Pelargonium (geranium) National Plant Collections in the UK

The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens originated and runs the National Plant Collections® Scheme in the UK. This was the first scheme of its kind in the world and is being duplicated in other countries. There are 600 National Plant Collections containing over 50,000 plants covering many, but not all Genera of garden plants. The scheme was set up to help conserve rare, little known, unfashionable garden worthy plants as well as the currently available specimens. In these days of chain store garden centres the smaller nursreies cannot indulge themselves with currently uncommercial varieties, nor vast lists where there arte only limited sales. These the profusion of new varieties also puts strain on older forms. The scheme is one way to help to keep these older varieties going. The other is for everyone to grow one or two more varieties.

There are three National Pelargonium Collections as of June 1999, details listed below. The scheme is not designed to facilitate access by the public to a large number of unusal plants, but to conserve and study the Genus or part Genus for the benefit of all. Whilst it is obviously to the advantage of conservation to allow some access viewing of the collection is therefore solely at the convenience of the Collection Holder, to whom the plants belong. Plants may or may not be available for purchase from the Collection Holder depending on the facilities available. Some collections are part of a commercial venture, whilst others are maintained solely at the expense of the owner. It takes a lot of time and money to maintain a collection whether large or small so your co-operation and patience would be appreciated.

Apart from National Pelargonium Collections, for the generally frost sensitive plants originating mostly from Southern Africa, there are also National Geranium Collections, for the the generally frost tolerant plants originating from temporate Europe (together with China and even Southern Africa.) The other Genera of the Family, Geraniaceae, Erodium, Monsonia & Sarcocaulon, are also represented with National Collections and are listed on Geraniaceae National Plant Collections® in the UK.

To find out more about the National Plant Collections® Scheme, information is available online on the NCCPG UK & NCCPG Wales websites.


NPC
*The National Pelargonium* Collection (all groups including species)**
Collection Holder:	Hazel Key
Location:	Fibrex Nurseries Ltd, Honeybourne Lane, Pebworth, Stratford-upon-avon, Warwickshire, CV37 8XP
Contact:	Tel: 01789 720788, Fax: 01789 721162, E-mail: sales@fibrex.co.uk, Website: www.fibrex.co.uk
Viewing of the Collection:	Open to viewing at any time: from May 1st - July 31st, Mon-Fri 10:30am - 5pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-5pm, August, Mon-Fri 10:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun Closed. (Sales from Nursery sames times.)
No. of species & cvs in collection:	200+ species, 2000 cultivars
Plants for Sale:	Most eventually become available throught the Nursery.


*The National Angel Pelargonium* Collection**
Collection Holder:	Derek Lloyd Dean
Location:	Private Residence: 8 Lynwood Close, South Harrow, Middlsex, HA2 9PR
Contact:	Tel: not available, Fax: none, E-mail: none, Website: none.
Viewing of the Collection:	The Collection can be seen at the Hampton Coiurt Palace Flower Show every year. Not otherwise generally open to visitors. Nursery is Mail-Order only and not open to the public.
Number of cultivars in collection:	43
Plants for Sale:	A large number are available Mail Order through Nursery Catalogue (3x2nd class stamps). Nursery is Mail-Order only and not open to the public.


*The National Miniature and Dwarf (Zonal) Pelargonium* Collection**
Collection Holder:	Wendy and Ron Mitchell
Location:	Private Residence: Rapallo, 9 Palmers Road, Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight, PO33 4NA
Contact:	Tel: 01983 884282, Fax: not known, E-mail: not known, Website: not known.
Viewing of the Collection:	Strictly by prior appointment only
Number of cultivars in collection:	1,400
Plants for Sale:	A large number are available Mail Order through Nursery Catalogue (3x2nd class stamps), or on visits by appointment to the collection.


*The National "succulent and xerophytic species" Pelargonium* Collection**
Collection Holder:	Sydney G. Reed
Location:	Private Residence. 19 Leyson Road, The Reddings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6RU
Contact:	Tel: 01452 548478, Fax: none, E-mail: none, Website: none.
Viewing of the Collection:	Strictly by prior appointment only
Number of species in collection:	128
Plants for Sale:	A limited number may be available from time to time on visits to the collection, or at various local shows - contact the Collection Holder for details.


*The National "succulent and xerophytic species" Pelargonium* Collection**
Collection Holder:	Sydney G. Reed
Location:	Private Residence. 19 Leyson Road, The Reddings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6RU
Contact:	Tel: 01452 548478, Fax: none, E-mail: none, Website: none.
Viewing of the Collection:	Strictly by prior appointment only
Number of species in collection:	128
Plants for Sale:	A limited number may be available from time to time on visits to the collection, or at various local shows - contact the Collection Holder for details.


*The National "succulent species" Pelargonium* Collection**
Collection Holder:	Mr Burns
Location:	Private Residence. Fassifern, 10 Barrhill Crescent, Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, PA10 2EU
Contact:	Tel:
Viewing of the Collection:	By prior appointment only
Number of species in collection:
Plants for Sale:



*In case you did actually hoped to find National Geranium* (cranebills) Collections here, details will also listed on a Geranium Collections page very soon - sorry for the delay**