This year's Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year award has been won by Anemone 'Wild Swan' (above left, click to enlarge), bred by Elizabeth MacGregor and eneterd by Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants. Second place went to Saxifraga ‘Anneka Hope’ (above centre) bred by Matthew Ruane and available from Kevock Garden Plants, and Verbascum ‘Blue Lagoon’ (above right) bred and available from Thompson & Morgan was third.

“This year’s competition was extremely interesting with a great range of new plants,” said Raymond Evison, Chairman of the Plant Advisory Committee. “The award has been given to a marvellous performing new perennial plant. Not only does it exhibit a long flowering habit but it is also an exciting flower.”

 “I am absolutely thrilled that ‘Wild Swan’ has been voted plant of the year,” says Jim Gardener, Director of Horticulture RHS. “This plant is going to be a great addition to the boarder with its subtle shades and longevity of flowering.”

I'll be looking at these plants, and some of the other finalists, over on my RHS New Plants blog over the coming weeks.

Thank you to Carol Sheppard/RHS for the pictures.