The Royal Horticultural Society is the United Kingdom's principal gardening charity, established to advance the science, art and practice of horticulture. It began life in 1804 in London and was incorporated as the Royal Horticultural Society in 1861. The organisation supports amateur and professional gardeners, promotes plant health and diversity, and offers practical advice about cultivating food, ornamentals and green spaces across the country.

From its earliest years the Society has combined public outreach with botanical study. Its stated aims include the conservation and appreciation of plants, the improvement and accessibility of gardens and the stewardship of parks. The RHS operates as a charity in the UK, running educational programmes, community projects and scientific trials that inform gardeners and horticulturalists about best practice.

RHS activity spans practical support, research and events. The Society publishes guidance, plant lists and advisory resources; it runs trials of cultivars to evaluate performance and hardiness; and it delivers training for volunteers and professionals. As a national body for gardening, it advocates for sustainable gardening, urban greening and food-growing initiatives, encouraging individuals to grow some of their own produce and to manage green spaces biodiversity-consciously. The RHS also operates grant and outreach schemes as part of its charitable remit charity.

Main gardens

  • Wisley Garden – the Society's principal garden, known for demonstration displays, plant trials and research into cultivation techniques.
  • Rosemoor – a garden in Devon that showcases ornamental planting and educational activities suitable for families and specialist interest groups.
  • Hyde Hall – located in Essex and noted for its landscape-scale planting designs and environmental planting experiments.
  • Harlow Carr – a northern garden in North Yorkshire with woodland, rock garden and kitchen-garden displays adapted to cooler climates.

These gardens serve as living laboratories, visitor attractions and training sites. They host seasonal displays and practical courses, and they demonstrate planting techniques for a range of soils and climates encountered across the country.

Shows, awards and publications

The RHS organises some of the UK's best-known flower shows, which draw international attention and set trends in garden design. Major events include the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show and the RHS Cardiff Flower Show. These exhibitions feature show gardens, floral displays and competitive plant classes, and they play a significant role in horticultural innovation and public engagement.

To inform and recognise excellence the Society runs systematic trials and issues awards such as merit recognitions for plants that perform reliably in gardens. It also publishes specialist information—gardening handbooks, periodicals and searchable plant directories—to help gardeners make informed choices. Through these combined efforts the RHS aims to raise horticultural standards, conserve plant diversity and inspire people of all ages to engage with gardening and green-space stewardship.