Share our passion for saving garden plants

The home of the National Plant Collections®

Dahlia 'Gallery Pablo' ^PBR

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.

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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.

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

Support our conservation work, with access to rare and unusual plants, by taking out a membership for only £36 a year.

Brickell Award 2020

Brickell Award 2020

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Virtual talks & workshops

See our programme of virtual events

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National Plant Collections - online purchasing

Many National Plant Collections offer sales by mail order

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Talk

12 December 2020 2.00pm - 4.30pm

Organic Gardening: 'Happy Plants, Happy Minds' by Nicola Hope

, Gloucestershire

This event will now take place via Zoom on December 12th at 2pm.

Talk

12 December 2020 2.30pm - 4.00pm

'Snowdrops - why all the fuss' by Alan Briggs

, Virtual

Alan will attempt to explain why he and many others have become fascinated by little white flowers, all of which, species and cultivars alike, look pretty much the same.

Talk

09 January 2021 2.30pm - 4.30pm

'Once seen never forgotten' by Don Witton with North East group AGM

, Virtual

NE Group AGM followed by talk Don Witton 'Once seen never forgotten'

Event

14 January 2021 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Magnificent Magnolia - by John Anderson

, Virtual

Talk by John Anderson, Keeper of Savill Gardens, @windsorgreatpark on the National Plant Collection.

Talk

21 January 2021 4.30pm - 6.30pm

Bamboos - Helen Chen

, Virtual

Helen Chen has been collecting bamboos for over 20 years since falling in love with them whilst living in China.

Open Day

24 January 2021 10.00am - 4.00pm

Hamamelis cvs.

Colchester, Essex

Open day to see the National Plant Collection.

Event

28 January 2021 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Beautiful Buddleja - by Peter Moore

, Virtual

Talk with Buddleja expert - Peter Moore, and the National Plant Collection held at Longstock Gardens in Hampshire

Event

11 February 2021 7.00pm - 10.00pm

Surrey Group AGM February 2021

Cobham, Surrey

Our AGM, presentation of Flower of the Meeting Prize, Raffle, Photographic Competition judging and prize giving

Open Day

07 March 2021 10.00am - 3.30pm

Helleborus spp. & hybrids

Kingsley, Staffordshire

Open day to see the National Plant Collection.

Talk

11 March 2021 7.00pm - 9.45pm

'The Remarkable Miss. Jekyll' by Cherrill Sands

Cobham, Surrey

A talk about the work of Gertrude Jekyll (1843 -1932)

More upcoming events

Latest News

27th Aug, 2020

Plant Heritage accredits a further eight National Plant Collections, including a collection named after 20th century horticulturalist Ellen Willmott, and the UK’s first gladiolus collection

10th Aug, 2020

The Brickell Award 2020. We are delighted to annouce that Malcolm Pharoah has been awarded the prestigious Brickell Award 2020 for his National Plant Collection of Astilbe

20th Jul, 2020

Threatened plants need you! Charity calls for help saving the UK’s garden plants Plant Heritage’s Missing Genera 2020 campaign highlights ten plant groups that need saving.

7th Jul, 2020

Plant Heritage is adapting to changing circumstances due to Covid 19. Our Seed Shop and talks from Collection Holders are offered online

29th May, 2020

Five new National Plant Collections are awarded by Plant Heritage in Spring 2020. Find out more about these unique collections of Spider Plants, Medlar, Box, Metasequoia and Liriodendron.

21st May, 2020

Plant Heritage at Virtual RHS Chelsea 2020. Tune into our video to see four Collection Holders and their collection of Iris, Lillies, Eucalyptus and South American cacti.

3rd Apr, 2020

Covid 19 update - 'Think Local' - where to buy plants from local National Collection Holders and independent nurseries

1st Mar, 2020

Dr Darwin’s Medicine Chest at Erasmus Darwin House Herb Garden and 8 New Collections awarded

3rd Feb, 2020

Plant Heritage calls for threatened plants to be entered into a new competition, with the winner crowned at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July

9th Dec, 2019

Plant Heritage launches new website, enabling you to search for rare and interesting plant collections with interactive map search.

View all news

Our partners

Conserving the diversity of garden plants

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