MORE than 40 different water irises, including some unusual cultivars, have been given to RHS Garden Rosemoor, in Devon, to establish a new National Plant Collection1 at the garden in the future. Another collection of around 50 cultivars of Iris ensata will also be donated.

John and Galen Carter, of Rowden Gardens in Devon, have bred and developed the collection for many years, attaining National Plant Collection status for it.

As they near retirement, the couple has donated their collection to RHS Garden Rosemoor to share it with the public and ensure its continuation in the future.

The full collection of irises will be established in Rosemoor over the next couple of years, but visitors can already see 20 selections in situ at the entrance to Rosemoor's spectacular Bicentenary Arboretum.

Jon Webster, curator of RHS Garden Rosemoor, says: 'As a charity, the RHS is committed to demonstrating the very best in gardening, so it is a great privilege to be given this unique, locally bred collection.'