RHS PLANT TRIALS BULLETIN

Number 21 May 2008

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

Wendy Wesley
Trials Ofcer, RHS Garden Wisley

RHS Trial of Clematis alpina and C. macropetala

Clematis alpina and C. macropetala are relatively smallflowered Clematis species belonging to the subgenus Atragene. Historically the single-flowered cultivars were assigned to C. alpina and doubles to C. macropetala, but now many are known, or suspected, to be hybrids between the two or with other species in the subgenus such as C. fauriei, C. ochotensis, and C. sibirica. These hybrids are listed without a specific epithet, but are included together with their parents in the Atragene Group. The nodding, bell-shaped flowers of these deciduous, woody climbers are mainly produced in spring on the previous years growth, sometimes providing a second flush in summer on the new shoots. Any pruning should be carried out immediately after flowering has finished so that new growth can take place to provide flowers for the following season. A light annual trim is most effective as they do not always respond well to being cut back into wood which is more than a few years old. It is beneficial to cut the whole plant hard back for the first couple of years in order to build up a well-branched structure from the base. Clematis are best planted deeply and the base of the plant protected to reduce moisture loss. The root system of both species are known to be particularly fragile. The trial was initially grown at a site in Wisley Village, planted in 1997. Plants did not establish well and many suffered from late frost damage The trial was propagated in 1999 and planted in April 2001 at Howards Field in Wisley Garden. Even on this site there were deaths.

Cultivation
These hardy plants are suitable for growing on fences, walls and pergolas, in borders on tripods and wigwams and can also be allowed to scramble through large shrubs or small trees. Most can also be grown successfully in containers. They will grow well in a wide range of soils. The trial at Wisley demonstrated sites subject to late spring frosts and exposed to early morning sun should be avoided. The acid, sandy soil of the trial site also proved to be unsuitable and better establishment might have been achieved by the incorporation of plenty of humus, to increase its water retention, and lime to raise the pH.

Objectives
The objectives of the trial were to: compare and assess old and new cultivars recommend the Award of Garden Merit to those considered to be the best check nomenclature obtain specimens, photographs and descriptions as a record to be held in the RHS Herbarium at Wisley.

Clematis alpina

Clematis macropetala

sepal stamen vertical section through flower staminode vertical section through flower

Niki Simpson 2008

spoon-shaped staminode

outer petal-like staminode inner linear staminode

sepal

C. alpina
Front cover: Clematis macropetala Lagoon (Photo Wendy Wesley) Far right: Clematis Frankie (Photo Wendy Wesley)

C. macropetala the flower has four petal-like sepals; the outer staminodes are transformed into narrow petal-like staminodes (usually 4 to 12 in number) which resemble the sepals in length and colour, giving the appearance of double or semi-double flowers. The inner staminodes are narrow, blue-white and linear.

the flower has four petal-like sepals; the outermost stamens are modified to form spoon shaped staminodes which are normally creamywhite .

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin

They breathe a wonderful freshness, with their flowers on tip-toe for flight, spangled against newly expanded foliage of palest green.
Christopher Lloyd in his 1965 book Clematis.

Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

Clematis alpina Clematis alpina Pamela Jackman Clematis Ballet Skirt Clematis Constance Clematis Foxy Clematis Frances Rivis Clematis Frankie Clematis Helsingborg Clematis Jacqueline du Pr Clematis macropetala Lagoon Clematis macropetala Markhams Pink Clematis macropetala Wesselton Clematis Pauline Clematis Pink Flamingo Clematis Rosy OGrady Clematis White Columbine AGM(H4)1993* AGM(H4)2005 AGM(H4)2005 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)1993 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)1993 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)1993* AGM(H4)2005 AGM(H4)2005 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)2002 AGM(H4)1993

* Recommended to be rescinded at the AGM Review in 2012 Hardiness rating H4 = hardy throughout the British Isles

Judging Criteria
The Woody Plant Trials Subcommittee assessed entries in the trial for the Award of Garden Merit using the following criteria: size, quantity and quality of flower and seed heads foliage length of flowering period growing habit vigour The AGM is only awarded to plants that are: excellent for garden decoration available from nurseries reasonably resistant to pests and diseases of good constitution essentially stable in form and colour reasonably easy to grow

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

Award of Garden Merit descriptions

Clematis alpina Pamela Jackman AGM(H4)2005 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. Description: Nodding, bellshaped flowers with 4 flat, pointed sepals, slightly recurved, 4.5 1.8cm, inside violet blue (96A), outside a little paler. Many central staminodes, outer spathulate, blunt, white flushed purple, green tipped; inner linear, pointed. Ternate, toothed, yellow-green (144A). Nodding ovoid bud with grey, felt-like hairs. Flowering throughout April. Comments: A good contrast between lime green foliage and intense violet blue flower. Flowers consistently well. Distinct. Description: Deep pink, semi-double, nodding, lightly scented flowers; 4 sepals 3.5 1.5cm, purple-violet (81B). Outer staminodes lanceolate, same length and colour. Opposite and biternate leaves, serrated margin, yellow-green (144A), matt, glabrous upper surface. Flowering throughout April. Comments: Best semidouble pink, well covered with flowers from top to bottom.

Clematis Foxy Syn. C. alpina Foxy. AGM(H4)2002 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. . Description: Bell-shaped flower 5.3cm wide and 3.5cm long. Four pale pink, (78B to 78C), lanceolate sepals with darker shading on outside surface, paler margins, to 5cm. Pale pink staminodes; nodding ovoid bud. Yellow-green leaves (147B). Flowering late March to early May. Comments: relatively large flower, pretty pink and white bicolour. Nice paler pink edge to sepal. Distinct

Clematis Ballet Skirt Syn. C. macropetala Ballet Skirt. AGM(H4)2005 Sent by Robin Savill Clematis and Goscote Nurseries Ltd. Description: Semi-double, bell-shaped, nodding flowers, 4 lanceolate, pointed sepals, red-purple (70A) paling to (77C), 5 2cm. Many outer staminodes same length and colour as sepals, 5 0.9cm. Yellow-green leaves, opposite and biternate. Flowering late March to end April. Comments: Larger flowers than Markhams Pink and more free flowering.

Chris Sanders

Clematis Frances Rivis Syns. C. alpina Frances Rivis; C. alpina Mrs Rivis; Mrs Rivis; C. alpina thibetica hort.; C. alpina Blue Giant; Blue Giant; C. ochotensis Frances Rivis. AGM(H4)1993 Sent by J van Zoest. Description: Single, nodding, broadly bellshaped flowers. Sepals violet-blue (96A to 97B) 4.6 2cm, white staminodes. Yellow-green leaves (144A). Some plants with longer narrower sepals sold as

Clematis Constance Syn. C. alpina Constance. AGM(H4)2002 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd.

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin

All descriptions are based on plants grown in the RHS Trial of Clematis alpina and C. macropetala. Plants grown elsewhere may differ slightly according to cultivation conditions. Colour codes were taken using the RHS Colour Chart. The fifth edition (2007) is available from RHSE Mail Order, Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QB.

C. Frances Rivis in the UK, are probably C. Blue Dancer. Flowering throughout April. Comments: Distinctive deep blue, broad sepals, and fresh lime green foliage. Floriferous.

Comments: Flowers good dark colour. Attractive chocolate red stems and petioles. Makes a striking display, flowers appearing to drip down the plant.

Clematis Frankie Syns. C. alpina Frankie and C. ochotensis Frankie. AGM(H4)2002 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery. Description: Bell-shaped, semi-double nodding flowers, pale violet-blue (97A) with a bronze tint, fading with age, very slightly fragrant. Sepals lanceolate to broadly elliptical, margin recurved, to 5cm long. Petal-like staminodes creamy white, tinged and tipped with blue. Buds globose to ovoid. Leaves slightly darker than yellow-green (144A). Flowering throughout April. Comments: Pretty violetblue flowers with inner white sepals tipped blue. Displays flower well, good vigour.

Clematis Jacqueline du Pr Syn. C. alpina Jacqueline du Pr. AGM(H4)2002 Sent by Goscote Nurseries and Bridgemere Nurseries. Description: Semi-nodding flowers with 4 soft pink sepals, rosy mauve-purple (81C to 80B), margin silver pink, 56 2.5cm. Pale pink, spathulate staminodes. Flowering from late April to May. Comments: A vigorous, cultivar with large, rosy pink flowers, the outer sepals of which are strikingly margined silvery white.

Chris Sanders

Clematis macropetala Lagoon Syn. C. macropetala Blue Lagoon. AGM(H4)2002 Sent by Sheila Chapman, Guernsey Clematis, Sussex Clematis Nursery and Treasures of Tenbury. Description: Semi-double, bell-shaped flowers to 7.3cm wide, 3.5cm long. Sepals, outside violet-blue (93B), inside violet-blue (96B). Twelve sepal-like staminodes, same length and colour as sepals, pale margin. c.50 inner staminodes, white with pale green tips, occasional blue splash. Ovoid, bud, pointed and hairy. Leaves yellow-green (144A), glossy reverse. Flowering mid April to mid May Comments: Vigorous, strong colour, good foliage,

Clematis Helsingborg Syn. C. alpina Helsingborg. AGM(H4)1993 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. Description: Broadly bellshaped, nodding, single flowers, 5.6cm wide, 4.2cm long, sepals violet (86A), paler margin, recurved towards tip. Staminodes spathulate, same colour as sepals. Long, ovoid & pointed buds. Fresh yellow-green (144A) leaves, glabrous, matt and fairly deeply veined. Flowering late April to end May.

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

Award of Garden Merit descriptions

Clematis macropetala Wesselton AGM(H4)2005 Sent by Thorncroft Clematis. Description: Vigorous with striking, distinctive, double, pendent flowers to 4.8cm. Four narrow, outer sepals violet-blue (94B); 14 outer staminodes slightly longer than the sepals, (94B) with white undertone particularly at base, 40 inner staminodes, half sepal length. Bronzepurple bud with pale hairs on lower half. Mid green leaves, (146A). Flowering late March to late April. Comments: Superb. The bluest, largest flowered C. macropetala, excellent leaf, a first class plant. Early. long, paler pink staminodes. Yellow-green leaves, (144A). Flowering throughout May. Comments: Nodding flowers which are a lovely pale pink with darker pink veins Usually repeat flowers in August.

Clematis Rosy OGrady Syns. C. macropetala Rosy OGrady, C. macropetala Rosie OGrady, C. macropetala Rosy Oguredeii and C. macropetala Rosy OGready. AGM(H4)2002 Not in trial Description: Semi-double, nodding, mauve-pink flowers, 1012cm wide. Four lanceolate to oblong ovate, pointed, recurved sepals, 57cm in length, outside darker than inside and veined. Outer staminodes 4 long, pale mauve pink (75C), 4 short, creamy white inner staminodes. Flowering mid April to mid May. Comments: A vigorous and distinctive cultivar with spiky, lantern-like flowers.
Chris Sanders

Clematis Pauline Syns. C. alpina Pauline, C. alpina Paulina, C. ochotensis Pauline, C. macropetala Pauline. AGM(H4)2005 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. Description: Semi-double, bell-shaped, nodding flowers. Four sepals dark to bright blue, flushed with violet, 47cm long. Outer staminodes blue and white, inner staminodes white tipped green. Flowering mid April to mid May. Comments: Useful late flowerer. Attractive dark blue bud becoming a rich blue violet flower.

Clematis White Columbine Syns. C. alpina Columbine White, C. alpina White Columbine. C. Columbine 3 unknown AGM(H4)1993 Sent by Sheila Chapman Clematis. Description: Single flower, four pure white sepals, 3.8cm wide 4cm long, lightly fragrant; drooping, puckered bud. Pale green leaves (146B). Flowering early April to early May. Comments: Lovely white flower.

Clematis Pink Flamingo AGM (H4)2002 Sent by Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd. Description: Semi-double, nodding flowers, 35cm wide. Sepals red-purple (72A), with darker veining and flush at base, 45 cm

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin

Selection guide by colour

Clematis White Columbine Long narrow sepals, possibly the best white; all whiteflowered cultivars have delicate pale green foliage. Introduced by Treasures of Tenbury in 1986, Columbine unknown Early April to early May Clematis Rosy Pagoda A very attractive flower but plant lacked impact in the trial. Ruby unknown, raised by M Johnson in 1974 from seed sent by Hans R. Horn-Gfeller in Switzerland. April to early May

= AGM = Award of Garden Merit

Clematis Burford White Masses of light green buds, good lime green foliage, short white sepals, good vigour. Chance seedling found in N. Wales by a customer of Treasures of Tenbury who introduced it c.1985. Throughout April

Clematis Ballet Skirt Larger flower than Markhams Pink. Consistently freer-flowering. Raised and introduced in 1981 by Stanley J Zubrowski, Saskatchewan, Canada, introduced by R J Evison. Rosy OGrady unknown. Late March to late April

Clematis Snowbird A beautiful double flower, but lacked vigour in the trial. Raised by B Fretwell in 1969, Markhams Pink unknown. Late April to mid May

Clematis macropetala Markhams Pink Deeper pink than Ballet Skirt and smaller flowered. Raised by E Markham, a previous Head Gardener at Gravetye Manor. Introduced in 1935. Throughout April

Clematis Willy Very pale pink, floriferous but in trial had less impact than Jacqueline du Pr. Raised and introduced in 1971 by Pieter G Zwijnenburg, Boskoop, Netherlands, C. alpina unknown Mid to late May

Clematis Foxy Distinct, pretty pink bicoloured flower, attractive light edge to darker pink sepals, may produce a second late flush. A sport from Frankie, raised by R J Evison, introduced 1996. Late March to early May

Chris Sanders

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

Selection guide by colour

Clematis Pink Flamingo Pretty, pale-pink, semi-double, nodding flowers with darker veins. Usually repeat flowers in August. Raised by Elizabeth Jones, Brecon, Wales, introduced by R J Evison c.1993. Early to late May Clematis Ruby Similar colour but less impact than Constance. Raised by Ernest Markham, 1937, C. alpina unknown. Introduced by George Jackman & Son 1952 Mid April to early May

Clematis Rosy OGrady A vigorous and distinctive cultivar with spiky, lantern-like flowers in a pretty mauvepink. Raised by Dr F L Skinner Manitoba, Canada, pre 1964. Mid April to mid May

Clematis Tage Lundell Very distinctive foliage, new growth and foliage margins violet tinged. An interesting flower colour. C. ochotensis C. alpina, raised by Tage Lundell of Helsingborg, Sweden. Early April to early May

Chris Sanders

Clematis Jacqueline du Pr Eye-catching cultivar with large, rosy pink flowers, the outer sepals of which are strikingly margined silvery white. Raised by B Fretwell, introduced in 1985, named after the British cellist (194587). Late April to May

Clematis Jan Lindmark One of the earliest, distinct, almost unique in colour. Dark maroon buds opening through shades of violet. A seedling of Bluebird, raised in Sweden by Jan Lindmark. Late March to late April

Clematis Constance A seedling of Ruby with flowers of a better size. Distinctive and striking, very free flowering. Attractive contrasting light yellow green foliage. Raised by Ms K Goodman in 1986, named for actress Constance Cummings (19102005). Throughout April

Clematis Columbine A small, elegant flower freely produced; attractive green tipped staminodes. Raised by E Markham, introduced by George Jackman & Son in 1939. Throughout April

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin

Clematis macropetala Wesselton Largest early, blue flowered C. macropetala; a good leaf and a first class plant; has the bluest of flowers. Raised by James Fisk and named after his home village in Suffolk. Late March to late April

Clematis alpina Pamela Jackman Flowers consistently well. Distinctive narrow buds. Many small blue flowers contrasting attractively with lime green foliage. Raised by Rowland Jackman of George Jackman and Son; named for his daughter. Throughout April

Clematis Frankie Displays flower beautifully, good vigour. Raised by Frank Meechan in Lincolnshire, introduced by R J Evison in 1991. Throughout April

Clematis Frances Rivis Floriferous, distinctive broad, deep blue sepals. Raised by Sir Cedric Morris, introduced by Washfield Nursery. Throughout April

Clematis macropetala An excellent un-named clone was in the trial, very free flowering and considered noteworthy. The species was originally brought to Europe by William Purdon in 1910, it is a native of China, Mongolia and Russia. Throughout April

Clematis Helsingborg Extremely dark, small, shiny buds, a good dark flower. Attractive deep chocolate bronze stems and petioles, contrasting well with yellow green foliage. C. ochotensis C. alpina, raised by Tage Lundell of Helsingborg, Sweden. Late April to late May

Clematis Pauline Rich violet blue colour, darker outer sepals result in dark buds. A chance seedling of C. Frances Rivis at Washfield Nursery, Hawkhurst, Kent. Mid April to mid May

Clematis macropetala Lagoon A good garden plant which performed well. Selected and introduced by George Jackman and Son in 1958. Mid April to mid May

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

Nomenclatural issues from the trial

Clematis Frances Rivis The first published reference to this cultivar appears in the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society 1966, in which it is announced that it has received an Award of Merit under the name of Clematis Blue Giant, exhibited by L. S. Fortescue, Esq; The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, S. Devon. Clematis Blue Giant is believed to have been derived from a plant grown by Mrs F. E. Rivis in her garden at Rosehill, Saxmundham, Suffolk under the invalid name C. alpina thibetica. The seed was thought to have originally come from Tibet or Nepal, however the range of C. alpina is not known to extend this far and was probably seed of C. ochotensis. Seed was given to Sir Cedric Morris by Mrs Rivis and Clematis Blue Giant was one of the seedlings raised. Cuttings were passed to Miss Hilda Davenport Jones of Washfield Nurseries, Hawkhurst, Kent, who renamed it C. Frances Rivis in 1968, (the name conserved by the International Clematis Registrar), subsequent to giving material to Mr Fortescue. The short, broad, dark blue sepals are distinctive, clearly seen in the photograph of the Award of Merit Blue Giant and Frances Rivis as sent for trial by J. van Zoest. Francis Rivis as grown in the Netherlands has shorter, wider, deeper blue sepals and is considered to be the true Frances Rivis. Other accessions received for trial as Frances Rivis were found to be seedlings or were considered to be Blue Dancer, having typically long, slightly paler blue, lightly revolute sepals. Clematis macropetala Maidwell Hall Confusion in the trade concerning this cultivar was reflected in the trial as only one of the four Maidwell Hall entries was found to be true, two proving to be C. macropetala Lagoon and another C. macropetala Wesselton. The history of this cultivar was outlined by G R (Rowland) Jackman in a lecture given on 29 July 1958 and transcribed in the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society: In 1956 we started the distribution of a C. macropetala form under the name of C. macropetala Lagoon and it is described in our catalogue as intermediate in colour between Oxford and Cambridge blue. We now find that an identical mutation was discovered twenty years ago by Mr Oliver Wyatt, of Maidwell Hall, Northampton. In future, therefore this particular form will be called Maidwell Hall. The name Lagoon will be transferred to another form with flowers of a deeper colour.

Clematis Frances Rivis

Clematis Blue Giant

Clematis Blue Dancer

Clematis Lagoon

Clematis macropetala Maidwell Hall

Clematis macropetala Wesselton

10

RHS Plant Trials Bulletin

The following five cultivars had their names clarified. Clematis Amethyst Beauty Raised in 1975 by M Johnson, the original invalid name was Amesthina. Clematis Blushing Ballerina Entered in trial as C. macropetala Alborosea, an invalid name; it was raised by M Johnson in 1974 from seed of a C. macropetala selection sent to him by R Horn-Gfeller, Switzerland. Clematis Red Beetroot Beauty Originally named Betina, raised in 1980 by M Johnson. Clematis Claudius Entered into trial with the unacceptable name of Clematis koreana Citra, this cultivar (Blushing Ballerina C. koreana var. fragrans) was raised by M Johnson in 1979. Clematis macropetala Chili Introduced in Sweden in 1922 from seed collected in Chili Province, China by Harry Smith, renamed C. macropetala Harry Smith by M Johnson. However it had not been validly published before the name Chili was established.

Suppliers of plants to the trial

T H Barker & Son, Baines Paddock Nursery, Haverthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 8PF Bridgemere Nurseries, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7QB Crowther Nurseries, Ongar Road, Abridge, Essex RM4 1AA Denscombe Mill Nursery, Shillingford, Tiverton, Devon EX16 9BH The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd, Domarie Vineries, Les Sauvages, St. Sampson, Guernsey, GY2 4FD Goscote Nurseries Ltd, Syston Road, Cossington, Leicester Hewton Nursery, Bere Alston, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7BW Hillier Nurseries Ltd; Ampfield House, Ampfield, Nr Romsey, Hants SO51 9PA Liss Forest Nursery, Petersfield Road, Greatham, Liss, Hants GU33 6HA Robin Savill Clematis, no longer trading Sheila Chapman Clematis, Ongar Road, Abridge, Essex, RM4 1AA Sussex Clematis Nursery, 3 Stream Cottages, Horam, Heathfield, Sussex, TN21 0HA Thorncroft Clematis Nursery, The Lings, Reymerston, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 4QG Treasures of Tenbury, Burford, Tenbury Wells, Worcs WR15 8HQ J. van Zoest B.V., Reijerskoop 148, 2771 BT Boskoop, Holland.

Acknowledgements
Particular thanks are due to: Wendy Wesley (Trials Officer) for all the photographs in this bulletin (unless otherwise stated); Chris Sanders for his help and advice on the trial and also submitting photographs for this bulletin.

National Collections:
National Collection of Clematis, Raymond J. Evison Ltd, Domarie Vineries, Les Sauvages, St. Sampson, Guernsey, GY2 4FD. National Collection of Clematis (Atragene Group), Mr M Oviatt-Ham, Ely House, Green Street, Willingham, Cambridgeshire, CB4 5JA.

Societies and websites

The British Clematis Society www.britishclematis.org.uk The Membership Secretary, British Clematis Society, Elm Close, Binton Road, Welford-on-Avon, Stratford-uponAvon, Warwickshire, CV37 8PT.

Further reading
Clematis macropetala, Wisley clone

Woody Plant Trials Sub-Committee 2005

Chairman: Vice-Chairman: Chris Brickell John Gallagher Roy Lancaster Chris Sanders Peter Catt John Hillier David Clark Michael Hickson Chris Lane Archie Skinner Maurice Foster John Humphris David Masters Harvey Stephens

Evison, R. J. 1998 The Gardeners Guide to Growing Clematis. David and Charles, Timber Press Grey-Wilson, C. 2000 Clematis The Genus. BT Batsford Jackman, G. R. Clematis. Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, 89(1):11-16 Lloyd, C. 1965 Clematis. Country Life Matthews, V. The International Clematis Register and Checklist 2002. Royal Horticultural Society Toomey, M. and Leeds, E. 2001 An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Clematis. Timber Press

Clematis alpina & C. macropetala

11

The Royal Horticultural Society

The RHS is the UKs leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Its charitable work includes providing expert advice and information, advancing horticulture, training the next generation of gardeners, helping school children learn about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners. The RHS AGM plant trial scheme is an important part of this work. The RHS receives no government grants and for every pound received from members subscriptions we need to raise more than twice as much again to fund our charitable work. We also rely on donations and sponsorship to supplement income from our garden operations, flower shows, shops and plant centres.

RHS Trials Bulletins

Begonia Rex Cultorum Group: Number 16 Canna: Number 3 Daisies (yellow perennial): Number 6 Delphinium: Number 5 Fuchsia (hardy): Number 12 Geranium (hardy) Stage 1: Number 10 Geranium (hardy) Stage 2: Number 14 Geranium (hardy) Stage 3: Number 18 Hyacinthaceae (little blue bulbs): Number 11 Iris (bearded): Number 17 Lavenders (hardy): Number 2 Miscanthus: Number 7 Peppers (sweet): Number 15 Potatoes (salad): Number 8 Potentilla (shrubby): Number 1 Rhododendron yakushimanum and hybrids: Number 13 Runner Beans: Number 19 Saxifrages (silver): Number 9 Sedum (herbaceous): Number 20 Spiraea japonica (with coloured leaves): Number 4

RHS Plant Trials

With so many different types of gardener and so many different cultivars available to them in each group of plants, it is important that a system of recommendation is in place to help with selection at point of sale. These recommendations must be clear and reliable to ensure that of the thousands of plants available in the UK, a proportion are known to be excellent garden plants. The RHS provides this information through its extensive programme of plant trials held at RHS gardens in the UK. The RHS Award of Garden Merit signifies the selection of the best cultivar for general garden use. RHS plant trials serve the professional gardener who wants to know the range of plants available, including the latest breeding and selection programmes, with their distinctive characteristics and provenance. They also serve the amateur who wants to know which plants will grow and perform well in a particular garden situation. The RHS has an unrivalled resource of knowledge and expertise and is therefore best placed to conduct plant trials for the UK gardening market.

RHS Plant Trials and Assessments

online publications, to complement the RHS Plant Trials Bulletins series Caryopteris: Number 2 Perovskia: Number 3 Pittosporum tenuifolium hybrids and cultivars: Number 1 Trials indexes can be obtained from The Trials Office, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 QB, email: trials@rhs.org.uk Trials reports on the web at www.rhs.org.uk/plants/award_plants.asp

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RHS Garden, Wisley Woking Surrey GU23 6QB e-mail: trials@rhs.org.uk www.rhs.org.uk/trials Reg charity no. 222879 in Scotland SCO38262

RHS Herbarium
The RHS Herbarium keeps a record of trial cultivars as dried specimens with detailed descriptions and photographic images. This forms an important reference for the horticultural industry. Any new cultivars are highlighted and a nomenclatural standard specimen is preserved and described. The RHS Herbarium, stored at RHS Garden Wisley, is the largest active horticultural herbarium in the world. At present the collection contains about 80,000 herbarium specimens and over 30,000 images of plants. Material is actively collected from a wide spectrum of sources including RHS plant trials.

All text and images Copyright RHS 2008 except where otherwise stated. Illustration copyright Niki Simpson 2008 ISSN 1477-9153 (print) ISSN 1447-9161 (online) Printed on paper using elemental chlorine-free pulp from well managed and sustainable forests