Back

RHS and community groups to stage two new exhibitions that explore the healing power of gardens this Autumn

Two new exhibitions exploring the healing power of gardens and nature are opening this September at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, and in Lewisham, south east London.

Both displays are the result of a collaboration between community groups, creative practitioners and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to create a modern-day herbal, showcasing through various art forms the plants that are important to individuals and communities today. Each project concludes in an exhibition in its local area and images from these exhibitions will feed into a digital display, ‘A Modern-Day Herbal’ which will ultimately be added to the RHS Lindley Library collection in 2026.  

Traditional herbals were botanical encyclopaedias, containing information about plants and their different medicinal uses. Predating modern scientific medicine, these beautifully illustrated books often mixed careful observation of plants with myth and magic.

The two exhibitions are:

‘Nature’s Medicine: The Making of a Modern-Day Herbal’, The Old Laboratory, RHS Garden Wisley, 7th September -  26th January 2025
Created by a group from the Walton Charity alongside creative practitioner Anna Jones, this exhibition explores what a modern-day herbal could mean, encouraging visitors to consider not only the physical health benefits of plants, but also the healing potential of plants, gardens and green spaces for our mental wellbeing.

The RHS holds a rich collection of historic herbals in its libraries, some of which will feature in the display. Exhibition highlights include:
  • Well-known herbals by Nicholas Culpeper, John Gerard, and an expanded version of the famous A Curious Herbal by Elizabeth Blackwell
  • Original artwork created by the Walton Charity group participants, including poetry inspired by their local area and cyanotypes – one of the oldest forms of camera-less printing - made using plants and objects meaningful to them
  • A recreation of the cherry plum tree that grows on the Walton Charity allotment
‘Threads of Nature’, hARTslane, Lewisham, 12th-15th September
This display is a contemporary response to a traditional herbal, encompassing a collection of plants, gardens, and elements of the natural world that hold special meaning for the curators, who are all active participants in community gardens across Lewisham, including at University Hospital Lewisham Wellbeing Garden.

Creative practitioner Alice Burnhope ran workshops with the community curators, exploring the history of herbals through the RHS’ rare book collection and developing the curators' skills in a range of textile and art techniques. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to stroll among natural dye fabric panels inspired by the transformative power of gardening, as well as take part in free textile technique and horticulture workshops.

​Fiona Davison, RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions, said: “We are delighted that through our community outreach we have been able to work with participants from Walton Charity and Lewisham, and creative practitioners Anna Jones and Alice Burnhope to curate these exhibitions. Exploring the connections between plants, nature, and wellbeing, these displays not only showcase the artistic talents of local communities but also invite visitors to consider the restorative experience of gardening. Both displays are a celebration of nature’s enduring ability to heal and inspire, and we hope that they will foster a deeper appreciation for the integral role of plants and gardens in our wellbeing.”

The new exhibitions are the latest offering from the RHS Gardens of Imagination programme, which aims to celebrate and share new stories about gardening, horticulture and the RHS’ unique collections by working with creative practitioners and people in local communities.

Herbals that were used for inspiration in the displays can be viewed via the RHS Digital Collections: https://collections.rhs.org.uk/

Access to the exhibition at RHS Wisley is included with general entry to the garden. For more information and to book tickets visit: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/viewevent?EFID=3732&ESRC=CMS

ENDS
 

Notes to editors

For additional information please contact Gina Miller in the RHS press office: [email protected]

Nature’s Medicine: The Making of a Modern-Day Herbal, RHS Garden Wisley

The exhibition and work with the community curators has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) as part of the RHS Gardens of Imagination project, which shares new stories about gardening, horticulture and the RHS’ unique collections by working with creative practitioners.

Walton Charity in Elmbridge, Surrey, tackles issues of health, housing, education and poverty in the local area.

Anna Jones is a visionary and hands-on creative producer, dedicated to celebrating natural heritage, primarily in the great outdoors. As a mixed media artist, writer, and theatre maker, Anna weaves together words and images, places and people, to craft art, spark ideas, and inspire change. Their place-based work delves into history, exploring how people connect with and reflect on the past in their present lives.​

Threads of Nature Exhibition at hARTslane, Lewisham

This exhibition has been made possible through the support of the Royal Horticultural Society and the Kusuma Trust.

Alice Burnhope is a textile artist known for her innovative contributions to fashion, art, and design and is dedicated to fostering artistic expression among the youth and families of Deptford through her involvement with schools, community organizations, and museums.​

Believing in nature’s profound impact on wellbeing, Alice promotes interactive, holistic approaches that are socially and environmentally conscious. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: by connecting with nature, we can heal, grow, and create a more inclusive world.

About the RHS

Since our formation in 1804, the RHS has grown into the UK’s leading gardening charity, touching the lives of millions of people. Perhaps the secret to our longevity is that we’ve never stood still. In the last decade alone we’ve taken on the largest hands-on project the RHS has ever tackled by opening the new RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester, and invested in the science that underpins all our work by building RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science.​

We have committed to being net positive for nature and people by 2030. We are also committed to being truly inclusive and to reflect all the communities of the UK.​

Across our five RHS gardens we welcome more than three million visitors each year to enjoy over 34,000 different cultivated plants. Events such as the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, other national shows, our schools and community work, and partnerships such as Britain in Bloom, all spread the shared joy of gardening to wide-reaching audiences.​

Throughout it all we’ve held true to our charitable core – to encourage and improve the science, art and practice of horticulture –to share the love of gardening and the positive benefits it brings. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

 

Get involved

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.