Share our passion for saving garden plants

The home of the National Plant Collections®

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 for cultural, medical, culinary and aesthetic use. 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.

Donate

Become a member

Please support our vital work in plant conservation work. Join here today. Special rate for under 35s and students. Welcome to Plant Heritage.

Join us

Talk

11 December 2024 1.00pm - 2.00pm

Meet the Conservation team - student/under 35

Virtual

Meet the conservation team and hear about the National Plant Collections, Plant Guardians and our research too, with time for an informal chat too. Do please join us to find out more.

Event

14 December 2024 1.45pm - 4.30pm

Christmas Tea and Festive Quiz

Shurdington, Cheltenham , Gloucestershire

A lighthearted quiz for plant lovers of all abilities

Talk

14 December 2024 2.30pm - 4.00pm

Talk by Dot Patterson: "Plants and Gardens in China"

Ponteland , Northumberland

Talk

11 January 2025 1.45pm - 5.00pm

Group AGM and talk on Hellebores

Cheltenham , Gloucestershire

The botany of these star performers and how to choose, grow and propagate them. Also via zoom.

Talk

11 January 2025 2.30pm - 4.00pm

Plantopia, and how I started. Linda Vaughan

Ponteland , Northumberland

Linda's enthusiasm for houseplants, and her desire to get them into as many homes as possible, has resulted in the setting up of her specialist shop, Plantopia.

Talk

16 January 2025 6.30pm - 7.45pm

Sustainable Plants That are Changing How We Eat - A Zoom Talk by Kevin Hobbs

Online , Hampshire

Kevin Hobbs is a plantsman, horticulturalist with over 35 years experience, and co-author of EDIBLE: 70 Sustainable Plants That Are Changing How We Eat. In his illustrated talk, Kevin will challenge us to consider a greater diversity of plant-based foods. Over half of the worlds diet is made up of just wheat, maize and rice. Hear about plants that are both edible and ornamental that can be grown in UK gardens as well as plant-based foods that can be sourced locally to help create a more sustainable food future.

Talk

25 January 2025 2.30pm - 4.30pm

'Irises and their place in our gardens' by Luci Skinner

Wetherden, Nr. Elmswell , Suffolk

Talk

30 January 2025 10.00am - 11.30am

Growing peat free in 2025

Virtual

Already growing peat free or keen to find out more information. Aimed at highlighting successful actions and practices that enable growers to make peat-free growing work for them.

Open Day

02 February 2025 11.00am - 4.00pm

Hamamelis cvs.

Colchester , Essex

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

Talk

05 February 2025 7.00pm - 8.30pm

A deep dive into gardening in dappled shade' by Jimi Blake

Virtual

Looking for inspiration on interesting plant choices for those corners of dappled shade? Join Jimi of Huntingbrook Gardens to hear his inspirational plant ideas.

More upcoming events