The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) members consist of thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants around the world who are together united by one essential goal – promoting the place of plants in people’s lives.
AIPH hosts several conferences, webinars and events such as the International Grower of the Year award throughout the year. Read about these along with the latest news about the association’s activities.
AIPH’s key aim is to stimulate demand for ornamental trees, plants and flowers worldwide. We are committed to supporting growers in achieving this by protecting and promoting the interests of the industry.
Cherry, chocolate and sweet delights at RHS Chelsea
Chelsea Pensioners at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 was a lush green haven where Bridgerton met botanical brilliance under the sizzling sun. As a press member, I had to clamour for my ticket like a rare gem, highlighting its unparalleled status as the pinnacle event for garden enthusiasts, industry insiders and a hot ticket for the Social Society elite.
Amidst the glitz of celebrity sightings and the allure of London’s affluent quarters, I was immersed in a world where gardens tell tales and flowers whisper secrets. Beyond the pomp and circumstance and the buzz of medal-winning gardens, my journey unveiled a different spotlight—the unsung heroes behind every petal, every leaf, and every verdant vision. Here’s my take on Chelsea: where the true stars aren’t just the landscaped gardens but the passionate souls who nurture them into life, all housed under the expansive canopy of the Great Pavilion on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The ‘cherry on top’
The ethereal beauty of Prunus’ Starlight’ won the coveted Plant of the Year. This ornamental cherry, developed by UK plant breeder Ken Tobutt in collaboration with genetics expert Radovan Boskovic, captured the imagination of garden enthusiasts and judges alike with its mesmerising star-shaped white flowers.
Standing out among a competitive field of finalists, Prunus’ Starlight’ distinguishes itself with a profusion of delicate blooms. Each flower boasts twelve slender petals resembling celestial stars and is held on short stalks that cluster gracefully at the joints of its branches. This flowering spectacle isn’t limited to spring; ‘Starlight’ surprises with blossoms in autumn, making it a year-round delight.
The development of Prunus’ Starlight’ involved a strategic crossing of a red-fruited edible cherry with the autumn-flowering P. subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’. Unlike its autumn-flowering parent, ‘Starlight’ stands out for its robust flowering habit, ensuring a spectacle that doesn’t disappoint. Moreover, its sterile nature means it won’t bear fruit but compensates with a stunning display of orange and yellow autumn foliage.
Prunus’ Starlight’ is the ‘cherry on the top’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
A sweet sensation
While Prunus’ Starlight’ claimed the spotlight as the 2024 RHS Chelsea Plant of The Year, Cosmos Cherry Chocolate emerged as a close runner-up, marking a breakthrough in the beloved chocolate cosmos lineage. Developed by Charles Valin, it pioneers a new chapter in cosmos breeding with its striking cherry-red flowers adorned with the trademark chocolate fragrance. This innovative approach without genetic modification has led to the cultivation of a hardier cosmos with tuberous roots, ensuring its resilience across seasons and enhancing its appeal as a perennial garden favourite.
Cosmos Cherry Chocolate was awarded second place.
Sculptural Elegance in Succulents
Perfect for smaller spaces and sunny patios, ‘Praying Hands’ reaches a modest height of about 30cm, making it an ideal centrepiece for succulent collections.
Hansen’s expertise in hybridising succulents, specifically within the ‘mangave’ series, has resulted in a plant that marries aesthetic appeal with practicality. With its hardiness to -5°C and preference for well-drained, sunny conditions, Agave’ Praying Hands’ promises to thrive as a statement piece in both indoor and outdoor settings.
The third place is agave ‘Praying Hands’ – an ideal centrepiece for succulent collections.
The Great Pavilion
The Chelsea Flower Show is renowned for its stunning displays of plants from around the world, showcasing both traditional favourites and exotic specimens.
Each exhibitor brought something unique to the show, contributing to the diversity and beauty that make the Chelsea Flower Show a globally celebrated event for ornamental producers, plant enthusiasts, and gardeners alike.
At the RHS Chelsea Show, the spotlight is always on the landscapers. However, I want to give a shoutout to the growers and breeders of the amazing plants showcased at the event. In the spirit of a Bridgerton garden party invitation list, here’s a rundown of some of the exhibitors and their standout producers in the Great Pavilion:
The Harkness Rose Company’s display of their new launch, the ‘Chelsea Pensioner’ rose.
Alchemy Plants: Showcased hardy ferns and tree ferns, creating a serene green oasis. Ashcroft Perennials: Highlighted ornamental grasses, emphasising their elegance and versatility.
Burncoose Nurseries: Presented a diverse floral exhibit of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Barbados Horticultural Society: Presented a vibrant display inspired by Barbadian folklore, featuring tropical flowers. Baugaarden Living Art: Displayed living willow sculptures, blending nature and artistry.
Immerse in the rhythm and colours of Grenada’s display.
Blackmore & Langdon: Impressed with begonias and delphiniums, known for their riotous colours. Bloms Bulbs: Presented a dazzling array of cut tulips.
A spiky display, from Ottershaw Cacti.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Showcased the timeless beauty of roses, including new varieties. Bowdens Nursery: Featured four iconic British nurseries, demonstrating the breadth of British horticulture.
World-renowned David Austin Roses.
Brighter Blooms: Displayed container-grown Zantedeschia. Brookfield Plants: Created an accessible Japanese-themed garden.
Daisy Roots – drought-tolerant perennials and grasses.
Burncoose Nurseries: Presented a diverse floral exhibit of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Calamazag Nursery: Focused on Dianthus and alpine plants, showcasing their delicate beauty.
Raymond Evison Clematis.
Caley Brothers: Highlighted edible and medicinal mushrooms, providing an educational exhibit. Chrysanthemums Direct: Showcased a variety of chrysanthemums.
Stunning examples from the Federation of British Bonsai Societies.
Craig House Cacti: Offered a selection of cacti and succulents. Daisy Roots: Featured drought-tolerant perennials and grasses.
Lincolnshire Pond Plants.
David Austin Roses: Presented their world-renowned roses, known for their fragrance and beauty. Derbyshire Bonsai: Displayed an exquisite collection of bonsai trees, showcasing horticultural artistry.
Sweet display of Sweetpeas by Darren Everest.
Dibleys Nurseries: Showcased Streptocarpus and other houseplants.
Driftwood Bonsai: Continued the bonsai theme with crafted trees.
Green Jam Nurseries: Showed a wide range of cottage garden plants, as well as some alpines. Grenada: Brought exotic and rare plants, including tropical flowers.
Hampshire Carnivorous Plants – complete with dinosaurs.
Hampshire Carnivorous Plants: Captivated visitors with roaring dinosaurs and carnivorous plants. Harts Nursery: Featured a dazzling array of lilies.
Cheerful display from Chrysanthemum Direct.
Hogarth Hostas: Displayed their National Collection of Small and Miniature Hostas. Home Farm Plants: Presents specimen Elatum delphiniums.
It’s a gorgeous peony display.
Hoyland Plant Centre: Provided educational displays on various plants like Agapanthus and Amarines.
J.P. Wright & Company: Featured orchids in a naturalistic setting.
Posy perfect – Astrantia on the Letham Plants stand.
Jacques Amand: Displayed a selection of bulbous and woodland. Jonathan Sheppard – National Plant Collection of Cosmos bipinnatus: Exhibited a stunning array of Cosmos.
Plant Heritage – National Plant Collection.
Kelnan Plants: Focused on Restios, unique plants from South Africa.
Kent Wildflower Seeds: Promoted biodiversity with displays of wildflower habitats.
Container-grown Zantedeschia, by Brighter Blooms.
Kevock Garden Plants: Showcased rare alpine, woodland, and streamside plants. Kitchen Garden Plant Centre: Featured herbs and edibles, emphasising practical gardening.
The fascinating Leon Kluge Garden Design – which won two Gold Awards.
Leon Kluge Garden Design:Won two Gold Awards for their exhibit celebrating the Cape Flora of South Africa—it was amazing display.
Letham Plants: Showcased a large range of Astrantia.
The Botanic Nursery.
Lincolnshire Pond Plants: Presented a fantastic display of pond plants. Middleton Nurseries: Focused on Salvias, showcasing vibrant colours.
Hoyland Plant Centre: Provided educational displays on various plants like Agapanthus and Amarines.
Miles Japanese Maples: Featured beautiful foliaged Acers.
Moore & Moore Plants: Offered plants for shade, woodland, and clay soils.
Blackmore & Langdon: Impressed with begonias and delphiniums
New Forest Hostas & Hemerocallis: Displayed ferns and foliage plants. Norfield Nurseries: Showcased the full colours of Acers.
New Forest Hostas & Hemerocallis: Imaginative display of ferns and foliage plants.
The Orchid Society of Great Britain: Presented orchids in naturalistic settings.
Pheasant Acre Plants: Displayed Alstroemeria in stunning arrangements.
The Orchid Society’s impressive display.
Plantbase: Featured ferns and exotic edibles. Potash Nursery: Specialises in pelargoniums.
Kevock Garden Plants display rare alpine, woodland and streamside plants.
Primrose Hall Peonies:Wowed with a selection of lush peonies.
Proctors Nursery: Presented traditional perennials and annuals.
Rare alpine, woodland, and streamside plants, displayed by Kevock Garden Plants.
Raymond Evison Clematis: Offered a stunning range of clematis cultivars. And launched the Guernsey Flute EviGsy153(PBR). An exquisite large star-shaped, pure white flower some 12-14cm (4½”-5½”) across. Roualeyn Fuchsias: Displayed award-winning fuchsias on a huge fun fair wheel.
Baugaarden Living Art: Displayed living willow sculptures.
She Grows Veg Ltd:Showcased “Edimental” displays, blending beauty with practicality.
Sienna Hosta: Featured British-grown hostas.
Ice-cream styling from John Peace Chrysanthemums.
Strete Gate Camellias: Presented camellias and care tips. Surreal Succulents: Displayed rare and unusual succulents.
Tasty treats from the Kitchen Garden.
Swallowfields Nursery: Offered perennial plants suited for dappled shade. Taylors Bulbs: Highlighted specialist-grown double-headed and peach-toned Narcissus.
The Botanic Nursery: Choice lime tolerant plants & digitalis collection The Harkness Rose Company: British-bred roses with over 100 years of heritage. Launched the Chelsea Pensioner rose.
Moore & Moore – shady, woodland plants.
Tissington Nursery: Showcased peat-free perennials and grasses. Trinidad and Tobago: Brought a tropical display of flowers and foliage.
Magnificent Gladiolus.
Tynings Climbers: Specialise in hardy and tender climbers. W.S. Warmenhoven: Dutch family-owned company featured a variety of alliums and Hippeastrum.
Sweet display of Sweetpeas by Darren Everest.
Hampshire Carnivorous Plants – complete with dinosaurs.
