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The Royal Horticultural Society is one of the world’s leading horticultural organisations and the UK's leading gardening charity.
The RHS is a registered charity, incorporated and governed by a Royal Charter and by Bye-Laws approved by the membership.
View the Charter & Bye-laws
Originally named The Horticultural Society of London, the RHS has a long and interesting history spanning more than 200 years.
More about our history
We focus on providing a real benefit to those involved and interested in horticulture and gardening in the UK. Read these latest reports for information on what we have achieved and our plans for the future:
Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements (1.64 MB pdf)
RHS Annual Review 2011-12 (2.4MB pdf)
RHS Annual Review 2010-11 (5.19MB pdf)
Click here to read more about What We Do
The principal decision making body of the RHS is called “Council”. Council is responsible for the strategic direction, management and performance of the Society. It also appoints committees to take decisions on its behalf or to provide it with information and advice.
The Society’s decision-making arrangements
RHS plant and administrative advisory committees
Charity law prevents the RHS undertaking trading activities that are not directly related to its charitable purpose. The Society therefore provides services to the general public and its members through separate trading companies.
Read further information about our trading companies
Our mission is “To be the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening”.
To translate our vision into practice, and to enable us to deliver real public benefit, we have adopted a strategy setting out the actions we will be taking over the next three years. We have also adopted policies to enable us to share our beliefs with others.
More about our mission, strategy and policies
The Society’s patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
The RHS holds an AGM to enable the members of the Society to find out what has been achieved over the past year and to have a say in how the RHS should develop.
The 2012 AGM The 2011 AGM
Interested in growing your own fruit and veg? We've got all the advice you'll ever need, from planting through to recipe ideas!
More on grow your own
© The Royal Horticultural Society 2013 RHS Registered Charity № 222879/SC038262