National Plant Societies

National Plant Societies

The National Plant Societies in Hall 20 were a library of detailed information and specialist knowledge from devoted Society members, experts in their chosen genus or group of plants.

We had 14 displays from dedicated Societies this year including two new exhibitors to Gardeners' World Live (The Heather Society and The Maple Society).

British Cactus & Succulent Society (Birmingham)

The objectives of the Society are to promote the study, conservation, propagation and cultivation of cacti and other succulent plants. Membership of the Society is open to all. The Society was formed in 1983 by the amalgamation of the two major cactus and succulent societies in the UK, The National Cactus and Succulent Society (NCSS), and The Cactus and Succulent Society of Great Britain (CSSGB), both of which had long histories. Membership of the BCSS is currently about 3,000 and includes the whole range from novice window-sill growers to experts. The Society has just over 90 branches in the UK which organise an active programme of events every year. Although the majority of our members are in the UK and Ireland we have a large overseas membership with members in more than 60 countries.

British Pteridological Society

The society’s patron is The Prince of Wales

The British Pteridological Society was founded in the Lake District in 1891 and soon became the focal point for fern enthusiasts throughout the British Isles. Today it continues to provide a wide range of information about ferns, through its website and by publishing regular journals, leaflets and books, and organising formal talks, informal discussions and outdoor meetings. The international membership includes those interested in gardening, natural history and botany, both amateur and professional. It is a friendly society run on a voluntary basis.

Carnivorous Plant Society

The Carnivorous Plant Society is a registered Charity, founded in 1978 with the aim of bringing together all those interested in carnivorous plants, both beginners and experts.

Japanese Garden Society

Founded in 1993, the Japanese Garden Society was established to bring together those interested in appreciating and learning more about Japanese gardens. Whilst the JGS started as a UK National Society, it has attracted interest from overseas, and now there are members in several countries including the USA, France, Denmark, Australia, Republic of Ireland and Japan. The JGS has become a leading Society based outside Japan for the study and promotion of Japanese gardens.

The Heather Society

The Heather Society will be displaying a range of heaths and heathers to show the diversity of habit, foliage and flower and their various uses in the modern home and garden. The Heather Society and its affiliated societies extend a very warm welcome to everyone entering the world of heathers, not least to newcomers who have only recently developed an interest in the attractive heather family. The Society covers every aspect of this world, from the wild heathers of European heaths and moorlands to the rare splendours of South African heaths, from everyday culture including choosing, growing and propagating hardy heathers to the most sophisticated heather garden designs. Website www.heathersociety.org.uk

The National Vegetable Society 

The National Vegetable Society are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners created a feature garden outside.