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BRITISH PLANT ASSOCIATION

Secretary and Editor: Chris Chadwell Slough, Berks ENGLAND

TO SOW A SEED IS A NOBLE DEED; PROPAGATION IS CONSERVATION (Professor Norm Deno)

'Sea Campion' (SILENE MARITIMA)

Appreciate the Beauty of British Wild Flowers, learn how best to cultivate them and discover more about their uses, medicinal, culinary and other. We shall cater for a wide range of interests and backgrounds amongst the membership - all are made welcome and valued.

'Marsh Orchid' (DACTYLORHIZA)

'Kidney Vetch' or 'Lady's Fingers' (ANTHYLLIS VULNERARIA)

Annual Subscription Rate: £10 (payable by pay pal, [there will be a small additional amount to cover their transaction charges] by cheque [only for UK members], or cash [£10 sterling, $14* dollars or 13* Euros] * These figures (as of July 2016) are much lower than previously, due to drop in value of sterling! Membership of most serious societies is treble this amount.....

e-mail: chrischadwell261@btinternet.com to receive an APPLICATION FORM.

'Field Poppy' (PAPAVER RHOEAS)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

This is an informal association founded in 2017 along similar lines to 'The Himalayan Plant Association' which was established in 1990 and has run since then (with a break from 2013-2015). Membership will be world-wide, covering horticulturists, botanists (amateur and professional), hobbyists, and those with just a general interest in the region. Our journals will be well-illustrated, produced digitally as PDFs, sent by e-mail. Through these and events, the Association aims to bring together and spread information on British plants. The association’s web presence is currently a section within this site.

CULTIVATION

Thought-provoking articles will appear in our journals on cultivation, propagation, plant profiles, accounts of botanic and other gardens growing British plants. Chris encourages members to submit informal notes and articles. Editors of all specialist horticultural journals are constantly on the look out for accounts of first-hand cultivation experiences – they are aware that their members have valuable knowledge. Too many articles and indeed books, are full of second-hand “know-how” just copied from other articles and books! Unfortunately, such out-put can then be consumed un-critically, ending up as ‘conventional wisdom’ amongst gardeners. Our Secretary has travelled extensively around the UK delivering lectures which has provided the opportunity to photograph wild plants and observe British species being cultivated in gardens. In the early 1980s he had contracts surveying for wild plants in Wales. His passion for wild plants began at school. culminating in GCSE and A level projects on woodland flora in Hertfordshire, the latter helping him secure a place to study Botany and the University of Southampton during the late 1970s. Association members are in an ideal position to share what they know and are actively encouraged to do so.

Chris Chadwell photographing rock-roses in chalk grassland (Photo: Matthew Chadwell)

SEED EXCHANGE

Our Seed Exchange (details are sent out with the April Journal) will be of the highest quality, both in terms of viability of seed offered and accuracy of identification - most other seed exchanges, large or small contain a high proportion of items which are misidentified. Chris can help check the identity of seed submitted.

CONSERVATION

We highlight GENUINE conservation issues relating to British flora.

'Foxgloves' (DIGITALIS PURPUREA)

BOTANY

A plant identification service is offered – whether of specimens in cultivation of known British origin or photographed in Britain.

MEETINGS and PLANT EXCHANGES

These will be an important aspect of the association, allowing members to meet fellow enthusiasts. Chris makes an effort to arrange these all over the UK. Numbers attending are modest, typically 6-10, enabling a special atmosphere to develop, never possible with larger group outings – the association, through Chris' contacts will be able to secure privileged access “beind-the-scenes”. At such gatherings Chris usually gives a digital presentation about British plants in the wild and gardens, bearing in mind the interests of those present. Often there is a second presentation by another member, lunch and either a tour of the host’s garden or a visit to a nearby sites rich in wild flowers, a botanical garden or specialist nursery where British plants are well-represented. There is also the opportunity to exchange plants of British origin with those attending. We all have different tastes and succeed in raising some specimens but not others – so this is an ideal way to enrich members' gardens.

'Bluebell' (HYACINTHOIDES NON-SCRIPTA)

Contact Chris for an APPLICATION FORM by e-mail on: chrischadwell261@btinternet.com - if you choose to pay using pay pal, he will send YOU a payment request, so do advise him if you have a separate e-mail/account for such payments.