In light of the recent coronavirus guidelines the RHS, along with a host of other organisations, has announced it will be closing its gardens until further notice.
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The National Garden Scheme also announced on Sunday 22 March that it will be closing all its gardens until further notice.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew announced on the weekend that both Kew and Wakefield would both be closing too. The National Trust took the decision on the weekend to close all its gardens.
Last week it was announced that RHS would be holding a Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, with more details to be announced in due course.
A statement released by the RHS read: “Our utmost responsibility and concern is for the health and safety of our staff, members, visitors and volunteers. Yesterday (21 March 2020) was a very busy day at our gardens, and we felt we were no longer able to guarantee the Government’s requirement for social distancing. We are sorry for the disappointment this will cause all our valued members and visitors but we will re-open to visitors as soon as Government advice allows, and when we feel it is safe to do so.
“Our increased number of RHS advisors are working from home and will continue to answer all RHS member gardening questions, and The Garden magazine will continue to be published. As so many of us will be spending more time at home gardening, we hope these valuable services will be of benefit to our members. We will also be sharing pictures and films of our gardens online and on social media so that everyone can stay connected and enjoy the beauty of nature and our gardens from afar. A reduced level of staff from our horticulture teams will continue to look after our living collections of world class plants within our gardens.”
Please check individual websites and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
After careful consideration we have taken the sad decision to close our four RHS Gardens from today until further notice. We're sorry for the disappointment this will cause and we will re-open to visitors as soon as Government advice allows, and when we feel it is safe to do so. pic.twitter.com/vZB0h0mhZc
— The RHS (@The_RHS) March 22, 2020
As part of the UK's efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, we’re sad to confirm that we're closing the gates of both Kew and @wakehurst_kew until further notice. Thanks for your patience while we’ve come to this difficult decision. More details here: https://t.co/QAozxbAIhk pic.twitter.com/88ozTpze5Y
— Kew Gardens (@kewgardens) March 22, 2020
In the current crisis the National Garden Scheme is advising all its gardens not to open today or until further notice. We will continue to share our wonderful gardens with you on our website https://t.co/vtFQYnK6MZ and across social media throughout the coming season
— National Garden Scheme (@NGSOpenGardens) March 22, 2020
Authors
Daisy Bowie-Sell is digital editor of Gardens Illustrated. She has previously worked as a journalist for publications including the Daily Telegraph, WhatsOnStage and Time Out London
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