About Us | Hampshire Carnivorous Plants Ltd

Welcome to Hampshire Carnivorous Plants Ltd (HCP) – the UK’s largest specialist nursery devoted to the cultivation of carnivorous plants. Run by RHS Master Grower Matthew Soper, HCP combines award-winning horticultural expertise with a lifelong fascination for these remarkable species.

Our Story

Hampshire Carnivorous Plants was founded in 1995 by Matthew Soper in his parents’ back garden. His fascination began as a young boy in the 1970s after watching Sir David Attenborough’s Natural History programmes and visiting Kew Gardens.

At the age of seven, Matthew obtained his very first Venus Flytrap — and, like so many beginners, accidentally killed it by overfeeding it! That curiosity evolved into decades of hands-on experience and innovation, turning a childhood passion into a world-renowned nursery.

Today, HCP operates from a 14,000 sq ft site in rural Hampshire, and remains a proudly family-run business, combining passion, experience, and horticultural excellence.

Matthew has also travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia and the United States, studying carnivorous plants in their natural habitats. His global experience continues to influence the way HCP grows, cares for, and conserves these extraordinary species.

Our Plants

We grow a vast and diverse collection of carnivorous plants, including:

Sarracenia, Heliamphora, Nepenthes, Pinguicula, Drosera, Cephalotus, and Dionaea (Venus Flytrap).

Our plants are suitable for everyone — from beginners discovering their first Flytrap to keen collectors looking for rare or bespoke hybrids.

We are also home to some of the finest outdoor carnivorous bog gardens in the UK, demonstrating how these unique plants can thrive in naturalistic, outdoor settings.

Our plants are regularly supplied to prestigious institutions such as Kew Gardens, the Eden Project, and the Oxford and Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, as well as specialist collections across the UK and beyond.

Awards & Exhibiting History

With over 200 consecutive RHS Gold Medals, Hampshire Carnivorous Plants is one of the most decorated specialist nurseries in the UK.

Our first Gold Medal was awarded in 1996 at the Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival, and we have since achieved:

• 23 consecutive Gold Medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
• 4 Best in Show – Hampton Court
• 2 Best in Show – Tatton Park
• 4 Best in Show – BBC Gardeners’ World / RHS
• 3 Best in Show – Malvern Autumn
• 2 Best in Show – Malvern Spring
• 2 Best in Show – Harrogate Spring
• 1 Best in Show – Harrogate Autumn
• 2 Best in Show – Gardening Scotland
• 2 Best in Show – Amateur Gardening Show
• 1 Best in Show – Southport Flower Show
• 1 Best in Show – Portsmouth Flower Show
• 1 RHS Witan Award (Westminster)
• 5 RHS Anthony Huxley Awards
• 1 RHS Laurence Medal

👉 See full details of upcoming flower shows and Open Weekends on our Events page.

TV, Film & Media Features

Our award-winning plants have been featured in numerous films, documentaries, and advertising campaigns, including:

• James Bond – No Time to Die
• Dungeons & Dragons
• The Private Life of Plants
• Life on Earth
• BBC Gardeners’ World
• Campaigns for Jimmy Choo and Gucci

Popular Open Weekends

Our Open Weekends have become some of the most popular carnivorous plant events in the UK.

Held several times a year, these free-entry events give visitors the chance to:

• Explore our 14,000 sq ft nursery and view hundreds of species and hybrids
• See our outdoor bog gardens, considered among the best in the UK
• Meet Matthew and the HCP team for expert advice and growing tips
• Purchase rare plants and exclusive varieties not available online

No booking is required. Visit our Events page for full details and dates.

Plant Sales, Delivery & Wholesale

We supply plants nationwide via secure mail order, using trusted couriers APC and DPD for reliable, careful delivery.

Plants can also be collected directly from the nursery or purchased during Open Weekends.

Wholesale orders are available for garden centres, educational institutions, and specialist retailers — please contact us for details.

Education & 2026 Masterclasses

In 2024, we launched our new Education Space, offering talks, guided tours, and growing demonstrations.

Coming in 2026, we’re proud to introduce our Carnivorous Plant Masterclasses — hands-on learning sessions for all experience levels. Led by RHS Master Grower Matthew Soper, these classes will provide expert insights and practical guidance for anyone passionate about carnivorous plants.

Join our mailing list or contact sales@hantsflytrap.com for updates and early booking information.

Hire Our Space

Our purpose-built classroom and event area are available to hire for workshops, educational sessions, and plant-related events.

To find out more, email sales@hantsflytrap.com.

Visit Us

Whether online or in person, we look forward to welcoming you to Hampshire Carnivorous Plants Ltd — home of the UK’s most spectacular and award-winning collection of carnivorous plants.

Matt, Ya, Dave, Fon 

A full list of flower shows we will be attending and open weekends held on the nursery this year can be found under events on our home page click HERE