AIH Top Plant 2024
AIH Top Plant 2024 Winners.
The Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) is proud to announce the 2024 winners.
The process of selection and judging involved many horticultural experts spanning all states of Australia. To learn more about the judging process, read below.
TEMPERATE AIH Top Plant 2024 WINNER
Westringia fruticosa
Known as: Coastal Rosemary / Native Rosemary
Native to NSW
Family: Lamiaceae
Description: A very hardy and adaptable shrub that suits most garden situations. It successfully grows throughout coastal districts of southern Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and into southern Queensland.
Leaves are generally dark green and resemble rosemary, hence the common name.
Flowers are generally white although some cultivars are blue.
In addition to the straight species form, there are many cultivars on the market that exhibit variation in flower colour, leaf colour, habit/shape and size.
When selecting Westringia specimens, be aware that some cultivars may be better suited to some soil conditions than others.
Coastal Rosemary is popular with councils, landscapers, developers and home gardeners.
Regarded as a good habitat species for wildlife.
Readily available from plant sellers.
NOTE: This award is given to the species (Westringia fruticosa) not any specific cultivar.
SUBTROPICAL AIH Top Plant 2024 WINNER
Proiphys cunninghamii
Known as: Brisbane Lily / Moreton Bay Lily
Native to South East Qld and northern NSW
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Description: A bulbous herbaceous plant grown mainly for it’s attractive daffodil-like flowers in mid-late summer.
Heart-shaped leaves appear in early summer usually after the start of summer rainfall and then die down the following winter (due to dry season weather conditions, not temperature).
Flowers produce large seeds that germinate shortly after they fall to the ground.
This plant is highly sought after by collectors, native plant enthusiasts and landscape designers.
Available from specialist native plant growers and sellers.
JUDGING – Why & How
Why
Australian home gardeners, professional landscapers and designers, and councils need a reliable source to whom they can look to for guidance regarding the best plants for the local climate regions of Australia.
The AIH Top Plant awards provide home gardeners and the horticultural industry with a proven and reliable assessment method without any hidden financial agenda directly benefiting AIH.
Buying these AIH Top Plant Award winners means better success for home gardeners and professional projects.
How
The Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) represents the leaders of horticulture in all states of Australia.
Each AIH Member was invited to nominate two plants.
Judges from each climate zone then assessed all nominated plants to elect winners for those climate zones.
Future
2024 is the launch year of the AIH Top Plant Awards, selecting the best plant for each climate zone. In 2024, only two winners were announced for Temperate and Subtropical zones.
In coming years, it is expected more nominations will generate more winners for other climate zones.