BEST NEW PLANT IN THE WORLD
Velvet charm
The unique Agapanthus ‘Blackjack’ was named the “Best new plant in the world” for 2023 at the annual Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. And who are the masterminds behind this impressive award-winning plant? South African botanist Andy de Wet, who has more than 50 years’ experience in plant selection and development, and horticulturist Quinton Bean, with 20 years of experience. Both are from De Wet Plant Breeders.
The deep-purple Blackjack, with its large flower heads and stripedhead and has a long flowering period, starting in the middle of summer. Andy says that Blackjack was crowned the champion because it takes a new direction when compared with traditional agapanthus. “The colour of the flower is unique. It has almost jet-black buds that open into a large, round flower head with dark, open, velvet-like flowers. The Blackjack blooms for approximately three months and is an extremely vigorous grower.”
