News from the gardening world
No-peel apple and ‘Frilly Knickers’ anemone scoop the top awards in 'new' plant show
An unusual red-fleshed apple that can be cooked without peeling and a double-flowered anemone called ‘Frilly Knickers’ were voted top new plants in an online competition run by the Horticultural Trades Association.
The judges, who included GN’s editor at large Ian Hodgson and Gardeners' Question Time panellist Matt Biggs, voted the apple the overall winner from a field of 48 entries. ‘Trinity’ was developed by amateur breeder Jerzy Bartoszewicz, a Polish war veteran who came to the UK in 1947, who created it in his back garden in
Twickenham in the 1980s. Retired scientist Jerzy was convinced the future lay in red-fleshed apples.
“He spent 18 years continually experimenting with grafts and cross pollination,” said Steph Dunn-James, from exhibitor Frank P Matthews.
“He died in 2012, leaving no notes of what varieties he used as parents.” ‘
‘Trinity’ is very disease resistant and a group 2 variety, requiring cross pollination. The apples crop early in mid-August but must be used straight away,” added Steph.
“They don’t keep as they have very thin skin, like a soft fruit. It produces a delicious dark pink puree and doesn’t need peeling as the skin 'melts' when cooked. My dad has it on his porridge in the morning!”
It's available from mid-August, 2020, onwards, priced at around £40. To search for stockists visit www.frankpmatthews. com; tel: 01584 812800.
Clinching the ‘virtual visitors’ vote online was strong-growing perennial anemone ‘Frilly Knickers’. A mutation from popular ‘Dreaming Swan’ the flowers appear fully double when in bud, opening into semi-double, ruffle edged, frilly petals, inspiring nursery owners, Rosy and Rob Hardy to give the plant its fun and frivolous name!
It’s easy to grow in any sunny or semi shady border with a prolonged flowering season, from June through to October. Available from www.hardysplants.co.uk; tel: 01256 896533. Price: £7.50.
The virtual version of the HTA annual National Plant Show was developed by the organisation’s horticulture manager and Gardeners' Question Time panellist Pippa Greenwood. “The HTA show is the launchpad for many plants that are now widely grown and much loved by gardeners,” said Pippa. “When the 2020 show was cancelled it seemed unthinkable to give up on all that potential. We had a very positive response from growers who were very pleased we were doing something to help.”