Shoreham-by-Sea Horticultural & Allotments Society - Shoreham-by-Sea Horticultural & Allotments Society

Good news for Elm

31/10/2019

An elm with strong resistance to Dutch elm disease should soon be available.

Bred by Italian researchers, Ulmus 'Wingham' is named after the Kent village, home to elm enthusiast David Herling, where the tree was first planted.

RHS Magazine 'The Garden' November 2019

KEEPING A NEW ROSE VIRUS AT BAY

27/10/2019

Steps are now in place to prevent a damaging virus, which could pose a threat to roses in UK gardens, from entering the country, Rose rosette virus (RRV) is causing significant – and a rising amount of – damage to plants in the USA and Canada but has yet to reach Europe.

Now rose plants and cut flowers imported from Canada, India, Mexico or the USA must have a phytosanitary certificate confirming they were grown in an RRV-free area.

Symptoms include a proliferation of branches or leaves, often described as ‘witches brooms’, an excessive number of thorns, and deformed buds and flowers. The virus is spread by a microscopic eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, which feeds on the plants and is so small it can be transported by the wind. The RHS and Defra are currently funding a
PhD student who is researching RRV.

Information taken from the RHS magazine ‘The Garden’ October 2019