Repatriation of Rhododendron Plants to China

A Darwin Initiative grant awarded to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1994 gave the opportunity to train some Chinese horticulturists and repatriate a number of rhododendrons back to China from the Garden in Edinburgh. The Chinese partners in the programme were Hua Xi Alpine Botanic Garden and Guizhou Botanic Garden. The initial stages of the project involved training and the selection of suitable species. Following some trials and discussion about possible genetic contamination of native populations from imported material, work on propagating the plants started. Once rooted the plants were packed and transported to China. Following site preparation the young plants were planted in nursery beds. Two hundred and thirty plants, representing almost 100 species, were planted. Of these more than 80% established successfully. Seed was also collected in China from small populations of endemic species of rhododendron to include in the project. The final stage of the project involved help with garden design at Hua Xi.