Suffolk nursery Botanica awarded National Collection status by leading conservation charity

The specialist nursery Botanica, based in Campsea Ashe, has received a major recognition by world-leading plant conservation charity, Plant Heritage, for its collection of evergreen shrubs known as Santolinas.

These small, low growing shrubs originate from the Mediterranean region from Corsica through to the Pyrenees. They grow to around 60cm tall and are known for their highly aromatic foliage and profusion of button like yellow flower heads which range in colour from bright lemon yellow to the most delicate of creamy white.

Becoming a holder of a National Collection is a considerable achievement and involves a rigorous process. Botanica has spent the last 5 years collecting and cultivating Santolina specimens, and now boasts a collection of over 20 varieties. Some of the rarer forms took months of tracking down and are not presently found or grown in the UK

Jon Rose, Managing Director of Botanica, said: “It’s such a delight to be recognised by Plant Heritage for the hard work that we’ve put into this collection. National Collections are vital to help educate the public on the importance of conservation of our cultivated plants, as well as to preserve horticultural history. It is a great privilege to be the National Santolina Collection holder for this charming, trouble- free and all-too-often overlooked shrub in the country.”

Santolinas are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators. The link between Santolinas and bees fits perfectly with Botanica’s ethos on conservation and the environment, as there are three bee hives to help pollinate all plants around the nursery.

Botanica’s Santolina collection is open to Plant Heritage members and the public. They can be viewed in prime location, set upon a dedicated landscaped area at the nursery, which shows off each and every specimen.

Santolinas are best seen when they are in full bloom and for this reason Botanica is holding a special Santolina Open Week which is open to members of the public from the 16 July 2018.

With over 40 years’ experience breeding rare and unique species, Botanica is home to
over 6000 different varieties, including over 30 of oak, 20 of maple and many other types of trees and shrubs.

Botanica nursery has nearly 25 acres of plants, shrubs and trees and over 40 years of growing experience. As well as selling trees it also has a tree hire service for weddings and special events.

* For more information go to: www.botanicaplantnursery.co.uk and for tree hire go to: www.eventtreehire.co.uk Or call: 01728 747 113