Following the successful first year of the hardy chrysanthemum trial at RHS Wisley, the RHS is hosting an open day on Tuesday, 11 October, to demonstrate the value of these plants in the autumn and winter garden.

Most of the plants in the trial were supplied by Judy Barker from her National Collection. Judy has spent 10 years collecting and researching hardy and spray chrystanthemums and is a leading authority on these plants.

A full programme of events starting at 10.30.am has been planned at the Hillside Centre, Wisley.

Bob Brown, Cotswold Garden Flowers and Anne Godfrey, Daisy Roots Nursery are mounting displays which will be complemented by exhibits from the National Chrysanthemum Society and the Plant Heritage National Collection of Hardy Chrysanthemums and Sprays. Presentations will be made by Bob Brown and Dr Barrie Machin who has been awarded the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal for his work with chrysanthemums.

In the afternoon there will be an escorted walk to the trials field at the adjacent Deers Farm site, which is not usually open to the general public. Included in the hardy chrysanthemum trials are over 100 cultivars from the National Collection.

Entry is free to RHS members. For more information about the day's programme please see the RHS website