National Plant Collections play a vital role in protecting plants for the future and we all benefit
Put simply, a National Plant Collection® is a registered and documented collection of a group of plants. These may be linked botanically (e.g. a particular plant group) or perhaps have a shared history or geography (e.g. heritage apples from Devon or plants bred by a historically important breeder). They do not always have to be the same plant. The Plant Heritage National Collections are registered internationally as contributing to plant conservation and biodiversity.
Today there are over 730 National Collections, safeguarding nearly 100,000 different plants. Together, this living library represents a huge resource for gardeners, nurserymen, garden designers, researchers, plant breeders and those interested in historical gardens and landscapes. Having these plants part of a registered conservation scheme makes sure that their beauty, history and useful properties (perhaps as food or medicine) are protected for generations to come. National Plant Collections are also made available for people to view, either by appointment, on special open days or as part of a garden open to the public.
FROM MIGHTY OAKS TO MINIATURE ORCHIDS, NATIONAL PLANT COLLECTIONS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.
Who can have a National Collection?
Anyone can have a National Collection. You do not need to be a world expert, although once you start you may become the expert! They can be held by individuals or groups of people, and in one location or spread over several sites.
You also do not need a huge garden to have a National Collection. They are found everywhere from balconies, city gardens and greenhouses, to allotments, schools, parks, zoos, even a pub and a prison. They can also be held indoors - 13,000 of the plants in the National Collections can be grown as houseplants.
Rubus Collection Holder Barry Clarke, Hampton Court 2019
Jackie Currie tending her Allium collection on her allotment
Sarah Cook & Iris 'Benton Opal'
Sarah Cook
Don Billington, collection holder for Aechmea, Billbergia and Neoregelia
Plant Guardian scheme
If you would like to be involved in garden plant conservation but can only look after one or a few plants, why not consider our Plant Guardian scheme?
Sponsoring the National Collections
If you want to support the National Plant Collections and hear more about the work of a particular collection, consider Sponsoring the National Collections.
Our partners
