Despite there being no physical fair, the FLORALL awards were organized. Growers and traders had the opportunity to submit novelties and, as with a physical fair, a jury chose the winners.

After an intensive deliberation phase, during which various aspects of the candidates were taken into account and weighed, the jury made the decision to award Gold for Betterbuxus®. Agapanthus 'Poppin Purple’ that was awarded a silver medal also received its first public award. The spectacular colours convinced the jury to award Bronze to Leucothoe 'Rant01' (Firestar).

Gold

BetterBuxus® - Herplant

Buxus hybrids resistant to boxblight

Betterbuxus hybrids are resistant boxwood varieties against Calonectria on Buxus that were developed together with ILVO by breeding. They also show a higher tolerance to boxblight, according to recent research.

Motivation of the jury:
The jury focuses on the innovating aspect of this plant and thinks that the name Betterbuxus® should help to oppose to the idea according to which Buxus is a difficult plant. Provided that a bit attention is paid to the boxwood tree moth, the resistance against the fungal diseases will put the plants into the position to grow undisturbed during summer.
And this will result in ad added value.
Another aspect appealing to the jury concerned diversity. These plants thrive as a patio plant both in pots and in the garden.

The slightly looser growth habit does not have to represent a disadvantage, since it gives a certain touch of modernity. Furthermore, these plants can be used as soil cover and for pruning. In winter, the plant provides green shades.

This hybrid offers the potential to get international success, even beyond the Flemish market. In this manner, both Flemish research, focussing on horticulture, and the branch itself will have the chance to reach more global attention.

Silver

Agapanthus 'Poppin Purple' - Agapanthuskwekerij

Agapanthus 'Poppin Purple' has fantastic purple flowers and a high flower production. 'Poppin Purple' has a long flowering period with good re-flowering so that you can enjoy the intense purple flowers for a long time.

This Agapanthus grows faster than other varieties and becomes approx. 60 cm high and 45 cm wide.
Place 'Poppin Purple' in (full) sun in a well-drained soil.
It is a great plant for the perennial border, in a pot on the patio or balcony or in mixed containers.
Hardy to approx. -12 ºC.

In short: The FIRST deep purple perpetual flowering Agapanthus on the market.

Motivation of the jury:
This colourful plant can address a wide audience. This plant brings colour to the garden and flowers over a long period of time. The ‘Poppin Purple’ plant does not grow too tall. And it is exactly this aspect permitting to plant it both on borders and in a pot.

There are still purple varieties. However, the jury believes that the 'Poppin Purple' will stand out with its colour.

The Agapanthus is a popular long-flowering plant that can profit from other flowers bringing colours to the garden.
The Agapanthus plant attracts butterflies and it also bee-friendly.

Agapanthus 'Poppin Purple' also won the public award

Bronze

Leucothoe ‘RANT01’ (FIRESTAR) - Van Vliet New Plants BV

“RANT01” has a very compact and dense growth habit. The leaves are bright green and broad white edges appear in the summer. In the autumn, young shoots turn a deep purple/red. They remain like this all winter. The variegation is stable and the plant produces no shoots with green leaves. The plant is also insensitive to leafspot.

https://grootgroenplus.nl/uploads/2020/nieuwigheden/Leucothoe-RANT01-FI…

Motivation of the jury:
The jury finds that the spectacular colours red, green, and colourful are innovating in comparison with the colours of the other Leucothoe. The different colours result in ad added value in various seasons, and even in winter. This plant grows slowly. This is the reason why it requires little maintenance.

It is a variety adapting to these weird times. At the moment, what we need is freedom, creativity and playfulness. And this plant can bring all this to our terrace.
This plant has the potential to make us happy.