During this edition, a professional jury evaluated eleven new cultivars and two sales or marketing concepts. The new varieties were assessed for climate resilience, uniqueness, added value within the existing range, visual appeal and overall impression. Gold was awarded to Vitex 'Daniel Searle' (Magical® Chicagoland Blues), a striking deciduous shrub.
Silver went to Salix candida 'Iceberg Alley' and bronze to Caryopteris clandonensis 'Beyond Midnight' (Daniel Searle). Notably, Willy De Nolf Nursery claimed all three prizes for new varieties.
Among the new concepts, the gold award went to the "Summer Herb Mix” by Decadt-Verhelst Nurseries. This concept offers garden centres five different summer herb mixes, each presented in a 23 cm pot with its own colour. These pots are a perfect addition to patios. The matching labels indicate how the fresh herbs can be used. The themes are: pizza, aqua, cocktail, gin, and BBQ.
The audience award also went to Vitex 'Daniel Searle', confirming that visitors agreed with the jury in selecting this variety as the most charming new variety.
Gold
Concept: Summer Herb Mix - Decadt-Verhelst
Decadt – Verhelst offers garden centres a "Summer Herb Mix for the Patio" in five different colours in 23 cm pots. Each colour is reflected in the label, which clearly indicates the use of the fresh herbs. The themes are: pizza, aqua, cocktail, gin, and BBQ. The herbs are available from June to September, 17 pots per layer in a mix of five different themes.
The jury unanimously recognized the added value for consumers, who can pick fresh herbs from their patio instead of using dried herbs. The five different labels and pot colours allow for an attractive presentation in garden centres.
Gold
Audience award & Variety: Vitex ‘Daniel Searle’ (Magical® Chicagoland Blues) - Willy De Nolf
A deciduous shrub with fragrant, lavender-blue flower plumes. This cultivar was selected for its compact, upright growth (to approximately 150-200 cm tall) and exceptional winter hardiness. The narrow, palmate leaves are fresh green and emit a pleasant fragrance when touched. The plant attracts a large number of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It is suitable for borders, combinations with shrubs, or as a specimen plant.
The jury appreciated, among other things, the compact growth, which makes this plant suitable for smaller gardens, as well as its late flowering period, at a time when there are fewer flowering plants in the garden. Being a drought-tolerant plant of Mediterranean origin, it offers promising opportunities in the context of climate change.
Silver
Variety: Salix candida ‘Iceberg Alley’ - Willy De Nolf
A very hardy shrub whose powdery, silvery-grey foliage adds unique texture and contrast in the garden, especially when combined with other plants. Iceberg Alley blooms in spring with silver catkins with red stamens, is tolerant of moist soil, and is therefore an excellent choice for rain gardens.
The jury appreciated the decorative foliage, which can also be used as cut greenery. It is a compact Salix, valued as a bee-friendly plant and suitable for planting in wadis.
Bronze
Variety: Caryopteris clandonensis 'Beyond Midnight' (Daniel Searle) - Willy De Nolf
Caryopteris is a months-long blooming bee magnet that also tolerates drought and heat. Caryopteris blooms so profusely that some varieties experience slight discoloration and dropping of leaves and flowers. But with Beyond Midnight®, the foliage remains a beautiful dark green until the end, and the flowers retain their stunning deep blue colour.
The jury clearly recognized the added value of this Caryopteris within the current range and appreciated its visual appeal and climate resilience.
