The collections are owned and maintained by a broad spectrum of garden enthusiasts ranging from large institutions, colleges and local authorities to nurseries, gardens and a large number of individual gardeners. These are all linked by one common purpose: to develop comprehensive, well-researched Collections of living plants, to conserve the genetic stability of named cultivars but variability of species, and to protect them against the vagaries of fashion, disease and extinction, thus ensuring the availability of an abundant variety of plant material both for today and for future generations.
Not every Genus has yet got a Collection. And some genera, the more popular ones, have more than one. It all depends on there being a person or an organisation with the enthusiasm, and the finances to back it up, in every case. Some Collections make some money for their owners, but in most cases it costs money for the privilege, because they are keeping unfashionable and difficult plants going. Plant Heritage tries to encourage new Collections for genera not covered, but it all depends on the generosity of the individual. This also means that Collections come and go. So every year Plant Heritage publishes a Directory of all Collections with their up to date contact details, open days, accessibility, range of Collection, availability of plants, etc
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