Jess Brown-Fuller MP Opens National Collection of Ornamental Gingers in Almodington

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, has formally opened the National Collection of Ornamental Gingers in Almodington, unveiling a plaque and touring the site during her visit.

The collection is held by Andrew Gaunt, National Collection Holder of Hedychium and Plant Heritage Sussex Co-Chair, who began collecting ornamental gingers in the late 1990s. Since then, his collection has grown to become one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the country, exceeding the number of varieties listed in the RHS Plant Finder. While not open for regular public viewing, Andrew hosts private visits by request and supplies flowers from his collection both nationally and internationally.

The National Collection forms part of Plant Heritage's wider work conserving plants at risk of disappearing, particularly in the face of climate change, and emerging pests and diseases. National Collections act as living genetic libraries, safeguarding genetic diversity that would otherwise be lost. There are now over 740 such collections across the UK, 39 of them in Sussex alone.

Following her visit, Jess Brown-Fuller MP said:

"It was a pleasure to visit Andrew's collection in Almodington and see first-hand the extraordinary work involved in building and maintaining one of the country's most comprehensive collections of ornamental gingers. 

Work like this plays a crucial role in protecting plant diversity for the future, particularly at a time when so many species face growing pressure from climate change and disease. I'm proud that Chichester is home to such dedicated conservation work, and I'd encourage anyone interested to find out more about Plant Heritage and the collections held right here in Chichester and across Sussex.” 

Jess Brown-Fuller MP Opens National Collection of Ornamental Gingers in Almodington