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Jonathan Sheppard’s Gold Medal-Winning Seeds Lead Thompson & Morgan’s 2027 Seed Launch

Thompson & Morgan has unveiled its 2027 seed range, bringing together innovative new flowers and vegetables selected for outstanding performance, beauty and flavour. Leading the launch are the exclusive Jonathan Sheppard National Collection Seed Mixes, featuring Cosmos and Hollyhock varieties grown from his RHS Gold Medal-winning collections from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, alongside new vegetable breakthroughs including Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1.

Lance Russell, Horticultural Expert, said: “We wanted this new seed range to help gardeners overcome the challenges they face, whether that’s making the most of smaller spaces, adapting to changing growing conditions or creating more rewarding gardens. Jonathan Sheppard’s National Collection Seed Mixes allow gardeners to grow a piece of horticultural history at home, while Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1 offers gardeners a completely new way to grow and enjoy cherry tomatoes, with virtually no skin and seeds. We’re seeing a shift in what gardeners expect from their seeds. It’s no longer just about growing plants — it’s about the experience they create, from beautiful displays and wildlife benefits to improved flavour and enjoyment throughout the season.”

Discover our New Flower Seed Range & Vegetable Seed Range

 

New Flower Varieties Bring Colour, Performance and Garden Innovation

The 2027 flower seed range has been carefully selected for exceptional garden performance, long-lasting displays and striking style. Bringing together varieties chosen for their visual appeal, fragrance and ability to create impact throughout the growing season, the new range reflects the latest ways gardeners are creating beautiful, wildlife-friendly spaces.

From left to right: Jonathan Sheppard, Cosmos National Collection Seed Mix, Hollyhock National Collection Seed Mix.

Leading the launch are the exclusive Jonathan Sheppard National Collection Seed Mixes, featuring Cosmos and Hollyhock varieties developed from his RHS Gold Medal-winning National Plant Collections, showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. 

Jonathan, holder of the National Plant Collections for Cosmos bipinnatus and Alcea rosea, earned a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. These unique seed mixes have been produced from plants within his collections, allowing gardeners to grow a snapshot of the National Collection at home. Produced using peat-free, pesticide-free methods and rainwater harvesting, the seed mixes also reflect Jonathan’s commitment to sustainable growing.

Alongside these exclusive mixes, the wider 2027 flower range introduces varieties designed to bring colour, versatility and wildlife value to gardens of all sizes. Living up to its name, Sunflower ‘Bambino’ delivers maximum impact in a compact form, producing masses of blooms that provide weeks of vibrant colour. Perfect for smaller gardens, it can even be grown as an annual flowering hedge, attracting pollinators throughout summer before providing seeds for birds to enjoy in autumn.

The new Zinnia ‘Lilliput Mix’ reflects the continued popularity of cut flower gardening, producing masses of miniature, pom-pom blooms ideal for containers, borders and home-grown bouquets. Named after the fictional island of Lilliput in Gulliver’s Travels, the variety is small but perfectly formed, filling the garden with colour and repeat blooms throughout the season, both in the garden and in home-grown bouquets.

 

New Vegetable Varieties Deliver Innovation, Flavour and Reliable Harvests

The 2027 vegetable seed range has been selected for outstanding garden performance, improved genetics and exceptional flavour, bringing gardeners varieties that deliver reliable results alongside exciting new growing experiences. Reflecting changing gardening trends, the new range combines productivity with versatility, offering crops suited to modern growing spaces and a wide range of gardening styles.

A standout in the 2027 vegetable seed range is Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1, a genuine breakthrough in tomato breeding and the world’s first virtually skinless and seedless cherry tomato. Combining exceptional eating quality with high yields and natural crack resistance, this innovative variety offers gardeners an entirely new way to enjoy home-grown tomatoes.

Also joining the 2027 range is Chilli ‘Rapid Aji’, a UK-bred variety developed to deliver reliable performance, even in cooler summers. Living up to its name, it has been bred to ripen up to four weeks earlier than other chillies in the UK climate, making it ideal for shorter growing seasons. With compact growth and a mild, fruity flavour, it provides an accessible option for chilli growers of all experience levels.

Reflecting the growing trend for productive gardens that are also beautiful, Basil ‘Minette’ combines ornamental appeal with edible benefits. Its naturally compact globe-shaped habit makes it ideal for containers, windowsills and edible edging, bringing fresh flavour and visual interest to smaller growing spaces.

 

T&M celebrates two finalists for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2026

Cercis ‘Blue Lagoon’ flowering in spring

We’re thrilled to announce that two of our latest plant introductions have been shortlisted for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year Award 2026. This accolade recognises the very best in breeding, performance, and garden appeal. Read on to learn more about the groundbreaking plants that caught the judges’ eyes…

In the meantime, see all of our award-winning plants and flowers.

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Tallest Sunflower Competition 2026 – Win £250

A vibrant giant sunflower in full bloom against a clear blue sky, showing detailed yellow petals and a large brown seed head.

We’re looking for the tallest sunflower in the country! If you’ve got a green thumb and a sunny spot, you could win a £250 Thompson & Morgan voucher. Sow your seeds as soon as they arrive and support them as they grow. You have until noon on the 5th October 2026 to reach for the sky!

Sorry, the free seeds have all gone, but you can buy them here if you want to take part: ‘High Hopes’ Sunflower Seeds.

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Tomato ‘Meltaway F1’: The Virtually Seedless, Skinless Tomato

Gardeners told us what holds them back from eating tomatoes, so we bred one that fixes it all: A world-first cherry tomato….. 

Tomato ‘Meltaway F1’ – Image Credit: Rob’s Allotment

All the sweetness, none of the seeds…. Click below to watch the video

Gardening Grant Helps Community Garden Thrive

MindSpace Stamford Wellbeing Garden

Image courtesy of MindSpace Stamford

To celebrate our 170th birthday, we created the Grow Your Garden Grant – a £250 voucher to support a UK charity, community group, school or gardening club with their growing goals. This year’s winner, MindSpace Stamford, used the grant to support their Wellbeing Garden – a peaceful space where gardening helps nurture community connection and mental wellbeing.

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T&M achieves third place in RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2024

T&M is thrilled to announce that its entry has achieved third place in the Plant of the Year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024: 

Mangave Mad about Mangave® ‘Praying Hands’ PBR

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