Zinnia elegans ‘Giant Deep Red’ (Benary’s Giant Series) and Zinnia elegans ‘Molotov Mixed’ from Burpee Europe were the public’s top favourites from the ‘’year of the zinnia’’ trial of over 140 varieties organised by Fleuroselect in conjuction with the RHS at their flagship garden in Wisley, U.K.

Sabatino Urzo, Trials Manager at the Royal Horticulture Society, comments: “The People’s Choice Award is a great way of engaging the public with the RHS’ trials programme and points to popular trends and fashions in planting.

The Year of the Zinnia trial follows on from the Year of the Sunflower and Year of the Cosmos trials with all varieties being supplied by Fleuroselect members. This year the RHS also organised a Year of the Bean trial of runner beans. Their expert plant committees will shortly be recommending those deemed best for all-round garden value for the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).