THREE new plant varieties are making their debut at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019, introduced by Hillier Nurseries.

The Ampfield-based nursery is introducing Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’, Isoplexis Isabelliana ‘Bella’ and cordyline ‘pink star’ to the show, all of which add colour and require minimal maintenance.

They will all be bringing vibrant colours to The Stihl Hillier Garden, which is designed by Lilly Gomm and sponsored for the second year running by garden tool manufacturer, Stihl.

The new plants have been sourced by the Hillier research and development team, as they aim for their 74th consecutive gold medal at the prestigious show.

George Hillier, a member of the fifth generation of the family in business and director of property, said: “Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’ and Cordyline ‘Pink Star’ are absolutely stunning and these, allied with the orange hue of the Isoplexis ‘Bella’, create an inspirational pallet of contemporary new colours for gardens in 2019.”

Weigela will produce more than 500 deep-pink flowers between May and October, and this long flowering period makes it a favourite with bees.

This plant will eventually reach 50-60cm high and 100cm wide, requiring little maintenance and can survive temperatures as low as -25°C.

This means it can be grown throughout the UK, and will be available through Hillier Nurseries this summer.

Isoplexis is a cottage garden plant that produces golden apricot coloured flowers on spikes between July and October.

This is suitable for growing in pots and containers as well as beds and mixed borders, and is being introduced through a new collaboration between Hillier Nurseries and Suttons.

Cordyline is a vibrant pink plant which makes it look almost tropical.

It is ideal for mixed containers or borders, and is a strong growing plant.

The plant is proven to be quite resistant to diseases such as leaf spot, and is drought tolerant.

Hillier Nurseries is the first to introduce the new plant to the UK market.

George Hillier added: “My favourite part of Chelsea is unveiling our plants and new varieties and watching visitors come to find them in the garden.

“There is so much anticipation each year about the announcement of the garden design and the new plants.”