Through his television programmes such as BBC Gardeners World, Ground Force and How to be a Gardener and his many books, Alan has brought the pleasures, dramas and rewards of gardens and gardening into everyone’s home.

Says Professor Michael Alder, Chairman of Plant Heritage “We are so pleased that Alan has agreed to take on this very high profile role for us. Alan has an extraordinary ability to reach out to people from all walks of life and share with them his passion for plants and gardens. His commitment to better gardening for everyone fits so well with our mission to secure the future for the very best of Britain’s 2000 year old legacy of cultivated plants, now in danger of loss and extinction.”

Alan Titchmarsh adds: “This is an exciting moment to be joining Plant Heritage, just as the grow your own movement reaches a level of popularity not seen since Dig for Victory in the Second World War. Plant Heritage is all about making sure that the amazing range of cultivated plants that gardeners have developed over generations will still be widely available, not only to enrich our gardens today, but as the breeding stock for varieties suited to tomorrow’s needs in a fast changing world. I am so delighted to lend my voice to this important work.”

Meet Alan at the Plant Heritage Marquee at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on Press Day, Monday 5 July and at other events through the year.