The history of the RHS
Some of the Friends of The Savill Garden may have already seen the recently opened exhibition at RHS Wisley on the royal connections the RHS has had during the 150 years of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) history.
The Horticultural Society of London as it was formerly known was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and Josiah Wedgwood.
Monarchs since Queen Victoria have been patrons of the RHS, and Windsor Great Park has contributed to its work both in the Awards of Merit for plants raised, the presentation of exhibits at the RHS annual shows, and in the awards to the Keepers and gardeners.
A botanical painting with the signature of a monarch or member of the royal family has been presented by The Horticultural Society and then subsequently the RHS since 1816. These are called Royal Autographs.
Connections with The Crown Estate
Since the creation of The Savill Garden and Valley Gardens, The Crown Estate has exhibited plants from the Gardens at annual shows and competitions, notably the Chelsea Flower Show and the RHS Camellia and Rhododendron Competitions.
In 1949 Sir Eric Savill and Thomas Hope Findlay secured a gold medal for The Crown Estate at the Chelsea Flower Show, and were photographed with King George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret admiring the impressive display.
From left to right: Hope Findlay, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Sir Eric Savill and Princess Margaret.
Hope’s history with the Chelsea Flower Show goes back further and Hope’s father Robert Findlay had been invited to judge for Chelsea as far back as 1928 when Hope was just eighteen.
In the 1950’s, Sir Eric Savill had a seat on the RHS Council, this was during the time that Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was patron in 1952. John Bond, another Keeper of the Gardens, also sat on the RHS Council in the 1990’s and all our Keepers of the Gardens have and continue to play a part on the plant committees of the RHS.
The Monument Stand at the Chelsea Flower Show
In 1993, The Crown Estate was allocated the Monument stand in the Floral Marquee at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This stand was and still is the biggest stand of the show, which had been occupied by Hilliers in previous years. The Crown Estate presented a woodland garden, specifically described as ‘The Savill and Valley Gardens Come to Chelsea’. It comprised rhododendrons, hostas, gunneras, and many other woodland plants with oak edging, a shed, and a bridge that is now in The Savill Garden.
The creation of the display took three weeks with many of the garden team and even Friends of The Savill Garden volunteering at the show to be part of the stand.
The Crown Estate was awarded a gold medal and has been awarded prizes and cups in annual shows over many years, including exhibiting at Chelsea since 1993. In 2016, the Centenary year of the RHS Rhododendron Camellia and Magnolia Group, The Crown Estate was awarded the very first Centenary Cup for overall best exhibit at its show.
Success in 2023
Six of the twelve camellias on display at the Main Camellia competition.
The Friends would like to congratulate The Savill Garden and Valley Garden teams for their success this year and carrying on that tradition. We know how much work must go into these shows to do well. It is an opportunity to look closely at plants in the Garden, and to stand back and to see what is happening with other gardens across the country.
The Crown Estate won the following prizes at this year’s RHS Spring Shows:
- The Leonardslee Bowl for twelve Camellias in the Main Camellia competition
- The Alan Hardy Challenge Salver for the most points achieved in the Early Rhododendron Competition
- The Magnolia Rose Bowl for the most points in the Magnolia Competition in the Early Rhododendron Competition
- The John Hilliard Cup for the best rhododendron spray in the Early Rhododendron Competition
- The Roza Stephenson Challenge Cup for the best rhododendron species spray in the Main Rhododendron Competition
Well done to all and this recognition is a tribute to the hard work of the Gardens Team.
The John Hilliard Cup, presented to The Crown Estate for the best rhododendron spray.
Written by: Sian Thomas, Friends Committee member, and John Anderson, Keeper of The Gardens
