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Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' wins double at HTA National Plant Show

Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' won two top honors at the Horticultural Trades Association's National Plant Show, claiming both Best in Show and the New Plant Awards Visitor Vote.

The purple-flowered perennial, bred in the U.K. by Peter Moore, impressed expert judges and show attendees alike at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

The New Plant Awards, sponsored by ICL, drew nearly 100 entries across multiple categories. Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' first won Best in Category for Herbaceous Perennials before securing the overall Best in Show title. The judging panel included growers, retailers, educators and garden media.

The plant produces rich purple flowers over a long season and is truly perennial, offering value in the garden. It has proven significantly resistant to rust and powdery mildew, common diseases of Antirrhinum. The plant responds well to pruning and its nectar-laden blooms attract bumblebees and butterflies. The name 'Shiryu' means "purple dragon" in Japanese, a nod to the plant's snapdragon heritage and the purple hues in its flowers and foliage.

Steve Chapman, technical sales manager at ICL Group and award sponsor, said: "The overall winner was exactly what I was looking for in a New Plant Award. It's truly a perennial, which makes it unique compared to any other Antirrhinum."

"It's been a fantastic display, showing what amazing growers we've got at the HTA National Plant Show who entered their new plants into the New Plant Awards. It was a very thorough process, and as ever there was some wrangling among the judges over who should get gold, silver and bronze medals, and, of course, best in category," said Pippa Greenwood, horticulture manager at the HTA. "Well done to all those who entered, and congratulations to Kernock Park Plants for taking home Best in Show."

The Visitor Vote, sponsored by Floramedia, allowed show attendees to choose their favorite from the seven Best in Category winners. Visitors cast votes by placing tokens in boxes near the show entrance, with Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' emerging as the winner.

Bruce Harnett of Kernock Park Plants said: "We're super excited, what a great win! It's a commendation and recognition for an amazing variety which was bred in the U.K. by Peter Moore. We do a lot of work behind the scenes and there's not always enough that we can give back to the team who are back at the site in Cornwall. To say that what they're doing really matters and is recognized by the trade is amazing."

Category winners:

  • Herbaceous Perennials: Kernock Park Plants — Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss'
  • Annuals, Tender Perennials and Container & Basket Plants: Ball Colegrave — Digitalis hybrida Arctic Fox Lemon Cream
  • Flowering Houseplants: Javado UK — Euphorbia Tiara Alexandra
  • Foliage Houseplants: Javado UK — Ananas Babyboom
  • Cacti & Succulents: Javado UK — Wild Kalanchoe "Octopus"
  • Trees: Frank P Matthews — Apple (Malus domestica) Legacy
  • Shrubs (including Conifers) & Climbers: Javado UK — Chamaecyparis thyoides EL PASO

Profitplant UK won Best Stand 2026 among 157 companies exhibiting across 267 stands.

Jane Lawler, vice president of the HTA and Best Stand judge, said: "The standard this year was fantastic, and there wasn't much to choose between them, so it was a very difficult job for the judges. Profitplant UK replicated a mini garden cafe on their stand, which was super engaging and intriguing to look at. We thought it was inspiring for retailers, had some really beautiful, interesting and high-quality plants and was truly creative and impactful."

The HTA National Plant Show brings together the environmental horticulture supply chain across two halls at NAEC Stoneleigh. Judges evaluate entries based on aesthetic appeal, commercial viability and adaptability to various growing conditions. Awards are presented at Bronze, Silver, Gold, Best in Category and Best in Show levels.

Receiving a New Plant Award brings significant recognition and publicity to both the plant and its creators. This year's double victory for Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' cements its position as a notable new variety for U.K. gardens.

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