The seed bank also helped to restore plants after intense wildfires swept across Australia in 2019. Cate Blanchett says this meant a lot to her.
“There are almost 9,000 species of Australian plant that are stored [at the MSB]. And we know that bushfires are getting increasingly more intense. And it’s sad to say – but knowing that insurance policy exists, is of great solace to me.”
Working as an ambassador for Wakehurst has meant that the actor has had a chance to get hands on with the seeds.
“Have I got dirt under my fingernails? Well, I’m trying to turn my brown thumbs green,” she laughs.
“You know, living in Sussex, you can’t not but become a passionate gardener. So I’ve had a lot of questions about how one stores seeds as a lay person, and I’ve learned a lot about that. My seed management has definitely, definitely improved.”
And after spending so much time with the researchers at the MSB, is she at all tempted to swap the film set for the lab?
“I wish I had the skill – maybe I could play a scientist,” she laughs.
