Your plant recommendations from expert plantsman, Michael.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show top picks
Of course, I love the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, doesn’t everyone? It will come as no surprise that I specifically love the Great PavilionI like to spend most of my day there, seeking out all the new plants, chatting to the breeders, and trying to predict what might be popular with visitors throughout the week.
In this column, I’m going to share six of my personal picks from this year’s show, and they’re all available to buy already, plus I’m even telling you where to get them! Go for it, guysplant a slice of Chelsea in your own patch at home!
Digitalis ‘Appleblossom’ by The Botanic Nursery
I adore this foxglove to bits, it is absolutely incredible, it almost looks like an orchid. You could almost rename this the ‘Woodland Orchid’ foxglove, or something like that.
It might be hard to believe, but the petals are actually deformed, and if you look closely, you can see that the usual tubes have not formed properly. Instead, there are just shreds of petals. On paper, it sounds gruesome, but just look at it! I know you’ll agree it’s really gorgeousand add to that the ombre colours of the flower spikes, and you have something really quite majestic.
Cosmos ‘Cherry Chocolate’ by Thompson & Morgan
I’ve been tracking this plant since I was shown it last summer, and haven’t been able to tell anyone. You can imagine how difficult that was for a gossip like me!
It is the first large-flowered, pink, hardy, chocolate cosmos. It is incredible, and a small part of me actually wanted it to win the Plant of the Year competition at Chelsea. It’s as easy to grow as a dwarf dahlia, and works perfectly in pots, where you can get your chocolate fix, without the calories.
Paeonia ‘Monsieur Jules Elie’ by Primrose Hall Nursery
This is another one I’ve been tracking for a while. I particularly love ‘Belle de Loire’ because the detail of each individual floret looks like a dancing girl. Look up close and you’ll see what I mean. Salvia are going from strength to strength, they are so durable and easy to grow, and flow
