The Great Pavilion what’s new

The Great Pavilion at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by Marshalls plc (22-26 May 2007), is yet again set to impress with new plants and over one hundred horticultural displays from the very best growers and nurseries from around the world.

One newcomer in the plant world being launched at Chelsea 2007 is Verbena ‘Seabrook’s Lavender’, from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants in Hampshire. This new verbena was discovered by horticulturist and gardening journalist Peter Seabrook in his Essex garden. Peter took his discovery to Patrick Fairweather of Hilltop Nursery in Hampshire who agreed to try and develop the plant. That was four years ago and ‘Seabrook’s Lavender’ is now launching to the public as a low maintenance, long flowering verbena suitable for all gardens.

“For many, the Great Pavilion displays are what the Chelsea Flower Show is all about, a true floral feast for all the senses,” said Alex Baulkwill, RHS Chelsea Flower Show manager. “There is something quite breathtaking about seeing all those flowers under one roof. Whether it is a small independent nursery or a large household name the displays are always spectacular.”

Rose lovers will not be disappointed as many of the UK’s top rose growers are bringing new cultivars to the show. Harkness Roses of Hitchen have nine introductions including Rosa ‘Parky’ – a white shrub rose in honour of TV personality Michael Parkinson. David Austen Roses are introducing five new tough and reliable English Roses including the soft rose pink Rosa Princess Alexandra of Kent ‘Ausmerchant’, named after the garden and rose loving Princess.

Other new plants to look for include: Four new grasses from Knoll Gardens in Dorset; their exhibit will focus on the way grasses create beautiful, yet low-maintenance and sustainable gardens that can cope well with changing climate. Cayeux Iris from France are bringing seven new Iris cultivars – these robust, good looking plants stand up well to summer drought. Hilliers Garden Centres and Nurseries will launch six new plants at Chelsea this year including Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ a Japanese bred small tree with fern-like foliage and pink fluffy flower heads and Phormium ‘All Black’, a new New Zealand flax cultivar bred by Hilliers, with very dark purplish foliage. Matthewman’s Sweetpeas will bring two new sweetpeas – ‘Promise’ is an interesting and rare pink and white colour combination and ‘Betty Maiden’ is named after BBC local radio gardening personality Joe Maiden’s wife.

So, whether you are looking for an old favourite or seeking out future fashions, the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has it all. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place on 22-26 May 2007 (22 & 23 May: RHS members only. 22 and 23 May all day tickets now sold out). Tickets must be booked in advance on 0870 247 1226 or at www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows