OUR EVENTS

Our bi-annual seminars gather together 100’s of gardeners from all over the UK.

Attending our events gives you access to top speakers, a wide range of current gardening topics and expert advice. If you work independently or part of a team, it’s a great way to enhance your knowledge and meet new contacts in horticulture.

Our Events

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.

Top Speakers and Hot Topics

  • Top Speakers

    Our seminars are supported by numerous industry experts

  • Hot Topics

    Our seminar presentations are designed to inspire and educate

  • Careers

    We are keen to support those in our forum to develop skills and a career path

Next Event

Horticultural Diplomacy –
An Evening with Stephen Crisp at Chelsea Physic Garden

Wednesday 18th September 2024 5.30pm – 8.15pm

A candid interview between Stephen Crisp, Head of Horticulture for the United States Embassy, London, Sue Medway, Director, Chelsea Physic Garden and Dylan Price, who successfully completed an apprenticeship at Grosvenor Estates gardens and is now looking forward to continuing his horticultural journey as the trainee at Inner Temple Garden.

Sue and Dylan will talk with Stephen about his career and managing the Embassy portfolio for the past 37 years. You will hear about plants, power and politics and how horticulture plays a subtle, diplomatic role for the USA in London. Stephen will describe the people and events that the Embassy has and the challenges it faces in remaining relevant into the future.

Schedule

5.30pm Earliest Arrival. Tickets checked on door. One free drink on arrival.

5.30 – 6.45pm drinks & snacks and enjoy the gardens.

7 – 8.15pm Stephen Crisp in conversation with Sue Medway & Dylan Price, in The Gallery.

8.15pm Close.

Please Note

Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access to The Gallery.

If you can afford to please purchase the £20 ticket for an extra donation to the LGN.

Reduced fee entry of £15 to help improve affordability for students, low waged unemployed etc.

All proceeds support the ongoing work of the London Gardens Network.

Cash bar of alcoholic and soft drinks available. 

Situated in The Gallery at The Chelsea Physic Garden.

Our thanks to The Chelsea Physic Garden for hosting this event.

Book Tickets

Past Events

Unearthing the Way We Garden
LGN Annual Seminar

Friday 22nd March 2024

We gathered our industry’s leaders to speak about where it all begins; our soil, compost and ecology. The day was made up of:

Talks on:

· The importance of soil with Sheila Das

· Practising sustainability in the garden with Juliet Sergeant

And panels discussed:

· 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).

More Information

Inner Temple Garden Tour

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!

More Information

Under the Canopy:
Future proofing Green Spaces in the City

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

More Information

Green Spaces for our Community: During the Pandemic and Beyond

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.

More Information

London Gardens Network Free Online Seminar

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.

More Information

LGN 10th Anniversary Summer Garden Party

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.

More Information

Horticulture from Here On:
Surviving and Embracing the Future

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.

More Information

An Evening with Jim Buttress

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.

The Art of Managing a Garden Project!

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.

More information

The Urban Jungle: A Survival Guide

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.

More information

Big Effect: Subtle Technique

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

More information

Historic Roots: New Shoots

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.

More information

Design and Events in the Urban Landscape

March 2014

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

More information

Inspirational Planting

March 2013

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

More information

Under the Canopy:
Future proofing Green Spaces in the City

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

More Information

Green Spaces for our Community: During the Pandemic and Beyond

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.

More Information

London Gardens Network Free Online Seminar

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.

More Information

LGN 10th Anniversary Summer Garden Party

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.

More Information

Horticulture from Here On:
Surviving and Embracing the Future

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.

More Information

An Evening with Jim Buttress

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.

The Art of Managing a Garden Project!

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.

More information

The Urban Jungle: A Survival Guide

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.

More information

Big Effect: Subtle Technique

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

More information

Historic Roots: New Shoots

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.

More information

Design and Events in the Urban Landscape

March 2014

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

More information

Inspirational Planting

March 2013

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

More information

London Gardens Network Free Online Seminar

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.

More Information

LGN 10th Anniversary Summer Garden Party

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.

More Information

Horticulture from Here On:
Surviving and Embracing the Future

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.

More Information

An Evening with Jim Buttress

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.

The Art of Managing a Garden Project!

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.

More information

The Urban Jungle: A Survival Guide

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.

More information

Big Effect: Subtle Technique

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

More information

Historic Roots: New Shoots

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.

More information

Design and Events in the Urban Landscape

March 2014

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

More information

Inspirational Planting

March 2013

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

More information

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