It’s a clean sweep for Thompson & Morgan!
Plant of the Year 2023 has been dominated by Thompson & Morgan this year, with the company winning the three podium places. Agapanthus Black Jack was the winner, with Hydrangea Euphoria Pink second and Weigela Camouflage in third. To qualify, plants have to be new to the UK and/or available for UK gardeners to buy since last year’s Chelsea.
For more on Chelsea 2023, read about the show gardens and highlights, Sustainable Garden Product of the Year and Chelsea Fringe events.
See what won Plant of the Year in 2022 and 2021. Read about the new RHS Urban Show for 2024.
Plant of the Year 2023 shortlist
WINNER: Agapanthus Black Jack (Dwaghyb02)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), show plants supplied by Thompson & Morgan, breeder – De Wet Breeders.
Black Jack produces 10 times as many florets per flower head, providing a flower season twice as long as competitors. Black buds open to deep black-purple striped blooms which fade to deep purple, taking on a metallic sheen with age. Ideal for borders and containers, it is easy to grow and heat-tolerant.
2nd PLACE: Hydrangea serrata Gotemba Nishiki (Euphoria Pink)
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090), show plants supplied by Thompson & Morgan, breeder Osco Garden BV.
The first Hydrangea serrata is all about stunning foliage as well as flowers. Striking tricolour foliage flushes vibrant pink, white and green in the spring. As the pink fades out, lace cap-style summer blooms burst from pale pink buds into two-tone ruby red blooms with pale centres.
3rd PLACE: Weigela Camouflage (Tmwg15 – 01)
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090), show plants, supplied by Thompson & Morgan, breeder Charles Valin.
A compact Weigela with bright green and black-green foliage. Smothered with bright red funnel-shaped flowers on arching stems in May and June. Great for pollinators.
Agave Blazing Saddles
Exhibited by Burncoose Nurseries (GPF085), show plants supplied by Javado, breeder – Hans Hansen from Walters Gardens.
An intergeneric cross, creating the colour patterns and better growth of Manfreda with the habit and refinement of Agave. This climate-proof specimen is perfect for zero-care gardeners.
Plant of the Year 2023 – Clematis Tumaini (Evigsy151)
Exhibited and bred by Raymond Evison Clematis (GPB033).
A free-flowering, compact clematis, with successional buds following the first flush. Flowers appear in light violet with a complementary dark pink bar. Suitable for containers or borders. Selected by Dr Susan Wilson MBE, in recognition of the charitable work undertaken in Tanzania by The Tumaini Fund. This Guernsey-based charity supports HIV/AIDs widows and orphans in Kagera, Tanzania.
Cordyline Magic Star (Tus020)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), show plants supplied by Hillier Nurseries Ltd, breeder – Gregorz Tuszynscy.
A laboratory mutation from Cordyline Sundance with striking colours. Green leaves with creamy-white edges fade into pink and end in red at the trunk. Cordylines are tropical-looking, easy to grow, excellent in pots and tolerant of drought.
Echinacea purpurea Pink Shimmer
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090), show plants supplied and bred by Burpee Europe (Henk van der Velde).
Bred to over-winter in wet clay soil. Stunning, long-flowering, rose-pink blooms with a prominent golden cone. Awarded an AGM by the RHS in 2020.
Plant of the Year 2023 – Erysimum Colour Vibe Red (Cdcery1)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), show plants supplied by Hilliers, breeder Charles Carr.
With stunning red flowers over a long period, this Erysimum is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance and hardy. Ideal in a container or border. A good nectar source for early-season pollinators.
Erysimum Taffeta Series
Exhibited by Birmingham City Council (GPE071), show plants supplied by Sow Successful Ltd, breeder Sow Successful Ltd.
This highly fragrant series of double wallflowers have been bred from now-extinct plants and crossed with modern, early-flowering hybrids. Hardy and very attractive to bees with nectar-rich flowers. They flower from February through to late summer.
Geum Orange Pumpkin
Exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), show plants supplied by Hillier Nurseries Ltd, breeder – Green Globe.
The first fully double-flowering Geum that flowers all summer. It is reliable and easy to grow with deep green foliage and short, strong flower stems.
Helianthus annuus Desire Red
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090), show plants supplied and bred by Burpee Europe (Henk van der Velde).
A hybridisation between dwarf, well-branched yellow selections and tall red types began in 2008, resulting in Desire Red, the world’s first compact, well-branched sunflower. Easy to grow and a great performer in containers or the garden border.
Lathyrus odoratus Dawn Everest
Exhibited by Darren Everest Sweet Peas (GPC049), show plants supplied by Darren Everest Sweet Peas, breeder – Frank Verge.
A lovely shade of pink with a gorgeous scent. It can be grown in either open ground or in pots.
Lavandula × intermedia Exceptional (Hillav)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College (GPA008), show plants supplied and bred by Hillier Nurseries.
Featuring pure white flowers on long stems lasting from April to first frosts with large, strong silver foliage retained all winter. Drought-resistant and hardy, this new lavender is ideal for pots, borders, or hedging.
Rosa Dannahue
Exhibited, show plants from and bred by David Austin Roses Ltd.
A compact and shapely pale apricot rose which grows upright to form a bushy shrub full of old rose character. Shade-tolerant, this plant repeat flowers all summer. A hardy shrub which grows well in all soil types.
Salvia × sylvestris Purple Spring (Sally2014)
Exhibited by Middleton Nurseries (GPC050), show plants supplied and bred by Burpee Europe (Henk van der Velde).
Capable of early and repeat flowering, and with excellent winter hardiness. It features sterile dark purple flowers that attract a wide number of bee species.
Streptocarpus Dolina
Exhibited by Dibleys Nurseries (GPE079), show plants supplied by Dibleys Nurseries, breeder – Lynne Dibley.
A beautiful, easy-to-grow houseplant that flowers from April to October. True-double blue flowers with purple veins, on strong upright stems. A compact shape that requires good light but not full sun.
Plant of the Year 2023 – Tomato Bliss
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes (GPF090), show plants supplied and bred by Burpee Europe (Henk van der Velde).
Derived from tomato Shimmer. Plum-shaped yellow tomatoes with faint white stripes and an excellent flavour and texture with good disease resistance.
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) JS Brainstorm
Exhibited by Hare Spring Cottage Plants (GPD065), show plants supplied by Thompson & Morgan, breeder – Jan Spruyt.
Flowering from June to November, two months longer than most Tradescantia. Plants feature masses of large magenta-purple blooms with golden anthers that stand out against the petals.
Plant of the Year 2023 at RHS Chelsea updated 2025
