by Holly Chapman | 13 Apr 26 | Garden Design, Nature & Biodiversity, News
Plant Heritage is looking to raise £10k in the Big Give’s Earth Raise 2026 campaign for plant conservation.
Kicking off on Earth Day, 22 April 2026, the campaign will last one week.
The Big Give have also promised to match Plant Heritage’s fundraising efforts, therefore if £5k is raised, the charity will come away with £10k.
Once raised, the charity intends to use the money to recruit more people to become National Collection holders to keep more plants safe, expand its Plant Guardia scheme and recruit, train and support more volunteers.
Gardener HelenLikesPlants, also known as Helen Hutchings Cox, will be working alongside Plant Heritage on the fundraising mission.
To mark the occasion, the designers of the Plant Heritage Missing Collector Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, will also be joining in to help. William Murray, Kate Campbell and Sally-Anne Rees will be joining Plant Heritage trustee and host of the Our Plant Stories podcast, Sally Flatman, to give a behind-the-scenes look at creating the garden.
Tickets are available here, taking place on 21 April.
Gwen Hines, chief executive of Plant Heritage says, “people don’t always realise how easily we could lose much-loved garden plants, and the risks are rising because of climate change, so our work is more urgent than ever,” while urging people to donate to the cause.
by Holly Chapman | 08 Sep 25 | News
Charity Plant Heritage has announced its new chairman will be Sir Roderick Newton, who will take over from Cecilia Bufton after eight years.
At the age of 18, Newton was offered a place at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, but turned it down to pursue legal studies in order to become a barrister, a judge and then a High Court judge in 2014.
Retiring in 2023, Newton has been able to devote more time to his love of horticulture. He tends to his recognised National Plant Collection of Iris in his garden.
Newton says taking on the position as chairman is an “honour,” adding:
“I’m particularly keen to inspire younger growers and gardeners from communities across the country to access the work of Plant Heritage.”
Gwen Hines, chief executive of Plant Heritage says she is “thrilled” to welcome Newton, explaining that his “combined wealth of experience on leadership and governance makes him the perfect person to lead the charity”.
Plant Heritage welcomes Newton ahead of its 50th anniversary, a milestone it will celebrate in 2028.
by Holly Chapman | 08 Jul 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
A rare delphinium elatum ‘Alice Artindale’ has been announced as Plant Heritage’s winner of Threatened Plant of the Year 2025 competition.
Every year, the competition calls for gardeners across the UK to search their gardens, greenhouses or allotments for any rare or unusual plant varieties.
Judges have chosen the rare delphinium as their Threatened Plant of the Year winner this year, originally bred by William Artindale and Son in 1936 and was named after William’s daughter-in-law.
The blue and mauve flower boasts an unusual layer of sepals rarely seen today, and has been given an Award of Merit twice; in 1936 and again in 1945.
Home grown at Home Farm Plants in Hertfordshire, the family run nursery specialises in delphiniums, the winning entry has been grown and looked after by owners Graham and Nina Austin.
The winning plant was announced by Emma Crawforth, trustee of Plant Heritage and horticultural editor of Gardeners’ World magazine, at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival last week.
Gwen Hines, chief executive at Plant Heritage says the aim of this competition is to “keep rare and unusual charities in circulation so more people can enjoy them,” as she celebrates the Austin’s win.
Graham Austin says the pair are “delighted” with the win, after looking after the plant for over 15 years.
Plant Heritage also announces the winner of the competition’s Public Choice award has been given to tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Di Sue Shan’, as voted for by visitors to the charity’s stand throughout show week.
by Holly Chapman | 08 May 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News, RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The launch of Plant Heritage’s Missing Collections 2025 campaign at RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month, will highlight the plant groups that aren’t currently part of a National Plant Collection.
At the risk of being lost, the campaign will celebrate 12 pollinator friendly plant groups at RHS Chelsea for gardeners to consider starting a National Plant Collection to protect them.
By claiming a missing collection, holders will play an active role in plant conservation while joining the charity’s plant saving gardening community.
The 12 plant groups include, Armeria, Arbutus, Campanula, Erysimum, Festuca, Osteospermum, Paeonia (tree), Pittosporum, Silene, Trollius, Vinca and Zantedeschia.
Currently safeguarding 95,000 different plants, Plant Heritage CEO Gwen Hines says, “we need to do more to adapt to climate change.” She adds:
“We hope to inspire new collection holders to come forward this year and give a new plant group a home.”
Some of these will be available to view at its stand in Plant Heritage’s zone at RHS Chelsea within the Floral Marquee on 20 – 25 May.
More missing collections will also be showcased at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July.
by Holly Chapman | 15 Apr 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Bred by Kelway & Son, the collection of over 100 different peonies is awarded National Plant Collection status by charity Plant Heritage, while gardener Caroline Stone continues her search for the varieties still missing.
During the late 1800’s, Kelway’s nursery in Langport, Somerset, started breeding peonies before going bankrupt in 1933. After changing hands several times over the years, very few varieties of the plants are still available for sale.
A collector of 100 varieties, Stone has spent the past eight years tracking down the lost varieties, taking her across the UK and areas of Europe.
Stone’s collection of Paeonia lactiflora contains flowers such as Paeonia ‘Evening World’ and Paeonia ‘King of England’. She comments:
“I fell in love with peonies many years ago, but when I realised Kelway’s nursery no longer had their historic varieties available for sale, I was determined to try and collect as many as I could. As they are an important part of our national horticultural legacy, I wanted to ensure they are conserved.”
Other peonies Stone is searching for include ‘great sport’, ‘coloneal heneage’ and ‘lady ley’. She urges members of the public to look at their gardens for these missing varieties.
“I’m still searching for peonies bred by Kelway & Son and also pre-First World War varieties – many of which were for sale around 10 years ago so could still be in someone’s garden!”
A collection classified as threatened in cultivation, Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage says it’s very important these plants are cared for as they are not available from commercial suppliers. She adds:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Stone for her ongoing work and I really hope that others come forward with the varieties she is seeking to help protect these beautiful blooms.”
by Bethany Vann | 28 Jan 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Plant Heritage is set to embark on its sixth annual search for rare and unusual plants this February, with the winner to be announced at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025.
All that’s needed is a named cultivar that has been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland before 2015, that isn’t currently available to buy from a nursery, garden centre or another source. Any type of plant is considered too – from seasonal snowdrops to fragrant roses that bloom come summer.
Those interested have from 1 February to 30 April to submit their entries online at, https://bit.ly/TPOTY2025. After which entries will be shortlisted by a panel of the charity’s judges.
Several shortlisted entries will be displayed at the charity’s stand at RHS Hampton Court this July, with final judging for the winner taking place at the show.
The winner will be announced on Press Day 1 July 2025, and will receive an engraved winner’s vase, certificate and special plant label to mark the achievement.
Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage, comments:
“Our Threatened Plant of the Year competition celebrates the UK’s rich legacy and raises awareness of the fact that many plants – including some considered common – could be at risk of disappearing from our gardens if they aren’t cared for. We hope to uncover more rare plants this year, and I’d urge everyone to scour their gardens and other greenspaces for potential entrants!”
Last year the Irish Garden Plant Society’s rare Aubrieta ‘Shangarry’, took home the prize. In previous years, the following were crowned winners: an ornamental quince – Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Contorta’ – in 2023; a pretty peony – Paeonia ‘Gleam of Light’ – in 2022; a Camellia x williamsii ‘Yesterday’ in 2021; and Clematis montana ‘Veitch’, which won the inaugural competition in 2020.
Image: Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Contorta’, winner of the Threatened Plant of the Year 2023 competition © Credit David Ford
by Bethany Vann | 14 Jan 25 | News
The Plant Heritage charity kicks the new year off with the appointment of seven new trustees to its leadership board, as well as its outline plans for the next 12 months.
Each of the seven new trustees bring an array of experience to the table, former GP Claire Farrer who co-holds a shared National Plant Collection of Noel Burr’s farmed daffodils and is currently studying an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation at Kew and Queen Mary University.
Jasmine Jahromi comes from the humanitarian sector, where she worked on sustainable agriculture and gardening initiatives in Afghanistan and Iraq. Active Plant Heritage Yorkshire Group member. John Humphrey also comes from an agricultural background.
Ex. BBC radio producer and current presenter of the ‘Our Plant Stories’ podcast, Sally Flatman is also among the new trustees, alongside David Mathers, who has 35 banking experience and is Vice Chair of the RHS Orchid Committee and co-founder of The Mathers Foundation.
Sir Roderick Newton, a former High Court judge is now developing a National Plant Collection of pre-1950 bearded irises, and finally, Della Weight brings her 30 years in fundraising and strategic planning to the table.
Each new Trustee will act as an ambassador for Plant Heritage, working closely with CEO Gwen Hines, the charity’s staff team and volunteers, and existing trustees and vice presidents.
They join the existing Board comprising Cecilia Bufton (Chair), Jim Marshall VMH (Vice Chair), Gareth Morgan (Treasurer), Emma Crawforth and Kavita Kapoor.
Long-standing trustees Catherine Penny MBE and sustainable gardening journalist Sally Nex will be stepping down from the Board, but will continue to support the charity in other ways.
Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage, comments:
“I am thrilled to welcome Plant Heritage’s new Trustees. Their extensive experience in their respective sectors, combined with their passion and knowledge for plants, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve. With their guidance, I am confident that together we will achieve even greater things in the future and truly make a difference.”
Plant Heritage will also be returning to RHS Chelsea Flower Show in late May with a Plant Heritage Zone in the Floral Marquee, where Collection Holders will exhibit for the first time. The Missing Collections 2025 campaign will also be launched.
The winners of the Brickell Award (for outstanding plant conservation) and the Threatened Plant of the Year will be announced at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, taking place at the start of July.
by Aidan Williams | 18 Oct 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has been awarded its first-ever National Plant Collection status by Plant Heritage, recognising its conservation work.
The award comes as a result of its focus on the hamamelis (witch hazel) and amelanchier genera and this designation helps secure the future of these plants.
The hamamelis collection has been awarded Full National Plant Collection status, and its amelanchier collection now holds provisional status.
However, the Arboretum’s amelanchier collection, currently holding provisional status, is set to expand further in the coming year.
“It has long been a personal passion and ambition to create a nationally recognised collection of hamamelis at the Arboretum, injecting some winter colour and providing opportunities for visitors to understand and celebrate these stunning plants,” says Andy Ansell, head of estates at the National Memorial Arboretum.
“This National Plant Collection status ensures that future generations of visitors will be able to enjoy and learn about this genus in a truly special setting.”
The Arboretum’s hamamelis collection features over 300 specimens of this beautiful winter-flowering shrub.
The vibrant yellow, red, and orange blossoms provide a spectacular display from December through to February, adding colour and interest to the Arboretum’s landscape during the colder months.
With the award, the Arboretum paid tribute to Chris Lane, one of the UK’s foremost horticulturists, for his support in developing its collection, supplying many of Arboretum’s examples of hamamelis.
Lane says: “It’s a privilege to work with the team at the Arboretum on creating a National Plant Collection that showcases the diverse beauty and resilience of hamamelis.
“This achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
The journey towards creating these National Plant Collections began in December 2020, with the donation of 15 hamamelis by leading Derbyshire-based door distributor JB Kind, while Chase Arts for Public Spaces also provided donations to support the continued growth of the collection.
Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, adds: “The National Memorial Arboretum is a stunning location for this new National Plant Collection of hamamelis, or witch hazel. By having these plants in a National Plant Collection means they will be looked after carefully by the Arboretum’s team, so that we, and the Arboretum’s hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, can continue to enjoy them in the future.”
Plant Heritage were also in plant-saving action earlier this month themselves, when it saved two other plant species less than two weeks ago.
by Aidan Williams | 07 Oct 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Plants previously listed as at risk have been rescued by Plant Heritage and now have National Plant Collection status.
The charity has accredited new collections of oriental poppies and colocasia, meaning both plant groups are now protected for future generations after being identified as at risk.
The two plant groups were identified by Plant Heritage as at risk as they weren’t part of a National Plant Collection.
“Every year, we lose hundreds and possibly thousands of plants forever. This means we lose their beauty and history, as well as their benefits for biodiversity,” says Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage.
“Through Plant Heritage’s 45-year history, we have shown that National Plant Collections are a simple but effective way for the UK public to get involved in plant conservation.
“Together, our members are conserving around 95,000 plants for the future. We are incredibly grateful for plant enthusiasts like Lorraine and Peter who volunteer to take on this important work. I’d like to encourage more people to get in touch if they are interested in starting a National Collection or can support our work in other ways.”
The charity profiled both in its ‘Missing Collections’ campaign in recent years, to try to attract new collection holders, and this has been a success.
Lorraine Vaun-Davis started her oriental poppy collection after reading about Plant Heritage’s Missing Collections list in 2020. Since then, Lorraine’s colourful collection has grown to comprise 38 different cultivars, from hot pinks to deep reds, which are available to view in her Somerset garden.
Further south, avid plant collector Peter Davidson’s collection of 45 different Colocasia cultivars – or ‘elephants ears’ due to their huge velvety heart-shaped leaves – is held in a large greenhouse in his Dorset garden.
Plant Heritage accredits new National Plant Collections every season. In addition to the new oriental poppy and Colocasia collections, the charity has accredited a further 13 collections this year
There are now over 720 different collections across the UK, from autumnal michaelmas daisies to sun-drenched sweet peas, which together contain a staggering 95,000+ plants.
Collections are found everywhere from gardens, greenhouses, allotments, plant nurseries, arboretums, and botanic gardens, to more unusual settings such as a pub garden, a women’s prison, historic houses and zoos.
To start a national plant collection, or to find out more about how you can support Plant Heritage and its ongoing conservation work you can visit its website.
by Aidan Williams | 29 Aug 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
A collection of delphiniums grown by Colin Parton, affectionately known as the Delphinium Dad, have been awarded National Plant Collection status by horticultural conservation charity Plant Heritage.
It is thought to the largest collection of delphiniums in the UK and is held at Delph Cottage Garden and includes 21 rare cultivars, including delphinium elatum ‘Bambi’, ‘Boudicca’ and ‘Taj Mahal’, which are classed as endangered.
Over the past 40 years Parton has grown, collected and cared for a range of delphinium elatum cultivars in his back garden.
In 2014 his wife Julie passed away and in her memory Colin scaled up his collection which now boasts over 100 different types of delphiniums, can be visited at open garden days in return for a donation to Cancer Research.
Parton says: “I’m honoured to have been awarded National Plant Collection status by Plant Heritage and hope that through their networks, and by continuing to spread the word about my delphiniums, that I can find someone or a group to take on my collection when I’m no longer able to care for it myself.
“Until then, I’ll continue to happily tend to my delphiniums and welcome visitors during open garden days – seeing the joy they bring to so many people is just wonderful.”
Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage, paid tribute to Colin’s conservation work.
Hines says: “At Plant Heritage, we’re passionate about protecting the diversity of garden plants so we can enjoy them and because it’s important for biodiversity.
“We are immensely grateful to Colin and his tireless efforts to ensure that his beautiful delphiniums are safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. His lifelong love for delphiniums is clear, and his commitment to sharing knowledge and skills is inspirational.”
by Bethany Vann | 25 Jun 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News |
Plant Heritage is calling on green thumbs across the country to start a National Plant Collection in an effort to safeguard potentially at risk species.
The horticultural conservation charity recently published its new ‘Missing Collections’ list, highlighting 15 environmentally friendly plant groups that are, at present, not part of a National Plant Collection.
Plant Heritage fears that without a representative to care for the listed species. They are at heightened risk of being lost, should they fall out of fashion or become unavailable from nurseries.
All 15 plant groups listed hold high environmental value, with many providing a source of nectar for pollinators.
Potentilla ‘Gloire de Nancy’. Credit Clive Nichols Photography
Plant Heritage CEO, Gwen Hines discusses the importance of plants being involved in an ongoing conservation scheme. The majority are created and cared for by green thumb individuals, but specialist plant nurseries, gardening groups, botanical gardens and other organisations also hold collections.
“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 currently over 700 different National Plant Collections in the UK, containing over 95,000 plants.
Back in March this year, the UK’s first pub and prison were both awarded National Plant Collection status for their Crocosmia cvs and Tulbaghias respectively.
Some of the plants on this year’s Mission Collections 2024 list will be featuring on Plant Heritage’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival stand (PH117a) in early July.
To start a National Plant Collection of one of the plants listed, or to find out more about Plant Heritage, visit www.plantheritage.org.uk.
by Bethany Vann | 16 Apr 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Between 18 – 25 April, conservation charity, Plant Heritage, is calling for members of the public to support its ongoing plant conservation work as part of the Big Give’s Green Match Fund campaign.
This year’s campaign is focused on environmental issues and solutions, highlighting the pivotal role plants play in tackling the biodiversity and climate crisis.
Gwen Hines, CEO of Plant Heritage says: “All donations made during the Big Give Green Match Fund campaign week will ensure that we can continue to safeguard the future of existing plant groups through our conservation programmes.
“The chance to have all donations up to £5,000 match funded between 18-25th April is a fantastic opportunity for a small charity like ours, so we really hope the public can support us if they are able to. Any donation, no matter how small, will be very gratefully received.”
At the centre of the charity’s conservation work is the National Plant Collection, of which there are now over 700 across the country, containing over 95,000 different plants.
Plant Heritage also runs the Plant Guardian Scheme, whereby individuals grow one or more rare and unusual plants either in their gardens, greenhouses, allotments or on their windowsill.
Should the charity reach its target of £5,000 (£10,000 once match funded), the funds will be used to continue recruiting more National Plant Collections and Plant Guardians.
If successful, Plant Heritage will also encourage new dispersed National Plant Collections which can be held within community settings, such as in schools, residential homes and by other community-based groups.
To donate any amount during the Big Give Green Match Fund campaign (18-25 April), visit: https://bit.ly/PlantHeritageBigGiveGreenMatchFund and to find out more about the ongoing conservation work of Plant Heritage, visit www.plantheritage.org.uk
by Bethany Vann | 11 Mar 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Horticultural conservation charity Plant Heritage has awarded National Plant Collection status to the UK’s first pub and prison.
Pub owner Jemma Wiggins tending to her Crocosmia National Plant Collection.
Credit Jemma Wiggins
The White Hart, a village pub located between Bristol and Bath, and HMP Eastwood Park, a prison and young offender institution for women to the north of Bristol, hold prize collections of Crocosmia cvs and Tulbaghia respectively.
Both now join over 700 ‘living libraries’ located across the UK and Ireland, from gardens and greenhouses, to plant nurseries and public parks.
Plant Heritage says the pair’s accreditation shows that “anyone with a passion for plants can take an active role in plant conservation, and that National Plant Collections can be held anywhere.”
The White Hart pub is home to nearly 200 varieties of Crocosmia, including rare cultivars such as ‘Zeal remembrance.’ The now recognised collection is cared for by the Pub’s owners, Jemma Wiggins and her husband James Smith.
Miss Wiggins says the pair are “over the moon” to be the first pub in the UK to have a National Plant Collection.
She goes on to say the ever growing collection is “accessible to everyone” 365 days a year.
Prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park caring for the Tulbaghia National Plant Collection.
Credit HMP Eastwood Park
While HMP Eastwood Park’s collection of Tulbaghia is currently cared for by two female prisoners and the institution’s horticultural craftsman, Gary Stone.
The prisoners have learnt to care for the collection, which consists of 11 different species of Tulbaghia, including repotting, labelling and helping with the paperwork involved.
Stone says: “I always wanted to be the first UK prison to hold a National Plant Collection so I’m incredibly proud that together with our prisoners we have achieved this.
“We hope our achievement will encourage other prisons to take an active role in plant conservation too.”
To see the full list of National Plant Collections, visit: www.plantheritage.org.uk
by Bethany Vann | 05 Mar 24 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Gwen Hines, current CEO of international children’s charity Save the Children UK, has been appointed new CEO of Plant Heritage.
With 25 years of experience working on international development and campaigning to end child poverty, the switch to plant conservations comes as a result of an “increasing” obsession with plants in recent years, says Hines.
She goes on to say that “as the climate changes, it’s more vital than ever to conserve our rich horticultural diversity.”
Plant Heritage will be welcoming Hines in early March 2024, where she will join the horticultural conservation charity’s team of Trustees, staff and volunteers.
Ceilia Bufton, chairman of Plant Heritage adds that “[Hines’] passion for horticulture embodies the ethos of everyone at Plant Heritage and the ongoing plant conservation work we strive to achieve.
“[Hines] will be a real asset to Plant Heritage.”
by Bethany Vann | 06 Feb 24 | Domestic Landscaping, Nature & Biodiversity, News
The search for rare and unusual plants across the UK kicks-off this month with the launch of Plant Heritage’s Threatened Plant of the Year 2024 competition.
Open to anyone, from hobbyist gardeners to professionals. All entrants need to do is look for any rare, unusual or special named cultivars growing in their gardens.
Submissions must not be currently available for purchase from a nursery, garden centre or any other source, but all must have been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland prior to 2014.
Those looking to enter can submit up to five different cultivars of any kind- all entries must be submitted by 19 May 2024.
Submissions will then be shortlisted by a panel of judges from Plant Heritage. The winner will be presented with an engraved Threatened Plant of the Year 2024 winner’s vase, certificate and special plant label at this year’s RHS Hampton Court on Monday 1 July.
Commenting on the competitions ecological significance, business manager at Plant Heritage, Gill Groombridge says;
“Plants play a fundamental role in helping mitigate against the effects of climate change, so it’s hugely important to conserve our rich horticulture by knowing what plants we have and working to breed more of them if we can.”
Now entering its fifth year, the competition has prompted several rare species to be brought forward, including last year’s winning submissions by David Ford (as seen above) – a Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Contorta’ – an ornamental quince thought to be only one of five of its kind still known to exist in the UK.
For more information on the Threatened Plant of the Year 2024 competition, visit here.
