At the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a charming and hardy shrub with delicate white and pink flowers has been awarded Plant of the Year 2025. The winning plant, Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’, was announced on May 19th during the event’s opening day.
The show began with celebrities and media getting a preview of the floral exhibits, including 18 contenders for the coveted Plant of the Year title, displayed in the Great Pavilion. Later that afternoon, the RHS Expert Group—volunteer plant specialists—evaluated the entries and selected the winner.
The judges based their decision on three key factors: innovation and novelty, performance in gardens, and appeal to gardeners in the UK. They also considered the information submitted by breeders before the show and the overall “wow” factor of each plant.
Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ Takes Top Honors
Bred by Hampshire-based Alan Postill, Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ is celebrated as the first truly pink-flowered mock orange shrub. It won decisively, receiving 43% of the judges’ votes. This compact shrub, measuring about 1.5 meters in height and width, requires no pruning, making it perfect for gardens of all sizes.
Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale at Hillier Nurseries, praised the plant’s unique color and fragrance. “The pink color is unlike any other Philadelphus,” he said. “Its size suits both large and small gardens. The scent is truly spectacular. The plant keeps a graceful arching shape, enhanced by its heavy flowering.”
Runners-Up and Show Highlights
The runner-up plants included Hosta ‘Silly String’, a small plantain lily with blue leaves and wavy edges, and Salvia ‘Tropicolour Sunrise’, a vibrant sage with orange-red petals and deep green leaves with purple undersides.
The Plant of the Year award, now in its 15th year, was established in 2010 to recognize outstanding new plants and celebrate advances in plant breeding.
Visitors can see all shortlisted plants, including the winners, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s Plant of the Year display in the Great Pavilion. The show is open to the public from May 20th to May 24th.
Caring for Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’
This shrub blooms from June to July. When planting, make sure its roots are well covered with rich, well-rotted compost or manure. The RHS recommends keeping the plant well watered during its first growing season to help it establish. Mulching around the roots in spring with compost or manure will also support healthy growth.
Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ thrives in full sun or light shade. It adapts well to various garden styles, including woodland or scented gardens, and can even grow beautifully in large containers on patios or porches.
