Florall awards favour plants that offer something extra
Plants that offer something extra are a highly effective way of keeping customers surprised. So it’s no coincidence that the Belgian Florall awards on 6 March 2017 were awarded to newcomers that offer something above and beyond their decorative value. Gold went to a bee-attracting plant, silver to a compact and aromatic Rhus, and bronze was awarded to conifers with a unique story of their own.
Gold for bee-friendly rose
Bijenweelde bee-attracting roses won the gold Florall award. This range of rose bushes was developed specifically for bees. The professional jury were highly impressed by the focus on a rose as a useful plant, in addition to the decorative value or scent offered by traditional roses. ‘Biodiversity and a focus on bees are contemporary themes, which this range of roses taps into very effectively’, the jury commented.
The important thing for bees is the open shape of the flower. In this newcomer, the nectar is easily accessible thanks to the single or semi-double flowers that are produced in large clusters. The flowers’ yellow centres also increase their visibility to bees.
The roses have a compact growth habit and beautifully glossy green leaves. They blossom abundantly and feature attractively upright flowers with stamens that create a stunning contrast. Their flowering period runs from early summer to the first frost.
These roses grow to a height of 40 to 50 cm and are highly disease resistant. They are very healthy, freely blooming rose plants with a compact growth habit. Bijenweelde roses are easy to maintain, and are amenable to all types of pruning. They can be planted in beds, borders and pots and work well in combination with other plants, for example in between shrubs or in perennial borders. This newcomer is available in six colours: Bijenweelde red, white, apricot, yellow, pink and light red. It was created by Tantau Roses using cross-pollination, and is being marketed in Belgium by Carl Van Sante.
More info: www.vansante.be
Silver for compact and aromatic Rhus
De Nolf Tree Nursery won the silver Florall award for its new Rhus aromatic GRO-LOW NOBLE®. This newcomer is a ground-covering, low-growing shrub that bears aromatic shoots and has a maximum height of 50 to 60 cm. It was the plant’s compactness that particularly appealed to the jury. ‘Indeed, this Rhus is also suitable for group planting, or for planting in tubs on patios. Its aromatic characteristics are a welcome extra.’
This Rhus is not poisonous, unlike other sumac species, and it continues to surprise you throughout the year. In early spring, small yellow flowers appear on the ends of its branches, and in autumn its leaves take on a beautiful red hue. The Gro-Low demands little of the soil, is extremely hardy and can be planted in any position. It is very attractive when planted in low clusters or on roadside verges, for example.
More info: www.denolf.com
Bronze for plants with a unique story of their own
These days, marketing is all about storytelling. Central to this is the story behind the product, emphasising its authenticity and provenance. The jury awarded the bronze Florall award to a concept that creates an additional experience for the consumer. The ‘Plants of the World’ concept creates a link between a rather traditional range of conifers and their unique characteristics, provenance and usages.
More info: www.bremmer-boomkwekerijen.nl
