PLANT Heritage’s annual search for rare or threatened garden or house plants will return this February for a sixth time.

The charity’s Threatened Plant of the Year 2025 competition calls for gardeners across Somerset to search their gardens, greenhouses or allotments for any hidden gems that could be crowned winner at world-renowned RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July.

Anyone can enter, from hobbyist amateur gardeners to house plant enthusiasts or professionals. All that’s needed is a named cultivar that has been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland before 2015, that isn’t currently available to buy from a nursery, garden centre or another source. Any type of plant is considered, too – from seasonal snowdrops to fragrant roses that bloom come summer.

Those interested have until April 30 to find their plants and submit their entries, which will then be judged by Plant Heritage’s expert panel to create a shortlist.

Some of the shortlisted plants will be displayed at the charity’s stand at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, before final judging for the overall winner which will take place at the show. The winner will be announced on Press Day, which is July 1, and will receive an engraved winner’s vase, certificate and special plant label to mark their achievement.

Gwen Hines, CEO at Plant Heritage, said: “Our Threatened Plant of the Year competition celebrates the UK’s rich legacy and raises awareness of the fact that many plants – including some considered common – could be at risk of disappearing from our gardens if they aren’t cared for.

“We hope to uncover more rare plants this year, and I’d urge everyone to scour their gardens and other green spaces for potential entrants.”

Fore more information about the Threatened Plant of the Year 2025 competition, visit https://bit.ly/TPOTY2025