Zoo plants become contest finalists at RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival

Beale Wildlife Park’s head gardener, Gillie Davis, has helped bring two plants through to the final of the Plant Heritage 'Threatened Plant of the Year' competition - as the only zoo through to the finals.

Beale Wildlife Park does a lot of conservation ‘behind the scenes’ on the plants side for both cultivated and native species. The Park is home to over 70 rare plants, and has gardens full of colour.

As the only zoo through to the finals, staff nominated Coleus 'Menthol Eucalyptus'. With its unique wonderful scent, and the sensory engagement it provides - visitors love to interact with it.

Their second nominated plant is Salvia leucantha ‘Midnight’ (right) which has dense velvet purple flowers in abundance in late summer.

Both these plants are at the highest threat level. See all twelve of the finalists here.

The winner will be announced at Hampton Court Palace RHS flower show on 1st July.

Public voting will take place on July 1 - 7, with the Public Choice winner to be announced on July 8, with voting via the Plant Heritage website, and for all the visitors at the display at the RHS Hampton court flower show. 

Best of luck to Gillie and the Beale Wildlife Park team!