Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘KILIMANJARO SUNRISE’ a striking, easy Japanese snowball exhibited at the show by Burncoose Nurseries, has been crowned winner of the 2015 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year.
The winner was selected for its white flowers which flush with pink as the season progresses, followed by red berries and then colourful autumn foliage, giving it year-round appeal. It was also an exemplary specimen beautifully presented for the competition. Taking second place was Streptocarpus ‘Polka-Dot Purple’ from Dibleys Nurseries, while Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ from Dysons Nurseries, came in at third place. The votes were cast by members of the RHS specialist plant committees and voting was chaired by RHS Council member Dougal Phillips.
The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year was created to recognise the most inspiring new plant at the show. A shortlist of 20 plants were selected by a panel including Plant Committee Chairs, RHS Garden Curators and the RHS President, Sir Nicholas Bacon, from over 40 plants entered by Floral and Garden exhibitors.
• Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘KILIMANJARO SUNRISE’ (‘Jww5’) – Burncoose Nurseries
Flowers have an appleblossom pink blush, foliage is darker green, and habit is more compact and slower growing than the parent, suiting modern gardens.
• Streptocarpus ‘Polka-Dot Purple’ – Dibleys Nurseries
Bred on the Nursery, first flowering 2013. The parent plants are part of an ongoing breeding programme which is based on over 20 years of work.
• Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ – Dysons Nurseries
This is a truly spectacular plant which produces a stunning display of rich purple flowers with burgundy calyces over an unbelievably long season – typically May to October.
Source: RHS – Kilimanjaro Sunrise 2015 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year
