One of the glories of the garden at Wisley is the Fruit Field. Here, visitors can see a huge collection of fruit trees and bushes, including a collection of more than 600 apple cultivars. Closer to the scale of the home gardener is the Model Fruit Garden. In both, good cultural techniques can be observed, and there are frequent demonstrations of pruning and other activities.
Information is provided on care and pruning of fruit trees and cane fruit plants in RHS Help & Advice.
RHS Fruit Group
The RHS Fruit Group was formed in 1945 for members who enjoy top fruit like apples, pears, plums and cherries, and soft fruit like strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and other berries.
It is run by RHS members, for RHS members and provides a place for discussion of fruit, as well as organising visits to vineyards, research stations, heritage collections, private gardens and commercial orchards.
This group is for anyone with an interest in growing fruit, whether a large garden, or in a window box.
Find out more about the RHS Fruit Group
Committees
RHS Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Committee
The Committee is responsible for judging all individual and group exhibits of fruit, and vegetable exhibits shown to the Society at the London Flower Shows. At Chelsea it judges only individual exhibits, group exhibits being judged by a Council-appointed Panel. It is also responsible, through subcommittees, for judging of fruit and vegetable trials.
RHS Trials and Awards
Fruit trials are conducted at Wisley, and include careful assessment of flavour as well as yield, appearance, disease resistance and other cultivation attributes. As with all other plant groups under trial, the best-performing fruit gain the Award of Garden Merit.
More on plant trials and awards
Links
Orange Pippin: A website dedicated to describing the flavours of apples and the origins of different apple cultivars. It also has links to other useful organisations.