk. Introduced by Suttons
Developed at North Carolina State University in 2010. All new growth throughout the season emerges deep red, changing to burnt orange and golden yellow as the leaves mature. A sunny location is preferred, but semi-shade is tolerated. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. Hardy plant in all of England/Wales, but slow to flower and late to leaf out in the cooler north. Height 120-150cm, width 75-100cm.
1001 Summer Nights Jasmine (Yulan01), International Camellia Society, www.internationalcamellia.org. Introduced by Thompson & Morgan
A 20-year breeding project has led to the first commercially available cultivar of a new range of camellias, combining Camellia japonica’s hardiness and the summer blooming of hard-to-grow C. azalea (changii).
Flowers from May to October with bright red single flowers and dark green leaves for year-round interest. Neat, dense and compact growth habit. Prefers well-drained, moist soil in semi-shade but can tolerate sun. Cold hardiness is still being assessed, but early estimates indicate hardiness down to -10C. Height 60/80cm, width 40/50cm.
Salvia microphylla Anduus: Middleton Nurseries, www.middletonnurseries.co.uk
S. Anduus blooms from June to October with bicoloured pale-pink and white flowers, which change slightly during the season. The compact growth is suitable for pots and tolerates dry conditions. Anduus was bred by Marc Vanlancker from Belgium. Height 20-30cm, width 10-20cm.
Salvia microphylla Delice Aquamarine, Middleton Nurseries, www.middletonnurseries.co.uk.
A long flowering period from May onwards with pale-blue flowers. Suitable for gardens and pots, tolerates dryness. Bred by Jan Debusschere from Belgium. Neat habit, height 20-30cm, width 10-20cm.
Salvia microphylla Delice Gold and Wine, Middleton Nurseries, www.middletonnurseries.co.uk.
Bicoloured flowers, pink with a subtle transition to a white lip. Good for gardens and pots, copes well with drought. Bred by Jan Debusschere from Belgium. Height 20-30cm, width 10-20cm.
Ficus carica Little Miss Figgy, Sparsholt College, www.sparsholt.ac.uk. Introduced by Thompson & Morgan
A very compact, dwarf fig that grows to about 120cm high and wide, yet produces a prolific crop. It is hardier than other types, coping down to -15C. Allows anyone to grow their own figs with little experience to produce two crops each year. Thrives in well-drained soil or a large pot. Height 50/60cm, width 70/80cm.
Hylotelephium Dream Dazzler (SunSparkler Series). Introduced by Thompson & Morgan
This sedum’s vivid foliage colours vary with light intensity. In the sun, it is dark purple with bright pink edges; in semi-shade, light purple with bright pink edges and in shade, blue-green with white and pink edges. Pink flowers in summer on compact plants for groundcover, rock gardens, borders and containers. Low maintenance and hardy to -30C. It prefers well-drained, light soil in a sunny spot. Height 10/15cm, width 35/45cm.
Lathyrus × hammettii Three Times As Sweet. Introduced by Thompson & Morgan
The first cultivated modern Grandiflora tricolour sweet pea with a stripe bred from L. odoratus x L. belinensis. The marbled blooms blend lavender-blue, burgundy and white, accompanied by an intense fragrance. A hardy annual, sow from autumn for the earliest summer blooms. Height 130/150cm, width 45cm.
Jacaranda mimosifolia Bonsai Blue (Sakai01). Introduced by Suttons
The world’s first dwarf Jacaranda. It prefers well-draining soil, is heat and drought-tolerant, and its rounded habit and 1.25-1.5m height enable it to be readily protected from frosts below -2C. Stunning blue flowers in late May-June. Height 60-80cm, width 40-50cm.
Kale Rainbow Candy Crush. Introduced by Suttons
Delicious kale, combining the colouring of an ornamental and the taste of an edible. It has a long harvest period and vibrant colouring. The leaves maintain a sweet flavour when raw. If cooked, leaves take on a dark purple colour. Hardy to -5C. Height 40-50cm, width 40-60cm.
Limonium gmelinii Dazzle Rocks (Ste10) Introduced by Suttons
Having collected Limonium gmelinii seeds from the wild in Hungary, Peter van Steijn spent 10 years of selective crossing to develop this compact plant with many more flower stems. Drought-resistant and fully hardy with vivid blue splashes. Height 30-40cm, width 25-35cm.
× Semponium Sienna, Surreal Succulents, www.surrealsucculents.co.uk
A cross between a hardy Sempervivum and an Aeonium, creating a hardier ornamental succulent, the world’s first intergeneric hybrid of these species. This plant is not only frost-hardier than Aeonium but is also drought-tolerant. Intense bright Sienna red colourisation. Can be grown in full sun or part shade, windy coastal gardens, gravel gardens, window boxes, pots and indoor specimens. Ongoing frost hardiness testing; proven hardy to -4 °C so far. Height 40cm, width 40cm.
Rosa Zepeti (Meibenbino), The Sun, sungardening.co.uk. Introduced by Meilland International
This miniature rose gives continuous colour from May to November. Tolerates extreme temperatures and weather conditions. The foliage is highly resistant to fungal diseases. Its fire engine red flowers emerge from inky red buds held above compact, rich green foliage. Great for containers, edging and mixed plantings. Height 50cm, width 50cm.
Allium Lavender Bubbles. Introduced by Fairweather’s Nursery
Upright, flattened, grey-green foliage with slight longitudinal twisting. Compact and drought-tolerant, producing numerous, tightly-clustered, dark dusty-purple flowers on strong stems of 40-50cm. The leaf blades twist and curl. Enjoys a sunny position and well-drained soil. Hardiness rating H4. Height 50cm, width 50cm.
Dianthus Berry Blush (Wp21 Min02). Introduced by Whetman Plants International
Lots of large, single flowers with a delicious scent and an intricate pattern with blue-grey foliage. The dark berry eye is surrounded by two tones of pink over a light pink background. Hardy and repeat flowering from April to Autumn. Plant in pots or borders in sun with well-drained neutral soil. Height 23cm, width 40cm.
Glandularia Margaret’s Memory (syn. Verbena Margaret’s Memory). Represented by Plants For Europe
A long flowering season, a low spreading habit and winter hardiness to -10C. It also has no problems with pests or diseases and is attractive to pollinators. It was exhibited in the 2020 HTA Virtual New Plant Awards and won a Bronze Medal. A donation for each plant sold is made to the Alzheimer’s Society. Grow in full sun or light shade, in borders, pots or baskets.
Agave Red Wing (syn. × Mangave Red Wing), W&S Lockyer, Uckfield, East Sussex
Almost burgundy-red speckled foliage and an architectural habit, forming a large, refined rosette. Drought-tolerant, prefers well-drained dry soil, in full sun. Hardy to -5C and requires winter protection. Height 51-56cm, width 61-66cm.
Agave Silver Fox (syn. × Mangave Silver Fox), W&S Lockyer
Striking silver foliage with thick leaves, which are in fact green with light spotting of blue-purple. Defined soft marginal teeth. Prefers well-drained dry soil, in full sun. Hardy to -5C, so requires winter protection. Drought-tolerant. Height 20-25cm, width 40-45cm.
