Surfinia has been named as the most influential 'hero' plant in Glee’s 50-year history as voted for by readers of GTN and GTN Xtra. First introduced 30 years ago, this series of trailing petunia has revolutionised the hanging basket and bedding market and it’s thought that 1.5 billion plants have been sold in Europe alone.

Paul Jackson collected the certificate during Glee’s first day where it is now displayed on the MNP Suntory stand in Hall 10. He told GTN it was first discovered by MNP where it stood out because it was flowing across a trials field. “It actually looked like it was surfing,” he said. “They put ‘surfing’ and ‘petunia’ together to come up with the name.”

Included in the display is a new cultivar for this year. Surfinia Dark Yellow Morn is a rich buttery yellow and adds a new dimension in flower colour to the ever-expanding choice.