RHS research projects

Introduction

The RHS Science Departments are based at Wisley. As well as providing the well-known advisory service to RHS members, they currently pursue a range of investigative projects of immediate relevance to the gardener. Some are entirely in-house, while others are collaborative projects involving several other institutions. Below is an overview of current and recent projects involving the Science Departments. For more information click the section titles.

(updated January 2007)

Cultivated Plant Taxonomy

• The correct nomenclature of Thurston's geranium
• Claimed hybrids between Kalmia and Rhododendron
• The nomenclature of a Nothofagus hybrid
• The origin of Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' and conservation of its name
• The origin, distribution and naming of purple-leaved annual meadow grass
• Plectranthus nomenclature
• Aichryson laxum in cultivation
• Erodium in cultivation

Soils, Plant Establishment and Cultivation

• Home composting
• Peat-free and reduced-peat growing media
• Accumulation of heavy metals in garden vegetables
• Lime tolerance in Rhododendron INKARHO®
• Remediation of root circling in ornamental shrubs
• Encouraging the establishment of young beech trees in the field

Plant Diseases

• Phytophthora diagnosis and species identification
• Dogwood anthracnose ( Discula ) in the UK - species identification and pathogenicity
• Cylindrocladium buxicola - susceptibility of box species and use of fungicides
• Hellebore black death - investigations into a possible virus cause
• New disease problems in the UK - powdery mildews on Catalpa and Aesculus and Phytophthora on Pyracantha
• Development of virus detection
• Conditions promoting growth of Armillaria and its control
• Pathogenicity of Armillaria gallica

Plant Pests

• Berberis sawfly
• Hemerocallis gall midge
• Rosemary leaf beetle biology and distribution
• Scarlet lily beetle distribution, host range and natural enemies