Okay, I appreciate you haven’t been able to book to see the FlowerTrials this year (even though I was trying to tempt you with my myriad articles!) Well, you’re gonna miss out, big time!
It turns out I’ve got a bit of a treat for you, because I’m actually going to give you a bit of a sneak peek!!
See below for 20 of my hot shots from this year’s event, which is happening right now in the heart of horticultural Europe…
1. Agriom - Hydrangea ‘Table Tensia’
This is a truly tabletop hydrangea (try saying that after a few vodkas), and I’m in love. Naturally dwarf, and with a gently spreading habit, it’ll look perfect as a centrepiece to your barbecue party!
2. de Zonnebloem - Hibiscus Extreme ‘Cloudy Pink’
The hibiscus breeding gets better and better all the time, and we can now grow these quite fancy large flower types outdoors in Europe. Dramatic impact for the mid to late summer border, it would certainly look brilliant alongside some dahlias. I’d say.
3. Dümmen Orange - Calla ‘Red Salsa’
Calla are becoming really really popular, and this gorgeous red variety adds to the collection perfectly. Longer flowering on the patio than you may imagine, or you could use it as a short term houseplant. It sure gets my vote!
4. Kientzler - Begonia ‘Bellissa’
Begonia breeding is going from strength to strength these days, these super fancy varieties not only have unique flower colours, but also the deep coloured, super sexy foliage.
5. MNP Suntory - Catharanthus ‘Soiree’
I’m a huge fan of this plant, it looks set to rival Calibrachoa for dinky window box features! A bit of a breeding triumph, the small flowers are produced right across the drought tolerant durable plants.
6. Lazzeri - Catharanthus ‘Tropicana’
I’ve always felt that Catharanthus is like a luxury upgrade to the typical Busy Lizzie; their looks are similar, but they are a little bit more durable, especially in warmer summers. The unique shades of this variety are brilliant.
7. Volmary - Verbena ‘Vectura’
Clouds of flowers on excellent colours ideal for running through borders, these Verbena perform exceptionally well as a bedding plant, even though people usually just use them in baskets. Excellent performance, and loved by pollinators too.
8. Floritec - Celosia ‘Twisted’ Series
I’ve always loved Celosia, and this twist on the usual cockscomb is rather exciting. Really interesting specimen for attracting a new demographic of plant lovers!!
9. Sakata - Sunpatiens Compact Purple Candy Imp
It’s good to see a new addition to the much loved, super size Sunpatiens Series! The plants are so big and boisterous, they could cover 3 ft.² in the border, the poster boy for landscaping bedding!
10. Hassinger - Epi-Cerium
A really interesting twist on the usual stag horn fern, a houseplant that has stood the test of time. New selections are even easier to cultivate!
11. Westhoff - Calibrachoa ‘Caliloco Graffiti’
The Calibrachoa genus is like a huge sweet shop, where you can’t resist filling your pick n mix bag up! This new graffiti shade is pretty damn awesome.
12. Selecta One - Mandevilla ‘Divine’
Mandevilla are a real Plant at the moment, excellent for warm summer patios. This is a very clear red variety, which will climb when it gets going, but I prefer them as nice bushy patio plants anyway.
13. Green Works - Peony ‘Early Flamingo’
A very popular cultivar of peony these days, as cut flowers or growing plants. They may have a questionable fragrance, but the colour is certainly divine. The early flowering of this variety certainly helps too!
14. Danziger - Calibrachoa ‘Lia Abstract Lemon Cherry’
Yet more amazing Calibrachoa - each and every breeder is excelling in increasing this genus. Another great performing plant for all summer colour.
15. Queen - ‘Queen Kiwi’ Hebe
Hebe are a very familiar plant to the consumer, and they feel confident when they grow them. These new selections have excellent flowering ability, and attract tonnes of pollinators, all on glossy good-looking plants.
16. Morel - Cyclamen ‘Halios Red Allegro’
I do love perfect red flowers, and this one certainly lives up to its name! Marbled contrasting foliage and those scarlet flowers make this an excellent cyclamen for indoors or outdoors in the cool season.
17. ABZ Seeds - Strawberry ‘Montana’
If you doubted that the perfect strawberry existed, doubt no more. Good looking plants, with the typical white flowers, and immensely heavy cropping with super sweet fruits through the season. Quick to crop, and deserves a place amongst the flowers, don’t relegate it to the fruit bed!
18. Kolster - Callicarpa ‘Magical Snow Queen’
There are a few shrubs at FlowerTrials too, I am loving this pearlescent white Callicarpa, which is an excellent cut stem, yet is also useful to give some dark season cheer in the garden.
19. Beekenkamp - Pericallis ‘Pop’
The perfect plant for the in between season, as we move from spring to summer specimens on the garden centre bench. Fantastic colour range, familiar-looking daisy flowers, and a long performance.
20. Hendriks - ‘Bella’ Fuchsia
A favourite for many years, these are the ideal Windowbox fuchsia, with everything in perfect proportion. There are new varieties coming every year too!
So, now that you’ve seen my top 20 hot shots, which is your favourite? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to keep an eye on your inbox for more reporting from the FlowerTrials 2024.
what an assortment! Thanks for sharing this cornucopia of flowers