RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year

Discovering which plant has been awarded the coveted title of ‘Plant of the Year’ is always one of the highlights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Judged by a RHS expert panel, the plant has to offer something unique to the market, with judges considering three criteria: novelty and innovation, garden performance, and likely appeal for UK gardeners. The final decision is also informed by the wow factor of the plants on display at the show. Meet some of the past winners and new contenders.

As the name suggests, Agapanthus Black Jack is a remarkably dark purple / blue African Lily, the buds of which emerge almost black. Hardier than most, this variety fulfils the usual canon of Agapanthus in that its almost architectural flowers, emerging from a mound of richly green, strap-like leaves, provide startling colour on lovely arched stems and attract bees.

The evergreen succulent, Semponium Destiny won the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year and is a highly impressive specimen. Believed to be the world’s first official cross between Sempervivum and Aeonium, Destiny grows a single rosette of veiny leaves that emerge from the centre as green before turning a deep purple black colour, which, unlike other purple Aeonium hybrids, is held year-round. As Destiny matures it will start to branch out, from under the large, flat head.

Awarded Best Tree in the 2024 HTA New Plant Awards, Prunus Crystal Falls is the first weeping, winter flowering ornamental cherry. Hardy and robust, the tree is graceful, bearing double, pure white star shaped flowers, like those of Prunus Starlight or a Magnolia stellata. The flowers are resilient, even in frost, lasting from mid-December right through until February, offering a wonderful Christmas display. Images courtesy of Frank P. Matthews.

Shortlisted for RHS Plant of the Year 2025, Streptocarpus 'Betty' is a stunning houseplant variety, admired for its striking bicolour blooms — soft lilac with a deep violet throat — that appear in generous waves across the seasons. Compact and free flowering, it brings joyful colour to bright indoor spaces with minimal effort.

Being officially released at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Raymond Evison’s Clematis Elpis™, (EviGsy154 PBR), is also shortlisted for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year. The stunning climber is notable for its unusually strong, verdant foliage, which is retained from March until October and the large, rounded, star shaped flowers, which boast a non-fading, deep, ruby red colour, against yellow anthers. The hardy perennial is relatively compact, so is ideal for container planting or the front of border, where it will flower freely from May until July, with another reliable flourish in September.

Geranium Rozanne is an incredibly popular hardy cranesbill that is easy to grow and produces a profusion of violet, saucer-shaped flowers with white centres, amid lush slightly marbled, deep green foliage. Ideal for filling gaps in the border, it looks particularly good beneath roses