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The purpose of this study was to analyse the characteristics that define a plant collection. In 2002 Chicago Botanic Garden benchmarked the living plant collections in national and international botanic gardens and arboreta in seven countries. The result of the study revealed that there were twelve characteristics of an exemplary living collection. These were: I. Institutional Collections Policy and Development Plans II. High diversity (breadth in taxa and germplasm) III. Depth or areas of specialization (plant-related areas) IV. Thorough record-keeping V. Care – maintenance practices VI. An active Verification Programme VII. Plants of wild origin with cultivated plants from their introducer VIII. Taxa of conservation concern IX. Staff expertise (knowledge acquired from the building and study of the Collection) X. Public access (to view and study plants and benefit from associated Programming) XI. Plant Exploration Programmes XII. Relevance to science and society for multiple generations