As the United Kingdom grapples with the escalating threat of water scarcity, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a comprehensive plan to safeguard its renowned public gardens across England. In response to the severe drought conditions witnessed last year, the environmental charity has made water management its top priority for 2026.
The RHS, which manages five prominent gardens including Wisley, Hyde Hall, and Rosemoor, has confirmed that it will focus its investments on water capture and conservation projects throughout the coming year. This initiative aims to future-proof these green spaces, which are not only crucial for the nation’s horticultural heritage but also serve as vital sanctuaries for wildlife and public wellbeing.
“Water is the lifeblood of any garden – important not only to human health and wellbeing but the broader environment and wildlife,” said Tim Upson, the RHS Director of Horticulture. “We, like the UK’s 34 million gardeners, are having to adapt to the new normal; prioritising the collection, storage and management of rainwater as well as relocating and reassessing our collections to future-proof them.”
The charity’s updated water management plan will see the implementation of a range of measures, including increasing water storage capacity in tanks and lakes, installing ebb and flow benches in its retail centres to reduce water usage, and investing in the creation of rain gardens. Additionally, the RHS will conduct research on soil health and quantify the water needs of individual plants and entire landscapes, allowing them to make more informed decisions about future planting and resource management.
Recognising the need for a holistic approach, the RHS is also encouraging home gardeners to adopt similar preparatory measures this winter and spring. Techniques such as hollow tining, chop-and-drop, and mulching, along with the installation of rainwater storage systems and the careful consideration of plant placement, can all contribute to maximising water capture and conservation.
“There’s a sweet spot between building plants’ resilience to withstand drier periods by providing less water, but then there’s the potential of stressing a plant and leaving them susceptible to plant health issues, not to mention reduced floriferous-ness, which has a knock-on effect for wildlife and humans,” Upson added.
As global warming continues to fuel volatility within the global water cycle, leading to more frequent years of below-average rainfall and an increased risk of flooding across the UK, the RHS’ proactive approach to water management serves as a model for other organisations and individuals to follow. By adapting to the “new normal” and prioritising the preservation of these vital green spaces, the charity is ensuring that Britain’s gardens can continue to thrive and provide invaluable benefits to both the environment and the public.
