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 andAsclepias,Gomphocarpus
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.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about Rubus and their cultivation.
I am always happy to exchange plants with Gardens and associations or provide material for scientific purposes.
If you have a Rubus you need identifying or a plant you think maybe one and you need it confirming, please contact me.
Of course if you have a species that is not on my collection lists. I would love to hear from you and maybe exchange some plants!
