We may think we know the Royal Horticultural Society through its gardens at Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Harlow Carr, its flower shows including the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, its prestigious medals, awards and prizes and its libraries, laboratories, books and magazines. But the Society is in a process of subtle, sometimes radical evolution to become more open, friendly, helpful and relevant to its members who now number more than half a million, and to the wider benefit of all gardeners today. The book is a celebration of those changes and a review of the society's past, present and future. Matthew Biggs takes us behind the scenes. The idea for the Society took root at a meeting of botanists in London in 1804 and royal patronage followed. At the start of the 21st century new direction was needed and in recent years the Society has begun a 160 million pound ambitious investment programme across seven key areas. Chapters cover the campaign for school gardening, Britain in Bloom, Greening Grey Britain, Community Gardens in London, National Gardening Week, Scientific Research, Plant Health, before looking in detail at the shows and famous gardens, even teabags and bumble bees, and the Greater Manchester Garden at Bridgewater. These huge pages are liberally illustrated with colour photographs of Britain in bloom, garden designs, landscapes and effects created by thoughtful planting. 256pp, 24.8 x 28.5cm.
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