Plantlife has elected broadcaster, horticulturalist, writer and garden designer Rachel de Thame as its new Vice President.

“Can you imagine the British countryside without wildflowers?”asks Rachel, whose passion for gardens is firmly rooted in a love for our native flora. "No cowslips nodding by the wayside, or pale yellow primroses. The shimmering haze of a scented bluebell wood, merely a distant memory?  Nor can I. 

"Wildflowers are part of our heritage, and vital to the pollinators that rely on them. A future without them is unimaginable. That’s why I’m proud to become Plantlife’s Vice President. Since launching 25 years ago, they have protected and conserved the nation’s unique and irreplaceable flora."

Rachel's passion for plants emerged in early childhood and is now the cornerstone of a varied career.

A familiar face on our screens since 1999, Rachel is perhaps best known as a presenter of BBC’s flagship series Gardeners’ World and Great British Garden Revival, as well as reporting from all the major flower shows. Her work on Countrywise for ITV1 enabled her to explore wild areas across the length and breadth of the country. Rachel is currently creating a wild flower meadow at her Cotswold home.

Marian Spain, Plantlife CEO, says: "I am thrilled that Rachel will be working with Plantlife. Her passion for plants will be a huge boost to everybody in working towards our aim of saving and celebrating wild flowers. With one in every 5 of our native flowers under threat, Rachel’s support will be invaluable in inspiring even more people to take action for our vanishing flora."