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

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

Book you place here

Threatened Plant Competition 2025

Enter our free competition today

Workshop

22 April 2025 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Virtual - Persephone plant records Basic Skills for National Plant Collection Holders

An online workshop for all full & proposed National Collection Holders either currently using Persephone for plant records or interested to do so in future.

How to add plants and accessions, how to check plant names, add images and notes, and get a report.

Register

Workshop

24 April 2025 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Virtual - Persephone plant records Advanced Skills for National Plant Collection Holders

An online workshop for all full & proposed National Collection Holders either currently using Persephone for plant records or interested to do so in future.

Content is flexible, but can include setting up note fields, advanced searching, using qualifiers to record back-up plants and propagules, mapping, recording herbarium specimens.

Register

Talk

24 April 2025 6.00pm - 8.00pm

'Saving Daffodils - the Noel Burr Collection' and National AGM

Virtual

Hear from Roger Parsons on the shared National Plant Collection of Narcissus, looked after by Plant Heritage Sussex members.

Join our national AGM

Visit

25 April 2025 11.00am - 1.30pm

Visit to the National Collection of Clematis montana

Woodfalls, Salisbury , Wiltshire

Visit and guided tour to see the National Collection of Clematis Montana
Refreshments provided.

Open Day

26 April 2025 - 27 April 2025

Narcissus (Brodie cvs.)

Forres , Moray

Open weekend to see the National Plant Collection.

Event

26 April 2025 9.30am - 2.00pm

Plant Fair at St Michael's C of E Primary School, Highgate

North Road , London

Spring plant fair St Michael's C of E Primary School, Highgate. Nearest tube at Highgate, buses from Archway: 143, 26

Open Day

26 April 2025 10.00am - 2.00pm

Lewisia

Kingswinford , West Midlands

Open Saturday's throughout April to visit the National Plant Collection.

Event

26 April 2025 10.00am - 27 April 2025 4.00pm

Spring Plant Fair at Markshall Estate

Coggeshall , Essex

Specialist nurseries, question and answer stand, plant creche, ample parking. Plant Fair on Sat 26th 10am-4pm and Sun 27th 10am-4pm. For all details regarding entry to stunning Markshall gardens and arboretum, see Markshall website.

Open Day

26 April 2025 10.30am - 12.30pm