Selecting the best new varieties to grow doesn't always come as easy as selecting the prettiest looking varieties from a catalogue. Planning and trialling of new varieties is a very important part of what we do here at Chapel Cottage Plants and we are always looking ahead to the future of horticulture when we plan new varieties into our production.

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• Where does it all start?

Throughout the year, we visit suppliers and breeders from across the word to view stock and potential new introductions to our range. 

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• What we have to consider

Climate and growing habits are two major factors that we have to consider before adding new varieties into our range. Buying habits have changed over the last few years, with customers wanting a change to the traditional varieties that were once popular. Sub-tropical and Mediterranean varieties are now becoming more and more popular. With changes to our climate here at home, we need to consider whether these plants are suited to the British weather or if they are too risky to grow. 

Plant specific criteria such as colours, heights and disease resistance are also big factors in the choices made.

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• Production

There is a large proportion of our range that we can easily grow from seed and cuttings, however in some circumstances it is inevitable that we have to buy some stock from other suppliers as plugs and liners.

Most new varieties are purchased from a breeder or supplier for the first season. We will then make the decision to continue this for future seasons or start to produce in-house ourselves. This will depend on supply of material, conditions required to produce a healthy crop along with any royalties and breeding rights that may restrict us from growing the stock ourselves.

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• Marketing 

If our trials are selected to make it into the range, labels are produced and the variety is added to the catalogue and distributed to our customers.

In most cases, new varieties are produced as one large batch for the first season. Sales are monitored before deciding whether to increase or decrease numbers for subsequent seasons.

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• Sales performance and market demand

As we operate slightly differently to most other growers with our webshop, stock isn't pre-ordered in advance. As there is essentially no guaranteed market for a new product, stock is selected on the back of good judgement and market knowledge. It is important to monitor sales performance on new stock lines to ensure we have plenty for the following year if sales and demand is strong. It is also important not to over order as other growers in the market may choose to grow the same varieties as they become popular, making it more saturated.