Chelsea Flower Show 2001

Imperial at Wye won gold at this year's Chelsea Flower Show 2001 for their stand Why plants talk to insects.

From this page you can now view each of the eight information panels that appeared on the stand, and you will find links to further information at the bottom of this menu.

Inspired by the graceful designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the stand features British butterflies, bumblebees and a variety of scented plants. Display co-ordinator is Dr Mike Copland who believes it is the first time so many different facets of research into plant-insect relationships have been brought together.

Elsewhere on our site read the story of the win and find a press release announcing the stand here.

-A 300 million year conversation
For over 300 million years plants have provided insects with food, shelter and sites for reproduction... - Part 1

-Calling in the pollinators
Flowering plants use both visual and chemical signals to enlist the help of insects for reproduction… - Part 2

-Rhythms of floral fragrance
Many flowers emit scent in the day-time to attract flies, beetles, bees and butterflies… - Part 3

-Capturing fragrance
Developing non-invasive methods of capturing flower scents… - Part 4

-Resisting insect attack
Plants protect themselves from insect attack by producing a multitude of repellent chemicals… - Part 5

-Calling for help
Attracting other insects to fight your war… - Part 6

-Putting plant signals to work
Man has used insect-repellent plant scents – including citronella and lavender oils - for many centuries to repel unwanted house visitors and biting insects…- Part 7

-Implications for conservation and biodiversity
To conserve our dwindling biodiversity, we need to identify the signals from the plants that support each insect species… - Part 8

-For more information
Click here to find contact details and links to further information