Following the '2023 - Year of the Salvia' trial organized last summer at the RHS garden at Hyde Hall (UK), Fleuroselect communicates the results of the Award of Garden Merit assessment and People's Choice competition. Consumers visiting the garden were invited to choose their favorite Salvia variety, whereas an expert panel assessed the Salvia display for the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
For this trial, over 100 varieties, both from seed and cuttings, have been entered by the following Fleuroselect members: Danziger, EconSeeds, Floranova, Florensis, Hem Zaden/Genetics, HilverdaFlorist, Mr. Fothergill's, PanAmerican Seed, Syngenta Flowers, Suttons, Takii, Voltz Horticulture, and Westland.
Salvia farinacea 'Strata' (Floranova) becomes People's Choice
Visitors to RHS Garden Hyde Hall were asked to indicate their favorite Salvia variety in the Floral Fantasia area. Over 100 species varieties were displayed with one winner: Salvia farinacea 'Strata' from Floranova. The main characteristics praised by visitors were the bi-colours, compact habit, and ability to attract bees. Amongst the runners-up were Salvia greggii Mirage™ 'Rose Bicolour' (Florensis), Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' (Florensis), Salvia patens (Bertrand/Econ Seeds) and Salvia viridis 'Bouquet Mixed' (Suttons).
Salvia viridis 'Bouquet Mixed'
For the People's Choice Award, consumers are given small voting flags to indicate their favorite plant on trial while visiting the RHS Garden Hyde Hall. This year, approximately 600 votes were received.
Eight new awards of Garden Merit
The eight new awards of Garden Merit that were earned during the Salvia Trial are Salvia splendens 'Red Hill' (Hem Genetics), Salvia 'Big Blue' (PanAmerican Seed), Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' (Florensis), Salvia 'Mystic Spires Sky Blue' (Florensis), Salvia greggii 'Mirage Cherry Red' (Florensis), Salvia greggii 'Mirage Rose Bicolour' (Florensis), Salvia greggii 'Mirage White' (Florensis), and Salvia Salgoon 'Lake Blueberry' (HilverdaFlorist).
The panel consisted of experts in the areas of breeding, growing, plant trialing, retail, and social media. The criteria used were: 'excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions', 'available,' 'of the good constitution,' 'essentially stable in form and color,' and 'reasonably resistant to pests and diseases'.
The AGM is subject to review, aiming to make sure that every plant still meets the requirements to stay on the list. The following two Salvias have confirmed their AGM status: Salvia coccinacea 'Lady in Red' (Takii) and Salvia patens (Bertrand/Econ Seeds).
Salvia coccinacea 'Lady in Red'
Fleuroselect annually promotes a flower and a vegetable in the 'Plant of the Year' campaign. This campaign intends to raise awareness of specific crops for home gardening while showing the choice of varieties available to the consumer. Intending to let consumers and industry experts 'enjoy' the 'diversity' of the species, displays are planted each year in public gardens.
2024, Year of the Sunflower
This year, Fleuroselect will promote sunflowers to the international industry. In addition to a publicity campaign, displays will be set up at RHS Hyde Hall, Wisley, Harlow Carr and Bridgemoor (UK), Egapark Erfurt and Mainau (Germany), Jardin des Plantes (France), The Garden (the Netherlands) and Tegeasc (Ireland).
For more information:
Fleuroselect
[email protected]
www.fleuroselect.com