Societies & Associations
East of England Apples and Orchards Project is working to ensure a future for local orchard fruits and orchards. There are around 250 local varieties of apple, pear, plum, and cherry that come from the seven counties of our region – Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. These varieties and their orchard habitat need to be preserved for their local significance, genetic diversity, as local food sources and for their landscape and wildlife value. There are also hundreds of ‘lost’ fruit varieties known only from written records. Maybe you can help us find them? There are many ways to help us. You could become a member; buy our fruit trees; sign up for a workshop; come to an Apple Day; buy local-grown fruit or help us survey orchards.
Ireland is blessed with a mild and temperate climate, making it a plantsman’s joy and allowing gardeners to grow a wide variety of plants and shrubs from all over the world, to exist side by side. It is the envy of their colleagues from many countries. The Dublin Garden Group (DGG) consists of Ireland’s most distinguished private gardens in the greater Dublin area – some of them world famous and others secret gems, whose discovery has been the highlight of many a Garden Tour.
The owners of these private gardens, most of which are not open to the public, would like to welcome groups to share their enthusiasm for and knowledge of their plants and designs, at the time to see them at their best.
Extending our knowledge of cyclamen and encouraging their cultivation and conservation. Membership of the Cyclamen Society is open to anyone. By joining the Cyclamen Society, you will contribute to increasing knowledge of the Genus Cyclamen: its distribution in the wild, its conservation and cultivation of the plants.
The Journal of the Cyclamen Society, published in June and December, contains articles about plants in the wild and in cultivation. It contains a mix of serious items and ‘chat’ about members’ experiences, with full colour illustrations, both photographs of Cyclamen in the wild and commissioned botanical paintings.
Founded in 1941, Crowborough Horticultural Society is a friendly, educational forum for all gardeners and allotment holders in Crowborough and the surrounding area. We hold monthly meetings with expert speakers, an Annual Open Show and group visits to places of gardening interest.
The Cottage Garden Society (CGS) is an informal and friendly society of about 3,000 members in many countries, though most are based in the UK. It brings together amateurs and professionals who share an enthusiasm for this type of gardening.
The Society was founded in 1982 when cottage garden plants were becoming ‘unfashionable’. Those starting the Society wanted to protect this vanishing planting style. They were concerned that, in the move to easily maintained gardens, hard landscaping was becoming more important than the plants.
Interest in the Society soon grew and from small beginnings with the founders based in North Wales and Cheshire, we now have over 35 regional groups spread throughout the United Kingdom. Most of these groups meet monthly for talks, garden visits, seed swaps and plant sales. You do need to be a member of the National Society to attend regional group meetings and be covered by our insurance.
Cornwall Garden Society is all about celebrating the unique beauty of Cornish gardens, exchanging tips, ideas and knowledge, meeting up for lectures and garden visits and, of course, making new friends.
Our origins go back to 1832 when the inaugural meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society of Cornwall was held, supported by the patronage of King William IV, who was graciously pleased to place the sum of £10. 10s. 0d (ten guineas), at the Society’s disposal. That royal support has continued and today we are very honoured to have HRH Prince Charles as our patron.
We have a packed programme of events throughout the year. In early spring we hold the Cornwall Spring Flower Show, held against the breathtakingly beautiful backdrop of Boconnoc Estate near Lostwithiel.
The Institute of Horticulture was established in 1984 with the aim of fostering a close relationship between all sectors of professional horticulture throughout the UK and Ireland.
On 21st July 2014 we became Chartered and are now known as the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH). Not only is the granting of the Royal Charter excellent news for our members, but also for horticulture as a whole. This recognition has enhanced the status of horticulture as a profession which demands high level skills and continuing professional development. Chartered status has also strengthened the influence and therefore the voice of the CIH with government and policy makers.
The Carrickfergus Garden Society was established in 1955 to encourage amateur gardeners to improve and extend the cultivation of all horticultural subjects. This is achieved by holding meetings, exhibitions, lectures and other events throughout the year.
If you have discovered the delights of growing streptocarpus, this site is the place for you. With the help of the British Streptocarpus Society, you can expand your collection and knowledge and join the many members who share your enthusiasm.
The Society was formed in September 1999 especially for Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose) growers with small, medium or large collections. The current membership is just over 550. We welcome new members with a wide range of growing knowledge and experience. Members range from beginners with a few plants on their windowsills to expert growers with many years of experience. We are happy to help new members to increase their expertise and enjoyment of streptocarpus growing.
The British Pteridological Society was founded in the Lake District in 1891 and soon became the focal point for fern enthusiasts throughout the British Isles. Today it continues to provide a wide range of information about ferns, through its website and forum and by publishing regular journals, leaflets and books, and organising formal talks, informal discussions and outdoor meetings. The international membership includes those interested in gardening, natural history and botany, both amateur and professional. It is a friendly society run on a voluntary basis.
The Objects of the Society are to promote all aspects of pteridology by encouraging the appreciation, conservation, cultivation and scientific study of ferns, horsetails, clubmosses and quillworts through publications, meetings, the provision of grants and other appropriate means.