The UK's best plant societies

Alison Patel writes: A number of top plant societies have been revealed by gardening expert Val Bourne from the Telegraph.

Garden Organic tops the list of societies. It was founded in 1958 and is a practical organisation that specialises in vegetable growing.

The society currently has 32,000 members and for an additional fee members can use the Heritage Seed Library, reports Ms Bourne from the paper.

The Alpine Garden Society grows small hardy plants, climbers, bulbs, shrubs and woodlanders. It has a seed list of more than 5,000 plants.

In third place comes the Hardy Plant Society. It was formed over 50 years ago and has 11,000 members. The society includes six specialist groups covering a range of hardy plants.

Coming in fourth place is the Cottage Garden Society. Members receive 12 filled packets of seeds for £15 as part of its annual seed scheme.

The Royal National Rose Society came in fifth place and is the oldest plant society in the world, being founded in 1876.

Finally, the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens took sixth place. Their aim is to conserve and cultivate plants for the future.

Related Stories

Benefits of mulching noted

Benefits of corn and pepper growing highlighted

Woman grows bananas in her back garden

Preparing plants before gardeners go on holiday

Eco-garden could help fight disease