BEST-select’s Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ wins PHS Gold Medal

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’

BEST-select, a consortium of 17 wholesale plant nurseries from Flanders is pleased that the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has included its Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ in its 2021 list of Gold Medal Plants.

An exceptionally floriferous dwarf cultivar, ‘Bobo’ features dense luxuriant conical flowers in summer that will change colour as they mature, gradually turning from white to a soft pink. The compact cultivar reaches a height and width of 2.5 to 3 feet and is hardy to Zones 5 through 7.

‘Bobo’ hydrangea is one of seven plants award the 2021 PHS Gold Medal award. Plants are selected for the programme based on hardiness, ease of growing, weather tolerance and pest resistance. According to the PHS website, the award “recognizes exceptional perennials and pollinator-friendly plants as judged by a committee of PHS horticulturists, expert gardeners, nursery owners and more.”

Johan Van Huylenbroeck of the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture (ILVO), the breeder behind the award-winning plant,  remarked, “When we selected ‘Bobo’ in 2005 in our hydrangea breeding program, I never thought that this dwarf plant could become such a giant for garden lovers. This award is a great recognition of our efforts to develop sustainable, healthy and good-looking garden plants. It encourages us to continue in this direction.”

BEST-select’s mission is to introduce novel nursery stock products into the marketplace. The BEST-select brand is comprised of distinctive plants that differentiate themselves by their outstanding garden performance. What’s more, BEST-select offers ILVO trialed and tested plants that are supplied with an attractive label with a picture and description. Hydrangea Pinky-Winky and Bobo rank among BEST-select’s best sellers and licensee fees generate funds for R&D.

BEST-select is proud on the close collaboration with ILVO which often results in revolutionary new plants that help increase the competitiveness of Flanders’plant nurseries in an increasingly global marketplace.

To learn more about the PHS Gold Medal Award, click here