New list of plants to go on trial at RHS
17:26 9th August 2010
The UK's premier garden and greenhouse organisation has announced the list of plants that it will put on trial in 2011.
Each year, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) examines a number of species in depth before deciding whether they deserve recommendation for an Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
The body has revealed that 14 new and 21 existing plant groups will be tested next year at its Garden Wisley trials field and selected other sites around the UK.
Being given an AGM is a big step for a plant as it means it becomes recommended to garden and greenhouse fans as offering "outstanding excellence" while being tolerant to pests and diseases.
The award is also only given to specimens which require no particularly specialised growing conditions, meaning that most Brits should be able to achieve some success with the plants.
According to RHS head of horticultural trials and relations Kylie Balmain, the RHS is very particular about which plants go to trial.
"Each year we receive extensive support to deliver our trials programme, especially from our plant committee and panel members," she added.
The RHS has four main garden and greenhouse attractions, including Wisley, Harlow Carr, Rosemoor and Hyde Hall.
