Dahlia Gardinetta® Velvet Crush has been named Best New Plant at BBC Gardeners' World Live, winning grower Ball Horticulture and Allensmore Nurseries the hotly contested Peter Seabrook Award. BBC Gardeners' World Live takes place at the NEC Birmingham until Sunday 15 June.
The winning Dahlia has a stunning double lavender-purple two-tone flower which contrasts highly against deep bronze leaves. It's a robust, sturdy, well-branched plant that will look great in patio containers. It will be available to buy from garden centres from next year.
Launched in 2023 in association with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, the award honours acclaimed plantsman, Peter Seabrook, and celebrates the dedication and expertise of specialist growers, breeders and nurseries to bring exciting new plants to public attention. More than 90 plants were entered for this year's award, all displayed at the Hot Off The Potting Bench walk-through gallery in the BBC Gardeners' World Live Floral Marquee, sponsored by L&G.
Plants entered for the Peter Seabrook Award must be new varieties, colour breaks or characteristics that improve on an existing variety. They can't be available for sale to the public before BBC Gardeners' World Live's opening day on 12 June 2025.
Horticultural writer and commentator, David Hurrion, is the Chair of the Plant Introductions Panel at BBC Gardeners' World Live. He said: "Dahlias are always popular plants but to have one that's compact enough to grow well in a pot, with dark, almost black foliage and the most incredible plum and pink flowers is a real treat. It's a well-deserved winner and is bound to be a hit. Peter Seabrook would have absolutely loved it."
The category winners for the awards were as follows: In the Annuals and Bedding category, Calibrachoa Unique 'Blood Orange' by Kernock Plants took the prize. In the Edibles category, Apple Rainbow by Frank P Matthews was the winner. For Conservatory, Houseplants, and Tender Plants, the award went to Streptocarpus 'Beverley' by Dibley's Nurseries. The Perennials category, which includes bulbs and tubers, saw Dahlia Gardinetta® Velvet Crush by Ball Horticulture and Allensmore Nurseries emerge as the winner. Lastly, in the Ornamental Trees and Shrubs category, Hydrangea Francy Purple by Cook's Garden Centre was honored with the award.
The assessment panel also identified a "Hot Off The Potting Bench" hotlist of promising plants to watch. This hotlist includes Hosta Silly String by Darby Nurseries and the first hardy, fruiting passionflowers: Passiflora Cooltropics Eia Popeia and Passiflora Cooltropics Snowstar, also by Darby Nurseries. The Fuchsia Dancer™ series, particularly the Jive variety, by Kerley & Co, made the list, along with Hydrangea macrophylla Zeta Noir from Darby Nurseries. Bidens ferulifolia Efraim's Yellow by Volmary and Scaevola Surdiva Super Purple by Suntory Flowers Europe were recognized as noteworthy selections. Additionally, Armeria Dreameria Vivid Dreams by Allensmore Nurseries, Petunia Painted Love Purple, and Petunia Itsy Light Pink by Syngenta were highlighted. Finally, Hemerocallis See You Tomorrow® by Thompson & Morgan rounded out the hotlist.
Plant expert and Colegrave Seabrook Foundation trustee, Neil Gow, will introduce some of the plants entered for the Peter Seabrook Award in live sessions at the Let's Talk Plants Stage, sponsored by Hillier. The Visitors' Choice winner will be announced on the show's final day.
Bob Sweet, Horticultural Director at BBC Gardeners' World Events said: "Peter Seabrook was a passionate plantsman and a great friend of BBC Gardeners' World Live. This annual award in his name recognises the commitment of growers and breeders to nurture and develop exciting new plants for us all to enjoy in our gardens. Our thanks to them again for making the Hot Off The Potting Bench gallery such a fantastic feature of our Floral Marquee."
At BBC Gardeners' World Live today, several other Floral Awards were presented. The Geoff Hamilton Award for Best Floral Display was awarded to Roualeyn Fuchsias. Cook's Garden Centre received the award for Best Floral Marquee Retail Area. Proctors Nursery was recognized with the Best Summer Display award. TD Thursfield took home the award for Best Plant Village Display. Finally, the Best Orchid Display at the annual International Orchid Show went to the Orchid Society of Great Britain.
The BBC Gardeners' World Live Floral Awards today were presented at the Let's Talk Plants Stage, sponsored by Hillier. Hosted by David Hurrion, the stage offers daily plant advice and inspiration from expert guests including Monty Don, Adam Frost, Sue Kent and Charles Carr from Hillier Nurseries.
BBC Gardeners' World Live takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 12-15 June. Highlights include a wide range of Show Gardens, Beautiful Borders, floral displays, the International Orchid Show, Green Rooms House Plant Area and Health for Life School Wheelbarrows. Catch your favourite BBC Gardeners' World TV presenters and Magazine editors at the BBC Gardeners' World Live Theatre, In Conversation Stage and Let's Talk Plants Stage, and enjoy Adam Frost's Tasting Table where guest chefs from Good Food Show Summer join Adam for garden-inspired cooking and chat. There are garden tours and talks, a one-to-one Plant Expert advice desk, mushroom growing masterclasses, plant and garden shopping, book signings, eco-friendly plant pot swaps, children's activities and more.
For more information:
BBC Gardeners' World Live
bbcgardenersworldlive.com