Information and Learning

Here are a wide range of organisations who can support your learning and development as you develop your career in gardening.

Organisations in London

  • Perennial

    Perennial is the national charity for those who work or have worked in horticulture and their spouses/partners when they face adversity or need. (Visit Website)

  • The Conservation Volunteers

    The Conservation Volunteers help hundreds of thousands of people each year to reclaim local green places. (Visit Website)

  • Capital Growth

    London's food growing network, a campaign run by London Food Link, supporting people to grow food in London whether at home, on allotments or as part of a community group. (Visit Website)

  • London in Bloom

    A campaign and competition where Boroughs, communities, residents, businesses can work together to improve the environment of London. (Visit Website)

  • Metropolitan Public Gardens Association

    A charity offering modest grants for the preservation and improvement of public gardens and neglected areas across London. (Visit Website)

  • Plant Heritage

    The National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens; helping to keep rare plants growing and ensuring the diversity of cultivated plants remains available. (Visit Website)

  • PlantNetwork

    The Plant Collections Network of Britain and Ireland, promoting the use, for public benefit, of plant collections for horticultural, scientific, educational and conservation purposes. (Visit Website)

  • Museum of Garden History

    Gardening-themed exhibitions are held throughout the year, as well as a varied lecture programme and events, such as plant sales. (Visit Website)

Organisations across the UK

South

  • Ventnor Botanic Garden

    The Ventnor Botanic Friends Society arranges workshops and training days.ranges activities, including illustrated talks, workshops and social events. (Visit Website)

  • Oxford Botanic Garden

    The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden organise a wide range of events, including lectures and visits to other gardens. (Visit Website)

East

  • Cambridge University Botanic Garden

    The garden's programme for lifelong learning runs throughout the year. While most are designed for participants wishing to learn for their own personal enrichment, a few are tailored specifically for those requiring further professional training. (Visit Website)

The Midlands

  • The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses

    A wide range of adult courses are run in horticultural and allied subjects. Studentships provide training for people who wish to take up a career in horticulture. Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR Tel: (0121) 454 1860

  • Ryton Organic Gardens

    These are the main gardens of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA), They offer a wide range of organic gardening-themed events. (Visit Website)

  • Coughton Court

    The Fine Living programme includes evening tours of the gardens followed by question-and-answer sessions and practical gardening days which include tips and demonstrations. There are also one- and two-day residential courses in May and June on a range of subjects, including planting, garden design, shrubs, pests and spraying. (Visit Website)

  • Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery

    Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme. (Visit Website)

North East

  • University of Durham Botanic Garden

    The Friends of the Garden supports its work. Activities include lectures, visits to other notable gardens and a residential weekend. (Visit Website)

North

  • Sheffield Botanical Gardens

    The venue hosts an extensive programme of talks, many of which are organised by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens. (Visit Website)

North West

  • Ness Botanic Gardens

    Organises a small programme of lectures and other events. (Visit Website)

  • Tatton Hall and Park

    Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme. (Visit Website)

  • Lodge Lane Nursery

    Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme. Bluebell Cottage, Lodge Lane, Dutton, near Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4HP. Tel: (01928) 713718 (Visit Website)

Northern Ireland

  • Greenmount College

    This is the largest agricultural/horticultural college in Northern Ireland. 22 Greenmount Road, Muckamore, County Antrim, Tel: 028 94 426666 Contact: Claire Woods (Visit Website)

  • Larchfield Estate

    Hosts RHS events periodically. 1 Carnreagh Avenue, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6LL

  • City of Derry and District Horticultural Society

    Hosts RHS events periodically. Broomhill Hotel, Limavady Road, Londonderry

  • Antrim Castle Gardens

    Hosts RHS events periodically. Randalstown Road, Antrim, Co. Antrim BT41 4LH Tel: 01849 428000

Scotland

  • Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

    The National Botanic Gardens of Scotland offer a range of illustrated lectures, seminars, talks, tours, volunteer and work placements etc., as well as an Adult Education programme across Scotland at their various sites throughout the year. (Visit Website)

  • Glasgow Botanic Gardens

    Hosts a number of RHS events, including lectures on plant propagation and the garden in winter. (Visit Website)

Wales

  • The National Botanic Garden of Wales

    Runs a variety of accredited and non-accredited courses for adult learners. (Visit Website)

  • Picton Castle and Woodland Gardens

    Hosts a number of RHS lectures as well as more local events, including open days for the National Garden Scheme. (Visit Website)