‘A national living library’: UK charity’s plea to save rare plants from extinction

Plant Heritage calls for volunteers to grow rare pollinator-friendly plants in their homes or gardens

People in the UK are being urged to keep rare plants in their living rooms or gardens to help create a national collection" that can save pollinator-friendly plants from becoming extinct.

Plant Heritage, a charity that works to keep rare garden flowers growing even when they are out of fashion, has started a campaign to protect pollinator-friendly plants and is asking for volunteers to set up a collection.

Astrophytum: With large yellow flowers in late spring and summer, these North American cacti will survive in a cool glasshouse if kept dry. International plant breeders have created many highly ornamental hybrids and cultivars, too.

Campanula: Also known as bellflowers, these distinctive open, bell-shaped flowers can be blue, pink, purple or white. There are about 80 species and 232 cultivars available.

Colocasia: These dramatic foliage plants can be grown outside in a warm, sheltered spot, or in greenhouses or conservatories. There are 19 cultivars available.