The Royal Horticultural Society is one of the world’s leading horticultural organisations and the UK's leading gardening charity. Our mission is to be the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. We exist to provide advice, knowledge, skills and services to all who possess an interest in gardening and horticulture.
Below is information on the Society that you will find of interest.
Charitable Status
The Society is a registered charity in England and Wales (No 222879) and Scotland (No SCO38262). Our charitable purpose is the "Encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches".
Find out more about our mission and charitable activities
Our History
Founded in 1804, originally under the title The Horticultural Society of London, the RHS has a long and fascinating history spanning more than 200 years.
Find out more about our history
How the RHS works
RHS Council and Directors
The RHS Council is responsible for the strategic direction of the Society and for overseeing its management and administration. Council comprises the President, Treasurer, 15 ordinary members and up to two co-opted members. The members of Council also act as the Trustees of the Society. The President acts as the Chairman of Council.
The day-to-day running of the Society is delegated to the executive directors and other staff.
Find out who are the RHS Council and Directors
Elections to Council, office of President and Treasurer
The President and Treasurer and ordinary members of Council are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
Find out about the elections
Charter and Bye-laws
The RHS is governed by a Royal Charter and by Bye-Laws approved by the members.
Find out about the charter and bye-laws (80KB Adobe Acrobat pdf)
Annual General Meeting
Each year the RHS holds an AGM for its members to find out what has been achieved over the past year and to say how it should develop in the future.
Find out about the 2008 & 2009 AGMs
Annual reports
The Annual Review and the Trustees' Report and Financial Statements provide a review of the Society activities and performance over the previous financial year.
View the reports
RHS committees
Council delegates some of its powers and functions to Committees and also appoints a number of committees to provide it with specialist advice on subjects such as plants, science, education and the staging of shows.
Find out more about RHS committees
RHS awards
As the UK's leading gardening charity, the Society recognises the achievements of those who contribute so much to horticulture and gardening in the UK. The Society's highest awards are the Victoria Medal of Honour; the Veitch Memorial Medal; the Associateship of Honour and the Honorary Fellowship.
Find out more about the awards
Vacancies
Interested in working for the RHS? Then take a look at our current job vacancies. Or you could become a volunteer.
View the vacancies
Find out about becoming a volunteer
Contact and feedback
If you want to get in contact with us, provide some feedback or even make a complaint, then we’d love to hear from you.
How to contact the RHS
How to make a complaint