RHS Journals
The Garden
September 2008
RHS news
RHS leads plan to stop aliens getting into the garden
A new quality-assurance system to limit the spread of alien pests and diseases in the garden has been recommended.
Non-native diseases and the future of UK gardens is the result of findings from a working group led by the RHS, set up due to concerns about the increasing incidences of alien-pest attack and the number of imported plants. The group included the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Imperial College, University of London, the Central Science Laboratory and the Horticultural Trades Association.
The new system could run parallel to the current UK plant-inspection programme, offering greater reassurances that plants are free of pest and disease, while maintaining a balance between health and availability.
Simon Thornton-Wood, RHS Director of Science and Learning, said, ‘The current plant-inspection programme works well for diseases we already know about. But it is the unknown diseases that are the cause for concern. An industry code of conduct could provide the answer, with every stage of the production and transport process managed with disease risk in mind’.
The group now hopes to work with industry on the new code, and encourage research on disease detection and screening.
Download the report here (Adobe Acrobat pdf 96KB)
RHS AGM: Taking stock and looking ahead
Although the focus of the 204th RHS Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Vincent Square in July was on Society achievements past and future, President Peter Buckley did briefly look back at 2007. ‘Last year was in many ways a very good one for the RHS, with a financial surplus ahead of budget. This helps us to do more of our charitable work, and continue to develop our gardens,’ he said.
Looking at 2008, he explained that standards at flower shows held so far this year had surpassed expectations, which reflected an increase in the number of gold medals awarded. The RHS initiative to reduce VAT on ornamental plants and seeds, launched at the Chelsea Flower Show, has attracted much support, with 3,000 signatures in the first month. In addition, the Online Campaign for School Gardening is making an impact with 4,500 schools becoming involved and is benefiting from regional advisors in the East of England and Yorkshire.
Turning to the Society’s gardens, Harlow Carr is looking forward to autumn when construction of its Learning Centre and Library will start. At Hyde Hall, work has begun on new access and visitor facilities; while Rosemoor is enjoying its successful exhibition of original artworks by Beatrix Potter.
At Wisley, The Glasshouse has been a popular visitor attraction and 270 schools have benefited from the teaching garden and facilities within the Clore Learning Centre since it opened in summer 2007.
The AGM also gave members an opportunity to ask questions on the Society’s activities and future plans.
The reduction in the number of London flower shows from eight to four in 2009 was a cause for concern. However, Stephen Bennett, RHS Shows Director, assured members that the Society had no plans to discontinue the London show programme completely, and that many more members and visitors had enjoyed the substitute shows at Wisley, Cardiff and Birmingham.
RHS AGM: Membership is key to a challenging future
Giles Coode-Adams, RHS Treasurer, reported at the AGM that although the first half of 2007 had been challenging, a significant turnaround in the second half of the year resulted in a net income of £3.3 million; £500,000 ahead of budget.
These challenging times, he said, highlighted the importance of membership revenue. Fewer visitors to gardens and shows, due to weather, also resulted in reduced opportunities to raise funds at catering/retail outlets.
This year also showed signs of being difficult. The promising start was blighted by a cold March and April, but a good late spring helped revenue pick up. However, the Society is well aware of the economic slowdown and the difficult financial conditions; it remains cautious. ‘We are doing all that we can to encourage visitors to our gardens, promote the benefits of membership, and maintain a responsible control of our costs. Never before has our reliance on the support of our existing members and sponsors been so clear,’ he said.
The Society is also looking at providing a membership option that includes Gift Aid tax relief. It believes this could generate an additional £1 million and hopes this will be available in spring 2009.
RHS AGM: In brief
Members voted in favour of a change to RHS bye-laws to remove the upper age limit of 70 years for those wanting to serve as President, Treasurer or member of Council.
John Sales VMH (former National Trust Gardens Advisor) and Philippe de Spoelberch (magnolia expert) have been appointed Vice Presidents for 2008–2009. RHS Council confirmed the reappointment of 14 Vice Presidents for 2008/2009. Find out more about the council directors
Sir Nicholas Bacon, David Morrison and Andrew Sells were elected as members of Council until 2013.
For the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2007–2008, and for online copies of the RHS Annual Review 2007, click here for further information
The 2009 AGM will be held on Thursday 2 July at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex. It will coincide with the official opening of the site’s new visitor facilities and will give members the opportunity to share in the celebrations.
Concern over planning proposals
Members concerned about the two planning applications for industrial-scale composting plants on the immediate boundaries of RHS Garden Wisley are encouraged by the Society to make representations to Surrey County Council (SCC).
Two separate applications have been submitted to the council and are subject to planning and environmental regulations. If they are built, they will collectively handle 90,000 tons of green waste per year from surrounding boroughs, in a process known as ‘in-vessel’ composting.
The RHS has commissioned research into the environmental impact of the proposals on the amenity value of Wisley garden. However, the Society does support the activity of composting. The effects on traffic at Wisley are also a concern as both sites lead off the A3 Ripley roundabout.
Representation has been made to scc by the RHS and parishes of Ockham and Ripley about the larger development on green belt land at Nutberry Farm, Ripley (application number GU08/08250). The application at former Wisley Airfield, Ockham (number GU08/0104) is more recent and is still being studied.
Visit the SCC website for further information
Countdown to Temple festivities
The RHS Floral Celebration at the Inner Temple in London takes place from 11 to 13 September. The event is part of the 2008 Temple Festival celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Royal Charter when King James I gave owner-ship of the land and buildings to the Middle and Inner Temples.
The Temple Garden will be transformed with marquees housing spectacular horticultural exhibits. John Woods Nurseries will create a display similar to those shown by rhododendron specialist Waterers Nursery when it exhibited at the original Temple shows back in the early 1900s,
Clematis grower Raymond Evison is to bring old and new cultivars from his personal collection to illustrate the history of clematis breeding.
Find out more about the RHS Floral Celebration at the Inner Temple and the Temple 2008 festival
Wisley’s tropical harvest
The first bunch of bananas from The Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley has been harvested by staff. Fruits were produced from the 3m (10ft) high Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ planted in the Tropical Zone in May 2007, then measuring just 60cm (2ft). As the fruits take months to ripen, staff removed the bunch early, encouraging the production of new suckers to replace the old pseudostem – the part of the plant that flowered.
Picture competition time
There is still time to get your best images of plants, gardens and wildlife entered into the 2008 RHS Photographic Competition.
The seven categories include two new ones for this year. The first called ‘In the Garden’ is open to photographers under 18, while the winner of The Medici Award will have their photograph used as the image for a greetings card. The closing date is 24 October.
Find out more information about the RHS Photographic Competition
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