Science Strategy

The RHS’ five-year science strategy focuses on ensuring that the UK’s 27 million gardeners have the tools they need to address the horticultural and societal challenges they face now and in the future

The 21st century poses new horticultural and societal challenges for Britain’s population and our planet. By building understanding and encouraging engagement with all aspects of horticultural science and garden heritage, we can develop a nation of gardeners equipped and motivated to deal with the challenges of our changing world.

RHS Director of Science Professor Alistair Griffiths believes the strategy will see a step change in the way cultivated plants are protected, promoted and perceived.

'The RHS is determined to ensure that as the population increases and resources become more limited, gardeners will have the knowledge, expertise and support they will need to not just survive, but thrive in a changing world.'

The three key themes of the strategy are:

RHS Science Strategy 2020-2025

UK’s first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence

To support the delivery of the strategy, we are building RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science a centre dedicated to horticultural excellence.

More about this project

Discover RHS science

Science for gardening – helping improve the health of people and nature – is at the heart of what we do

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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.