The RHS Affiliated Societies scheme currently supports more than 2,800 gardening clubs and societies throughout the UK and overseas, making it the largest network of gardening clubs in the UK.
The popularity of the scheme proves the value placed on the benefits of affiliating to the RHS and becoming part of this community gardening network. Our aims are to attract more and more gardening clubs to the scheme, to put keen amateur gardeners in touch with one another and to provide individual societies with the advice and support they need. By working together to promote gardening at a local level, we can encourage people young and old to get involved and ensure that this great British tradition of growing as a community continues for generations to come.
Criteria for affiliation & information pack
All gardening clubs and horticultural societies are eligible to join the scheme. Your society should have a remit to promote horticulture at a local level, should hold regular meetings and/or hold an annual show.
Download the Affiliated Societies Information Pack (3MB)
Download the Affiliated Societies joining form (310KB pdf)
Benefits
- For only £30 per year, your club or society will receive these benefits for FREE:
- Information Pack offering society related support and advice
- Monthly copy of The Garden magazine
- Annual visit to an RHS garden for up to 55 members
- Banksian/Grenfell medal to award at your show
- Gardening advice from RHS advisors
- Quarterly newsletters and e-communications
- Speakers/judges registers
- RHS Affiliated Societies logo
- Promotion of your events on the RHS website
- Entry to RHS competitions
- Access to the largest network of gardening clubs in the UK
- Opportunities to participate in national awareness-raising events and activities
Optional benefits
Optional benefits include:
- Insurance cover at highly competitive rates (click the link for further details)
- Certificates, stationery and medals designed exclusively for RHS Affiliated Societies
- Discounted entry to RHS gardens with the Garden Reduced Price Entry card
- Special Affiliated Society rate tickets for Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and RHS London shows
- Reduced-rate tickets for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Videos and slides to hire on a wide range of topics
- Selected discounts on RHS promotion
Further details of benefits on offer to RHS Affiliated Societies (208KB pdf)
Please note: The RHS Affiliated Society year runs from 1 September to 31 August and there are no pro-rata rates. Any affiliation entered into, or any insurance purchased during this period attracts the full subscription and premium. All rates are applicable to UK societies only and may be subject to change as of 1 September 2010. Societies based overseas incur an additional postage fee.
RHS gardens and shows for groups
Information about about visiting RHS gardens and shows as a group is also available.
Further information on group visits
Horticultural federations/guilds
Horticultural federations and guilds operate on a county-wide basis with a membership base consisting of horticultural gardening clubs and societies. They provide access to a vast network of gardening clubs and societies, and help their members with advice on the day-to-day organisation of local club business and other society matters.
The RHS encourages garden clubs and societies to join their local horticultural federation for further support and for access to activities and events in their local area; some also train judges for horticultural shows and events.
The RHS encourages its Affiliated Societies to join their local horticultural federation for further support and for access to activities and events in their local area.