Conservation
Aims of Plant Conservation Scheme
The Hardy Plant Society (HPS) has a plant Conservation Scheme which the Hampshire Plant Society Group supports and contributes plants. The aim of the scheme is to:
- identify perennial plants in need of conservation. Usually, this means plants which have fewer than four entries in the RHS Plant Finder, together with other identified criteria. It could also include those deemed worth preserving but not in the Plant Finder at all.
- assess whether the plants identified are worthy of being grown using accepted criteria.
- identify growing conditions which encourage the plants to thrive in different parts of the country.
- identify suitable propagation techniques for the plants.
- propagate and distribute conserved plants to other HPS members, national plant collection-holders, nurseries and the public through plant fairs and other means.
- provide an educational and research facility by maintaining an up-to-date database on the plants and the techniques used to propagate them. This information is provided mainly through the HPS website, to include images wherever possible so that researchers, the public and HPS members can readily access the information.
- provide facilities for giving advice on the culture of Conservation Scheme plants.
- cooperate with other bodies having similar or sympathetic aims to those of the HPS.
- raise awareness of the work of the HPS Conservation Scheme in and outside the Society.