Royal Horticultural Society
This show is organized by the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society or RHS was founded in 1804 as the London Horticultural Society, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert. It is a charity and exists to promote gardening and horticulture in Britain and Europe. This is done through a series of flower shows and through many model gardens that are open to the public.
The RHS has four flagship gardens in England: Wisley Garden, near the village of Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire. The most famous of the RHS's flower shows is the annual Chelsea Flower Show, but it also organizes two others: at Hampton Court and Tatton Park in Cheshire.
The RHS operates the Britain in Bloom competition. It also honors certain persons with the Victoria Medal of Honour who are deemed by its Council to be deserving of special recognition in the field of horticulture.
The RHS maintains the The International Orchid Register, the central listing of Orchid hybrids.
The RHS is custodian of the Lindley Library, housed within its headquarters at 80 Vincent Square, London, and in branches at each of its four gardens. The library is based upon the book collection of John Lindley.
The RHS celebrated its bicentenary in 2004.
External links
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Construction of the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens in South Kensington, 1860-61 in Vintage Photographs The First Project and the Beginning of the Royal Horticultural Society Is Documented in Photographs, with Accompanying Essay