Astilbe 'Chocolate Cherry' (MIGHTY) has been selected as the Best Novelty at Plantarium 2016. The plant was entered by Compass Plants BV from Hillegom. The jury felt that everything was right about this plant. The plant structure is perfect, it is full of leaves in an attractive, dark green colour and also has brown-bronze young leaves. The flowers have an unusual and highly expressive colour and the stems are a nice dark colour.
Five gold awards
As well as the best novelty, four other plants were also awarded gold medals by the jury.
With regard to Hydrangea macrophylla 'H213901' (CURLY SPARKLE) by Hydrangea Breeders Association BV from De Kwakel/André van Zoest BV from Reeuwijk, the jury commented: Highly distinctive and unique in terms of flower shape, nicely cultivated in blue and red, attractive colour combination with unopened flowers. Phlox '11-17-1' (ON&ON WHITE) by Cultivaris GmbH from Heidesheim am Rhein, Germany, was regarded by the jury as innovative in terms of vigour, combined with health, abundant flowering and an attractive flower colour. Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Marvel', which was entered by Florensis BV from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, was felt by the jury to be innovative in the range and to offer a high level of practical value as a result of the flowers, which are uniquely large for an S. nemorosa. Sedum x Orostachys 'Blue Elf' (SUNSPARKLER) by Gebr. Th. & W. Alkemade B.V. from Lisse was awarded a gold medal as it is a versatile plant with many different applications and has an attractive plant shape, leaf colour and contrasting flower colour.
The jury also awarded 12 silver medals and 21 bronze medals.
98 plants judged
In the 34th edition of Plantarium, 129 plants were entered for the novelty awards. In the end, a total of 98 were judged. Sadly, several participants were forced to withdraw their entries due to unforeseen circumstances. The novelties were judged by an expert judging committee from the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.
Plantarium 2016 runs from 24 to 27 August in the Plantarium building at the International Trade Centre Boskoop-Hazerswoude. For further information, please visit www.plantarium.nl.
Source: Plantarium
