RHS Plant of the Year 2024

Agastache BEELICIOUS PINK (‘Agapk’)

A bee and butterfly magnet, flowering from July to September, the extra-long 15cm+ bottle brush-like flowers begin lighter pink, elongating with age and darkening in colour as the autumn progresses. Bred by Van Hemert & Co, exhibited by Proctors Nursery and supplied by Hayloft Ltd.

Begonia ‘Stellar Storm’

A new style of colourful-leaved begonia. Similar in style to Begonia Rex but a tougher and a more resilient plant that is less affected by changes in humidity and temperature. With striking burgundy, red and silver striped, spiral-shaped leaves boast unique spiked edges, making it a distinctive addition to any collection. Minimum 5C, Begonia ‘Stellar Storm’ will flourish in dappled light or partial shade. Bred by Lynne Dibley and exhibited by Dibleys Nurseries.

Clematis GUERNSEY FLUTE (‘Evigsy153’)

Large star-shaped, pure white flowers with red anthers are formed from May through to July, with repeat flowering into September. Compact habit and height make it a wonderful addition to patio containers, or in the mid to front of a flower border. Bred and exhibited by Raymond Evison Clematis Ltd.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Yulika’

Easy to prune in spring and free flowering, this hydrangea is very winter hardy (-15°c). With big petals and double flowers, raw flowers are dark red. Fully bloom in white and red. Beautiful contrast in flower colour. Selected in Japan by Sakamoto. Introduced by Osco Garden B.V. in Holland. Tested by Van Klaveren Plant B.V. – De Kwakel (NL). Exhibited by Burncoose Nurseries.

Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis METEOR (‘Hillmah’)

An outstanding garden plant, deep green leaves, dense globose habit, deep red foliage in spring and a flush of yellow flowers from August to November giving this plant year round season of interest. The compact habit makes it suitable for a wide variety of spaces, trouble free and easy to grow. Hardy to -10 and below Thrives in sun or light to full shade. Grows well in most soils. Can be grown in a large container. Introduced by Hillier Nurseries and exhibited by Sparsholt College

Musa sikkimensis EVER RED (‘Lou 1’)

Musa sikkimensis EVER RED rivals Musa basjoo for hardiness and speed of growth. Its thicker, stronger leaves are more windproof and more colourful than M. 'Bengal Tiger', retaining its red for longer during the summer. With winter protection it can grow to 4m high in 10 years, developing a woody stem over time, creating a dramatically tropical architectural centrepiece. Introduced by Suttons and exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners Question Time.

Narcissus ‘King Charles’

Narcissus 'King Charles' is a Division 2 large-cupped variety that flowers 40cm in height, midseason. The roundish perianth segments are reflexed and start off white with a frilled pink trumpet, which then mature to yellow with white along the midrim. Bred and exhibited by Taylors Bulbs.

Petunia NICOLA (‘Kernicola’) (Tumbelina Series)

NICOLA is innovative, with appeal and sturdy performance credentials for gardeners of all proficiency. The colour and flower shape is new – a central flourish of petals with contrasting frame – but nonetheless elegant. With weather tolerance for an uncertain climate and sustainable peat-free performance, NICOLA is a modern twist on a traditional summer favourite. Introduced by Kerley & Co and exhibited by Sparsholt College.

Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME WHITE (‘W1’)

This plant is perfectly suited to a modern garden, compact, naturally branching, free flowering and with an intense fragrance that fills the garden. The flower has an almost cruciform look with recurved petals that is unique for this genus and visually attractive. Hardy to -15 and below. Easy to grow requiring no pruning. Best in full sun to light shade and moist free draining soils. Introduced by Hillier Nurseries and exhibited by Sparsholt College.

Pleurotus euosmus - Tarragon Oyster

The Tarragon Oyster mushroom is quick and easy to cultivate, simple to grow regardless of space, experience and budget. It can be cultivated and grown on a variety of substrates such as waste products like sawdust. Brought into production by Adrian Ogden, Gourmet Woodland Mushrooms and exhibited by Caley Brothers.

Rosa CHELSEA PENSIONER (‘Harhomley’)

The Chelsea Pensioner is an easy to grow Hybrid Tea rose, with the colour matching the iconic Chelsea Pensioners’ uniform. The blooms are proudly held and perfectly formed and the leaves are lush, the growth strong, perfume spicy. A garden rose flowering from June to October, easy to grow with a bushy habit. Bred and exhibited by Harkness Roses 1879.

Rosa Emma Bridgewater TM (‘Ausb44a16’) announced on 20 May

Salvia × jamensis BELLE DE LOIRE ‘Barsabel’

This distinctive salvia hails from France. The plant starts with yellow and orange flowers in spring that transition to cream and salmon hues in autumn. Its nectar-rich blossoms attract bees and butterflies, ensuring not only beautiful flora but also delightful visitors to your garden. With low-maintenance requirements, deer resistance, and easy growth, this plant is a good choice for novice gardeners. Frost hardy to -8. Bred by La Possonniere and exhibited by Middleton Nurseries.

Scabiosa KUDO BLUE ('Ichbu2005') (Kudo Series)

Scabiosa KUDO BLUE is 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, it makes a fantastic choice for a mixed herbaceous border, gravel garden or container planting scheme. The flowers are good for cutting and the blooms are loved by pollinating insects. Introduced by Sarah Raven and exhibited by Daisy Roots Nursery.

Sempervivum GOLD MINE (‘Ggm2022’)

Succulents are gaining in popularity and 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. The breeding is a breakthrough quadrupling the size of this genus. Makes an excellent introduction to gardening. Introduced by Hillier Nurseries and exhibited by Sparsholt College.

Trachelospermum asiaticum STAR OF MILANO (‘Trsuz01’)

Trachelospermum STAR OF MILANO brings together two sought after features of an already popular evergreen climber – striking variegated foliage and pink flushed bicolour fragrant blooms, making it a stand out addition to the genus. Ideal for modern gardens it reaches just 3mx2m requiring no pruning or training. Hardy to -12C for year round interest. Introduced by Suttons and exhibited by Stonebarn & Gardeners Question Time.

Tulbaghia cominsii ‘Fancy Pants’

Almost like a miniature cyclamen and very floriferous, Tulbaghia cominsii 'Fancy Pants' likes a free draining soil or compost, with full sun to partial shade. Hardy in the border to -10C with a little mulch, protect pots in winter. Feed with a high potash feed fortnightly spring to autumn. Bred by Steven Hickman and exhibited by Hoyland Plant Centre.