The RHS is the UK’s biggest gardening charity, famous for its roster of world-famous shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show. Alongside these events, this 220-year-old organisation promotes horticulture via a myriad of community projects, five flagship gardens, education schemes, training and science research programmes.
If you join the RHS, as well as becoming part of a thriving community, you can enjoy access to a range of benefits that you may not be aware of. Plus, become an RHS Member in October 2024 and save 30% on the joining fee.
You can visit 225 beautiful gardens for free
Alongside its own five amazing gardens (RHS Wisley, RHS Rosemoor, RHS Hyde Hall, RHS Harlow Carr and RHS Bridgewater) around the UK, RHS Members also get free entry into 220 ‘partner’ gardens. These are located up and down the country, and even some in far-flung climes like South Africa, Italy and the USA. Being an RHS Partner Garden is a stamp of approval and means these places are well worth a visit. They are diverse in style and character and many have unique charms, such as historical Nyman’s Garden in Sussex, a true plantsman’s paradise; the royal gardens at Sandringham in Norfolk; and the community-run Helmsley Walled Garden in Yorkshire.
You can get into the Chelsea Flower Show before everyone else
The RHS is known for putting on the world’s best flower shows and garden festivals, including those each summer at Hampton Court Palace and Malvern Spring Festival. As a member, you get discounted tickets and early access before the general public. Nowhere is this more important than for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show each spring. The event attracts around 168,000 visitors, looking for inspiration from show gardens created by world-famous designers and rising stars, as well as a pavilion full of perfect plant displays. Be first in the gate on Tuesday of show week for Members Day, and you can see it all without the crush and rush, and revel in having a sneak preview before anyone else.
You can get unlimited free gardening advice from the experts
Wherever you happen to be on your gardening journey, the RHS is committed to supporting you along the way. Gardening is a lifelong pursuit and no matter how many years of experience you have, there is always more to learn, and questions to ask.
The RHS Gardening Advice Service allows you to do just that and send your burning horticultural queries to its experts by email, post and phone. Several of the RHS Gardens also have advice desks where members can ask local experts for guidance. And at RHS shows and events (including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court) members can quiz RHS horticulturists for tips. All members receive The Garden magazine each month too.
You can help them build a better, greener future
Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society has grown to encompass research science, such as studying biological controls, soil health, plant breeding and therapeutic horticulture; as well as community and environmental-focused initiatives with schemes including the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and Britain in Bloom.
The organisation engages with young people to encourage a lifelong love of gardening. It also runs a wide range of workshops and courses for adult learners looking to improve their skills, as well as training up the next generation of professional horticulturists via its Horticultural Apprenticeship scheme and Training programmes.
Just by becoming a member you are supporting these programmes and other good causes, such as the NHS Wellbeing project, which saw four new wellbeing gardens built at GP surgeries across Manchester to give NHS staff respite.
You can get 30% off right now!
With access to gardens, courses, workshops, shows, events and expert advice, members are well treated by the RHS with a host of benefits. Now is a particularly good time to join as the RHS is offering a 30% discount on its membership until 31 October. Save on Individual Membership, which is £74 down to £51.80 (entry for the member plus a family guest or two children). The price of Joint Membership is £110 down to £77 (entry for two members, a family guest and four children). If you’re ready to grow (and save), click below to discover more.
