RHS committees

Guidelines for judging

Regulations for the conduct of meetings of Council and Committees (pdf 125KB)

Plant committees

View information on the RHS plant committees

Advisory Committee on Nomenclature & Taxonomy

The Committee advises the Society on matters relating to the naming of plants in cultivation, and in particular, the use of names in the RHS Horticultural Database, reflected in the annual publication of the RHS Plant Finder. It reports to the Horticultural Board. The Committee meets on an irregular basis, about five times a year, at Wisley.

View the minutes of the Committee's meetings

Bursaries Committee
(Founded 1962 as the Expeditions & Scholarships Committee)

The Committee is responsible to the Horticultural Board for awarding bursaries to individuals for the improvement of horticultural knowledge and experience; gained through initiatives such as research, plant study expeditions, conference attendance and short term attachments. Professional horticulturists and subject related scientists, students and amateurs may apply if domiciled in the UK, or elsewhere if proposing topics based in the UK. Some bursaries are available to institutions, charities and gardens for horticultural projects with distinct educational, research or historic value. The Committee meets quarterly in February, May, August and November.

View the minutes of the Committee's meetings

Conservation and Environment Advisory Committee
(Founded 2002; from 1994 as a Council Working Party)

The Committee advises Council and the Horticultural Board on conservation and environmental matters in relation to horticulture and gardening. The Committee meets in London, usually twice a year.

View the minutes of the Committee's meetings

Education and Qualifications Policy Board
(Founded 2003)

The Board is responsible for advising the Horticultural Board on matters of policy pertaining to the provision of education and training and horticultural qualifications . It reviews, develops and advises on provision, content and direction of the Society's programmes and services in these activities, including their relevance to need and opportunities and their cost effectiveness. The Board liaises closely with the four specialist committees that report to it regularly: the Education and Training Committee; the RHS Level 2 General Certificate Committee; the MS Level 3 Advanced Certificate/Diploma Committee; and the RHS Master of Horticulture Committee. The Committee will meet on receipt of notice.

View the minutes of the Board's meetings

Gardens Committee
(Founded 1991)

The Committee is responsible to the Horticultural Board for agreeing plans for the development and maintenance of the Society's gardens and for ensuring that they are carried out to the very highest standards of horticulture. The masterplan for each Garden will be agreed by Council on the recommendation of the Horticultural Board and the Committee has authority to confirm the layout and planting proposals within this plan. The Committee will meet on March 17 (Harlow Carr), April 28 (Wisley), June 7 (Rosemoor), July 26 (Hyde Hall), September 15 (Harlow Carr), October 19 (Wisley).

Library Committee
(Founded 1910)

The Committee is responsible for advising Council through the Horticultural Board on all matters pertaining to the work of the Lindley Library including the purchase of books and the acquisition of paintings and drawings. The Committee will meet on receipt of notice.

Photographic Committee
(Founded 2002. Formerly Photographic Panel)

The Committee is responsible for judging exhibits of photographs of plants, flowers and gardens. It reports to the Horticultural Board. The Committee will meet in London in March (date tbc) and on 4 October.

View details of the Photographic Competition 2007

Exhibition of photography at RHS London Flower Shows

Picture Committee
(Founded c. 1934)

The Committee is responsible for judging at the London Flower Shows the exhibits of paintings and drawings of plants and flowers, and paintings of gardens. It reports to the Horticultural Board. A quorum is five members including the Chairman.
ENTRY Details of exhibits must be submitted on the official entry form obtainable from the Shows department in accordance with the regulations in the London Flower Shows Exhibitor Manual.
AWARDS FOR PICTURES The Committee will recommend awards as listed in regulation 3(a) for exhibits which demonstrate a close attention to botanical accuracy in the depiction of the shape, habit and colour (when applicable) of the subject.

To view the minutes of the Committee's meetings click here

Rock Garden and Alpine Group Sub-committee
(Founded 1964)

The Sub-committee is responsible for judging all group exhibits of rock garden and alpine plants shown at the London Flower Shows. Group exhibits at Chelsea are judged by a Panel appointed by the Horticultural Board. This Sub-committee reports to the Horticultural Board. A quorum is seven members including the Chairman. The Sub-committee meets in the RHS Halls to inspect non-competitive exhibits (unless otherwise notified) at 10.15am on the first day of any show.

To view the minutes of the Committee's meetings click here

Science and Horticultural Advice Committee
(Founded 1868 as Scientific Committee)

The Committee is responsible for the development and review of policies on science and horticultural advice for the Society. Committee members provide specialist advice to scientific staff and horticultural advisors in the provision of their professional services and development of their research. The Committee will encourage, and contribute to, the effective communication of horticultural information and its underpinning science to a wide audience. It reports to the Horticultural Board. The Committee will meet three times a year at Wisley on dates to be arranged.

To view the minutes of the Committee's meetings click here

Trials Committee
(Founded 1947)

The Committee meets annually to consider recommendations on trials matters from invited and long term Trials Sub Committees. It then recommends trials policies and procedures to the Horticultural Board. The Committee will meet on receipt of notice.

To view the minutes of the Committee's meetings click here