Plants growing from bulbs, corms and tubers are often lumped together for convenience. Some of our most spectacular and popular garden plants come under this heading - think of cyclamen, daffodils, Hippeastrum and snowdrops. The RHS regularly advises on cultivation, as well as pest and disease problems affecting these plants.
The Science Department at Wisley has a long history of valuable work in relation to bulbous plants. This ranges from pioneering work on the development of hot-water treatment for Narcissus bulb fly, to continuing studies of scarlet lily beetle. Wisley holds a fine collection of bulbs and bulb-like plants, providing valuable material for taxonomic work.
RHS Trials and Awards
The daffodil trial at Wisley is one of the long-term or 'permanent' ones, lighting up the Trials Field each year in the early spring. The most outstanding cultivars are recommended for the Award of Garden Merit.
RHS trials
National Plant Collections
In all, the RHS gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr hold 12 National Collections, under the auspices of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG). Two of these are of bulbous plants: Crocus and Galanthus.
Another major collection at Wisley is of Cyclamen species, plants from which are frequently on display in the smaller alpine house.
Links
Tips for bulb planting