New Plant Awards
The New Plant Awards are the beating heart of the National Plant Show and are a prestigious recognition of excellence in the horticultural industry. Over the past 10 years the Awards have grown in prestige and are now the place to find the next best-selling plant for garden centres. These awards are given to the most innovative and exceptional plant varieties that have been introduced to the market within the last year. The purpose of these awards is to showcase the outstanding qualities of these plants, such as their unique features, outstanding performance, and exceptional beauty. The New Plant Awards also serve as an important platform for plant breeders, growers, and marketers to introduce their latest creations to the industry and to the public.
New Plants Awards - Judges Vote
The New Plant Area, which hosts the Awards, is always bursting with ideas for new plants. In 2024 there were over 99 plants entered across 7 categories and it proved to be a valuable source of inspiration for visitors.
The categories are:
- Herbaceous Perennials
2024 winner and Best In Show: Digitalis purpurea Apple Blossom by The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
- Annuals, bedding and container & basket plants
2024 winner: Bidens ferulifolia Bee Happy Double Orange by Ball Colegrave
- Flowering Houseplants
2024 winner: Cyclamen persicum Illusia by Profitplant BV
- Foliage Houseplants
2024 winner: Aglaonema Grand Blossom by Javado UK
- Cacti & Succulents
2024 winner: Cotyledon Hybride Elephant Trunk by Javado UK
- Trees
2024 winner: Prunus Crystal Falls® by Frank P Matthews Ltd
- Shrubs (including Conifers) & Climbers
2024 winner: Lavatera Lilia Twirl ‘HYFIRL’ by Newey Ltd
The Judged Awards are announced on the first day of the National Plant Show. The judging process for the awards is rigorous, and the winners are chosen based on a range of criteria, including their aesthetic appeal, commercial viability, and adaptability to different growing conditions. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Best in Category and Best in Show are awarded. Winning a New Plant Award is a significant achievement that brings well-deserved recognition and publicity to the plant and the people behind it. In addition to the formal announcement in the New Plant Awards area, there is also a seminar focusing on the winners where our judging panel highlight the victorious plants and give the background on their benefits and how these can bolster plant sales.
New Plants Awards - Visitor Vote
The Visitor Vote Awards are a popular part of the National Plant Show. With over 100 plants to vote for, visitors are spoilt for choice and often have a tough decision on their hands when deciding their favourite plant. The Visitor Vote is announced on Thursday morning, giving all visitors across both days the chance to choose their favourite plants.
The New Plant Awards, which are voted on by members visiting the show, are a unique and exciting feature of the National Plant Show.
These awards allow attendees to play an active role in recognising and celebrating the most outstanding plant varieties at the show. Members are invited to explore the exhibits and identify their favorite new plants based on their personal preferences, such as color, fragrance, and shape.
The 2024 Visitor Vote Award Winner
Spiraea WALBERTON’S® PLUM CARPET
Spiraea Walberton’s® Plum Carpet has a compact bushy habit which makes it an ideal shrub for small garden space and container growing. It has outstanding disease resistance and is extremely cold-hardy. Once established, it will give you years of excellent performance with very little maintenance.
Submit your New Plant Award Entry
As an exhibitor at the HTA National Plant Show, you can enter the prestigious HTA New Plant Awards. Entry is free and creates a valuable marketing opportunity at the show.