Unveiling Experiments: A Peek into the RHS's Trial Grounds at RHS Wisley
Unleashing the Secrets of Garden Greatness: An Insider's Guide to RHS Garden Trials
Garden enthusiasts worldwide marvel at the beauty of RHS Garden Wisley, nestled in the heart of Surrey. Yet, the vastness of this horticultural paradise often leaves visitors overwhelmed, yearning for a more intimate connection. Enter the newly expanded Trials Garden, a hidden oasis that beckons budding horticulturists and casual gardeners alike.
The tradition of plant trials at Wisley stretches back through the annals of time, long before Sir Thomas Hanbury, a visionary horticulturist, bought the estate and donated it to the RHS. The garden's early pioneer, George Wilson, transformed the property into the Oakwood Experimental Garden, pioneering the cultivation of exotic plants like lilies and Japanese irises.
Fast-forward to present day, and the RHS's modern trial gardens are more crucial than ever. They serve as the frontline in the pursuit of superior plant varieties, catering to an ever-curious gardening community. At Wisley, around 20-25 field trials unfold, covering diverse categories such as shrubs, herbaceous plants, bulbs, and alpines.
However, plant trials were not always the RHS's preferred method for recognizing the best plant varieties. Occasionally, awards were bestowed upon a dazzling cut flower or a resilient rose, based solely on a single showing at a prestigious exhibition.
In recent years, the emphasis has shifted towards comprehensive trials of plants, where different varieties can be grown together in a controlled environment. These trials allow experts to compare and contrast plants under identical conditions, offering a more accurate picture of each variety's strengths and weaknesses.
Upon entering the Trials Garden, visitors are greeted by long, vibrant beds, each dedicated to a specific plant category. As you wander through these beds, you'll notice the entries are meticulously marked, allowing you to observe and later source the varieties that catch your eye.
At the heart of the trials are the unsung heroes - the judges. These horticultural luminaries, not always appropriately recognized by the RHS, bring their extensive knowledge and experience to critically appraise each plant. Their meetings are punctuated by RHS staff, who carefully record the experts' insights and may adjust cultural elements like pruning or feeding to improve the plants' performance.
The trials can span multiple years, with the judges regularly visiting the garden to monitor each plant's progress. Only when the trials reach their conclusion will the judges deliberate to decide which plants demonstrate the greatest merit. The findings are then published on the RHS's website and highlighted in the esteemed Award of Garden Merit (AGM) list, a respected benchmark throughout the world of horticulture.
The trials often yield unexpected results, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of gardening. For instance, a recent four-year trial of red roses garnered only four new AGMs, with the emphasis on sturdy, healthy, and flourishing shrub roses. This shift does not mean that traditional roses are falling out of favor, but it does indicate that the judges believe they can't compete with the new, disease-resistant shrub roses in terms of sheer floral power.
Some trials are potentially replicated across other RHS gardens, like the RHS garden at Harlow Carr or the Minack Theatre, ensuring that trialed plants can thrive in various climates. The results of these trials offer invaluable insights for gardeners worldwide, helping them create more successful and resilient gardens.
If you're eager to unearth the latest gardening secrets at RHS Garden Wisley, pay a visit to the Trials Garden. Its mesmerizing displays reveal a live-action contest between plant varieties, where the winners will soon be gracing gardens across the globe. The Trials Garden is open during the garden's usual visiting hours, with every entry clearly marked for easy identification.
For more information about the RHS Wisley Trials Garden, Surrey, and to read the results of past trials, visit the RHS's official website at www.rhs.org.uk. Cultivate your passion for gardening and let the journey of discovery begin!
- The Trials Garden at RHS Garden Wisley, a hidden oasis, not only attracts budding horticulturists but also casual gardeners, as it offers insights into the latest plant varieties in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise through nutrition, catering to an ever-curious gardening community.
- The judges, unsung heroes in the world of horticulture, bring their extensive knowledge and experience to the Trials Garden, comparing and contrasting different plant varieties under identical conditions, on a journey that often spans multiple years, ultimately deciding which plants will receive the prestigious Award of Garden Merit for those in the science and lifestyle fields.
- The results of the trials at RHS Garden Wisley, replicated across other RHS gardens and published on the RHS's official website, provide invaluable insights for gardeners worldwide, aiding them in creating home-and-garden spaces that are both beautiful and resilient.
