The kings and queens of the patio garden
Talking Horticulture with Rachel Anderson
Whether it’s due to a lack of space or a lack of time (or both), the patio is fast-becoming a kingdom in which potted plants are the pièce de résistance. Growers would therefore be wise to bear this in mind when selecting their plants for the coming seasons. Like jewellers painstakingly crafting their show-stopping pieces, plant breeders are clearly working behind the scenes to produce varieties that are disease-resistant, hardy, and capable of looking resplendent on our patios.
One such gem is Agapanthus ‘AMB001’ ‘Fireworks,’ which has this year dazzled its beholders like a diamond shining in the sun. Being a huge fan of this genus, it’s easy for me to see why ‘Fireworks’ was crowned Best in Show at the National Plant Show (NPS)’s New Plant Awards this June. As Fairweather’s Wholesale Nursery Patrick Fairweather (who introduced the variety to the show) confirms: “Agapanthuses are genuinely in favour both with the trade and the public. Its evolved from being just a blue and white plant. Now you can get agapanthus plants with big habits, plants that flower earlier and later, and now this bicolour is a great development.” Patrick adds that ‘Fireworks’ also flowers so rapidly “it just comes out of nowhere.” Flowering throughout the summer, it is, confirms Patrick, a great plant for the patio garden.
Agapanthus ‘AMB001’ ‘Fireworks by Fairweather's
Meanwhile, another NPS show shopper, Tilia x europaea ‘WILTIL’ 'Golden Sunset,' is set to save us space but still provide us with seasons of interest. This lovely-looking tree won Gold and Best in the New Plant Awards trees and conifers category. Brought to the show by Frank P Matthews, the nursery’s Steph Dunn James says: “The tree looks incredible in the spring with its lime green leaves. And, in the winter, it has bright coral-orange stems. So, it has more than one seasonal feature. It’s also very compact compared to lots of lime trees and very evenly branched.”
Tilia x europaea ‘WILTIL’ 'Golden Sunset' by Frank P Matthews
Also majestically stepping into the limelight is the new, mauve-coloured, Clematis ‘Elodi Tudor Patio Evipo 115 (N).’ This variety won Gold and Best in the shrubs and climbers category and was brought to the NPS by the The Bransford Webbs Plant Company & The Guernsey Clematis Nursery. The plant, says Bransfords’ David Chilvers, is, as its name suggests, “great for container gardening, patios, small gardens and small spaces.” He adds: “It’s easy to look after and has a lengthy flowering period.”
Clematis ‘Elodi Tudor Patio Evipo 115 (N) - by The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
One more jewel in the crown is Ball Colegrave’s Impatiens walleriana ‘Beacon’, which won Gold and Best in the show’s annuals category. Ball Colegrave’s Mike Lewis notes that this colourful “bizzie lizzie” has been bred by Ball Colegrave’s sister company, PanAmerican Seed, to be resistant to downy mildew. Following grower trials, it will be fully available next year.
Given the attention they have all attracted, grower should perhaps get ready to roll out the red carpet out for all these up and coming, award-winning plants – which are set to reign over the horticulture industry as the future kings and queens of the patio garden.