We have been running our seminars annually which usually take place in March and Autumn. They are hosted at some of the most beautiful and plant-filled venues in London, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Chelsea Physic Garden. Since launching the LGN we have steadily seen our network grow and are now planning to run at least two events per year.

We also encourage gardeners across the country to get in-touch with one another via our Facebook forum and Twitter page. Our Social Media platforms help us keep connected with each other and share key activities or information that helps professional gardeners.

Friday 22nd March 2024

We invite you to our 2024 spring seminar Unearthing: the Way We Garden. We have gathered our industry’s leaders to speak about where it all begins; with our soil, compost and ecology. The day will be made up of:

Talks on:

· The importance of soil with Sheila Das

· Practising sustainability in the garden with Juliet Sergeant

And panels discussing:

· Soil: The hidden depths with Jane Barker (Dalefoot Composts), Dr. Victoria Burton (Natural History Museum) and Michael Kennard (Compost Club).

· Beauty and the beasts: Making ecologically informed choices with Benny Hawksbee (Eden Nature Garden), Kiran Gok Lune Lee (Omved Garden) and Dr. Heather Barrett-Mold (Pollinating London Together).

So please join us at one of the best horticultural networking events of the year on Friday 22nd March 2024 from 8.45am to 4pm. We hope you’ll enjoy learning and digesting this years’ seminar themes and meeting new and old friends in the industry.

Your ticket price includes:

A vegan lunch and refreshments.

Entry to Kew, so you’ll have a chance to explore the garden during breaks or after the seminar finishes.

Saturday 23rd September 2-5pm

Cultivated since the 1300s, this garden breathes history, showcases fascinating planting schemes, holds an outstanding and varied tree collection and presents high standards of horticulture. Visitors were guided through the borders, whilst Sophie Tatzkow (Deputy Head Gardener) and Stefano Ciabo (Trainee Gardener), explained recent developments and the vision for a sustainable future. Afterwards there was an opportunity for networking with light refreshments provided. Spaces limited! Early bird tickets available now!

The London Gardens Network once again held our annual seminar on Friday 24 March, 9am – 4pm at RBG, Kew.

This seminar aimed to investigate how the industry is making sustainable and resourceful choices in landscape design.

Speakers and panellists:

Charlotte Harris, Harris Bugg Studio

John Grimshaw, The Yorkshire Arboretum & Tree Health Centre

Errol Reuben Fernandes, Horniman Museum and Gardens

Navdeep Deol, Heston Action Group

Greg Packman, Senior Tree Inspector and Consultant

Charlie Harpur, Knepp Castle Estate

Sheila Das, RHS Garden Wisley

Nick Mole, Pesticide Action Network

The seminar was generously hosted, again, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and there was time during the day to explore the grounds and network with friends from across the horticultural industry.

Click here to find out more about our speakers

In search of plant communities, developing planting schemes that are more sustainable and ecological.

This seminar aimed to investigate the positive impact the pandemic had on diversifying audiences to many of our heritage and open spaces, the increased interest and focus on mental health and wellbeing through community gardening.

We were thrilled to host our speakers:

Hamida Diriye & Tony Leach from Parks for London
John Little from The Grass Roof Company
Rinku Mitra & Neena Sohal from Avsar Consulting
Carole Wright from Blak Outside

The seminar was hosted at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and included time during the day to explore the grounds and network with friends from across the horticultural industry.

In search of plant communities, developing planting schemes that are more sustainable and ecological.

Errol Reuben Fernandes discussed his exploration and observations of naturally occurring plant communities both in the Uk and in Norway. He examined the fine balance that can be found in the wild and discussed how he is inspired by what he has seen in nature and how this informs his practice as a gardener.

Errol is Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum in South London where he now manages the 16 acres of stunning gardens there. Prior to this he was Senior Gardener for the 112 acre Kenwood House estate in Hampstead, North London that is managed by English Heritage.

Chelsea Physic Garden
Thursday 19th September 2019

The London Gardens Network offers a platform to exchange ideas, promote high quality horticulture and support gardeners.
You may have attended our seminars and enjoyed the vast range of speakers over the years and the chance to network.

This event was a celebration of our 10 year anniversary and the future of the ever expanding London Gardens Network.

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

This seminar focused on the challenges facing the horticulture industry and the new approaches and exciting technologies that are being developed to address these.
Talks were given by expert speakers on the role of horticulture in the future from many different angles including ecology, people management, machinery, technology, pest and disease.

September 2018

Jim Buttress (VMH) shared with us his incredible past, ’65 years in horticulture’ looking back fondly over a career that includes judging for the country’s favourite flower shows, including Chelsea and Hampton Court. Known as the The People’s Gardener, Jim’s career is an inspiration to many, including a stint as Superintendent of the Central Royal Parks, where work could involve anything from having a drink and chat with the Queen Mother, to organising the watering of elephants in Hyde Park. This insightful and humorous look at his past also revealed what it is like to exhibit and win gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, sharing his experiences as both a judge and eight times gold winner.

March 2018

This seminar focused on managing large projects, with guest speakers: Selina Pappa, Dominic Cole, Niall McEvoy, Nigel Dunnett and members of Kew’s Project Team talking about the Temperate House restoration.

March 2017

The seminar focused on the challenges facing our gardens today and how biosecurity can help us. Bartlett Tree Expert’s head scientist Glynn Percival took us through the current pests and diseases threatening our trees; Ian Wright from the National Trust and David Slawson from OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), described the best methods to ensure biosecurity in your garden. In the afternoon, Sven Seiffert, head of horticulture at London Zoo, regaled us with tales of his unique urban jungle. Chairman of the London Parks and Gardens Trust (and Head of Landscape and Horticulture at Wakehurst Place), Ed Ikin discussed London gardens, which make attracting wildlife their mission.

March 2016

The seminar focused how to use subtle techniques to achieve that big impact.
We learnt a range of useful ideas from award-winning Garden Designer and RHS ambassador, Adam Frost. Advice and information was shared by Shawn Kiddell, Parks Policy Advisor at the Heritage Lottery Fund and Charles Dowding, Organic Gardener, Author and no dig advocator. We were delighted to hear about horticulture and history from Dr Oliver Fox, Historian from Oxford University spoke about Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown

March 2015

Our speakers gave us a fascinating insight into working in a historical landscape, including which trees to choose in future in considering climate change and pest and disease. In the afternoon, Christine Marchant showed tantalising photographs of reliable, long season, hassle free planting combinations as well as new and improved cultivars available from their nursery.

March 2014

The Seminar looked at urban design and the issues surrounding holding events in gardens.

March 2013

This seminar encouraged gardeners to try something new in their garden.

The London Gardens Network once again held our annual seminar on Friday 24 March, 9am – 4pm at RBG, Kew.

This seminar aimed to investigate how the industry is making sustainable and resourceful choices in landscape design.

Speakers and panellists:

Charlotte Harris, Harris Bugg Studio

John Grimshaw, The Yorkshire Arboretum & Tree Health Centre

Errol Reuben Fernandes, Horniman Museum and Gardens

Navdeep Deol, Heston Action Group

Greg Packman, Senior Tree Inspector and Consultant

Charlie Harpur, Knepp Castle Estate

Sheila Das, RHS Garden Wisley

Nick Mole, Pesticide Action Network

The seminar was generously hosted, again, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and there was time during the day to explore the grounds and network with friends from across the horticultural industry.

Click here to find out more about our speakers

In search of plant communities, developing planting schemes that are more sustainable and ecological.

This seminar aimed to investigate the positive impact the pandemic had on diversifying audiences to many of our heritage and open spaces, the increased interest and focus on mental health and wellbeing through community gardening.

We were thrilled to host our speakers:

Hamida Diriye & Tony Leach from Parks for London
John Little from The Grass Roof Company
Rinku Mitra & Neena Sohal from Avsar Consulting
Carole Wright from Blak Outside

The seminar was hosted at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and included time during the day to explore the grounds and network with friends from across the horticultural industry.

In search of plant communities, developing planting schemes that are more sustainable and ecological.

Errol Reuben Fernandes discussed his exploration and observations of naturally occurring plant communities both in the Uk and in Norway. He examined the fine balance that can be found in the wild and discussed how he is inspired by what he has seen in nature and how this informs his practice as a gardener.

Errol is Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum in South London where he now manages the 16 acres of stunning gardens there. Prior to this he was Senior Gardener for the 112 acre Kenwood House estate in Hampstead, North London that is managed by English Heritage.

Chelsea Physic Garden
Thursday 19th September 2019

The London Gardens Network offers a platform to exchange ideas, promote high quality horticulture and support gardeners.
You may have attended our seminars and enjoyed the vast range of speakers over the years and the chance to network.

This event was a celebration of our 10 year anniversary and the future of the ever expanding London Gardens Network.

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

This seminar focused on the challenges facing the horticulture industry and the new approaches and exciting technologies that are being developed to address these.
Talks were given by expert speakers on the role of horticulture in the future from many different angles including ecology, people management, machinery, technology, pest and disease.

September 2018

Jim Buttress (VMH) shared with us his incredible past, ’65 years in horticulture’ looking back fondly over a career that includes judging for the country’s favourite flower shows, including Chelsea and Hampton Court. Known as the The People’s Gardener, Jim’s career is an inspiration to many, including a stint as Superintendent of the Central Royal Parks, where work could involve anything from having a drink and chat with the Queen Mother, to organising the watering of elephants in Hyde Park. This insightful and humorous look at his past also revealed what it is like to exhibit and win gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, sharing his experiences as both a judge and eight times gold winner.

March 2018

This seminar focused on managing large projects, with guest speakers: Selina Pappa, Dominic Cole, Niall McEvoy, Nigel Dunnett and members of Kew’s Project Team talking about the Temperate House restoration.

March 2017

The seminar focused on the challenges facing our gardens today and how biosecurity can help us. Bartlett Tree Expert’s head scientist Glynn Percival took us through the current pests and diseases threatening our trees; Ian Wright from the National Trust and David Slawson from OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), described the best methods to ensure biosecurity in your garden. In the afternoon, Sven Seiffert, head of horticulture at London Zoo, regaled us with tales of his unique urban jungle. Chairman of the London Parks and Gardens Trust (and Head of Landscape and Horticulture at Wakehurst Place), Ed Ikin discussed London gardens, which make attracting wildlife their mission.

March 2016

The seminar focused how to use subtle techniques to achieve that big impact.
We learnt a range of useful ideas from award-winning Garden Designer and RHS ambassador, Adam Frost. Advice and information was shared by Shawn Kiddell, Parks Policy Advisor at the Heritage Lottery Fund and Charles Dowding, Organic Gardener, Author and no dig advocator. We were delighted to hear about horticulture and history from Dr Oliver Fox, Historian from Oxford University spoke about Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown

March 2015

Our speakers gave us a fascinating insight into working in a historical landscape, including which trees to choose in future in considering climate change and pest and disease. In the afternoon, Christine Marchant showed tantalising photographs of reliable, long season, hassle free planting combinations as well as new and improved cultivars available from their nursery.

March 2014

The Seminar looked at urban design and the issues surrounding holding events in gardens.

March 2013

This seminar encouraged gardeners to try something new in their garden.

In search of plant communities, developing planting schemes that are more sustainable and ecological.

Errol Reuben Fernandes will discuss his exploration and observations of naturally occurring plant communities both in the Uk and in Norway. He examines the fine balance that can be found in the wild and discusses how he is inspired by what he has seen in nature and how this informs his practice as a gardener.

Errol has recently been appointed as Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum in South London where he now manages the 16 acres of stunning gardens there. Prior to this he was Senior Gardener for the 112 acre Kenwood House estate in Hampstead, North London that is managed by English Heritage.

Chelsea Physic Garden
Thursday 19th September 2019

The London Gardens Network offers a platform to exchange ideas, promote high quality horticulture and support gardeners.
You may have attended our seminars and enjoyed the vast range of speakers over the years and the chance to network.

This event was a celebration of our 10 year anniversary and the future of the ever expanding London Gardens Network.

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

March 15th 2019 Jodrell Lecture Theatre, RBG Kew

This seminar focused on the challenges facing the horticulture industry and the new approaches and exciting technologies that are being developed to address these.
Talks were given by expert speakers on the role of horticulture in the future from many different angles including ecology, people management, machinery, technology, pest and disease.

September 2018

Jim Buttress (VMH) shared with us his incredible past, ’65 years in horticulture’ looking back fondly over a career that includes judging for the country’s favourite flower shows, including Chelsea and Hampton Court. Known as the The People’s Gardener, Jim’s career is an inspiration to many, including a stint as Superintendent of the Central Royal Parks, where work could involve anything from having a drink and chat with the Queen Mother, to organising the watering of elephants in Hyde Park. This insightful and humorous look at his past also revealed what it is like to exhibit and win gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, sharing his experiences as both a judge and eight times gold winner.

March 2018

This seminar focused on managing large projects, with guest speakers: Selina Pappa, Dominic Cole, Niall McEvoy, Nigel Dunnett and members of Kew’s Project Team talking about the Temperate House restoration.

March 2017

The seminar focused on the challenges facing our gardens today and how biosecurity can help us. Bartlett Tree Expert’s head scientist Glynn Percival took us through the current pests and diseases threatening our trees; Ian Wright from the National Trust and David Slawson from OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), described the best methods to ensure biosecurity in your garden. In the afternoon, Sven Seiffert, head of horticulture at London Zoo, regaled us with tales of his unique urban jungle. Chairman of the London Parks and Gardens Trust (and Head of Landscape and Horticulture at Wakehurst Place), Ed Ikin discussed London gardens, which make attracting wildlife their mission.

March 2016

The seminar focused how to use subtle techniques to achieve that big impact.
We learnt a range of useful ideas from award-winning Garden Designer and RHS ambassador, Adam Frost. Advice and information was shared by Shawn Kiddell, Parks Policy Advisor at the Heritage Lottery Fund and Charles Dowding, Organic Gardener, Author and no dig advocator. We were delighted to hear about horticulture and history from Dr Oliver Fox, Historian from Oxford University spoke about Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown

March 2015

Our speakers gave us a fascinating insight into working in a historical landscape, including which trees to choose in future in considering climate change and pest and disease. In the afternoon, Christine Marchant showed tantalising photographs of reliable, long season, hassle free planting combinations as well as new and improved cultivars available from their nursery.

March 2014

The Seminar looked at urban design and the issues surrounding holding events in gardens.

March 2013

This seminar encouraged gardeners to try something new in their garden.