Flower lovers from around the world head to London each spring for the Chelsea Flower Show. Taking place at Royal Hospital Chelsea, this premier flower show has been celebrated since 1913. The show represents the best of horticulture, displaying stunning garden designs and floral displays and giving attendees the chance to shop. One major takeaway from the flower show, which took place from May 21 to 25, is the announcement of its Plant of the Year.

 

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This distinction was created in 2010 to honor breeders’ and nurseries’ efforts to produce improved new plants for gardeners in the United Kingdom. Experts from The Royal Horticultural Society Plant Committees and Trials Forums decide on the winner from a shortlist of plants exhibited at the show. They also decide on second and third-place winners. The judges factor in innovation, impact, and public interest when deciding on the top three.

The winner, Agapanthus Black Jack (‘Dwaghyb02’), is a beautiful deep purple perennial. This plant has black buds that open to a rich dark purple hue. It’s a striking addition to any garden. These flowers are quite small, making them the perfect perennial for small gardens and planters. Since these plants are hardier than most, they can survive in heat and drought as well as adapt to various climates and soil conditions. These low-maintenance African Lillies produce 10 more florets per flower head, resulting in a long flowering period starting mid-summer. Agapanthus Black Jack is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

Chelsea Flower Show 2023 has announced its Plant of the Year!
Introducing Agapanthus Black Jack, the stunning deepest shade of indigo flowers; it truly is a statement plant for any garden! pic.twitter.com/mvjvA3k6k2

— Hayloft (@hayloftplants) May 22, 2023

This resilient plant is a great choice for novice gardeners and flower lovers. This vigorous perennial is bred by De Wet Breeders in South Africa, exhibited by Sparsholt College, and is now supplied by Thompson & Morgan. In addition to gardens, it looks great on balconies and terraces.

RHS CHELSEA PLANT OF THE YEAR HAT-TRICK! 🏆 Our entry, Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ has just won the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2023 award. Our Hydrangea ‘Euphoria Pink’ came in second place, closely followed by Weigela ‘Camouflage’ in third 📷 https://t.co/yrutllCFl1 pic.twitter.com/jd1cXR0Xye

— Thompson & Morgan (@ThompsonMorgan) May 23, 2023

Second and Third-Place Winners

Coming in second place is the Hydrangea serrata ‘Gotemba Nishiki’ in euphoria pink. Bred by Mr. Nagasaki T. from Japan, this hydrangea changes colors as the temperature rises. The third-place winner is Weigela Camouflage (’Tmwgl5-01’) which produces beautiful trumpet-like flowers in a ruby red hue.