Hillier celebrates trio of nods for Plant of the Year

As excitement mounts ahead of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Hillier is thrilled to have three of its new plant introductions for 2024 shortlisted by the RHS in its annual Plant of the Year awards. 

Philadelphus 'Petite Perfume White', Mahonia eurybracteata subsp, ganpinensis ‘Meteor’ (Hillmah), and Sempervivum Chick Charm Giants ‘Gold Mine’ have all been shortlisted in the awards which celebrate the most exciting, innovative and diverse plants to be launched each year. 

Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume White’ is a deciduous variety with a mound-forming habit, it boasts an abundance shaped flowers that sit among dark green leaves. Its blooms last for four to six weeks over the summer with an impressive orange-blossom scent. The compact nature of this undemanding shrub makes it ideal for container growing, as well as smaller gardens and courtyards.  

Mahonia eurybracteata subsp, ganpinensis 'Meteor' (Hillmah) is a beautiful evergreen shrub bred by renowned plant breeder, Alan Postill. This Mahonia features architectural foliage that is deep red when young, turning into a lush dark green later. It produces upright spires with bold yellow flowers from late August to November, that light up the garden like meteors, hence its name. The striking flowers are followed by blue or black berries. This compact, naturally branching shrub is easy to grow and is ideal for growing in a well-draining pot. 

Providing colour all year round, Sempervivum Chick Charm Giants ‘Gold Mine’ brings striking, bright gold colour with yellow foliage with orange red centres in winter. Its golden leaves darken in the centre to a rich shade of maroon with further interest added by pink flowers that appear every few years. This giant variety, has been selectively bred to grow in a larger pot. It is drought tolerant, hardy, water-saving and robust so is incredibly low-maintenance and hardly needs any looking after. This evergreen will create an impressive focal point wherever it’s planted. 

Discussing the shortlist, Charles Carr, head of wholesale nurseries at Hillier, said: “We are so thrilled that /three of our new plants have been shortlisted for Plant of the Year, the ‘Oscars’ of the plant world. We’ve already had an amazing response to them since launching them to our garden centres customers as well as showcasing them recently at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair. We can’t wait for more people to see them at Chelsea next week and keep our fingers crossed for the big announcement!” 

All three Hillier plants will be on display at the show at the Sparsholt College garden, which this year fittingly will explore the history plant introductions from Hampshire, where Hillier is proudly based. 

All new Hillier plants for this year will be available exclusively at all 22 Hillier Garden Centres and online shop from Spring 2024. For more plants and seasonal gardening advice visit www.hillier.co.uk 

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future”

Hillier is the most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, having been awarded 74 consecutive gold medals.

The company was founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier and remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow. The company employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions, and grows over one million plants a year. It is the largest tree grower in the UK.

Over the years, Hillier has been responsible for numerous plant introductions, many of which have become essentials in British gardens and it continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.