Having conducted research into watercress and other leafy salad crops for the past decade, the University has joined forces with Sparsholt College and salad brand Steve’s Leaves to support the launch of the ‘Mighty Greens’ garden which will feature in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.
A number of unique watercress-crosses developed by the University are included in the garden.
Gail Taylor, Professor of Plant and Environmental Biology at the University, whose laboratory discovered novel wild varieties of watercress that are now being trialled for future release commented:
The University of Southampton is delighted to support Mighty Greens, as it enables us to illustrate our ground-breaking work on watercress which is leading to the development of unique and novel varieties with improved flavour and better health giving properties.
Visitors to the garden will have the opportunity to officially name one of the University’s new varieties of watercress.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will run from Tuesday 23 May – Saturday 27 May 2017.
