Inside the catmint trial
Country Life UK|January 20, 2021
Under the auspices of the RHS, dedicated plant committees and trials teams grow different varieties of the same plants under controlled conditions, providing gardeners with unrivalled information. Judge Val Bourne reports from the Nepeta Trial
Val Bourne
Inside the catmint trial

ONE of the most useful—and least trumpeted—services provided by the RHS is its Plant Trials. Many varieties of the same plants are grown side-by-side in controlled conditions at RHS sites around the country and observed by expert members of the relevant Plant Committees, sometimes over several years, to see how they perform. Varieties are judged on a wide range of criteria and the best will be given the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Plants range from favourites such as catmint, the subject of the trial we report on today, to the new and less well known and the results are published, free, online, so all gardeners can look up to see which plants will work best for them.

The current Nepeta Trial, being held at RHS Wisley, showcases more than 120 varieties of catmint from a total of 250 species found in Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. It includes established stalwarts, such as ‘Six Hills Giant’, alongside brilliant new introductions, including ‘Summer Magic’ and ‘Hill Grounds’. Some varieties definitely fall into the catmint category, with clouds of tiny soft-blue flowers rising above aromatic grey-green foliage. Others have showy, darker blue tubular flowers and green leaves, which indicate a need for better soil and a tolerance of partial shade. A third variation on the theme, Nepeta nuda, offers branching heads of pale flowers on tall, very upright sultry stems. These are suited to prairie planting, offering structure and winter silhouette, although they’re not very widely grown—yet.

Bu hikaye Country Life UK dergisinin January 20, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Country Life UK dergisinin January 20, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

COUNTRY LIFE UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
Country Life UK

Kitchen garden cook - Apples

'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'

time-read
2 dak  |
October 23, 2024
The original Mr Rochester
Country Life UK

The original Mr Rochester

Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre

time-read
5 dak  |
October 23, 2024
Get it write
Country Life UK

Get it write

Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution

time-read
6 dak  |
October 23, 2024
'Sloes hath ben my food'
Country Life UK

'Sloes hath ben my food'

A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright

time-read
3 dak  |
October 23, 2024
Souvenirs of greatness
Country Life UK

Souvenirs of greatness

FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.

time-read
3 dak  |
October 23, 2024
Plants for plants' sake
Country Life UK

Plants for plants' sake

The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson

time-read
7 dak  |
October 23, 2024
Capturing the castle
Country Life UK

Capturing the castle

Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker

time-read
6 dak  |
October 23, 2024
Nature's own cathedral
Country Life UK

Nature's own cathedral

Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods

time-read
5 dak  |
October 23, 2024
All that money could buy
Country Life UK

All that money could buy

A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages

time-read
8 dak  |
October 23, 2024
In with the old
Country Life UK

In with the old

Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery

time-read
5 dak  |
October 23, 2024