Aug 6, 2024
Eclipse Bigleaf hydrangea earns more awards

First Editions Eclipse Bigleaf hydrangea from Bailey Nurseries is getting a lot of attention in its first year on the market, recently added three prestigious awards to its growing list of accolades.

In June 2024, Eclipse Bigleaf captured two honors in the UK. It was awarded Bronze at the Royal Horticultural Society-sponsored HTA National Plant Show’s New Plant Awards, and also received the prestigious Peter Seabrook Award for Best New Plant 2024 at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event.

“We are thrilled to have Eclipse recognized as the Best New Plant by BBC Gardeners’ World Live,” shared Alec Charais, chief marketing and product development officer of Bailey Nurseries, the brand owner of First Editions. “Receiving this award from among 100 entries is a testament to the dedication of our head breeder David Roberts at Bailey Innovations and the invaluable partnership with Allensmore Nurseries in the UK.”

In the U.S., the Eclipse Bigleaf hydrangea was also celebrated at Cultivate’24, winning the Reader’s Choice Award at the Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence ceremony.

“To receive this support from our peers is incredibly exciting and humbling,” added Charais. “It takes an immense team to bring a game-changing new plant to market, and these awards recognize the efforts of breeder David Roberts, the marketing team, as well as the growers and broader teams at Bailey and First Editions licensees around the world.”

First Editions Eclipse Bigleaf hydrangea is the first dark-leaf hydrangea with leaves that stay dark, complemented by cranberry or amethyst-colored blooms. Bred by David Roberts at Bailey Innovations in Athens, Georgia, Eclipse was introduced and distributed by First Editions Shrubs & Trees across North America and worldwide.

In addition to these recent honors, Eclipse Bigleaf hydrangea also received the following awards over the last year: