The benefits of trialling

There are some great new plants to try, says Peter

- Peter

WE all have eyes for our own children, it is said – and the same goes for authors and plant breeders. Scribes get a boost when seeing someone reading their words and, even better, witness the purchase of their book. It is much the same with plant breeders, and I hope you will excuse my lack of modesty by enjoying a picture of Verbena ‘Seabrook’s Lavender’ (above), flowering profusely at Hyde Hall.

Going to check out this group, growing along the edge of a brick raised bed, the plants had overwintered well, obviously enjoying the warm, sunny, free-draining conditions. Seeing is believing, and wherever possible, it is advisable to grow new plant introductions to see if they measure up to the glowing reports from their producers.