The Historic Role of American Plants in British and Irish Gardens

NIHGT 32nd Annual Conference, New Ross, County Wexford- 1-3 October 2026

Commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, this conference aims to highlight how North American plants have profoundly shaped our gardens, evolving from the exotic, treasured specimens brought back from the early colonies to the staples of modern prairie-style planting popularised by Piet Oudolf.

Pioneering expeditions in the 17th-century, such as those of Tradescant to Virginia, brought back the tulip tree, swamp cypress, phlox, asters and Virginia Creeper, while collectors in the following century, such as John Bartram and Peter Collinson, introduced maples, magnolias and rhododendrons among many others, fostering a trend for 'American gardens'.

The 19th-century exploration of the Pacific North-West coast by collectors such as David Douglas, Thomas Coulter and Theodor Hartweg, introduced many more new trees and shrubs, their transport helped by the invention of the 'Wardian case', all of which have made an enduring impact on our parks and gardens. Conference will the visit the J.F. Kennedy Arboretum, established in 1968, which has one of the most comprehensive and significant collections of woody plants in the world. 

Join our mailing list for updates