Gardening organisations

Gardening organisations can assist members of the public wishing to find a gardener, contractor, consultant or expert witness. Below we explain about some of organisations that can help.

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The easiest way to find a contractor is to use a gardening organisation. Credit: RHS The Garden
The easiest way to find a contractor is to use a gardening organisation. Credit: RHS The Garden

Quick facts

Use professional gardening organisations to help find reliable contractors, gardeners, consultants or expert witnesses
Members have to prove their qualifications and experience to join these organisations
Members have to maintain standards to retain membership of some organisations
Use professional organisations where the enquiry is specialist and beyond the scope of RHS Gardening Advice

Why use gardening organisations?

Gardening organisations can assist members of the public wishing to find gardeners, contractors, consultants or expert witnesses.

We strongly recommend that professional and student horticulturists join, or work towards joining, one or more of these organisations.

Choice of organisations

Garden design

The Society of Garden Designers
A volunteer-run organisation representing garden designers and landscape architects.
Katepwa House, Ashfield Park Avenue, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5AX.
Tel: (01159) 683 188
Web: www.sgd.org.uk

Gardening with a disability

Thrive
A Charity with a mission to research, educate and promote the use and advantages of gardening for people with disabilities.
The Geoffrey Udall Centre, Beech Hill, Reading, Berkshire RG7 2AT.
Tel: (0118) 988 5688 (please note: Thrive are unable to handle general gardening enquiries)
Web: www.carryongardening.org.uk and www.thrive.org.uk

Garden Maintenance

The Gardeners Guild
Web www.thegardenersguild.co.uk (includes a 'Find a gardener' directory)

Garden Landscaping

Association of Professional Landscapers
Represents landscapers, garden designers and gardeners.
Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5AH.
Tel: (0118) 930 3132
Web: www.landscaper.org.uk

British Association of Landscape Industries
Represents landscapers, garden designers and related suppliers and professions.
Landscape House, NAC (Nat. Agric. Centre), Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LG.
Tel: (0870) 770 4971
Web: www.bali.org.uk 

Arborists and tree surgeons

Arboricultural Association
For contractors, consultants, suppliers and advice relating to tree care. There's also an online list of approved arborists
Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS.
Tel: (01242) 522152
Web: www.trees.org.uk

Gardeners, Horticulturists and Associated Trades

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture
Represents horticulturists and related science and design professions, with emphasis on education, research and government lobbying.
Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading, West Berkshire RG7 5AH.
Tel: (03330) 050181
Web: www.horticulture.org.uk

The Society of Chemical Industry (Horticulture Group)
Aims to develop all aspects of UK horticulture within an international umbrella organisation
14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS.
Tel: (020) 7598 1500
Web: SOCI website

The Horticultural Trades Association
Represents garden retailers, wholesalers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and distributors.
Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5AH.
Tel: (0118) 930 3132 
Web: www.the-hta.org.uk

The British Institute of Agricultural Consultants
A source of expert witnesses and consultants
The Estate Office, Torry Hill, Milstead, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 0SP.
Tel: (01275) 375559
Web: www.biac.co.uk

Turf and sports turf

The Institute of Groundsmanship 
Represents professional and amateur grounds care specialists.;
28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Ave, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK12 5TW.
Tel: (01908) 312511 
Web: www.iog.org

The Sports Turf Research Institute
International independent advice and research on all aspects of sports and amenity turf.
St. Ives Estate, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16 1AU.
Tel: (01274) 565131
Web: www.stri.co.uk

Interior Landscaping

The European Federation of Interior Landscaping Groups Ltd
For contractors and advice relating to indoor plant displays.
P.O. BOX 196, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7PF.
Tel: (01794) 521744

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.