Environmental gardening for wellbeing

Gardening in a changing world poses many new challenges for society; we’re determined to ensure gardeners have the knowledge and support to not just survive, but thrive

How we make a difference

  • Advancing the understanding of plants, gardens and gardening to adapt and mitigate against climate change and improve our environment
  • Encouraging sustainable resource use in gardens for environmental benefit
  • Advancing knowledge for growing food in domestic, community and school gardens to improve nutrition and wellbeing
  • Promoting a better understanding of the role of plants, gardens and gardening in improving social, physical and mental wellbeing

Increasing the environmental resilience of UK gardens

The towns and cities we live in are coming under mounting environmental pressure and our research is helping gardeners mitigate those challenges.

A recent RHS-commissioned survey led by Dr Tijana Blanusa shows the practical steps each and everyone of us can take in gardens and green spaces to combat some of the biggest environmental problems facing us today.

Read the full report

The effects of climate change

Climate change is inevitable and will have a huge impact on the way we garden. In order to adapt and manage the changes we need to know what we’re coming up against.

Our Gardening in a Changing Climate report summarises our findings and predictions for the UK based on weather and environment monitoring.

 

The report

The role of plants

We’re researching the effect plants have on air temperature, water cycling and pollutants - both indoors and outdoors. The results will show the best plants to use and the right way to use them to make the most of the benefits they can offer.

Plants are also known to benefit wellbeing, wildlife and communities so we’re calling on UK gardeners to join our army of 500,000 RHS members in transforming a grey space in their community or home.

Why you should green Great Britain

Organic matter and plant growth

We are examining the effects of repeat applications of the same organic matter on plant yield and soil quality. 

Results so far show composted bark increases acidity and was the most effective at reducing soil density. We are exploring how these changes affect plant growth and the ease with which the soil can be worked.

Organic matter in your garden

Peat-free compost trials

We’re undertaking trials on peat and peat alternatives, including: bark, wood fibre, coir, green-compost and biosolids to see which is the best.

So far, findings show that the different growing mixes have little impact on plant quality and that a diverse range of materials can support high-quality plant growth.

Other soil projects

Climate focused research projects
With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs. Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water use in a changing climate

With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs.

Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water in containers

The change of emphasis towards more efficient use, and reuse, of urban land has undoubtedly put pressure on existing garden provision and reduced new provision. This is at a time when there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the contribution urban gardens could make to sustainable development has been under valued, and is more extensive than has previously been thought. Consequently, while there is now greater potential to link garden provision into the delivery of a wide range of sustainability goals, the link between provision and delivery is no longer explicit.

Quality of life in cities

The change of emphasis towards more efficient use, and reuse, of urban land has undoubtedly put pressure on existing garden provision and reduced new provision. This is at a time when there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the contribution urban gardens could make to sustainable development has been under valued, and is more extensive than has previously been thought. Consequently, while there is now greater potential to link garden provision into the delivery of a wide range of sustainability goals, the link between provision and delivery is no longer explicit.

Quality of life in cities

Green spaces contribute significantly to a reduction of soil and aerial temperatures during spells of hot weather, so contributing to human wellbeing. In the garden context, there is, however, little information as to what extent various types of plants differ in their cooling potential and how certain planting combinations may maximise cooling under a scenario of low rainfall and minimal water inputs.

Cooling effects of plants

Green spaces contribute significantly to a reduction of soil and aerial temperatures during spells of hot weather, so contributing to human wellbeing. In the garden context, there is, however, little information as to what extent various types of plants differ in their cooling potential and how certain planting combinations may maximise cooling under a scenario of low rainfall and minimal water inputs.

The cooling potential of plants

Research into optimising water use could not only benefit gardeners, landscapers, the horticulture industry and pretty much anyone using water at home, through cost savings; but also the water industry as a whole, by helping to ensure that we all have enough water during times of peak demand.

Improving water management in RHS gardens, domestic gardens and the wider horticultural community

Research into optimising water use could not only benefit gardeners, landscapers, the horticulture industry and pretty much anyone using water at home, through cost savings; but also the water industry as a whole, by helping to ensure that we all have enough water during times of peak demand.

Read more

Hedges are a relatively simple and cheap natural barrier capable of providing a spectrum of benefits. They capture air pollutants, reduce risks of localised flooding, cool the proximate air, support wildlife and much more.  This research will identify the plant traits which can be linked with the provision of environmental benefits, enabling RHS scientists and advisors to reccomend the best planting options to achieve maximum environmental gains.

Ecosystem services delivery by urban hedges

Hedges are a relatively simple and cheap natural barrier capable of providing a spectrum of benefits. They capture air pollutants, reduce risks of localised flooding, cool the proximate air, support wildlife and much more. 

This research will identify the plant traits which can be linked with the provision of environmental benefits, enabling RHS scientists and advisors to reccomend the best planting options to achieve maximum environmental gains.

Environmental benefits of hedges

With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs. Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water use in a changing climate

With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs.

Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water in containers

The change of emphasis towards more efficient use, and reuse, of urban land has undoubtedly put pressure on existing garden provision and reduced new provision. This is at a time when there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the contribution urban gardens could make to sustainable development has been under valued, and is more extensive than has previously been thought. Consequently, while there is now greater potential to link garden provision into the delivery of a wide range of sustainability goals, the link between provision and delivery is no longer explicit.

Quality of life in cities

The change of emphasis towards more efficient use, and reuse, of urban land has undoubtedly put pressure on existing garden provision and reduced new provision. This is at a time when there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the contribution urban gardens could make to sustainable development has been under valued, and is more extensive than has previously been thought. Consequently, while there is now greater potential to link garden provision into the delivery of a wide range of sustainability goals, the link between provision and delivery is no longer explicit.

Quality of life in cities

Green spaces contribute significantly to a reduction of soil and aerial temperatures during spells of hot weather, so contributing to human wellbeing. In the garden context, there is, however, little information as to what extent various types of plants differ in their cooling potential and how certain planting combinations may maximise cooling under a scenario of low rainfall and minimal water inputs.

Cooling effects of plants

Green spaces contribute significantly to a reduction of soil and aerial temperatures during spells of hot weather, so contributing to human wellbeing. In the garden context, there is, however, little information as to what extent various types of plants differ in their cooling potential and how certain planting combinations may maximise cooling under a scenario of low rainfall and minimal water inputs.

The cooling potential of plants

Research into optimising water use could not only benefit gardeners, landscapers, the horticulture industry and pretty much anyone using water at home, through cost savings; but also the water industry as a whole, by helping to ensure that we all have enough water during times of peak demand.

Improving water management in RHS gardens, domestic gardens and the wider horticultural community

Research into optimising water use could not only benefit gardeners, landscapers, the horticulture industry and pretty much anyone using water at home, through cost savings; but also the water industry as a whole, by helping to ensure that we all have enough water during times of peak demand.

Read more

Hedges are a relatively simple and cheap natural barrier capable of providing a spectrum of benefits. They capture air pollutants, reduce risks of localised flooding, cool the proximate air, support wildlife and much more.  This research will identify the plant traits which can be linked with the provision of environmental benefits, enabling RHS scientists and advisors to reccomend the best planting options to achieve maximum environmental gains.

Ecosystem services delivery by urban hedges

Hedges are a relatively simple and cheap natural barrier capable of providing a spectrum of benefits. They capture air pollutants, reduce risks of localised flooding, cool the proximate air, support wildlife and much more. 

This research will identify the plant traits which can be linked with the provision of environmental benefits, enabling RHS scientists and advisors to reccomend the best planting options to achieve maximum environmental gains.

Environmental benefits of hedges

With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs. Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water use in a changing climate

With decreasing summer rainfall and increasing temperature, there is pressure on both home and professional gardeners to minimise water inputs.

Most popular bedding species such as Petunia x hybrida or Impatiens walleriana are identified as ‘water demanding' so we are keen to find out if, by changing the ways in which we water manage traditional bedding plants, we can continue to enjoy them in the changing climate.

Optimising water in containers
The RHS Sustainability Strategy

Within the decade, we aim to become net positive for nature and for people, and to encourage and enable gardeners to do the same.

Read more

Our other research themes

Global knowledge bank

Global knowledge bank »

Plant health in gardens

Plant health in gardens »

Plant science for all

Plant science for all »

Gardening for the environment

Gardening for the environment »

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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.