Agapanthus 'Black Jack' ('Dwaghyb02') of Wet Plant Breeders in South Africa has been recognized as this year's RHS Plant of the Year 2023 at the British RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It is one of the most prestigious gardening events in the world, usually receiving over 100,000 visitors, and being visited by the British royal family for many years. According to Peter Rijssen of Plantipp, winning this prize changes everything for the world of Agapanthus.
Andy De Wet en Quinton Bean (picture via Facebook)
From a decades-long breeding program to Plant of the Year
Plantipp tests, introduces, manages, protects, controls and promotes new varieties together with breeders, growers and other partners all across the world and Agapanthus 'Black Jack is one of their varieties in their assortment. It all started about 20 years ago when Wet Plant Breeders set out to produce disease resistant, vigorous, heat-tolerant and multi-flowering cultivars and a black cultivar was always high on the wish list. 17 years into the program, they finally got "the one" 'Black Jack'. It is currently propagated by plant nursery Fairweather's Nursery in the UK and grown by Hoogeveen Plants in the Netherlands and Thompson & Morgan in the UK.
The silver award was for Hydrangea serrata' Gotemba Nishiki' (Euphoria Pink), and bronze was for the Weigela Camouflage ('Tmwg15-01').
A striking, vigorous plant
With black buds opening into intense dark purple flowers, Agapanthus BlackJack has beaten 17 other species in this year's competition. A vigorous plant that looks striking in borders and containers, according to the jury. "The dense inflorescence and many flower heads make this compact Agapanthus surprise gardeners worldwide with its spectacular garden performance and extra-long flowering period."
Royal visit
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the show on Monday, May 22, on the event's press and VIP day. And they were joined by other members of the family. It is the first edition since the death of its greatest supporter Queen Elizabeth II, and London World shares photos of Elizabeth II's long history with the event.
Click here to read the article and see the pictures.
RHS shared many pictures of the visit on their Facebook page.
36 gardens
At this year's Chelsea Flower Show, there are 36 gardens, and on the morning of the official opening (May 23), the winning gardens were announced. Eager to see them? Take a look at the winners at www.housebeautiful.com.
Environmental Horticulture sector group briefs dozens of MPs and Peers at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023
Also, on Tuesday morning, the annual breakfast briefing of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG) took place, and they welcomed a record number of parliamentarians.
The meeting, facilitated by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), gave members from both Houses the opportunity to hear from core OHRG partner organizations – the Arboricultural Association, the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), and the RHS itself.
Discussions covered all aspects of the sector's opportunities and challenges – including the weather and expectations for Summer, having had a late Spring. A clear commitment and passion to the industry was heard – including the need to ensure gardening, horticulture, and landscaping sectors can be as inclusive and accessible as possible, given the huge economic, environmental, and health & well-being benefits it gives. Click here to read more about what was discussed.
For more information
RHS
www.rhs.org.uk
Plantipp
plantipp.eu
Wet Plant Breeders
www.cndnursery.co.za
Fairweather's Nursery
fairweathersnursery.co.uk
Hoogeveen Plants
hoogeveenplants.nl