Award of AGM from Specialist Plant Society trials
Ratified by the RHS Horticultural Board in July 2016
Background
Historically, the RHS has run annual trials of plant groups such as Sweet Peas, Dahlias, Iris and Delphiniums
to assess the many new cultivars frequently introduced. Following the Trials Review, approved in 2013, the
annual trials of these plant groups ceased; in part to allow RHS resources to be made available to trial a
wider range of other plants. The last annual trials of Sweet Peas, Dahlias and Bearded Iris were completed
in 2015.
However, a number of specialist plant societies wish to continue their own annual trials to assess new
cultivars for AGMs. This raised the question of whether AGMs can be awarded via these non-RHS trials, and
the mechanism for this. It was recognised that a suitable mechanism would avoid the potential introduction
of alternative awards which would be detrimental to all.
The issue was first raised at the annual Plant Societies meeting in 2015 on behalf of interested parties.
Initial discussions supported the continued award of AGM in these groups although the mechanism to
achieve this had raised a variety of views: further consultation continued with several groups, particularly
the herbaceous Plant Committee Chair (primarily concerned with these groups) and the Horticultural trials
team. This paper summarises the options which have been approved by the Horticultural Board.
Options appraisal and considerations
To date AGMs have only been awarded from trials or roundtables run under the auspices of the RHS. A
move away from this has implications in terms of sufficient oversight from the RHS and its own awards.
Whilst the initial proposal was intended for those plant groups that have been annually trialled, concern
was raised that alternative mechanisms might create demand to run other trials in this way as an
unintended consequence. Any solution needed to be robust enough to avoid such scenarios.
The solution agreed is:
Award of AGM by roundtable. This allows the award of AGM by a forum of experts at a single meeting,
subsequently ratified through the appropriate plant committee. This process is now being used to award
AGM for those groups that can’t be or are difficult to trial, or allows recommendations to be made for
groups when field trials are not immediately possible. Roundtables will ideally take place at a site where a
collection of the plant group is being cultivated. A specialist plant society trial would provide appropriate
material on which to base an AGM by roundtable.
This mechanism will allow dedicated trial office staff to be used and the forum could include representation
from the appropriate Plant Committee. This provides a resourced, ready-made and agreed means to award
the RHS AGM whilst giving the necessary oversight by RHS staff and Committees. An annual programme of
AGM by roundtable is agreed with each plant committee. In addition these annual trials by roundtable
could be included at the request of the Plant Committee. As the RHS only has the resource to carry out a
certain number of roundtables each year this will require prioritisation by the Plant Committee, but is an
efficient and cost effective way to award AGMs. Plant Committees include direct representation from
specialist plant societies or at least sufficient coverage from individuals with an interest in the plant group
concerned.
This solution does not preclude periodic field trials at RHS Gardens which can be requested through existing
mechanisms. Such trials are still viewed as desirable to assess both new introductions and as a
demonstration to interested parties.