The collections are
owned and maintained by a broad spectrum of garden enthusiasts ranging from large institutions,
colleges and local authorities to nurseries, gardens and a large number of
individual gardeners. These are
all linked by one common purpose: to develop comprehensive, well-researched Collections of
living plants, to conserve the genetic stability of named cultivars but variability of
species, and to protect them against the vagaries of fashion, disease and extinction, thus
ensuring the availability of an abundant variety of plant material both for today and for
future generations.
A National Mentha
Collection, or, a National Plant Collection® of Mentha, is a
collection of living plants botanically classified together within the genus Mentha.
To ordinary gardeners and herb growers, to cooks and chefs, to herbalists,
these are usually known as mints.
There are
three National Mentha Collections at the moment: one in Devon, one in Kent and
one in Gwynedd. Each Collection is different, to some extent, reflecting the
preferences, growing conditions, facilities available and other interests of the NCH.
On this website you
will find details of Casgliad Cenedlaethol Mentha, the National Mentha
Collection, in Wales.
The contact details of
all three Mentha Collections can be found on the NMCs
page
What
is the NCCPG?
What
is Plant Heritage?