RHS Wisley - Plant Trials

I am currently on the RHS plant forum for assessing the Persicaria plant trial at RHS Wisley. Persicaria are a particularly robust species of varying forms of foliage and flower, recent breeding has led to a rise in different colours. I was last able to visit in September 2019, then all trials assessment were paused due to Covid 19. This was my first visit of 2021 to view the trial and make comment on the 97 different species on trial. Again the weather had really held back any growth but none the less I was able to see which species were tolerant to the cold and how they had behaved in terms of habit, spread and density.

It was also interesting to see the first class investment being made in Wisley by the RHS, with the new Hilltop Science building and adjustments to the landscape nearly complete. I was very impressed by the work done and how the RHS are tackling their mission in championing horticulture/gardening. I also bumped in to Mark Gregory – multiple RHS gold medal winner who had kindly sponsored me and fellow students in delivering a gold medal show garden at the 2003 RHS Hampton Court Flower show, it was good to catch and hear the work he was delivering for the RHS in building the gardens around the new science building.