National Plant Collections in North Wales

What is a National Plant CollectionŽ?

A National Plant CollectionŽ is primarily a means of garden plant conservation. To collect as many forms within the described plant group, compare, maintain in cultivation, record observations, information and pictures, provide this information and plant material for research, and to propagate and disperse plant material, as facilities allow, is the work of a National Collection Holder. Providing a large collection of closely related living plants for gardeners or enthusiasts to see is a secondary function and is more suited to some types of plants and types of Collection, or locations, than others. Most Collection Holders are however more than willing to show and discuss the object of their unpaid obsession, at their convenience and by appointment, in most cases. The larger or commercial organisations may provide easier access to view plants, but are unlikely to give a personal tour like the private one-person location. You may or may not find plants to buy at the time of you visit, or by mail order, or they may propagate to order, or have a waiting list. For a fuller explanation of the National Plant Collection scheme click here.

National Plant Collections in North Wales deal with the following genera:

Allium schoenoprasum Aronia Banksia Clethra Coriaria Embothrium Eucryphia Eupatorium Hedera Laburnum Magnolia Mentha Paris Petrocosmea Polygonatum Rhapis Rhododendron Saintpaulia Streptocarpus

If the plants you are interested in are not listed above then there may be a Collection in south and central Wales, adjoining English counties, or further afield elsewhere in the rest of the UK. Go to www.PlantHeritage.org.uk to find out.
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Collection Holder: David Barrett
Address: 7 Gwelfor, Rhosgadfan, CAERNARFON, Gwynedd, LL54 7HA
Telephone: 01286 831480
Email: collection@chives.wales
Website: http://allium.schoenoprasum.wales
Viewing: Strictly by appointment only.
Entry Fee: No charge.
Description: National Collection is in a small domestic garden.
Comments: Parking on adjoining roads, but there are no restrictions. Directions when making appointment.

Collection Holder: Mr. Robert Blackhall Miles
Address: 10 Goodman Street, LLANBERIS, Gwynedd, LL55 4HL
Telephone: 07545 939666
Email: fossilplants@gmail.com
Website: http://fossilplants.co.uk - not specific to the Collection
Viewing: by appointment only.
Entry Fee: Donation towards the upkeep of the Collection
Description: National Collection is in a small domestic garden.
Comments: Best viewed in autumn, winter or early spring.

Collection Holder: The National Trust - Bodnant Gardens
Address: Bodnant Gardens, Tal y Cafn, COLWYN BAY, LL28 5RE
Telephone: 01492 650460
Email: bodnantgarden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: Garden website www.bodnant-garden.co.uk makes no mention of National Collections.
Description: National Collection is distributed throughout the gardens.
Opening Times: See website of phone for details.
Entry Fee: See website of phone for entry cost details.
Directions: 8 miles South of the Colwyn Bay & Llandudno, on A470. Signposted from Junction 19 on the A55

Collection Holder: Mrs. Jan Miller
Address: Saith Ffynnon Farm, Whitford, HOLYWELL, Flintshire, CH8 9EQ
Telephone: 01352 711198
Email: jan@7wells.org
Website: Nursery website, lists Eupatorium plants for sale www.7wells.co.uk
Description: National Collection planted in a one acre damp garden with other butterfly plants, plus 8 acres wildflower meadows and ponds.
Viewing: By appointment only. The Collection is best seen in August & September. Open day in September, ring for information.
Entry Fee: Free
Directions: A55, exit for Holywell, following signs for Whitford & trout farm.

Collection Holder: The National Trust - Erddig Hall Gardens
Address: Mr. Glyn Smith, Erddig Hall Gardens, WREXHAM, LL13 0YT
Telephone: 01978 355314
Email: erdigg@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: no Collection webpages. Access information can be found via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig/
Description: Approximately 100 cultivars displayed mostly on the walls of a 15 Century Formal Garden with Victorian Additions. Also excellent fruit collection, with annual Apple Day.
Opening Times: See website or telephone for details.
Entrance Fee: NT members free to garden, otherwise see website of phone for entry cost details
Directions: Signposted from A483 or A525, 1 mile south of Wrexham.

Collection Holder: The National Trust - Powis Castle
Contact: Mr. David Swanton
Address: Powis Castle Gardens, WELSHPOOL, SY21 8RF
Telephone: 01938 552952
Email: david.swanton@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: no Collection webpage. Access information can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle/
Description: National Collection is dispersed throughout the 25 acre historic garden with richly planted Italianate terraces of 17th Century origin.
Opening Times: Please phone 01938 551929 for details
Entry Fee: Please phone 01938 551929 for details
Directions: Signposted, 1 mile South Welshpool

Collection Holder: The National Trust
Address: Bodnant Gardens, Tal y Cafn, COLWYN BAY, LL28 5RE
Telephone: 01492 650460
Email: bodnantgarden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: Garden website www.bodnant-garden.co.uk makes no mention of National Collections.
Description: National Collection is distributed throughout the gardens.
Opening Times: See website of phone for details.
Entry Fee: See website of phone for details.
Directions: 8 miles South of the Colwyn Bay & Llandudno, on A470. Signposted from Junction 19 on the A55

After 24 years at it's home in the mountains of Gwynedd David Barrett's National Mentha Collection passed on the baton on conservation and research to those newer Collections that have sprung up more recently, in the Devon, Kent, Sussex, Cheshire and soon Scotland, whose details can be found online at Plant Heritage
The website that was associated with this north Wales Collection is still going and can be found at mentha.info

Collection Holder: Dibleys Nurseries
Contact: Rex Dibley
Address: Dibleys Nurseries, Cefn Rhydd, Llanelidan, RUTHIN, Denbighshire, LL15 2LG,
Telephone: 01978 790677
Email: info@dibleys.com
Website: Nursery website www.dibleys.com
Description: Kept under lights in the propagation department.
Opening Times: Ring to arrange to see the Petrocosmea Collection
Entry Fee: Free
Directions: On the A525, 4 miles from Ruthin, 14 miles from Wrexham, take the B5429 towards Llanelidan. After 1˝ miles turn left at the 2nd crossroads and find us in 1 mile

Rhododendron forrestii and
Rhododendron hybrids from Bodnant Gardens 1927 - 1983

Collection Holder: The National Trust - Bodnant Gardens
Address: Bodnant Gardens, Tal y Cafn, COLWYN BAY, LL28 5RE
Telephone: 01492 650460
Email: bodnantgarden@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: Garden website www.bodnant-garden.co.uk makes no mention of National Collections.
Description: National Collection is distributed throughout the gardens.
Opening Times: See website of phone for details.
Entry Fee: See website of phone for details.
Directions: 8 miles South of the Colwyn Bay & Llandudno, on A470. Signposted from Junction 19 on the A55

Saintpaulia African violets
Saintpaulia has now been reclassified botanically as a group within Streptocarpus

Collection Holder: Dibleys Nurseries
Contact: Rex Dibley
Address: Dibleys Nurseries, Cefn Rhydd, Llanelidan, RUTHIN, Denbighshire, LL15 2LG,
Telephone: 01978 790677
Email: info@dibleys.com
Website: Nursery website www.dibleys.com
Description: Kept under lights in the propagation department.
Opening Times: Ring to arrange to see the Saintpaulia Collection
Entry Fee: Free
Directions: On the A525, 4 miles from Ruthin, 14 miles from Wrexham, take the B5429 towards Llanelidan. After 1˝ miles turn left at the 2nd crossroads and find us in 1 mile

Collection Holder: Dibleys Nurseries
Contact: Rex Dibley
Address: Dibleys Nurseries, Cefn Rhydd, Llanelidan, RUTHIN, Denbighshire, LL15 2LG,
Telephone: 01978 790677
Email: info@dibleys.com
Website: Nursery website www.dibleys.com
Description:
Opening Times: Ring to arrange to see the Collection.
Entry Fee: Free
Directions: On the A525, 4 miles from Ruthin, 14 miles from Wrexham, take the B5429 towards Llanelidan. After 1˝ miles turn left at the 2nd crossroads and find us in 1 mile