This year’s winner is Prunus Starlight
One of the most eagerly anticipated contests in horticulture is the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024. The best new plants are shortlisted with the winner announced on Sunday, May 19, the day before RHS Chelsea’s press day.
RHS Plant of the Year 2024 is a sought-after award that recognises innovation, appeal, excellence and impact in plant breeding. Read about the shortlisted plants and winners from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – winner Prunus Starlight
Exhibited by Green Jjam Nursery, breeder Ken Tobutt.
An ornamental cherry, with pure white star-shaped flowers. It has a profuse flowering habit in late March which can extend into April. It can also flower in early winter in mild weather. Flowers have good resistance to frost. Suitable for all soil types and propagates well.
Second place – Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate (‘Vg001’)
Exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners’ Question Time, supplied by Whetman Plants, international breeder Valin Genetics.
A new colour breakthrough whilst improving hardiness (RHS H4) in a garden favourite. Vibrant cherry-coloured flowers, with a chocolate scent and contrasting yellow pollen, are the largest of any Cosmos atrosanguineus. Loved by pollinators, this cosmos blooms non-stop from the end of May to the first frost.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 third place – Mangave Mad about Mangave® Praying Hands PBR
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes and Gardeners’ Question Time, bred by Hans Hansen and introduced by Thompson & Morgan.
With dark-green, scale-like leaves curling upwards into the elegant form of an artichoke, ‘Praying Hands’ is a new-look Mangave. A maroon spike finishes each leaf, converging at the top. A hybrid cross between an Agave and Manfreda, Mangave plants boast faster-growing, hardier and fuller plants. Mangave is a half-hardy perennial, hardy to -5 ºC and drought tolerant. In colder and wetter areas, grow in containers and move into frost-free, drier conditions over the winter. Height x spread: 20cm x 35cm.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Musa sikkimensis Ever Red (‘Lou 1’ PBR)
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes and Gardeners’ Question Time, bred by Bruno Chauvet and introduced by Suttons.
The large, ribbed, paddle-shaped leaves of this banana are streaked with maroon-red stripes. Originating in the Himalayan foothills, Ever Red rivals Musa basjoo for hardiness. Its thicker, stronger leaves are more windproof, colourful and hardier than sikkimensis Bengal Tiger, plus it retains its leaf markings for longer each summer. Grow Ever Red outdoors in mild areas, with some protection over winter. Alternatively, grow in a container and move to a frost-free position over winter. Height x spread: 3-4m.
Trachelospermum asiaticum Star of Milano® (‘TRSUZ01’)
Exhibited by Stonebarn Landscapes and Gardeners’ Question Time, bred by Yuji Suzuki (Japan) and introduced by Suttons.
The glossy pointed leaves of this hardy shrub have pale to dark-green patterning with cream edges. The fragrant star-shaped flowers are a pale pink. The flowers fill gardens with an intoxicating scent from June to September. Use this evergreen climber to cover walls, fences and garden structures, or use in a container, as ground cover or as a clipped hedge. Height x spread: 3m.
Agastache Beelicious Pink (‘Agapk’)
Exhibited by Proctors Nursery, supplied by: Hayloft Ltd, breeder: Van Hemert & Co.
A bee and butterfly magnet, flowering from July to September. The 15cm+ bottle brush-like flowers begin lighter pink, elongating with age and darkening as autumn progresses. A compact bushy plant with aniseed-scented foliage. Good for the containers or borders.
Begonia Stellar Storm
Exhibited by Dibleys Nurseries, creeder Lynne Dibley.
Similar to Begonia rex but with several different species in the breeding line to create a tougher and a more resilient plant. With its striking burgundy, red and silver striped foliage, it adds a touch of drama. Its large, spiral-shaped leaves boast spiked edges.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Clematis Guersnsey Flute (‘Evigsy153’)
Exhibited by Raymond Evison Clematis, breeder Raymond Evison Clematis.
Long-lasting and robust white blooms and a repeat-flowering habit for beds and containers. It has an unusual trait of holding its flower buds which resemble champagne flutes.
Hydrangea macrophylla Yulika
Exhibited by Burncoose Nurseries, breeder Sakamoto Gardening – Japan.
Easy to prune in spring and winter hardy down to -15°c. Its raw flowers are dark red which then fully bloom into white and red, giving a beautiful contrast.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis Meteor (‘Hillmah’)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College Group, supplied by Hilliers Breeder.
Deep green leaves, a dense globose habit and deep red foliage in spring. Yellow flowers from August to November give this plant year round interest. Compact habit, trouble free and easy to grow.
Narcissus King Charles
Exhibited and bred by Taylors Bulbs.
The petals are reflexed and start off white with a beautiful funnel shaped, lightly frilled pink trumpet that is flared at the mouth. The perianth segments mature to yellow with white remaining along the midrim.
Papaver (Oriental Group) Red Rumble (‘Hg01’)
Exhibited by Hare Spring Cottage Garden Plants, supplied by Hayloft Ltd, breeder Herbert Oudshoorn.
Repeat flowering, cupped, hand sized and intensely coloured with multi-layers of ruffled petals. Unlike most poppies, The foliage stays a healthy green for longer being less sensitive to disease. Each flower is held on thick strong stems and won’t flop when left unsupported.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Petunia Nicola (‘Kernicola’) (Tumbelina Series)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College Group, supplied by Kerley & Co, breeder Kerley & Co.
The colour and flower shape is new – a central flourish of petals with contrasting frame. With weather tolerance for an uncertain climate and sustainable peat-free performance, this petunia is a modern twist on a traditional summer favourite.
Philadelphus Petite Perfume White (‘W1’)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College Group, supplied by Hilliers Breeder.
Compact, naturally branching, free flowering and with an intense fragrance. The flower has an almost cruciform look with recurved petals that is unique for this genus.
Pleurotus euosmus – tarragon oyster mushroom
Exhibited by Caley Brothers, breeder Adrian Ogden, Gourmet Woodland Mushrooms
Quick and easy to cultivate on a variety of substrates such as sawdust. It is a speciality variety of a well-known species, with a stunning flavour profile. In a move towards a more plant-based diet, mushrooms are a growing source of sustainable food.
Rosa Chelsea Pensioner (‘Harhomley’)
Exhibited by Harkness Roses 1879, breeder Harkness Roses 1879.
Easy to grow Hybrid Tea rose matching the iconic Chelsea Pensioners’ uniform. The leaves are lush, the growth strong, and perfume spicy, flowering from June to October.
Salvia × jamensis Belle de Loire ‘Barsabel’
Exhibited by Middleton Nurseries, breeder La Possonniere.
A long flowering season with blooms changing from yellow and orange in spring to cream and salmon in autumn. Its nectar-rich blossoms attract bees and butterflies. Low-maintenance, easy growth and hardiness make it ideal for novice gardeners.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Scabiosa Kudo Blue (‘Ichbu2005’) (Kudo Series)
Exhibited by Daisy Roots Nursery, supplied by Sarah Raven, breeder, Kaori Ichiba.
A fully hardy and compact scabious, bearing many larger than average, bright blue pincushion flowers from spring to autumn. Easy to grow in well-drained soil in a bright and sunny position. The flowers are wonderful for cutting and the blooms are loved by pollinating insects.
Sempervivum Gold Mine (‘Ggm2022’) (Chick Charms Giants Series)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College Group, supplied by Hilliers Breeder Chris Hansen
This variety is hardy, drought tolerant and easy to grow. Dramatic colouration and huge rosettes to 30cm across make it a perfect patio or container plant.
Tulbaghia cominsii Fancy Pants
Exhibited by Hoyland Plant Centre, breeder Steven Hickman.
Free-flowering, with a unique flower resembling a miniature cyclamen. Plant in full sun or part shade. Hardy to -10C.
New plants not shortlisted for RHS Plant of the Year 2024
Cosmos bipinnatus Pink Mosaic
Exhibited by Jonathan Sheppard, breeder Floranova.
Upright blooms that change from white to a striking mottled pink. A tender annual that looks great in borders and containers and can flower into autumn.
Delosperma Desert Dancers Red (‘Fsdd2112’) (Desert Dancers Series) Delosperma Desert Dancers Purple (‘Fsdd2117’) (Desert Dancers Series)
Exhibited by Sparsholt College Group, supplied by Kernock Park Plants, breeder Nishikawa Koichiro (Florsaika Breeding BV).
Unique series with intensely dark foliage colour in winter and spring, and vibrant purple and red flowers in summer. Hardy down to -12C.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Rosa Scentifall Lemon (‘Tmro14-02’)
Exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners’ Question Time, supplied by Thompson & Morgan, breeder Charles Valin.
Bred for a compact trailing habit, disease resistance, heavy flowering and intense fragrance. Perfect for creating hanging baskets, bringing citrus perfume and colour to head height. Fully double blooms are produced from June to November. Growing to just 60x60cm it is also ideal in pots and the front of border.
Rosa Spark of Life (‘Harmaport’)
Exhibited by Harkness Roses 1879, breeder Harkness Roses 1879.
A sport of an existing rose, which is a naturally occurring genetic mutation. This new rose offers a strong fragrance, compact habit, dense healthy foliage, and an abundance of bloom for months on end.
RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024 – Zantedeschia Purple Beat (‘Dozanpurbe’)
Exhibited by Brighter Blooms, breeder Sande B.V. / Dunmen Group B.V.
A short, compact version of the popular variety Z. Picasso, first registered in 2004. This miniature Zantedeschia flowers very freely with bi-coloured cream and purple flowers held above the leaves.
