Tree-mendous new seeds to try
Seeds harvested from four of the RHS’ more unusual trees are being offered to members
This year’s RHS Seed Scheme opens to RHS members on 21 November 2024 and includes Catalpa bignonioides AGM (Indian bean tree), Liriodendron tulipifera AGM (tulip tree), Trachycarpus fortunei AGM (Chusan palm) and Trochodendron aralioides (wheel tree). The annual scheme, which has run for more than a century, gives members the chance to buy 10 packets of seed harvested from 180 plant species across RHS Gardens for £10. As well as trees, the list contains annuals, herbaceous
Tony Kirkham, expert on trees and Chair of the RHS Woody Plant Committee, encourages members to try growing trees from seed. “I’ve been growing trees for 50 years, but it’s still so exciting to see them germinate and grow big enough to plant outside,” he says.
There’s nothing better or more rewarding, especially for children.
“I’ve grown all the trees on this list – all are pretty reliable and grow easily in the UK climate. They can be sown at any time so you don’t have to wait until spring. They won’t need a heated greenhouse to germinate, but they’re better started under a
Planting trees, especially these trees, will also benefit the planet, he says. “By 2050 the predicted climate in southern Britain will be the same as it is in Barcelona today. We need to be looking at planting more non-native trees that are already growing in other countries with our predicted climate. The seeds on this list are all strong examples that I’d recommend growing for the future.”
Order your seed scheme seeds
Catalpa bignonioides AGM (Indian bean tree)
A medium-size deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and masses of pretty white bell-shaped blooms in conical panicles in summer.
- H10m
Liriodendron tulipifera AGM (tulip tree)
Large deciduous tree with unusual four-lobed leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Bears tulip-shaped yellow-green flowers in summer.
- H20m
Trachycarpus fortunei AGM (Chusan palm)
One of the hardiest of all palms, it has deeply divided fan-shaped leaves. Large arching sprays of golden flowers in late spring.
- H8m
Trochodendron aralioidesAGM (wheel tree)
A tree in its native Japan, in the UK this is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with candles of lime-green flowers held above whorls of leaves.
- H4m
