Abstract
There is a long tradition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) of cultivating and displaying exotic plants from all over the globe, and the largest Victorian glasshouse, the Temperate House, traditionally showcases plants from temperate regions. The Temperate House Restoration Project was undertaken at RBG, Kew from 2012 to 2018. Over 1,000 species of plants were removed, propagated and replanted for this project, and this article describes the propagation of some of the most difficult to reproduce plant material. Four plant groups or species are presented: Erica verticillata P.J.Bergius, Quercus insignis M.Martens Galeotti, Pinus roxburghii Sargent and Banksia spp. L. This is in order to illustrate the variety of options available for propagating challenging species with attention to their ecology, biology and growing requirements.
 Also provided are background information, reasons why these plants are considered difficult to multiply in cultivation, how plant material was sourced and the methods employed which led to successful propagation of the material at RBG, Kew. Propagation of the plants was heavily reliant on the horticultural expertise of those involved, and this expertise ensured that most of the original plant material was rejuvenated and new collections with scientific significance were added to the restored Temperate House.
Highlights
On 5 May 2018 the Temperate House at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) reopened its doors to the public, and visitors have been able once again to marvel at the thousands of plants from all the main temperate regions around the world including some of the most threatened and rare species (Figs 1 & 2)
The whorled heath or marsh heath, is one of 28 species of Cape heath cultivated at RBG, Kew
Air movement was crucial for establishing the small Banksia seedlings, and once at least two to three pairs of true leaves were produced, the young plants were placed in front of a fan in order to expose them to constant air movement
Summary
On 5 May 2018 the Temperate House at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG, Kew) reopened its doors to the public, and visitors have been able once again to marvel at the thousands of plants from all the main temperate regions around the world including some of the most threatened and rare species (Figs 1 & 2) That it has reopened it is possible for those involved to reflect on what a mammoth undertaking the project was for numerous people, including the horticulturists who look after the plants there. Around 500 plants were lifted from the Temperate House beds following careful root pruning, which in some cases took up to a year This lengthy process involved digging a trench at the desired distance from the plant and cutting the roots that had spread beyond the trench. The majority (nearly 80 per cent of the plants growing in the Temperate House) were propagated by a number of methods including seed, air-layering, grafting and cuttings This undertaking came with a great number of challenges. The successful methods carried out at RBG, Kew are explained
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