The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is urging exhibitors at this year's National Plant Show not to miss the opportunity to enter the New Plant Awards, with entries closing on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
From Wednesday 17 to Thursday 18 June 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh, growers, suppliers, manufacturers and retailers will gather under one roof to showcase the latest plant varieties and the best of UK environmental horticulture.
As part of the two-day event, the New Plant Awards – sponsored by ICL Group – recognise excellence in the horticultural industry and highlight the most innovative and exciting plant varieties available for the upcoming season.
Exhibitors can enter the awards free of charge. HTA's The New Plant Awards serve as an important platform for plant breeders, growers, and marketers to introduce their latest creations to the industry and the public.
An expert panel will judge the awards, which will be displayed in one of two 'New Plant Areas' across the showground: one in the centre of Hall 1 and the other in Hall 2.
© Horticultural Trades AssociationSteph Dunn James from Frank P Matthews (centre) winning the HTA's New Plant Awards in 2025 with Prunus 'Sumaura-fugenzo' Japanese Lantern
The categories for 2026 include Annuals, Tender Perennials and Container & Basket Plants; Cacti & Succulents; Flowering Houseplants; Foliage Houseplants; Herbaceous Perennials; Shrubs (including Conifers) & Climbers; and Trees.
There will also be a visitor vote, sponsored by Floramedia. Visitors are invited to identify their favourite new plant from the seven 'Best in Category' winners by placing a token into the voting boxes near the show entrance. The winner of the visitor vote will be announced on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Pippa Greenwood, Horticulture Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, said: "The New Plant Awards celebrate and showcase the most innovative and exceptional new plant varieties that will be brought to the UK market. These awards recognise plants with the potential to become the next bestsellers in garden centres, so it's a fantastic opportunity to gain industry recognition and increase visibility.
"Last year's awards were nothing short of extraordinary, with a record-breaking number of entries, diversity across all categories and of course, phenomenal quality.
"Our judging panel are specially chosen to reflect a wide range of expertise in the industry and will use their knowledge and experience to determine which plants, out of all the entries, really stand out and bring something special to the table. I can't wait to see the entries."
At last year's National Plant Show, there were over 150 entries to the New Plant Awards. Frank P Matthews' Prunus 'Sumaura-fugenzo' Japanese Lantern won the prestigious Best in Show, also clinching the top prize in the Trees category. Japanese Lantern features fragrant cherry blossoms and densely double-frilled flowers with white, pink, and green petals that deepen in colour as they age.
The HTA New Plant Awards will be judged on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, and winners will be announced at the media preview at 8.30am on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The judging panel for 2026 includes Anisa Gress (Journalist from Potting Shed Press), Alan Down (Journalist, writer and HTA immediate Past President), Josh Egan-Wyer (Head of School for Animal Science, Land-based Studies & Horticulture, Pershore College), Liam Cleary (Garden Retail Director, Old Railway Line Garden Centre and YPHA co-founder), Helen MacDonald (Merryhatton Garden Centre) and Steve Chapman (Growing Solutions & Technical Area Sales Manager, ICL Group).
Judged Awards include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Best in Category for each plant category. Best in Category winners will automatically compete for the coveted Best in Show Award.
You can use the link here to enter for the awards.
For more information:
Horticultural Trades Association
[email protected]
www.hta.org.uk
