Sweet peas galore at Garden Wisley

The trials field at the Royal Horticultural Societys (RHS) Garden Wisley site is a wonder to behold for those who like sweet peas, it has been claimed.

Visitors should head to the Portsmouth Field for a floral treat this summer, with loads of beautiful flowers to see, RHS sweet pea subcommittee chairman Jim McDonald suggested.

He said he was excited by the prospect of having the six fancy colours – blue picotee on pale blue ground, pink marble on white, pink picotee edge on white, lavender stripe on white, pink and white stripe and pink ripple with white rear of flower – all in the same place.

The trials are taking place to establish which plants deserve the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) and among them is the bi-colour Duo Salmon from Unwin Seeds.

"It gave a stunning display which melted the hearts of all the judging panel," Mr McDonald said, noting that it was awarded top marks last year and would hopefully receive an AGM in 2010.

In other news, the RHS recently appointed its first ever woman president.