Research shows large proportion of plants at risk

Garden and greenhouse enthusiasts may be concerned by the news that as many as one in five of the world’s plant species are at risk of extinction.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) reported that new figures show that 20 per cent of the 380,000 known plant species could be in great danger.

In fact, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) study found that plant life may be even more at risk than mammals or birds.

Using the IUCN Red List, the team looked at a variety of species and discovered that some may even be extinct now, while others are in more danger than previously thought.

The results show just how much pressure plants are under, explained IUCN team member and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew expert Steve Bachman.

"For the first time we have a real picture of what’s happening to plants across the world," he said.

Meanwhile, the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards results have been announced, with Scotland’s Falkland retaining its Champion of Champions title.