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RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025

RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year

We’re delighted to share that, this year, two of our favourite varieties were shortlisted for Chelsea Plant of the Year! And, while we didn't clinch the top spot at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we're still immensely proud of these shortlisted entries

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Zambezi'
Salvia x microphylla ‘Peach Melba’ (Melba Magic ™)

they may not have taken the grand prize but learn a little bit about about them and why they're winners in our eyes

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Zambezi'

Agapanthus praecox ‘Zambezi’ 

Discovered by chance in a South African trials bed, this striking variegated agapanthus immediately stood out for its golden-edged leaves and vibrant character. The breeder patiently nurtured and refined the variety over several years, carefully selecting only the strongest plants with the most consistent variegation.


The result is ‘Zambezi’ — a garden triumph that blends bold foliage with elegant blooms, and a true testament to the beauty of nature at its most unexpected

why we love this:

This unique agapanthus is a real beauty, with broad dark green leaves streaked with creamy yellow and edged in gold — adding colour and interest even before it flowers.


Come summer, tall stems rise above the foliage, topped with long-lasting violet blooms that float like fireworks. Easy to grow, hardy down to -7°C, and perfect for pots, smaller gardens or tucked into a sunny border

Salvia x microphylla ‘Peach Melba’ (Melba Magic ™)

Salvia x microphylla ‘Peach Melba’ (Melba Magic ™) 

We were thrilled to come across this gem on a plant hunt last summer. Years in the making, its large, two-tone blooms — soft peach brushed with deep pink — are truly one of a kind and guaranteed to turn heads.


Neat and compact, it’s perfect for a sunny border or in pots on a bright terrace, flowering for months with barely any fuss. A brilliant choice if you’re after long-lasting colour and effortless charm

why we love this:

This beauty is a real magnet for bees and butterflies, with bold two-tone blooms in rich peach and deep pink that keep flowering for up to six months. Neat and bushy, it’s wonderfully easy to grow — hardy, drought-tolerant, and made for a changing climate.


Trouble-free and full of charm, it’s ideal for smaller gardens, containers, or weaving into a mixed border for months of effortless impact

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Zambezi'

how to plant, grow and care for agapanthus


Discover our expert growing guide and learn how to get the very best from agapanthus in your garden — whether in borders, pots, or smaller spaces

top tips for growing

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis 'Zambezi'

  • Plant in well-drained soil and a sunny, sheltered spot — agapanthus love full sun and dislike sitting in heavy, wet ground. Add grit if planting in clay.
  • Water regularly from spring through summer, and if growing in pots, feed monthly with a high-potassium fertiliser like comfrey pellets
  • Cut back flowering stems once blooms fade to help the plant focus on forming next year’s buds
  • In colder areas, apply a thick mulch in autumn for winter protection
Salvia Sensation Collection

how to plant, grow and care for salvias


Want to grow fabulous, long-flowering salvias with confidence? Our easy-to-follow growing guide is packed with expert tips to help you choose, plant and care for these brilliant, pollinator-friendly favourites

top tips for growing

Salvia 'Peach Melba'

  • Plant in moist, free-draining soil in a sunny, sheltered spot; add grit to heavy soils to improve drainage
  • Deadhead regularly through summer and feed every two weeks to keep blooms coming
  • Wait until spring to prune — cut back to healthy new shoots once frosts have passed
  • Protect young plants from late frosts and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost