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Rare Plants Vanish: UK Gardens Losing Half of Cultivated Species
19 May
Summary
- More than half of historically grown plants are no longer commercially available.
- One in six plant species exists in very few locations or is extinct.
- Home gardeners can conserve rare plants by propagating and sharing them.
A significant decline in cultivated plant species across the UK and Ireland means more than half of plants historically grown are no longer commercially available. Conservation charity Plant Heritage reveals that one in six species is now found in only one or two locations or has vanished entirely. The charity emphasizes the crucial role of home gardeners in preserving plant biodiversity.
Gardeners are encouraged to view cultivars not just as trendy items but as long-term investments. Trends can cause popular varieties to disappear when they fall out of fashion, similar to dahlias in the past. Selecting a diversity of plants, rather than sticking to a single type, can enhance garden resilience against changing weather patterns and climate change.
Simple actions like propagating plants and sharing them with neighbours or through plant sales can be vital for conservation. This practice can rescue cultivars from being lost forever. The charity also advocates against excessive hard landscaping and encourages more planting, even in small spaces like balconies, to support biodiversity.
