The RHS has lots of different types of events, not just the world famous flower shows such as Chelsea and Hampton Court. 

For instance, there are courses and workshops.   There are all sorts of skills you can learn, not just gardening, but willow weaving, paper cuts, botanical painting, photography, floral arranging, Zarzo basketry, natural dyeing, rag rug making, needle felting, dry stone walling, creating stained glass flowers and calligraphy. Members can attend many of these (but not all) for free.

There are also a number of shows dedicated to a specific flower or plant, so here are some of them:

Alpine Garden Society Show

The Alpine Garden Society Show takes place on 29th June 2024 at RHS Wisley and this is a great opportunity to learn more about the varieties of alpines and get lots of advice from UK alpine plant growers!

RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show 

The RHS has partnered with the Saatchi Gallery in London for the RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show.which has some of the best botanical artwork and garden photography from global artists.  It's running from the 14th June to the 28th July 2024 - find out more here. 

RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 

This Festival runs from 2nd to 7th July 2024, and what a day out it is!  I still remember treating my parents to tickets to the show;  we had an amazing day out (with plenty of stops for refreshment along the way) and left inspired and full of determination to work on our own gardens when we got home!    There's the Festival of Roses, you can build your own terrarium to take home, the Threatened Plant of the Year competition, a Master Grower who is passionate about Passiflora and lots of shopping to do!  Find out more here.

National Sweet Pea Show

Head to RHS Bridgewater for this show on the 9th and 10th July 2024. There’s nothing like the scent and sight of gorgeous sweet pea blooms!    Dig up more information. 

Take a look at the various events taking place with the RHS during 2024 here.  There’s lots going on!

It’s time for RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 21^st to 25^th May 2024.  It will be full of beautiful gardens, lots of ideas, tips and advice and plenty of shopping, as well as chances to eat and drink!

And if you can’t get there – don’t panic, the BBC is covering the show!

Coverage starts on Sunday 19^th May 2024 at 6:15 with “RHS Countdown to Chelsea”, taking a look at the show.  There’s a tour of the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea before it officially opens to the public.

 
There's lots to see, including the RHS Plant of the Year 2024

Sophie Raworth and Joe Swift are joined by guests such as Carol Klein, Rachel de Thame and Adam Frost to explore the show gardens.  There’s a tribute to Venice and a space to help support recovery from strokes.

Take a look at the Houseplants Studio to give you lots of ideas.

On Monday 20^th May, at 3:45pm, BBC2 covers the opening day.  James Wong has a beginner’s guide to buying and caring for houseplants. And at 8pm, Monty Don, Joe Swift, Carol Klein, Adam Frost, Rachel de Thame, Arit Anderson and Frances Tophill look into some of the stories behind the gardens on show – there are 35 of them!

The highlights of the garden design awards are presented on Tuesday, 21^st May at 8pm, whilst Wednesday’s 8pm show looks at how Chelsea is helping to reimagine urban living.   The week comes to a close with a look at a garden perfect for outdoor entertaining and plants that will survive very hot weather (Thursday) and reviewing the winning garden in the People’s Choice Award on Friday (both 8pm)

It's not too late to buy tickets – and don’t’ forget that there are other RHS Flower Shows during the year.  And remember, Members get reduced price tickets!

The themes in 2024 are aiming to show that great design and sustainability can go hand in hand, using water wisely, and the joy of gardens and how we can attract a younger and more diverse audience to gardening.

And Ask Monty and Joe is back – viewers can ask them questions, for instance on how to deal with troubles at the garden.  There are exclusive interviews with famous faces at the show who love gardening – and the annual visit by the Royal Family!  And news!   King Charles III has been announced as Patron of the RHS!  Liz Potter took a look at the King’s gardening ethos and green credentials here.

And there’s the first Pocket Garden Makeover Prize, which is a collaboration between The One Show and the RHS!  Great for anyone who has access to a balcony or small space outside. 

Find out more about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Visit the BBC2 here

Visit the RHS here

The RHS Flower Show  - Tatton Park  takes place from the 17th - 21st July 2024

It will be an amazing event, with lots to see and do and activities for all the family, from the younger members to older children and adults!

For instance, one of the feature gardens I'd love to see if I lived closer is the RHS Nocturnal Pollinator Experience and there's also the Empowerment Garden, a Terrace Garden, which has been co-designed by users of Petrus (people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness). 

Don't miss the Plant Village and Floral Marquee, where you can pick up lots of lovely top tips from expert growers.  There's the Flower School - find out how to create amazing displays - and the Summer Fruit and Veg Competition.  There's family fun and inspiring talks, too.  There's a list of exhibitors here

There's lots to see and do at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show!

There’s lots more information on the RHS website, as always. 

Why not give a gift membership or treat yourself to a membership of the RHS?  Apart from the benefits you will gain, it will help the RHS grow and nurture gardening for all ages.   Find out more about joining the RHS here

Do you remember those days when you went hunting for Easter eggs?  

Well, how about combining hunting for Easter eggs with a great day out?  

The RHS Gardens (Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in North Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex, Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire and Bridgewater in Salford) all have giant-sized egg hunts!

Harlow Carr's Easter Egg* hunts kicked off today, 23 March 2024 to 7th April, but the other RHS gardens start on 29th March 2024 and finish on the 14th April.  

After you've found all the eggs, you'll be rewarded with a free chocolatey treat from NOMO, and also you can get into the various activities such as storytelling, family friendly planting and arts and crafts workhops. 

The RHS says explorers of all ages can hunt the garden to find the eggs;  the artwork has been designed by local families and school children.

It's a great time of year to get outside and explore, with spring awakening and blossom coming out, so find out more from the RHS here.

*The RHS says that garden admission applies: free to RHS members and children under 5. Activities are included with garden admission (unless marked *).