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Plus, find out what plants came second and third place, and where to buy them.
Prunus ‘Starlight’, an ornamental cherry blossom tree with unique white star-shaped flowers, is the Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2024.
Exhibited by Green Jjam Nurseries and bred by Ken Tobutt, Prunus ‘Starlight’ was selected as the winner by over 180 expert judges who reviewed a shortlist of 21 plants.
'It has fabulous star-shaped flowers, really unusual, which are reminiscent of the star magnolia,' says Emma Allen, RHS head of horticultural relations. 'Former winners have gone on to fly off the shelves, so we hope that this win brings similar future success.'
In second place is Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate ('Vg001'), with large, cherry-coloured flowers and a chocolate scent, while in third place is Agave ‘Praying Hands’, a unique succulent shaped like an artichoke with colourful foliage.
The process of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Plant of the Year competition has been noticeably different this year. Not only has the winner been announced early but it's also the first time that voters took part in an online competition. 'The format was chosen so it could be widened to enable members of RHS Plant Committees and Trials Forums who are not able to attend the show to contribute their expertise,' the RHS explain.
Now in its 14th year, the Plant of the Year award was created in 2010 to celebrate the work of breeders and nurseries in producing improved new plants for UK domestic gardeners. The 2023 winner was Agapanthus 'Black Jack'; a deep purple African lily perennial.
Prunus ‘Starlight’ and the other shortlisted plants will be on display on the RHS Experience stand in the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, which officially opens to the public from 21st - 25th May. Discover more about the winning plant and the second and third place entry below, plus, where to buy them.
WINNER
A winter and spring flowering ornamental cherry blossom tree, Prunus ‘Starlight' has attractive pure white star-shaped flowers. Its profuse flowering habit in late March often extends well into April. A healthy grower and robust with glossy foliage, it also has a good resistance to frost damage and propagates well.
Also available to buy at:
SECOND PLACE
With vibrant cherry-coloured flowers, a chocolate scent and contrasting yellow pollen, this plant is loved by pollinators and blooms non-stop from the end of May to the first frost.
Also available to buy at:
THIRD PLACE
With an upright elegant teardrop shape and striking foliage, Agave ‘Praying Hands’ is an unusual succulent that brings a different look to the Mangave family. It's hardy to -5C and is extremely sun and drought-tolerant too. Display on its own in a container or combine with other succulents and tropical bedding for a wow-factor display.
Also available to buy at:
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