A series of talks and tours considered some of the many issues facing gardens today and sought positive solutions. The consequences of climate change, pests and diseases, staff skills and training, and uncertain funding resources were recurring themes. This report mentions only a few of the many points raised. See the website for more detail – a report on the discussions will be posted there.

David Rae outlined the value of living collections and garden landscapes as the basis of all that we do: they need to be as good as possible to meet changing demands – the right plant in the right place at the right time for all who want to use them The present Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has developed from separate blocks of land each with its own history – master plans and regular reviews help to give cohesion to a garden and its priorities.

Sara Redstone spoke about policy and best practice in acquiring, sharing and disposing of plant material at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Policies are being reviewed, to ensure that they are relevant and suitable for current obligations and future circumstances. Kew’s mission is to inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life. The business aim is to produce basic and applied information about plant- and fungal-related topics and to manage and communicate this. Obligations include keeping the collections as national reference collections, secure and available for study. The horticultural strategy being developed takes a long view, with core obligations of maintaining and improving collections.

Kylie Balmain told us about RHS plans for horticultural conservations with specialist societies and collection-holders, collaboration with breeders and growers and the UK horticultural trade, and being relevant through education and the Award of Garden Merit scheme for plants.

At Cambridge University Botanic Garden, collections continue to change in response to scientific research and outreach. Tim Upson explained how the Garden is a place for learning and for people. (The PlantNetwork office is on the site of the old Botanic Garden shown in his second picture.) The Sainsbury Laboratory will open in the Garden in 2011. More than 4000 new dwellings within walking distance of the Garden will increase not only its importance as a high-quality green space within the city, but also the potential for outreach to many more people. Recent very dry summers have prompted a review of what to plant for the future.

Mike Buffin spoke about the Plant Conservation Programme at the National Trust and the work, sponsored by Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks, to record the plant collections in its gardens and estates. The Trust is part of the international Plant Collections partnership. Mercy Morris reported on work in progress by Plant Heritage on assessing the conservation value of heritage, species-based and cultivar-based collections in the Threatened Plants Project.

Natasha Ali outlined possible future developments in ‘the grand bargain’: access and benefit-sharing in gardens. The Conference of the Parties meeting in Nagoya in October 2010 will consider how access to plants is regulated in different countries and whether it is working well. The Convention on Biological diversity recognises that states have sovereign rights over plants in their state. Chris Bisson spoke about the value in plant records and how their information can be used in many different ways. Recording the right data is very important for the future..

Christopher Weddell explained how management plans and work programmes in English Heritage gardens were organised; much of what he said would also apply to other gardens and organisations. A heated discussion between David Moore (Maintenance Director) and Alistair Griffiths (Horticulture Science Curator) on the overlaps of maintenance and horticulture struck a chord with many delegates: regular discussion, working together and clear communication are vital for all concerned to develop an understanding of what needs to be done, when sometimes demands appear to conflict.

Karl Hansen asked ‘Can glasshouses be sustainable?’ in a talk about an integrated greenhouse project at the Living Rainforest. Ian Wright brought us up to date with the sobering reality of Phytophthora ramorum now infecting larch.

Matthew Biggs urged us to draw people in and hit them with a message, repeated around the garden: use pictures and bullet points, tabloid headlines, creative writing and humour, and make the stories come alive, be enthusiastic and think laterally. Tracy Wilson gave much helpful advice on retail activities in gardens: plant sales, gift shops, tearooms. Visitors come with high expectations; give them a good experience and parting impression; make your plant sales area as attractive as you can – create a picture with the plants, make it unique, site it near the exit and the car park and have plenty of tills to avoid long queues.

Alistair Rivers told us about a new approach in distance learning with the development of a Continuous Professional Development Diploma by the Higher Education Funding Council. A CPD course in Garden and Landscape History will be offered by Duchy College in 2011.  Andrew Dixey reported briefly on a new Heritage Horticulture Skills Scheme for practical work-based training in period, heritage horticulture being set up with other gardens in Wales.

Tours of the Eden Project looked at interpretation and signage; temporary displays; Chile and orchard; Med Biome and social responsibilities; composter and waste neutral; pests, diseases and quarantine; prairie and wild Cornwall; growing and displaying crops; landscape, garden and sustainable builds; and Rainforest Biome – local stories, global impact.

Discussion revealed that delegates saw the top five issues facing gardens as sustainable horticultural practices and management; a reduction in human, time and financial resources in the face of an increasing list of services to be delivered; raising the profile and reaching a wider audience; a lack of skills, training, development and future employees for horticulture and gardens; and poor advocacy for horticulture within organisations in the UK. The broad core solution was for those working in gardens to continue to collaborate with other horticulturists; to share their passion for plants, knowledge and experience; and to work together at a strategic level to bring about positive change within their organisations and horticulture at a government level.

David Rae summed-up that it was an opportune moment to hold this conference – politically, financially, biologically and environmentally – and at Eden. At the core of solutions suggested to a broad range of issues were better communication within and between organisations, partnership working and co-ordination, knowing your audience, and sharing resources and knowledge – all at the heart of PlantNetwork’s objectives. Have clear management plans so that people know what they’re supposed to be doing, give staff the opportunity to be creative, and hope for a more stable financial future. Our thanks to Alistair Griffiths and his colleagues at Eden for a stimulating conference seeking positive solutions.