The Sun Flower Square, the industry garden led by Peter Seabrook is set to display the largest amount of novelties on an exhibit at Chelsea, or any other UK show.
The cross-industry floral exhibit in the Grand Pavilion features, at time of writing, has some 40 new plant introductions spread over the four gardens that make up the Square. Over 80 companies are contributing to the display which promises to showcase the best new varieties for launching into the UK market.
Wyevale Nurseries will be launching a collection of new blooms on the Room Outside Garden. The Candy Collection, Dahlia βLemon Sherbetβ, Dahlia βRhubarb & Custardβ, Dahlia βStrawberry Bon Bonβ will be on show along with Dahlia βWhite Cockatooβ a beautiful ruffled ivory white flower nestled amongst dark, almost black foliage. Wyevale will also be focussing on new varieties of Salvia with Salvia βLittle Kissβ, Salvia βLove and Wishesβ and Salvia βRadio Redβ making a statement at the show. Lupin βPurple Emperorβ will also be introduced to the visitors, as well as the new Ligustrum βSunshine, a low-growing hedge that doesnβt bloom which is good news for allergy sufferers.
A highlight of The Sun Flower Square will be Chrysanthemum βPrincess Charlotteβ. Named after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridgeβs daughter, the chrysanthemum is a gorgeous pale baby pink with vibrant green tips. It will support the childrenβs hospice charity which is proud to have Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge as its Royal Patron.
Other charities exhibiting on the gardens include Sweet Pea β Eleanore Udallβ which is being grown exclusively for horticultural therapy charity Thrive will be on show, as is the Time to Live Rose from Nursery Fresh which is raising money for Breast Cancer Now.
The garden will see a brand new pink and white bi-colour Asiatic lily variety βPerfect Joyβ, bred at Pinetops Nursery and commercially available this year for the first time.
New varieties of Petunias will adorn the Seed and Hanging Basket Gardens, amongst them will be Petunia βNight Skyβ from Ball Colegrave, Petunia βTidal Wave Red Velourβ and Petunia βTumbelina Annaβ from Fleuroselect.
Fleuroselect will also have Calamintha nepeta βMarvelette Blueβ and Cosmos bipinnatus βXanthosβon show as part as the 2016 Medal Winners series.
Begonias will also be abundant across the floral exhibit. Benary will be showing off Begonia BIG Mix in five different colour shades, Marshalls will also be displaying new begonias in the shape of Begonia βSweet Spice Citrusβ and Begonia βSweet Spice English Roseβ, the first fragrant varieties with a compact free-branching spreading habit.
Another seed company, Thompson and Morgan will be growing new varieties especially for Chelsea. Bidens βBee Danceβ, Buddleja βBuzzβ, Digitalis βIllumination Ruby Slippersβ, Geranium βChocolateβ, Geranium Caramel, Marigold βStrawberry Blondeβ will be on show on the Seed Garden. Mr Fothergillβs will be growing Calendula x hybrida βPowerDaisy Sunny. Suttons are exhibiting a grow your own theme by displaying Mangetout ‘Golden Sweet’ and Mangetout ‘Shiraz’ The Seed Garden will be completed by Unwins who will be growing Raspberry βRuby Beautyβ, Runner Bean ‘Firestorm’ and Tomato βMontelloβ.
Seiont Nurseries will be providing stunning foliage with Tiarella βEmerald Ellieβ, Heuchera Fox Series Silver Celebration and Hebe βCelebrationβ. Sakata, in conjunction with Earley Ornamentals will contrast this with the stunning blooms of SunPatiens βVigorous Clear Whiteβ and SunPatiens βVigorous Scarlet Redβ.
Ball Colegrave complete the new plant line up with Osteospermum βSerenity Blue Eyeβ, a unique and exceptional flower colour, buttery yellow flowers fade to a central blue eye.
This industry first display features four model garden displays, each 4m x 4m square, the same size as the average front garden in Britain and based on the successful gardening campaign βLove the Plot Youβve Gotβ.
The gardens are βRoom Outsideβ, designed by Lovania and made up of HTA members, the GCA Jubilee Hanging Basket Garden, The Seed Garden and the Rising Stars Garden, kindly supported by Westland Horticulture.





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