Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ Shortlisted for Plant of the Year 2026 at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Frank P Matthews Trees together with Blue Diamond, are proud to announce that the striking ornamental tree Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN has been shortlisted for the coveted ‘Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026’ award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

First discovered in Sumaura Park in Kobe, Japan in 1990, this exceptional flowering cherry has been carefully nurtured and brought to market by Frank P Matthews Trees. Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ stands out for its extraordinary, multi-tonal blossom display. Its densely double, lantern-like flowers with up to 30 petals each, emerge in soft green and creamy white, gradually transitioning through blush tones before deepening to rich pink as they mature.

The tree offers more than just spring interest with bronze young foliage which matures to fresh green, vibrant autumn colour, fragrant blooms, it performs reliably across most UK conditions, thriving in a wide range of soils.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ shortlisted for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year. It’s such a special flowering cherry, with multiple colours on one tree, and it represents years of dedication to bringing truly exceptional varieties to market. We’re incredibly proud to see it recognised on this stage.”

The Plant of the Year award celebrates the most exciting and innovative new plants launched at the show, judged on their uniqueness, impact, and appeal to gardeners. Being shortlisted highlights the exceptional nature of this variety and its potential to become a future garden favourite. The tree will be proudly displayed on the Blue Diamond stand during the show, highlighting the variety’s significance as a valuable and distinctive ornamental tree for British gardens.

Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ has already proven its impact within the horticultural world. It won Best in Show at the HTA National Plant Show where judges praised it as a “remarkable breakthrough in blossom colour,” highlighting its unique progression of tones within a single bloom.

Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ has already proven its impact within the horticultural world. It won Best in Show at the HTA National Plant Show where judges praised it as a “remarkable breakthrough in blossom colour,” highlighting its unique progression of tones within a single bloom.

Now, its shortlisting for RHS Chelsea’s Plant of the Year places it among the most exciting new plant introductions in the UK.

For more information on Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ click here.

Find the Prunus Prunus ‘Sumaura Fugenzo’ JAPANESE LANTERN™ on display at The Blue Diamond Stand and the New Products Area at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show 19-23 May 2026.

About Frank P Matthews Trees

Frank P Matthews is one of the UK’s foremost nurseries, known for its extensive range of ornamental and fruit trees. Founded in 1901, and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Frank P Matthews Trees has become a trusted supplier of both ornamental and fruit trees to commercial and private customers across the UK introducing exciting and groundbreaking tree varieties, making significant contributions to the world of horticulture.

About Blue Diamond

In it’s earliest ‘guise’, Blue Diamond originally emerged as the Fruit Export Company in the beautiful island of Guernsey, Channel Islands. The company was created by a group of prominent local businessmen whose family links still feature today.

The company’s founders displayed their business skills at an early stage when they acquired a distribution company in the UK with agents scaling the length and breadth of England. This network became the backbone of Fruit Export’s success in getting tomatoes to market.

Today, Blue Diamond is recognised as a genuine Guernsey success story and continues to be owned and managed on the island with plants still at the heart of the business. Blue Diamond now employs around 4,700 employees and 54 garden centres across the UK & Channel Islands.

About RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, held annually since 1913 (except during the World Wars and in 2020), is the pinnacle of garden design and horticultural excellence. Located in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, the five-day event attracts around 168,000 visitors each year. Renowned for its innovative show gardens, the show features designs from leading horticulturists worldwide, setting trends and showcasing cutting-edge garden designs.

The 2026 Show runs from Tuesday 19th May – Saturday 23rd May