Striking New Plants

On my way to visit the redeveloped RHS Lindley Library recently, I couldn't resist a detour into the first RHS London Flower of the year in the Lawrence Hall, Westminster, London SWI. Displays of spring bulbs at the early shows are always inspiring.

New hellebore

I was well rewarded. Ashwood Nurseries were showing Kevin Belcher's new Helleborus 'Briar Rose'. I liked the upward-facing cream flowers, delicately edged with pale purple, which resemble a wild rose. The plants that produced the cross were H. niger and H. vesicarus. They grow at some distance from one another in the wild, and would be unlikely to meet in nature - the former is found in Europe and the latter in Turkey. Among other plants on the stand, hardy Cyclamen coum formed a river of mauve-red through the centre of the display. The stand was awarded a Gold Medal.

Moving on to the stand of Avon Bulbs, Helleborus orientalis ssp. abchasicus 'Early Purple', although not new, is nevertheless a striking plant, approximately 12in high, compact and low growing. Nearby, the highly recommended but in no way new, Sarcococca ruscifolia was looking good. Its shiny red-black berries and tiny scented cream flowers were both out together on the small evergreen bush.

New snowdrop

Galanthus 'Colossus' is a new snowdrop variety, with blooms as large as a small narcissus. I succumbed and left the RHS show carrying my snowdrop treasure. Many shapes and sizes of snowdrop are in bloom in the garden.

Fine houseplants

Turning now to indoor plants, those who like Cape Primrose plants will welcome three new Streptocarpus introductions from the North Wales firm of Dibleys. They are 'Olwen', 'Charlotte' and 'Emily'. Olwen has flowers of a very deep inky purple. The flowers of Charlotte are pale cornflower blue with an unusually large yellow eye, while the blooms of Emily are like a pink version of Charlotte. Streptocarpus 'Crystal Ice' (blue veins on white flowers) received an Award of Merit in 2000 - this is perhaps still the best variety.

Also from Dibleys, a little known genus called Chirita can be grown in similar conditions to African Violets. There are many fascinating varieties to collect.

Broadleigh Gardens have added five new Agapanthus varieties to their list - Agapanthus 'Purple Cloud' sounds rather exciting. From their standard collection, I grow and can also recommend dwarf A. 'Lilliput', for the front of a border, and the late flowering deep blue A.'Loch Hope', for the back of a border. They are hardy in most parts of Britain.

New basket and patio plants

Among the most striking of the patio plants that will be new to many people this year is Antirrhinum 'Candy Snap', an upright-growing snapdragon. The strongly variegated foliage is unusual and contrasts quite well with the bright pink flowers. Lamium 'Golden Anniversary' can be grown in a container but is also good as hardy ground cover. Patio Penstemon 'Shell' is a delicate shade of pink and contrasts vividly with P.'Heavenly Blue'.

Look out for Charlie's Angels trailing petunias. These are being sold in aid of the Greenfingers Appeal. 1P from every plant sold will help towards the cost of building gardens at children's hospices, including Demelza House, Sittingbourne, Kent. Sufinia 'Double Purple' and Surfinia 'Rose Vein' are also new petunias that should be in your garden shop this year.

New Little Princesses in Unwins' range

Unwins have been appointed mail order distributors in the UK of Peter Smith's alstroemeria series Little Princesses and Princess Lilies. Princess alstroemerias are hardy, perennial plants that produce brightly coloured blooms from June to November. These hybrid plants are resistant to pests and diseases, and as they require no spraying with chemicals, they will be a suitable choice for anyone who gardens organically.

Four of the Little Princesses are brand new for 2002 - Princesses Daniella, Abigail, Ella and Sara. All these patio alstroemerias, ready for despatch from mid April 2002 onwards, are well-established plants raised from tissue culture.

Princess Lilies are taller than the Little Princesses and are therefore excellent varieties for cut flowers. The most popular one is called 'Diana Princess of Wales'. Alstroemerias make very good plants for floral displays at weddings.