These Plants Need You!

Plant Heritage has published a brand-new ‘Missing Collections’ list, highlighting 15 environmentally friendly plant groups that aren’t currently part of a National Plant Collection. Without someone to care for them, they’re at risk of being lost if they fall out of fashion or are no longer available from nurseries.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, the horticultural conservation charity is calling for passionate gardeners across the country to consider starting a National Plant Collection to protect one of the plant groups on the list, and to join the Plant Heritage community in growing, sharing and saving plants.

This year all 15 plant groups listed have a hugely important environmental value, with many providing a fundamental source of nectar for pollinators large and small. These include Agastache (relatives of sage and mint which are a magnet for bees and hoverflies), Argyranthemum (large daisy shaped flowers which boast a long blooming season, perfect for pollinators), Caryopteris (fluffy blue-purple shrubs which are one of the most important plants for wildlife in late summer and are usually buzzing with bees and butterflies) and Phlomis (whose seed heads are a key food source for goldfinches and siskins come autumn).

To view the full list, click here

Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage, says:
“Recognising plants that aren’t currently protected by being part of a National Plant Collection is hugely important. Many people may not realise that plants considered to be thriving might actually be at risk in the future if they don’t become part of an ongoing conservation scheme today.

“Since 2016 we’ve highlighted many different plants that need a forever home and I’m thrilled that 12 different collections have been set up as a result, including hollyhocks and Hoya. Most recently, a collection of fragrant Daphne was accredited in March and now thrives at RHS Garden Wisley having previously been listed as a Missing Collection. It is now safe, and we hope that other plants on this year’s list will become part of a National Plant Collection soon too.”

There are over 700 different National Plant Collections in the UK containing over 95,000 plants, from garden favourites such as bright dahlias and fragrant roses, to edible herbs and photogenic houseplants. The majority are created and cared for by individuals, but specialist plant nurseries, gardening groups, botanical gardens and other organisations such as heritage estates, universities and even zoos also hold collections. Each collection ensures that a huge diversity of plants are kept alive, and in doing so form a vital resource which can help us adapt to and mitigate against the challenges of climate change.

Gwen adds:
“Collections are much more accessible than we think. Anyone can be a collection holder – you don’t need to have a huge garden or acres of space, we only ask that you have a passion for plants and conservation. We have some stunning collections held inside homes, greenhouses and conservatories, showing that collections can be successful anywhere.”

Plant Heritage champions and conserves garden plants to ensure they are conserved for future generations, especially those under threat from loss of habitat, climate change, emerging pests and diseases or changing trends. Founded in 1978, the charity has grown enormously into a thriving and open community of passionate National Plant Collection Holders, Plant Guardians, members and volunteers who together work to protect the UK’s horticulture.

To start a National Plant Collection of one of the plants listed, or to find out more about Plant Heritage, click here