Plant Detective Journalists Horticultural, Michael & Lois Warren have been on the trail for new plants or interesting stories at the RHS Chelsea Show. Below, they share their story with us. 
Lionel, Kate and Charlotte de Rothschild.
First stop, Plant of the Year where nurseries put forward new or exciting plants for the award. Shortlisted to 20, a judging takes place from judges, trials forum participants and committees after each plant sponsor has had 2 minutes to promote the qualities of their entry. This year, a brightly variegated Sedum takesimense Atlantis (‘Nonsitnal’) showed by the National Dahlia Collection took 1st place, Digitalis x valinii ‘Firebird’ put forward by Hardy’s Cottage Plants and bred by Amateur John Fielding was 2nd, with 3rd place going to an interesting repeat-flowering Agapanthus Fireworks (‘Mdb001’) from Sparsholt College.
Thorncroft
Both Raymond Evison Clematis from Guernsey and Thorncroft Clematis Nursery from Norfolk gained Gold medals this year, 2 of the 57 Gold’s awarded in the Floral Marquee. Thorncroft celebrating 30 years and 3rd generation in running the business. The standard of exhibits reflecting the number of Gold’s.
Jonathan and Ruth Gooch
Eagle Sweet Pea’s exhibit being the only one showing the genus (Gold), Peter Beales Roses launched Rosa ‘Liverpool Hope’ whilst David Austin Roses had two new additions, ‘Eustacia Vye’ and ‘Gabriel Oak’ ( both made it to the short list in Plant of the Year) & both nurseries gained Gold for their colourful and fragrant displays.
Clivia
Gail Smith Flowers created a magnificent pillar of flowers called ‘The Living Herbarium’ as a tribute to her Grandfather whom she discovered was quite an amateur botanist and plant collector. At the exhibit’s by Hoyland Plant Centre of Clivia (National Collection holder) and his other display of Agapanthus (Both Gold) I met Peter Franklyn and his Daughter Lyn, both have Agapanthus named for them from Peter’s breeding, one made AGM status at the recent trials at RHS Wisley.
The show expects around 168,000 visitors over the five days and the area we are most interested in, The Great Pavilion attracts 100 exhibitors showing their plants to perfection. The logistics of organising such a magnificent show in what is a limited area that never changes at the Royal Hospital grounds is incredible.
For more information
Michael Warren FCI Hort.
Michael Warren
Email: warrenmichael@btinternet.com