Why are so many garden plants disappearing in the UK, according to Plant Heritage?

Modern gardening trends and the limited stock available at garden centres mean over half of previously grown UK plants are no longer offered for sale.

What is Plant Heritage doing to prevent plant extinction?

Plant Heritage encourages the public to grow unusual plants and establish national collections to safeguard at-risk species.

How can I help save rare garden plants in the UK?

You can help by choosing and growing a wider variety of less common plants in your garden and supporting initiatives like national plant collections.

Home / Environment / Rare Plants Vanishing: UK Gardens Lose Half Their Blooms

Rare Plants Vanishing: UK Gardens Lose Half Their Blooms

9 Jan

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Summary

Over half of UK cultivated plants are no longer sold.
Gardening trends reduce plant diversity, impacting nature.
Charity urges public to grow rare plants and start collections.

Rare Plants Vanishing: UK Gardens Lose Half Their Blooms

More than half of the cultivated plant species previously available in the UK are no longer offered for sale, according to Plant Heritage. Modern gardening trends and the popularity of generic varieties from garden centres have drastically reduced plant diversity, raising concerns about species disappearing entirely. This trend not only diminishes horticultural variety but also has negative consequences for garden wildlife.

The charity is actively campaigning for greater diversity in home gardens, encouraging the public to choose and cultivate unusual plants. They are also promoting the establishment of national collections, which act as vital 'ex situ' conservation efforts for at-risk species. Some plants within these collections are even extinct in their native countries, highlighting their importance.