1. Tim Upson – Director of Horticulture
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Talk to you about some of the work undertaken in horticulture and science and we hope how this contributes to the benefit of horticulture
I am based at weatherhill Cottage – Wisley, but work with all 3 other gardens as well
Weatherhill Cottage - RHS Garden Wisley 1

2. Trials – Award of Garden Merit
‘Plants that perform’
Field trials of different plants take place with trials team
We bring groups of plants together for comparative trials – a snap shot of what’s in cultivation
One of the main outcomes is the Award of Garden Merit – plants that performs
Given only to the best in the trial – those with proven garden worthiness (shrubs, Fruit and veg
Excellent in appropriate conditions, good constitution, stable, reasonably resistant to P&D & available
Meconopsis at Harlow Carr – 7000 out of 70,000 in PF 2

3. Forthcoming & Highlights for 2015
Agapanthus
Digitalis (foxgloves)
Hibiscus syriacus
Hybrid blackberries
Offsite trials
Hydrangea macrophylla (mophead hydrangeas) (Savill Gardens & Abbotsbury)
Colchicum (Hyde Hall)
Hypericum (Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum)
Examples of trials – about 30 per year
Large 150 for Agapanthus
Agapanthus and Digitalis both genera with lots of new breeding
Hibiscus – across Europe
Blackberries – fruit and vegetables
Off site
Hydrangea, Colchicums (sorting out names and identifications), Hypericums (what's in cultivation)
Written up in The Garden, Kniphofia - monograph 3

4. Plant Committees & RHS Groups
Who decides what to trial – plant committees (experts in their plant groups)
Woody (Rhodo, Cam & Mag); Herbaceous; Orchid; Tender; Joint Rock; Bulb (lily group) FVH (fruit and herb group)
Encouraging outreach events e.g. Cotswold Wildlife Park – meet the experts 4

5. Horticultural Science
Highlight some work of Science and how this aims to benefit the wider horticultural world – subject of major investment
Horticultural Taxonomy – accurate and correct naming of plants PF (balance between Science and horticulture)/Registers/ herbarium – we have a fantastic cultivated flora. Legislation – Plant Reproductive material from EU – successfully rejected (due to PF)
Pollination biology – best plants for pollinators based on Plants for Bugs
Environmental horticulture – alternatives to peat
Plant health – of major concern e.g. rosemary beetles; citrus longhorn beetle 5

6. Horticultural Bursaries and Grants
Expeditions & study tours
Conferences
Susan Pearson Traineeship fund
GCA/RHS Fellowship
Promoting Horticulture
Horticulture - great opportunities to work in historic gardens, with exciting plants
Bursaries look to promote a people to develop careers, support study tours (this spring Kew, Capel Manor and Wisley) equally for head gardeners and others to join tours/attend conferences
Susan pearson
GCA fellowship – great opportunity for a horticulturist to really finish off their training 6

7. Horticulture Matters Improving the perception of Horticulture
Horticulture & education
Safeguarding the health of UK Horticulture
Key achievements
Industry partnership & government roundtable
YoungHort & Career changers
With horticultural partners RHS helping to promote horticulture and address the skills crisis (particularly at higher levels)
Encourage more people in – not a low paid industry
Recognising the potential impact of plant health
Working with government – promotion of horticulture and particularly to recognise our great heritage of gardens and collections – they contribute to both UK and international visits
YoungHort – what better way to promote horticulture than through those who have chosen this as a career choice 7

8. Our Charitable Purpose
“The encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches”
Summarise – the work of horticulture does very much involve science, art (particularly through landscapes and plantings) and practices of maintaining 8