The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2014 is a lovely Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Miss Saori‘ which is being exhibited at Chelsea by Hilliers Nursery.
It is described as having “deep rose margins soften into white centres and unusual double-petalled flowers giving the bloom a lacy appearance. Burgundy foliage adds interest in autumn and it stands as a good cut flower overall.”
Second place went to Iris ‘Domino Noir’– Cayeux Iris. Several generations of crosses have resulted in a stunning iris with unique “truly black” falls, white standards with only a hint of lavender and gold beards.
In third place is Gerbera ‘Sweet Glow’ (Garvinea Sweet Series) from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. The Garvinea Sweet series offers super-sized flowers in bright colours continuously from early spring until the first frost.