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.

Virtual talks & workshops

See our programme of virtual events

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Sponsor the National Plant Collections

Follow a Collection throughout the year

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Enter the Threatened Plant of the Year competition 2021!

Celebrate your unusual plant

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Open Day

24 April 2021 10.00am - 5.00pm

Mentha

Broxton , Cheshire

Open day to see the National Plant Collection.

Open Day

25 April 2021 11.00am - 5.00pm

Juglans, Pterocarya

Moreton-in-Marsh , Gloucestershire

Open day to see the National Plant Collections.

Talk

27 April 2021 6.00pm - 7.30pm

All about trees! by Tony Kirkham

Norfolk Group Event , Virtual

Tony Kirkham VMH, MBE is Head of the Arboretum, Gardens and Horticultural Services, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Workshop

28 April 2021 11.00am - 1.00pm

Plant Photography, by Ian Thwaites

Guildford , Surrey

How to produce a great photo of a plant, looking at colour, light and composition.

Talk

28 April 2021 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Peonies

Sale , Cheshire

A talk (virtual) by Alex White of Primrose Hall Peonies, specialist peony nursery

Open Day

01 May 2021 10.00am - 5.00pm

Mentha

Broxton , Cheshire

Open day to see the National Plant Collection.

Open Day

01 May 2021 10.00am - 02 May 2021 4.00pm

Epimedium

Brentwood , Essex

Open day to see the National Plant Collection.

Event

01 May 2021 10.00am - 3.30pm

Specialist Plant Fair

Highgate , London

Specialist Plant Fair. Please check website a few days before the event in case of cancellation due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Event

02 May 2021 10.00am - 2.00pm

Plant Fair: Denbies Wine Estate Sunday 2nd May 2021

Dorking , Surrey

Specialist Nurseries and our own Plant Stand

Event

02 May 2021 10.00am - 3.00pm

CANCELLED: Plant and Garden Fair: Athelhampton House

Athelhampton, Dorchester , Dorset

Independent local nurseries with a wide range of plants.

More upcoming events

Latest News

9th Apr, 2021

Condolences for HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

7th Apr, 2021

National Plant Collections: A year in review

15th Mar, 2021

Sponsor the National Plant Collections and help save garden plants. New sponsorship scheme launched by Plant Heritage

1st Feb, 2021

Threatened Plant of the Year Competition 2021 launched. Plant Heritage is calling for garden and plant enthusiasts across the UK to enter.

19th Jan, 2021

Two National Plant Collections rescued during 2020’s spring lockdown are saved by new Collection Holders, plus 13 new collections accredited

19th Oct, 2020

Two collections handed down to younger generations, and seven others including the UK’s first Hollyhock collection, are awarded National Plant Collection status.

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

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Our partners

Conserving the diversity of garden plants

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