Matthew Biggs 
RHS: A Nation in Bloom 
Celebrating the People, Plants and Places of the Royal Horticultural Society

With a foreword by Alan Titchmarsh, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of the Royal Horticultural Society, the perhaps the foremost gardening institution in the world.



The RHS is the
world’s largest gardening charity but what it does and why is little understood and rarely celebrated. From defining new gardening trends at the
Chelsea Flower Show, to ranking the best dahlias to grow at the Wisley trial grounds, to inspiring communities with
Britain in Bloom, educating children to grow and eat their veg through the
Campaign for School Gardening ,  the
RHS works tirelessly to improve the gardener’s lot. 



With the use of
evocative archive images  and
contemporary photos by award-winning Jason Ingram , this beautiful book explores the
past, present and future of this most influential organisation by listening to the voices of those working today. Gardening expert and regular 
Gardener’s Question Time panellist
Matthew Biggs tells this story in
rich and intimate detail, from the society’s origins at the start of the 19th Century right through to the present day, with
fascinating insight into the evolution and operations of the RHS throughout the years.



From the
thousands of volunteers in the society’s five unique gardens (Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire and new addition Bridgewater in Salford), to the
one million visitors to its inspirational flower shows  (including Chelsea, Hampton Court, Tatton Park, Cardiff, Wisley and Chatsworth); the society gives meaning to more than 475, 000 members, millions of television viewers and visitors from around the world. 



The RHS is the
best of gardening, and this book presents the
best of the RHS . Behind the scenes, access all areas,
this book will give lasting pleasure to anyone who enjoys their garden. 

About the author

Matthew Biggs is a well-known gardening expert and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and author of several books including RHS Lessons from the Great Gardeners and RHS Great British Village Show.