RHS Award of Garden Merit Varieties

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden

You may well have seen the AGM logo (a cup/trophy symbol) - this shows that a plant has earned the prestigious AGM – it's the RHS seal of approval that the plant performs reliably in the garden.

Awards are usually given after a long trial period, often at the RHS garden at Wisley, and are judged by expert forums.

With more than 75,000 plants available in RHS Plant Finder alone, how can you tell which plants are best for all-round garden value? The AGM is intended to help gardeners make that choice, and is only awarded to plants that are judged as excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions. I addition they must be available, have a good constitution, be stable in form and colour, and reasonably resistant to pests and diseases.

Awards are only made after assessment by an RHS forum of experts appointed by the Society to assess that particular trial. Each forum has its own area of expertise, and draws upon the experience of a wide range of experts, including nurserymen, specialist growers and well-known horticulturists. This assessment must then be ratified by the relevant Plant Committee.

Crocosmia were last trialled at Wisley from 2019 to 2021 and as a result 24 varieties were judged to be worthy of AGM status, many of which are listed below.

We were absolutely delighted that one of the Trecanna Nursery hybrids, namely 'Tamar Double Red' was included in this list. And two others (Tamar Glow and Tamar New Dawn) only just missed out.