Raymond Evison has reportedly said he is surprised not to have won a Gold award though in his 30th year exhibiting at the prestigious show, telling reporters at the show that his 2018 display is in his opinion one of his best ever.

Mr Evison’s display this year was based on a beach theme, and included a number of types of Guernsey Clematis including one in memory of Sarah Groves.

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Pictured: Ian Burdekin, Raymond Evison and Samantha Brett

The Guernsey Clematis will now be promoted to customers across the UK this summer, with more than 240 Waitrose branches set to sell seven of Mr Evison’s Clematis varieties.

The new clematis lines which will be sold across the mainland are Viennetta, Crystal Fountain, Diamantina, Kimiko, Tranquility, Sarah Elizabeth and Amethyst Beauty. They were selected by Waitrose’s UK Horticulture Buyer, Samantha Brett, during a recent visit to the island.

Mr Evison met with Ms Brett and local store manager Ian Burdekin recently and said: “Although we export our plants all over the world, it is always good to receive feedback from our buyers who are close to consumers.  In turn it was good to explain our latest plans and talk about the new lines we are working on for next year.”  

Pictured top: The Sarah Elizabeth Clematis