Plant Heritage has triumphed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, winning a coveted RHS Gold Medal.
Celebrating the plant passion of four National Plant Collection (NPC) Holders, the charity's vibrant display showcased four very different plant groups, as well as the different aspects of holding a National Plant Collection. This ranged from historical research (Lucy Skellorn's Iris (Sir Michael Foster introductions) NPC), plant breeding (Dr. Simon Charlesworth's Lavandula NPC), making a vast library of sweet peas available to the public (Roger Parsons' Lathyrus NPC), and medicinal research and conservation of wild species (the University of Oxford's unusual Euphorbia NPC).
The prestigious Gold Medal was awarded by RHS President Keith Weed for the overall design and aesthetics of Plant Heritage's stand and the top-quality plants on display, but also in recognition of the huge team effort required to bring together four such varied National Plant Collections.
Gill Groombridge, Business Manager at Plant Heritage, said: "We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award. It's always a joy to showcase the amazing work of our National Collection Holders, but to win a Gold Medal and the award for the Best Discovery Exhibit at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show is a real tribute to the dedication of our Collection Holders and to the wider Plant Heritage team whose hard work has helped to make this happen." Gill continues: "We are very proud to showcase excellence in plant conservation, and hope our display has inspired anyone who visited us at Chelsea to consider starting their own National Plant Collection and help us save even more garden plants."
Plant Heritage also launched their annual Missing Genera campaign at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022. The Missing Genera identifies different plant groups that aren't currently part of a National Plant Collection and, therefore, could be at risk of being lost from cultivation. This year, the Missing Genera is sponsored by Griffin Glasshouses and highlights 12 different plant groups* in need of a National Plant Collection. And although it was launched at Chelsea, the campaign runs throughout this year, giving anyone interested in saving one of the plant groups listed plenty of time to start their collection.
For more information:
Plant Heritage
01483 447540
plantheritage.org