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.
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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
Jump to: News - June 2001
