Forestry Commission - News - rare rhododendrons set to be the stars of westonbirt this spring

Visitors to the National Arboretum, Westonbirt this spring are in for a rare treat. A recent study of the rhododendron collection has revealed previously unidentified specimens that were introduced by the great Victorian plant hunters.

The giant flowering shrubs are one of the highlights of the spring flowering spectacle at the arboretum, which is managed by the Forestry Commission. The discovery of these rarespecimens is very exciting for plant lovers and there are likely to be still more great findings - the study by Lear Associates has only just scratched the surface of the historical collection, with just 76 out of 825 listed plants researched so far.

The very rare R.arboreum hybrid with R.fortunei called ‘Eric Gill’ is described by curator Simon Toomer as a “real treasure”.

“This one, and some of the others mentioned in the report, are precious relics of the period in which they were created by selective breeding and planted by enthusiasts such as Sir George Holford, who inherited the Westonbirt estate in 1892.

“They are very exciting from an historical point of view and this makes their propagation and replanting very important. You could relate this to restoring an historic building after discovering long-lost artefacts and features within it.”

Author of the report, Michael Lear, worked closely with Westonbirt’s plant records officer Sally Day. He says: “There’s a wealth of information in the Westonbirt archives about the rhododendrons that used to be grown, sometimes with locations telling us where they were once planted. The challenge is knowing what is in the garden today when old labels have fallen off and maps weren’t drawn.”

He calls for a systematic resurvey of the rhododendrons throughout the collectioninterpretation to enhance public enjoyment and an assessment of priorities for conservation and future management.

Curator Simon Toomer believes that this invaluable report could herald the start of an exciting long-term rhodedendron project for the arboretum:

“We have been aware for some time of the potential treasure in the collection of rhododendrons and have had a long-held ambition to get to grips with its identification, propagating and replanting. Thanks to a grant for the report from Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum this has become possible and it’s hoped that over the next two or three years the project will continue, allowing full identification.

“This will lead to propagation by our team of experts and a major re-planting project in Main Drive – once known as Rhododendron Walk – that will return Westonbirt’s superb spring display of rhododendrons to its former glory. “

Other important discoveries highlighted by the report include:

� Best collection of van Nes hybrids including the important ‘Britannia’ grex that were introduced in the 1920s and include ‘Trilby’, ‘Mrs C.B. van Nes’ and ‘Bulstrode Park’.
� Excellent white R. arboreum hybrids including ‘Duchess of Portland’ and ‘Clivianum’
� Interesting R.griffithianum hybrids such as ‘Daphne Millais’
� R.calophytum and R.praevernum (possibly of wild origin)
� R.glischrum - probably from seed collected by R.Farrer in upper Burma in 1919.

Rhododendrons start flowering in April and peak throughout May. Entry costs �7 adult, �6 Concession, �2 child. For more information contact 01666 880220 or go to www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Notes to Editors:

1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is managed by the Forestry Commission and renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 22,000.

2. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.

3. Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1875. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.

4. Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

5. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk

6. Michael & Beverley Lear are Directors of Lear Associates Ltd, in Oxford, (01865 725046). They carry out plant surveys in gardens and have a particular specialism in Rhododendron identification and work in heritage collections throughout Britain and Ireland.

For further information or images please contact Charlotte Hazelby or Alison Jennings on 0117 9441166 or email info@cspr.uk.com