Plant Heritage has announced the start of their 2024 Threatened Plant of the Year competition, inviting gardeners across the UK to submit their rare or special plants.

The nationwide search, beginning in February, allows entrants to submit up to five unusual cultivars until May 19.

The winner, who will be recognised for their contribution to the maintenance and protection of UK's plant diversity, will be rewarded with an engraved vase, certificate and plant label at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on July 1.

Hexham Courant: 2021 TPotY winner_Camellia × williamsii Yesterday cc Dr K Westbrook

Gill Groombridge, business manager at Plant Heritage, said: "The importance of discovering and caring for rare and threatened plants that may not exist anywhere else in the country, cannot be overstated.

"Every year we receive an incredible array of entries – including many that we didn’t even know existed – so we’re very excited to see what gems are submitted this year."

Hexham Courant: TPotY 2020 winner - Clematis 'Veitch'. Credit Plant Heritage

Last year's winner was an uncommon ornamental quince, the Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Contorta’.

To learn more about the competition or to enter, visit bit.ly/TPOTY2024.