Plant Heritage has, like many other charities and organisations across the world, been affected by Covid-19. All events and major shows have sadly been cancelled or postponed, meaning members have not been able to host meetings, talks, garden visits or plant sales since March. But the work of Plant Heritage continues and plants won't stop growing because of lockdown. Plant Heritage have continued to encourage people to enjoy plants and gardening if they can, such as promoting National Plant Collection Holders who were able to offer mail-order of plants during lockdown.
The organization's immediate priority was to reach out to members, and as lockdown was extended, they became more creative in doing so. They increased the frequency of communications through e-newsletters, letters, and social media - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and they also found that members kept in touch with each other via email, WhatsApp or Facebook groups and Zoom.
Plant Heritage has over 650 National Plant Collections across the UK, and each Collection Holder conserves rare cultivars within their collections. The organization helped its 400+ Collection Holders to maintain their collections and promoted those that offered mail-order during lockdown. They also supported local nurseries and growers (who normally attend plant fairs) with the campaign ‘Think Local’.
Instead of the real plant display they had planned, Plant Heritage took part in the first ever RHS Virtual Chelsea Flower Show. For this they created a video introduced by President Alan Titchmarsh, highlighting the stories of four National Plant Collections.
They are now offering their seed shop (which is usually at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival in July) online. Have a look at www.plantheritage.org.uk/shop to find some unusual seeds to try growing.
They have also introduced fortnightly virtual talks from National Plant Collection Holders covering subjects from irises and roses to peonies. Booking is available via www.plantheritage.org.uk/events and is open to all. More online talks will be planned for the future too.
Plant Heritage members are passionate about plants, and some members set-up mini, social distanced, plant sales from their driveways. Plant Heritage Guernsey offered telephone plant sales for the first time.
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Plant Heritage
www.plantheritage.org.uk