New plants selected for RHS trials

Garden and greenhouse fans could soon have a whole list of new plants to try after the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) revealed its 2011 trials list.

Experts from the UKs premier gardening body will assess 14 new plant groups and continue their appraisals of 21 existing species at Garden Wisley in Surrey and a number of other selected sites.

They will then decide whether to recommend the plants for an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which only specimens of the highest order receive.

Growers buying a plant with AGM status can rest safe in the knowledge that it offers "outstanding excellence" and is tolerant to pests and diseases.

They also do not require any particularly specialised growing conditions, meaning they should provide positive results with fairly little effort.

The RHS was very particular as to which plants it chose for the trials, explained RHS head of horticultural trials and relations Kylie Balmain.

"Each year we receive extensive support to deliver our trials programme, especially from our plant committee and panel members," she said.

In other news, RHS Garden Harlow Carr has been shortlisted for a tourism and sustainability award.