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Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’ wins Best in Show at HTA New Plant Awards
“Really special”: a totally unique new foxglove with orchid-like flowers took the 2024 National Plant Show by storm
Visiting a show in Holland in 2023, the Bransford Webbs Plant Company spotted a particularly eye-catching plant lurking at the back of a trade stand. This chance discovery saw them introducing to the UK a unique new foxglove that they immediately realised had serious potential.
Now, competing among the best of new plants selected by growers and breeders from across the UK and overseas in the HTA New Plant Awards, Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’ has been crowned not only the winner of the Herbaceous
What’s the story behind Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’?
David Chilvers, Sales & Marketing Director at the Bransford Webbs Plant Company, explains how this showstopping new cultivar, which was bred in the Netherlands by Maarten van der Sar, found its way into the limelight.
“We spotted it at the back of a stand at a trade show in Holland last year. It was being presented by Allplant at the week 25 flower trials.
“We asked, ‘that’s different; is that new?’, and they said ‘yes, it’s new, there are limited numbers for this year’.”
David was already hooked. “I told them, ‘I really like it – can we buy them all’.
“So we brought it back to the UK. A couple of other nurseries have it now too, but we were the first to spot it and asked for everything we could get.
“So we got the stock in, grew it on, and it’s just performed really well. It’s been a dream to grow.
“We enter the New Plant Awards every year, but this year, we thought – we’ve got something really special.”
What’s so special about Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’?
This new foxglove presents triple flower power through its totally new, frilly, orchid-like flower shape; its unique blend of pale pinky white lower flowers with creamy yellow upper flowers; and its exceptionally generous blooming; with a queue of secondary flower spikes already waiting to follow hot on the heels of the first.
“It’s different. There are loads of foxgloves on the market, but this one is just different. The flower is like an orchid flower rather than like a foxglove flower. The colour of the flower, and the shape of the flower, is different to anything else out there.”
“It’s pest- and disease-free, and it’s got more breaks on it that are fantastic beyond the flowers you can see here at the moment.”
Judge and RHS Head of Horticultural Relations Emma Allen presents the award to David Chilvers of The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
What did the judges think?
This year’s judging panel consisted of Emma Allen (RHS Head of Horticultural Relations), Andy Bunker (Alton Garden Centre), Cath Quinney (Bennybeg Plant Centre), Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) and Josh Egan-Wyer (Pershore College).The judges explain why this unique foxglove was the deserving winner of not only Best Herbaceous Perennial, but also the sought-after accolade of Best in Show.
The RHS’ Emma Allen says, “I’ve never seen foxglove flowers quite like this. Michael Perry said it should be called ‘Orchid Blossom’ rather than ‘Apple Blossom’.
“The apple blossom colouring is in the lower flowers, which are pinky white, but as they emerge further up they are creamy yellow. That colour change is really quite spectacular. At the top it’s almost like a Tricyrtis in flower for me.
“It’s got amazing side shoots coming through as well, so it’s not even halfway there yet with what this is going to do.”
Andy Bunker of Alton Garden Centre says, “One of the bestsellers this year has been Digitalis ‘Panther’. I think ‘Apple Blossom’ is significantly different, but people are coming in and asking for Digitalis, so we will show them this. Every single stem has got a flower spike on it – it’s got bang for your buck, as they say.”
HTA Horticulture Manager Pippa Greenwood, who coordinated the judging, adds: “There are at least another six flower spikes coming through there, so in terms of length of colour and interest, it’s really impressive. It is just ridiculously pretty.”
‘Apple Blossom’ at the show
How to grow Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’
‘Apple Blossom’ may be anything but typical, but in terms of growing requirements, it’s just like any other foxglove, says David.“Just give it moist soil and bit of a shade, like most foxgloves.”
‘Apple Blossom’ is low maintenance and easy to grow, promising years of flower power for very little effort. Simply
Where can I buy Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’?
Some ‘Apple Blossom’ plants are already in garden centres, but the volume will be next year, so anyone wishing to add this prestigious plant to their gardens will need to act quickly to partake in this year’s stock.‘Apple Blossom’ foxgloves have been supplied to Notcutts, Squires, Henry Street, Cherry Lane and Aylett garden centres. It is also available online from Hayloft, Barnes Nurseries and Bunkers Hill Plant Nursery.
