About us

Share our passion for saving garden plants

The home of the National Plant Collections®

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Dahlia 'Gallery Pablo' ^PBR

Help us save our garden plants

Why conserve cultivated plants?

When it's gone it's gone. Over decades and sometimes centuries, our nation's dedicated gardeners have bred and cared for a rich diversity of garden plants. The genetic heritage contained in these living organisms can only be preserved by active gardeners.

A nation of growers

We are a nation of gardeners so let's live up to our reputation. From public gardens to small back yards there are rare plants that need saving.

The lost garden of Britain

When production of garden plants is commercially streamlined we risk losing the most precious cultivars. Let's save these plants by growing and sharing them.

Cultural and social history

Pests, diseases and changes of fashion mean plants can simply disappear. We may help medicinal cures or disease resistance by saving garden plants.

Why does this matter?

We know and love the plants from our nation's stories, poems and paintings. Let's make sure future generations get to appreciate them as much as we do.

Find out more

Plant Heritage aims to conserve the diversity of our garden plants

We are the only national charity to ensure the cultivated plants we grow now will be available to future generations. We do this through the National Plant Collection scheme, our Plant Guardians and our local group network, supported by our threatened plants programme and Persephone, our online plant recording system.

Support us

Help us sustain the amazing diversity of our garden plants, through the National Plant Collections, by making a donation today.

Become a member

Please support our vital work in plant conservation work. Join here today. 12 months for 9 for new members signing up by Direct Debit*; special rate for under 35s and students. Welcome to Plant Heritage.

Recruitment - new chair for our Board of Trustees

Could you lead our Board of Trustees? Find out more

Special Offer on Membership - 12 months for 9

Choose individual or joint membership by Direct Debit

Missing collections campaign 2025

Could you start a National Plant Collection of our pollinator friendly plants

Members Day 2025 - Thenford Gardens and Arboretum - 6th and 7th June

Book your place here

Visit

07 June 2025 9.30am - 4.00pm

Visit Thenford Gardens and Arboretum - Members Day and Plant Exchange 2025

Banbury , Oxfordshire

Fri 6th June 6pm talk - 'The past and present of horticulture', by Tamsin Westthorpe, 7pm dinner. Booking now closed.

Sat 7th June, 9.30am-4pm - Thenford gardens with focus on the National Plant Collection of snowdrops (how to twin scale them too); talks from John Grimshaw, plantsman; Sally Flatman, Trustee and creator of Our Plants Podcast. Meet other members and enjoy a light lunch, visit the garden and arboretum. Plant Exchange too. This day event is full - contact to be on the waiting list.

Open Day

06 June 2025 10.00am - 09 June 2025 2.00pm

Iris series Sibiricae, Iris Siberian cvs. (with the RHS AGM)

Leven , Fife

Open days to visit the National Plant Collections. Booking essential.

Visit

07 June 2025 9.30am - 4.00pm

Visit Thenford Gardens and Arboretum - Members Day and Plant Exchange 2025

Banbury , Oxfordshire

Fri 6th June 6pm talk - 'The past and present of horticulture', by Tamsin Westthorpe, 7pm dinner. Booking now closed.

Sat 7th June, 9.30am-4pm - Thenford gardens with focus on the National Plant Collection of snowdrops (how to twin scale them too); talks from John Grimshaw, plantsman; Sally Flatman, Trustee and creator of Our Plants Podcast. Meet other members and enjoy a light lunch, visit the garden and arboretum. Plant Exchange too. This day event is full - contact to be on the waiting list.

Open Day

08 June 2025 10.00am - 4.00pm

Dryopteris (hardy cvs.), Polystichum (hardy cvs.)

Nr. Exeter , Devon

Open day to visit the National Plant Collections.

Open Day

08 June 2025 10.00am - 5.00pm

Astrantia

Norwell , Nottinghamshire

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

Event

08 June 2025 10.00am - 3.00pm

Summer Plant Fair at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Buller Wy, Abbotsbury. Weymouth , Dorset

Up to 30 plant and garden craft stalls. Promises to be one of the best Fairs yet, lots of rare, exotic, interesting and unusual plants.

Open Day

08 June 2025 11.00am - 4.00pm

Citrus

Bedfordshire

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

Open Day

08 June 2025 11.00am - 5.00pm

Crassula spp.

Hook , Hampshire

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

Open Day

08 June 2025 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Yucca

Burwell , Cambridgeshire

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

Visit

11 June 2025 2.15pm - 6.00pm

Private garden visit LARKRISE

CRAPSTONE , Devon

More upcoming events

Latest News

12th May, 2025

New Plant Heritage Zone at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

8th May, 2025

Missing Collections at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

1st May, 2025

Prunus ’Crystal Falls’® by Frank P Matthews - shortlisted for Plant of the Year 2025 with Plant Heritage, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2nd Apr, 2025

Historic Kelway’s peony collection gains National Collection status

12th Feb, 2025

Join the 'Hunt for rare daffodils' that are slipping from history

15th Jan, 2025

Plant Heritage expands leadership team with seven new Trustees

22nd Nov, 2024

Three significant tree collections gain National Plant Collection status - Hamamelis, Amelanchier and Eucalyptus

1st Oct, 2024

Plants previously listed as ‘Missing Collections’ have found their forever homes, and now have National Plant Collection status

29th Aug, 2024

New National Plant Collections accredited in Spring and Summer 2024

10th Jul, 2024

A gold medal for 'National Collections Everywhere and for Everyone' at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

View all news

Our partners

Conserving the diversity of garden plants

eg: plant genus, common name, county, collection holder name.