National Plant Collections
Plant Heritage is the world’s leading garden plant conservation charity. Formerly known as the National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens (NCCPG), Plant Heritage brings together the talents of botanists, horticulturalists and conservationists and the dedication of keen amateur and professional gardeners.
Its mission is to encourage the conservation of cultivated plants in the British Isles, supporting and publishing research into these plants, their origins, their historical and cultural importance and their environments, and helping to educate the public in the importance of cultivated plant conservation.
Its main conservation vehicle is the Plant Heritage National Plant Collection® scheme where individuals or organisations undertake to document, develop and preserve a comprehensive collection of one group of plants in trust for the future. Most of the collections are based around a related group, for example a collection of oaks or daffodils. This allows the scheme to develop systematic coverage of cultivated plants in the United Kingdom. There are 650 National Collections, containing a wonderful legacy of biodiversity.
Many of these collections are held by institutions (eg botanic gardens) or by nurseries. But a substantial number are held by individuals who have a passion for particular plants. To find out more about what’s involved, visit the Plant Heritage web site.