Royal Horticultural Society launches search to find the most inspiring new plant at its famous annual gardening event - the Chelsea Flower Show.
Introduced for the first time, the award will see floral and garden exhibitors at the show enter new plants to be considered for the accolade. A shortlist of 20 plants will be made by the RHS Plants Advisory Committee, where they will then be voted on by the committee members at the newly launched Plantsman Conference. The conference will be held on May 24, the day before the show opens to RHS members.

In addition, top plantsman Roy Lancaster will choose a number of plants to be considered.

At the conference, chaired by Nigel Colburn, each plant will have its own 'advocate' who will attempt to persuade the audience to vote for their choice.

The winning exhibitor will have a trophy presented to them for RHS Chelsea 2010 Plant of the Year, by RHS president Giles Coode-Adams.

Show visitors will be able to view the overall winner and the shortlisted plants in the Great Pavilion, stand H4 from Tuesday, May 25. The results will also be posted online at www.rhs.org.uk