Newness at Hillier for 2023

You saw it here first 👀

I was recently honoured to spend a morning with top plantsman, Charles Carr, as we chatted (or rather gossiped) about new plants.

You can listen to that lengthy audio here:

But, let's treat you to some visuals right now..

First up, one of Charles' own babies. Oh yes, he sure takes his work home. The Erysimum 'Colour Vibes' Series takes the humble wallflower in an altogether new direction, with a lengthy flowering period and colour breaks never seen before. 'Bowles Mauve' will be quaking in it's two-litre pot!

Orange and red are ready to roll, with purple following next year. Two further, unconfirmed colours follow after that. In particular, the orange tone is unique - not only to Erysimum but to the summer border. Name me another orange flowered herbaceous plant...

A real standout plant, bred in Charles backyard over an eight-year period, and now being sold across the Hillier garden centre chain, and beyond. Charles' daughter named the series too. He simply asked what she thought of the series, and she said 'it has a real vibe'.

So, that's one way we get new plants, from keen and skilled breeders. But, it could also be home breeders, or even simply home gardeners with a keen eye...

Plants will quite often throw up 'sports', call them genetic blips if you will. It happens a lot with variegation, but it could also be related to flower colour, height or habit. In the case of Forsythia 'Discovery', John Mitchell was dazzled by the cream edges of his (usually quite dull) Forsythia foliage.

You can read more about the discovery here, but it really transforms a plant that usually only looks good for two to three weeks of the year. With a full plant of variegated foliage, plants are eye-catching from spring to autumn. In the photos below, it's all about the flowers though. Interesting, can you spot the sport that seems to have appeared on these actual plants?? Let's see how 'botanically observant' you are...

Sometimes, a new plant has a tough time. Especially when it's trying to supersede a much-loved variety. Lavender 'Exceptional' is exactly that, but it can be difficult to push 'Hidcote' from the perch, despite it being a far superior plant. This really shows how recognisable some plants can be, specifically by name. Maybe new homeowners head to the garden centre with a list of plants dictated by their parents, maybe the horticultural books haven't caught up, who knows, but dear reader, it can drive me mad when people keep growing technically inferior plants...

'Exceptional' is better shaped, clearer coloured, has a better longevity.. Spread the word!

A past winner of the Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year, Cercis 'Eternal Flame' is a social media favourite. The leaf formation serves up ombre colour as good as any hair salon, and the plant is well-branched and grows at a speed that suits smaller urban spaces.

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I sadly lost mine in the winter thanks to a badly drained pot (I know, I know!) - but when I had it, I adored it and even took it onto Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4. It's a plant that achieves something that many don't- it becomes loved by the general public and quite well known. In my opinion, the last plant to do that was Petunia 'Night Sky'- as, again, it's so recognisable.

Propagation material is actually grown in Israel, and sent to the nursery as a dormant bare leafless twig, so please do marvel at how far my (now deceased) specimen has come...

Next, on to a plant that is guaranteed to sell one. It's a Cordyline, a plant whose population has dwindled since last December's cold snap. New 'Magical Star' is said to have come from a sport found in the laboratory, during the micropropagation process. It's hardy to -5C, and glows from its centre, with red souls to each fresh green leaf, or rather, sward. A beaut, and I do wonder if anything else kept one as a houseplant.

One final 'new' plant I want to tell you about is 'new to me', which is also an ok form of newness.

Deutzia 'Cherry Dream' is a fine plant, although I have to say an example of how plants can be badly named. Nothing about it is cherry. But, I'll forgive it for it's ethereal presence. Deutzia have never really caught on in gardens, and it's a crime. I have seen them free-standing, but also wall-trained, and they always dazzle like a hen do on the Costa del Sol. 

The blooms are convincingly fragrant, seductively blushed, and plants durable and easy going!

I hope you've enjoyed this insight, and the chat with Charles. Follow me on Instagram (@mr_plantgeek) for some upcoming exclusive content from the nursery in Hampshire.