Hardy trees and shrubs are well-represented in the four RHS gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr. Since early in the nineteenth century, the Society has supported plant hunting expeditions in foreign parts, leading to the introduction of many fine new plants.
Scientific work, mostly concerned with the taxonomy and identification of garden plants, has been a sustained interest. The collections have supported much valuable work to increase our knowledge of such plant groups as Rhododendron, Cotoneaster and Berberis.
Committees
The Woody Plant Committee is a source of expertise for the RHS, for advice on all matters regarding hardy (H3 and H4) trees and shrubs including old hybrid roses and species, and lilies; rhododendrons and camellias are the responsibility of the Rhododendron and Camellia Committee.
Further information on plant committees
The committee is responsible for judging all individual and group exhibits of hardy trees and shrubs and lilies, and group exhibits of rhododendrons and camellias. At Chelsea it judges only individual exhibits, the group exhibits being judged by a Council-approved Panel. It is also responsible, through a sub-committee, for selecting cultivars for the Award of Garden Merit assessment and for judging the relevant trials at Wisley.
The committee also holds discussions on specific groups of plants, at which nomenclatural and horticultural questions are discussed.
RHS Trials and Awards
The RHS arranges numerous trials each year including several for woody plants. The very best entries are recommended for the Award of Garden Merit.
Plant trials
Plants trialled in 2009
Trees and shrubs with the AGM
National Plant Collections
In all, the RHS gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr hold 13 National Plant Collections, under the auspices of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG). Six of these are of trees or shrubs.
Links
Shrubs - choosing, planting and maintaining
Trees and shrubs - planting
Trees for smaller gardens