The RHS has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Chelsea Plant of the Year award, spotlighting twenty new cultivars that will be displayed in the Great Pavilion during the upcoming Chelsea Flower Show.
What the award looks for
The competition rewards plants that bring fresh features to UK gardens, judging entries on novelty, performance and visual appeal. Entries must be bred by exhibitors and presented in the pavilion, where a panel of RHS and industry experts will select a winner on the Monday of the show. Last year’s title went to Philadelphus “Petite Perfume Pink”, a hybrid launched by Hillier Nurseries.
Highlights from the shortlist
Among the contenders, the Anisodontea capensis ‘Carnival Lights – Candy Apple’ offers a colour breakthrough with large dark‑red flowers that bloom from May through Christmas. It tolerates heat, drought and needs no pruning, thriving in sun to light shade.
GrowTropicals presents an Anthurium with heart‑shaped leaves that shift from burgundy‑purple to a velvety dark green, requiring low humidity and indirect light. Its low‑maintenance habit makes it suitable for indoor settings.
A perennial Antirrhinum cultivar promises uninterrupted purple blooms and strong resistance to rust and powdery mildew, extending the flowering season for border plantings.
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The compact Cercis griffithii “Blue Lagoon” delivers dark red stems, deep pink spring flowers and striking blue‑toned foliage that persists through the growing season, while being drought tolerant.
Clematis “Mochi” offers a gradual bloom development from single to fully double flowers over a 120‑day period, fitting well in containers and small gardens.
Another clematis, “Queen’s Nurse”, displays two colour phases on one plant, with pale pink‑lilac striped blooms on new growth and deep pink on mature wood, supporting both spring and autumn interest.
The selection process remains transparent: plants are evaluated for their contribution to garden innovation and resilience under UK conditions.
The award will be announced on Monday.
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For gardeners, the shortlist signals upcoming trends. The emphasis on drought‑tolerant species and compact forms reflects a growing need for low‑maintenance, climate‑smart planting. While the award often highlights ornamental value, many of these cultivars also promise practical benefits for smaller urban gardens.
What’s next for the contenders
All shortlisted plants will be on display throughout the show, giving visitors the chance to see them in person. After the award is announced, the winning cultivar will likely see wider commercial release, with growers preparing to meet increased demand.
Exhibitors such as Sparsholt College and Hare Spring Cottage Plants will continue to promote their entries, leveraging the exposure to launch new varieties in the coming seasons.
Garden centres like Hillier Nurseries and Thompson & Morgan have already listed several shortlisted items, indicating that many of these plants will become available to the public shortly after the show.
