News from the gardening world
World first at Wisley will see new gardens created and priceless artefacts on display
The Royal Horticultural Society is set to receive a £4m cash injection from the National Lottery to help develop a world-leading initiative at its flagship garden in Wisley, Surrey.
The National Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning will open in 2020 and will allow the RHS to conserve and showcase more than a million nationally important science and heritage items. They’ll include a Chilean potato brought to this country by Charles Darwin in 1834 and lavender collected in France in 1731.
Sue Biggs, director general of the RHS, said: “For more than a century, RHS scientists have been working away behind closed doors in our modest laboratory, conducting groundbreaking research that impacts us all. During this time we have researched the best plants to soak up air pollution, to cool buildings and to help pollinators, and these new facilities will enable us to enter a new era of discovery.
“Over the next five years, thanks to National Lottery players, we’ll reveal incredible horticultural treasures to the public so people can experience the wonders of gardening and see why we need everyone everywhere to garden and grow plants for the good of people, plants and the planet.”
Three new ‘living laboratory’ gardens, focusing on wildlife, world food and wellbeing, will also be created, designed by RHS Chelsea gold medalwinning designers working in conjunction with RHS scientists.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “This funding will help ensure RHS Garden Wisley is not only a beautiful place to visit but that it’s also an internationally important centre for research into the role of horticulture in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.”