Blue Diamond has announced a long-term collaboration with the National Trust. The five-year collaboration will see the development of an exciting collection of seeds, bulbs and other plants that are inspired by the gardens the National Trust cares for.   

Through sales generated from the National Trust Collection by Blue Diamond, a minimum of 10% of the retail sales price per product will be given to the National Trust to help look after nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever. In the first year of the collaboration Blue Diamond have committed a minimum of £180,000 which will fund vital conservation at National Trust gardens and parks. 

Examples of the pack shots soon to be in Blue Diamond Garden Centres.

The National Trust look after the greatest collection of historic gardens and garden plants under single ownership in Europe. They encompass more than 500 years of history and a vast range of garden styles and fashions. With more than 200 gardens in their care, from kitchen gardens to colourful displays of spring bulbs and heritage rose gardens, the National Trust bring a shared passion for gardening to this collaboration. 

The collaboration between Blue Diamond and the National Trust will result in the development of an exclusive collection of plants, bulbs and seeds which tell stories from the historic gardens cared for by the National Trust.  These stories will include plants, seeds and bulbs from some of the rare, heritage varieties that would have otherwise been lost, without the National Trust’s care.

Alongside a shared passion for gardens, both Blue Diamond and the National Trust are committed to caring for the environment - the National Trust is Europe’s largest conservation charity and this ethos flows through everything it does.  

Blue Diamond has taken many positive steps to reduce its impact on the environment and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2021, Blue Diamond partnered with the Soil Association and is working with them to promote environmentally friendly and organic gardening.

Bulbs will be the first product launch within this collaboration, available from the end of August 2022. The collection will expand to include trees, bare root-roses, compost and plants by the end of 2022. 

Michaela Davies, Brand Licensing Manager at the National Trust said: “We know that not only do our visitors love to explore the gardens we care for, but they also leave inspired to make changes in their own green spaces – however large or small. Therefore, this collaboration with Blue Diamond is a very logical one.

With both organisations also sharing a commitment to sustainable product production and featuring heritage, rare and unusual varieties; varieties that would have been lost without the National Trust’s care. This is a wonderful collection for both passionate gardeners and those just dipping their toes.”

Alan Roper, Managing Director of the Blue Diamond Group said: “The National Trust is a much loved and cherished institution and I am pleased that our collaboration with the National Trust will provide funding for this charitable organisation who for the past 127 years have preserved our heritage and open spaces for all to enjoy. I look forward to unlocking their rich heritage of plant species which will be grown on our nursery, and be on sale over the coming years within our garden centres.”

The National Trust bulb collection will include a narcissus fill-a-box with a selection of 28 varieties as well as a collection of bulbs for naturalizing including tulips, alliums, fritillaria and snowdrops in pack sizes and ready-to-plant hand biodegradable bulb trays. 

Powis Castle, whose gardens inspired the Powis Rose bare root collection, available to pre order late September.

The collection of bulbs will be available at Blue Diamond Garden centres from the end of August 2022.  Prices starting from £4.99. We look forward to launching trees later in the year, the Powis Castle bare root collection of roses in late September/early October and a full collection to include seeds, roses and plants are in the pipeline and will be launching in Spring 2023.