Open to all, from hobbyist amateur gardeners to professionals, the 2025 Plant Heritage Threatened Plant of the Year competition calls for UK gardeners to search their gardens, greenhouses or allotments for any hidden gems. The winner will be announced on RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Press Day (1st July 2025), and will receive an engraved vase, certificate and special plant label.
All that’s needed is a named cultivar that has been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland before 2015, that isn’t currently available to buy from a nursery, garden centre or another source. Any type of plant is eligible, from seasonal snowdrops to fragrant roses.
In its sixth year, the competition brings forward a wide variety of beautiful plants – often with fascinating histories – showcasing the vast range of plants grown in this country. The winner of the 2024 competition was the Irish Garden Plant Society’s rare Aubrieta ‘Shangarry’, an attractive double flowering plant that resembles Parma Violets. The ornamental quince, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Contorta’ won in 2023 and in 2022 it was Paeonia ‘Gleam of Light’.
Those interested have until 30th April 2025 to find their plants and submit their entries. The Plant Heritage’s expert judges will create a shortlist, some of which will be displayed at the charity’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival stand, before final judging for the overall winner at the show.
“Our Threatened Plant of the Year competition celebrates the UK’s rich legacy and raises awareness of the fact that many plants – including some considered common – could be at risk of disappearing from our gardens if they aren’t cared for. We hope to uncover more rare plants this year, and I’d urge everyone to scour their gardens and other greenspaces for potential entrants!” said Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage.