Can you help National Collection holders to find missing plants?
The Wish List is a list of hard to find plants that National Collection holders are looking for, to help complete their collections. We know you love a treasure hunt, so can you help us to track them down?
Download the most recent list here from 14 February 2026 (Valentine's Day), and get in touch if you can help.
Helping National Collection holders hunt down missing plants
Building a National Collection requires detective work, perseverance and more than a little luck, according to David Simpson who has a collection of Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) and Tradescantia virginiana. He says the generosity of others also plays a vital role.
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘David’s Blaby Blue’
D Simpson
David started his National Collection when he stopped growing vegetables and wondered what to do with seven raised beds in his back garden. He spotted hardy Tradescantia on the Plant Heritage Missing Collections campaign in 2019. First he collected the varieties that were readily available, then he went plant hunting!
An introduction to former nursery owner and National Collection holder Hazel Kaye in Leicester led to one of the rarer plants in his collection: Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘David’s Blaby Blue’. This beautiful variety with delicate porcelain blue flowers was a hybrid seedling, selected by one of Hazel's friends in nearby Blaby, named to remember his son who died in a tragic accident. When Hazel retired, she chose it as one of just three Tradescantia for her new garden. She kindly sent David Simpson a small division, so he could include it in his National Collection and keep it safe for the future.