10 FlowerTrials favourites from over the years

It was SO hard to just choose 10!

May 28, 2025

∙ Paid

It is almost time for the commercial horti event of the year. The FlowerTrials is about to open its doors, as almost 60 glasshouse in the Netherlands and Germany show their new breeding achievements! So, in honour, I wanted to take a little trip down memory lane, showing a few of my favourite introductions from over the years.

I highly recommend that you book this trip, as you’ll be like a kid in a sweet shop, or maybe let’s call that a plant geek in a ball pit…

Angel Pelargoniums by Hendriks Young Plants BV

How often do you see a plant that has so many flowers that it actually conceals all its own foliage and stems??! This cracking series of Angel Pellies from Hendriks is just built for window boxes, as they are not so tall they will obstruct your view of the garden…

But, honestly, that flower power is tremendous. Give it a sunny spot outside and it will flower its heart out. Even better, bring it in as a houseplant, and it will certainly cause a stir…

Buy it here.

Rumex ‘Twister’ by Hem Genetics

Now, you didn’t expect that, did you? What a niche foliage plant we have here… An excellent discovery by Hem Genetics, really answers the need for decorative fillers for pots and balcony planters.

I think we can describe the leaf colour as BROWN, which is a very unusual palette to be working with. Top marks for this one, I just can’t wait to get my hands on a few plants…

Available soon.

Alstroemeria Fashionista Series by Hilverda Florist

Sometimes, I’m so excited and shocked by new plants, that I let out an audible intake of breath. I did this most recently at Chelsea Flower Show, where I shocked the elderly lady next to me. But, dear reader, sometimes this is wholly justified, and the first double flowered Alstroemeria certainly deserves it.

Primarily sold as a flower, although I’ve got my beady eye on trying it as a garden plant. Those extra sets of petals just change everything, giving a type of quasi-rose look to things! Divine.

The Garland Hydrangea by Agriom

Now, you have to have patience, because sometimes you will see amazing plants at the FlowerTrials that aren’t available yet - maybe you have to wait 10 years, maybe 20, maybe sometimes they don’t even make it to market. With this one, I’m still waiting, but I’m hopeful…

I’ve nicknamed this “the garland hydrangea”, as the ring of gorgeous tiara like flowers is created in a perfect ring around those central, rather more boring, florets. That’s proper nice that.

Ptilotus ‘Joey by Benary

I really love the foresight that many of these breeding companies have in Europe. What we see before us is an Australian wildflower, used to being in the outback no less. However, ‘Joey’ has been reimagined as a super cool, drought tolerant plant for patio pots.

The flowers are pretty long lasting as well, as they have this half-dried feeling to them, which means you won’t actually notice as they die, LOL.