Various analyses have indicated that gardens in New Zealand hold a collection of Rhododendron species that can make a contribution to international ex situ conservation. In consequence, a project was initiated in 2017 to manage the New Zealand holdings, which are held on a range of sites, as a metacollection for conservation. This article describes the development of that project and its operation up to 2026. It provides a summary of the context and priorities for Rhododendron conservation, and outlines the project’s objectives and development. Project activities are described under six categories: (1) the search for, and propagation and distribution of plants; (2) the network of collections and the National Collection; (3) communication and external relations; (4) data and analysis; (5) biosecurity, including the framework that controls importation of seed into New Zealand; (6) research. The project is based on a series of global analyses carried out in the period 2016–2018. Since then, however, the global situation has changed. A new global analysis is therefore required to reflect recent changes in threat status and collection holdings.
Companion plant culture – the keeping of plants as household companions – has expanded rapidly in the Republic of Korea, prompting botanic gardens and arboreta to reconsider how public enthusiasm for horticulture may be aligned with ex situ conservation. This article presents a case study of a Platycerium initiative at the Sejong National Arboretum (SNA) that developed between 2024 and 2025 from a thematic exhibition into a conservation platform. In 2024, the special exhibition The Mysterious Flight of Bakjwi-ran (Staghorn Ferns) displayed over 100 individuals representing 70 Platycerium taxa, including all 18 recognised species, which were subsequently incorporated into SNA’s documented living collection. In 2025, SNA established a 90 m2 core Platycerium conservation zone within the 2,800 m2 Tropical Garden, complemented by installations across the conservatory to accommodate species-specific growth forms. Public programmes involving plant enthusiasts facilitated knowledge exchange, collaborative exhibition contributions and resource efficiencies. This transition demonstrates how exhibition-led initiatives can catalyse accession and collection development. The article proposes a four-stage curatorial model applicable to ornamental taxa where popularity intersects with ecological constraints.
Established in 1996 in response to substantial anthropogenic pressure, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (Barsey) in Sikkim, India, serves as a model for biodiversity conservation. Spanning 104 km² in area and elevations ranging from 2,200 to 4,100 m asl, Barsey protects a high diversity of Rhododendron, oaks and bamboos, as well as critical habitats for endangered fauna. Following the exclusion of grazing and the implementation of active community engagement through Eco-Development Committees, the sanctuary has demonstrated forest regeneration, increased carbon stocks, restored springs and a rise in ecotourism during Rhododendron flowering seasons. Here, we review the historical transformation of Barsey from a highly disturbed forest landscape to a recovering protected area, highlighting ecological outcomes, biodiversity gains and the role of local communities in conservation. We outline future research and conservation priorities, and ways to regulate tourism pressure, support off-season livelihoods and habitat restoration, and promote sustainable Rhododendron cultivation. Furthermore, we highlight the need to strengthen long-term ecological research and climate monitoring through community-led conservation initiatives.
The continuous increase of the global human population living in cities has significantly impacted various aspects of nature and climate worldwide. One initiative to promote the urban green space and its biodiversity is the construction of green roofs. Despite the basic structure of these green roofs being similar around the world, the optimal design can depend greatly on local environmental conditions. In the Netherlands, it remains unclear how the flowering performance of green roofs can be enhanced beyond the relatively short flowering period of commonly used Sedum species. This study investigates the effects of adding mineral wool and compost to experimental green roof systems in the Netherlands. Mineral wool was applied as a water-retentive substrate layer, while compost was added as a nutrient-amending component. Flower and seed production, as well as plant species richness, were used as indicators of flowering performance on the green roofs at ground level. The results showed that mineral wool significantly increases the number of flowers and seeds, and the overall richness of plant species, stimulating both sown and spontaneously colonising species. The addition of compost did not affect these parameters. These results reveal that green roof designs incorporating water-retentive substrate components can enhance flowering performance, and suggest an expansion of the flowering period of green roofs in the Netherlands. This study evaluates these results in the context of the current state of green roof construction and management in urban areas.
Over the past decade, the condition of the rhododendron collection in the Botanical Garden of Copenhagen has gradually declined. In 2020, the Garden initiated a project to save its rhododendrons with a new landscape plan that is more ecologically authentic and more closely represents the genus’s natural environment. The project involved relocation and propagation of the plants while simultaneously introducing a new visual interpretive design for communicating the stories related to rhododendrons. In this article, we describe the endeavour of establishing a new home for the Garden’s rhododendron collection – comprising approximately 200 species, some of which are threatened – in the newly established Rhododendron Quarter. Today, this site is one of the most popular areas of the Garden, a place where visitors can slow down, enjoy the plants and gain knowledge through the interpretive displays.
