Royal Horticultural Society

Established in 1804, The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Its aim was to collect information about all plants and to encourage the improvement of horticultural practice. In 1861 Prince Albert passed a charter resulting in the change of name to the Royal Horticultural Society. Following this, membership flourished and the society invested in its archive now housed in the Lindley Library. The Lindley Library is now the world’s foremost horticultural collection, containing over 50,000 books, 1500 periodicals and 18,000 botanical drawings.

The Royal Horticultural Society pioneer in horticultural excellence and encourage gardening for all ages. In addition to its gardens at Wisely, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr the Royal Horticultural Society organises the iconic Chelsea flower show, which people travel from all over the world to exhibit at and attend.