Hi I`m Barry Clarke, a professional horticulturalist/propagator for one of the country`s leading Botanical Gardens, The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey (www.hilliergardens.org.uk). I have been in the position of propagator/nursery manager for 6 years, but my passion for plants started many years before that. Previous to working for the Gardens, I ran a small specialist nursery on the Isle of Wight.
I started collecting Rubus in the mid 90`s. I think the first plant I grew was a thornless bramble,Rubus fruticosus 'No Thorn'. I researched this plant and found that there were hundreds of species world wide. The diversity of leaves, flowers and fruits amazed me and sparked an interest in collecting. By 2000 I had most species available from nurseries, so I was determined to find more species for myself in the wild. The opportunity came in 2005, for me to travel and collect in China and I have added to the collection many new species from this and a second trip in 2007. Other plant enthusiasts, Botanic Gardens and horticultural organizations have also been very generous and my collection stands at around 120 species.(full list available on request)
I am an active member of Plant Heritage (NCCPG) ( www.nccpg.com ) and Hold two National Collections, Rubus and Asclepias.
In a changing world, who knows what plants may be pushed to the brink of extinction. Plant conservation is very important to me and I see my collection as a living museum, protecting an amazing group of plants that is sadly often overlooked.
