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.

Donate

Become a member

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

Join us

Virtual talks & workshops

See our programme of virtual events

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Plant Exchange 2021

The lists of plants offered and wanted are here

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National Plant Collections - online purchasing

Many National Plant Collections offer sales by mail order

Find out more

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

Talk

04 February 2021 7.00pm - 8.30pm

‘Exotics of the World (for indoor gardens)’ by Wayne Williams

, Virtual

Wayne Williams is from Birmingham Botanical, and promises some great indoor plant inspiration.

Talk

11 February 2021 6.30pm - 8.00pm

The Bigger Pitcher: A tour of Chester Zoo’s Nepenthes collection, - by Phil Esseen

, Virtual

Chester Zoo keeps the National Collection of Nepenthes, stunning carnivorous pitcher plants predominantly from South East Asia.

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

Talk

13 February 2021 2.30pm - 4.00pm

Wim Boens Snowdrop's companions

, Virtual

Wim Boens Snowdrop's companions, bringing some real colour to the winter garden. Wim is an expert on winter plants, particularly winter aconites (Eranthis) and snowflakes (Leucojum).

Talk

18 February 2021 4.30pm - 6.30pm