Parliamentarians and industry leaders gather at Chelsea to champion the future of environmental horticulture
Tuesday 19 May
This morning, the RHS hosted the Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) breakfast briefing for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gardening and Horticulture (APPGHG) on the official opening day of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, welcoming a high-profile group of parliamentarians and industry leaders, including the new APPGHG chair, Sarah Russell MP.
The breakfast presented an important opportunity to discuss the role of the UK’s environmental horticulture and landscape sector in supporting healthier communities, greener public spaces, and inspiring future generations through gardening and nature-based learning. Discussions were particularly timely, not only because Chelsea shines a spotlight on the industry, but also because National Children’s Gardening Week gets underway on Saturday.
The meeting, facilitated by the Royal Horticultural Society, provided members of both Houses with the opportunity to hear from Clare Matterson CBE, Director General of the RHS and from Boyd Douglas-Davies, EHG Chair, on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, and on the importance of continued government engagement and support.
The EHG partner organisations are the Horticultural Trades Association, the Royal Horticultural Society, the Arboricultural Association, and the British Association of Landscape Industries.
The meeting also highlighted the wider economic, environmental, and social contribution of environmental horticulture, including its role in climate resilience, biodiversity, education, health and wellbeing, and creating attractive and sustainable places to live and work.
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the HTA, who chairs the EHG Commercial Working Group, commented:
“The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and EHG breakfast briefings have become an important event at Chelsea over the past few years in highlighting the vital role environmental horticulture plays in supporting wealthier and healthier communities, greener towns and cities, and inspiring future generations. As National Children’s Gardening Week begins next week, it was particularly timely to discuss the importance of ensuring more children and young people have opportunities to engage with gardening, nature, and outdoor learning both at school and in their communities.
“Chelsea Flower Show provides a unique platform to bring together parliamentarians and industry leaders to showcase the value of our sector and the positive contribution it makes to the economy, the environment, and health and wellbeing. Collaboration is key to getting the recognition that we need in government and with policymakers to unlock barriers to help the sector realise its full potential and support a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chair of the Environmental Horticulture Group, said:
"Thank you to the parliamentarians who take the time to join us for this important meeting. The opportunity to speak with them about the importance of Environmental Horticulture is never taken for granted.
“Being able to share with them today some of the benefits we deliver and the opportunities we represent is so important. Recent experience has demonstrated how important the environment we live in is to the public. Government, across all offices, has a chance to work with us to deliver a better, horticulturally strong future.
“Thanks must also go to the RHS for hosting this event on, what must be, their busiest day of the year."
Following the breakfast briefing, attendees had the opportunity to visit several exhibits and displays across the showground, meeting businesses, growers, landscapers, and designers showcasing the innovation, creativity, and expertise that define the UK’s environmental horticulture sector.