Plant Heritage, a horticultural conservation charity, is calling on keen gardeners on Dartmoor to play a key role in the conservation of endangered plant species by establishing a national plant collection.
The charity says that without care, many of these plants risk disappearing from gardens and nurseries and being lost forever if they go out of fashion or are no longer available.
Plant Heritage was founded in 1978 and has since grown into a thriving community committed to the conservation of garden plants, particularly those threatened by habitat loss, climate change, emerging pests, diseases and changing trends.
For the residents of Dartmoor, the call for the protection of specific groups of plants is particularly urgent, including:
- Okehampton (Agapanthus and another of Nepeta)
- Chagford (Alnus and Betula in Stone Lane Gardens)
- Bovey Tracey (Eucryphia)
- Yellowton (Hyacinthella)
- Tavistock (Rowden Nursery Collection)
Plant Heritage has indicated that all 15 plant groups on this year’s list are of environmental importance.
They say many of these plants are an essential source of nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
The list includes plants such as Agastache, which attracts bees and hoverflies, Argyranthemum with its long flowering season, Caryopteris, of great importance to wildlife in late summer, and Phlomis, whose seed heads provide food for goldfinches and siskins in autumn.
Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage, said: “It is hugely important to recognise plants that are not currently protected by being part of a National Plant Collection. Many people may not realise that plants that are considered flowering could be at risk in the future if they are not part of an ongoing conservation programme now.”
Since 2016, Plant Heritage has been focusing on numerous plants that require protection. This has resulted in the creation of 12 different collections, including hollyhocks and Hoyas.
Recently a collection of the Fragrant Daphne was accredited in March and is now flowering at RHS Garden Wisley, having previously been listed as a ‘missing collection’.
The UK has over 700 national plant collections, containing over 95,000 plants. These collections range from garden essentials such as dahlias and roses to edible herbs and houseplants.
They are maintained by private individuals, specialist nurseries, horticultural groups, botanical gardens, heritage estates, universities and even zoos.
These collections are an essential resource for adapting to and mitigating the challenges of climate change.
Gwen added: “Collections are much more accessible than we think. Anyone can be a collector – you don’t need a huge garden or acres of space, all we ask is that you have a passion for plants and conservation. We have some wonderful collections in homes, greenhouses and conservatories, which shows that collections can be successful anywhere.”
For more information about starting a national plant collection or joining the Plant Heritage community, visit www.plantheritage.org.uk
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