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Heritage Plants

This is the page to explain the Society’s ambitious scheme to preserve old varieties of Dianthus for the future. Download an explanatory leaflet here with an application form.

Basically interested members will grow up to six old varieties of their chosen cultivars (pinks, borders or PF’s) as guardians. In due course they will supply plants to up to two other guardians and in this way the future of the varieties should be secure as if one guardian loses a plant the others can re supply. Once plants are allocated, these members will be able to maintain the varieties very simply without much central involvement. The leaflet explains the scheme in more detail.

At the moment we are looking for current and future members who would like to take part in the scheme. (If you would like to join the BNCS click here) We are also looking for old varieties of pinks PF’s and borders which anyone can make available to be saved for the future. If you have any varieties you feel are worth preserving do get in touch with the web editor or leave details on the Forum.

The full text from the Heritage Plant Leaflet is reproduced below:-

“Large numbers of dianthus varieties of all types have been lost to cultivation within living memory. Of the dozens of Malmaisons grown last century only six are now in existence; Allwoods Hardy Cottage Carnations seem to have disappeared completely; amongst PF’s the Sims varieties appear lost and of the PF’s registered in the 50’s and 60’s most have vanished; border carnations are less popular in recent years and there is a real danger that many of these will fall by the wayside; over the years many pinks have vanished. The BNCS is attempting to preserve as many existing varieties for future generations to cultivate and enjoy by a novel scheme.

This leaflet explains how the scheme will work and provides a form for members to register their interest.

Eventually it may be possible to register the collection as a National Collection. Indeed there would be subdivisions; pinks, PF’s and borders are obvious but it may be that collections could be made of individual breeders varieties.

The first stage in the process is to identify varieties which are at risk of being lost to cultivation. Already a number of breeders have offered to make their plants available and it is anticipated many more will do so. If you grow any named cultivars which you feel are worthy of preserving do please return the form on page 4 or send a separate list of the varieties you hold. Do please indicate whether they are pinks ,PF’s or borders.

Members of the Society who would like to help preserve our heritage should register their interest on the form on page 4. In this way we can link individual varieties with enthusiasts.

It is envisaged that participating members would be responsible for growing up to six named varieties; hopefully three specimens of each. They would then provide plants for up to two other members to grow in the same way. In effect a “cell” would be responsible for maintaining the cultivar. If one lost their plants the others would re supply them. An annual return (with their renewal subscription) would confirm the plants are still alive!

This is an ambitious scheme bearing in mind the large number of cultivars in existence. In the initial phase we are looking for real enthusiasts to get things moving. If you have plants you think are worthy of saving or if you would like to be one of the first to accept plants, and hand them on to others as the scheme develops, do please register your interest. Also anyone interested in managing and organising the scheme should make themselves known. I am sure that eventually becoming a guardian will be an attractive reason for new members to join. (Guardians of course must be BNCS members)

Some plants may be affected by disease and it is known by many that after years of growing varieties can lose their vigour for this reason. As part of the scheme it is hoped that plants will be cleaned up using micropropagation techniques. This technology is becoming cheaper.

I would emphasise that at present registering your interest does not mean that the scheme will go ahead. Many issues need to be resolved. The cost of postage and packing would need to be met initially by the member receiving the plants. (In due course we may need to adopt a commercial modular system with preformed packaging for posting). Plants could be exchanged at shows to save postage. A small committee needs do decide which varieties are worthy of preserving.

The main thing now is to get things started. This will identify the pitfalls and the scheme can be refined in due course.”