Tag Archives: Royal Horticultural Society

The RHS and The Posh Shed Company partner for The RHS Garden Retreat

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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Posh Shed Company have extended their highly successful partnership, which began nearly four years ago, with the RHS endorsement of a new shed designed to enhance and support the changing lifestyles of gardeners and non-gardeners alike: The RHS Garden Retreat.

Following the first lockdown in 2020, a survey commissioned by the RHS revealed that seven out of ten people considered that having a garden boosted their mental health. Many people have continued to work from home part-time and have kept up leisure pursuits established during lockdown. The RHS Garden Retreat has been designed to help balance this new way of life with the benefits of spending time in the garden.

The RHS Garden Retreat is on permanent display within Battleston Hill at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, and is available to order at www.theposhshedcompany.co.uk.

The Posh Shed Company’s products are hand-made by skilled craftspeople in Herefordshire – and can be made to order to meet the exact requirements of each customer.

Richard Frost, Chairman and Co-Founder of The Posh Shed Company says: “The ‘garden shed’ can and should be so much more than merely functional: it should also be a space to enjoy the garden, a place to relax or work and a destination within your own outside world to sit and watch nature at work – somewhere that is great for your wellbeing. It is with this in mind that we have partnered with the RHS to create The RHS Garden Retreat. We are delighted to be involved with this project.”

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “More than ever, the mental and physical health benefits of gardens and gardening are being recognised and appreciated, and the way that people use their gardens is changing as a result. We are very pleased to have worked with The Posh Shed Company to develop The RHS Garden Retreat, which can provide a stylish, comfortable sanctuary in your garden to pursue hobbies or work from home while connecting with nature.”

For information on how gardening and looking at nature can help manage stress and mental health problems, please visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/health-and-wellbeing

 

 

RHS partners with Annie Sloan for decorative decoupage papers

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The Royal Horticultural Society and Annie Sloan, one of the world’s leading authorities in paint, colour and style, have announced a partnership for decoupage papers, a form of household decoration that simply and cost-effectively transforms a wide range of pieces in any home.

With her design team, Annie Sloan carefully searched through the RHS Lindley Collections – the world’s largest collection of botanical art – to find illustrations to cut out, repeat, combine and colour to match some of the 47 colours from Annie’s famous Chalk Paint palette, a versatile decorative furniture paint designed by Annie Sloan in 1990.

There are 12 individual designs with two large sheets of decoupage paper per pack. The RHS name and logo are prominently highlighted on the front of the packaging. The back of the packaging includes information about the RHS and its aims, alongside a practical guide to using the decoupage papers.

Annie Sloan and her team are working towards a global launch in late autumn 2021 – online and in physical stockist shops around the world. Annie Sloan sells through a network of independent shops in more than 55 countries.

Annie Sloan offers a wide selection of home decoration products, ranging from fabric, waxes and finishes to stencils, tools and of course her world-famous Chalk Paint.

Amy Honour, Head of Marketing, Annie Sloan Interiors Ltd, says: “Annie’s ambition has always been to inspire individuals with the confidence to bring colour, character and design into their homes. For this range, that colour, character and design has come about with help from the RHS – the passionate force at the heart of horticulture for more than two centuries. The result, we think, is both beautiful and memorable.”

 

British fashion brand Oasis celebrates nature with limited edition RHS summer collection

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The Royal Horticultural Society has teamed up with the British fashion brand, Oasis to launch an exclusive, limited-edition 27-piece collection of women’s apparel, designed to celebrate nature and horticulture.

The Oasis design team has worked closely with the RHS and its RHS Lindley Collection to select and adapt a portfolio of striking drawings. The fashion team then re-sketched the chosen images by hand to incorporate the prints into a new collection. The 27-piece collection features 11 prints in total.

Styles in the collection include maxi dresses featuring classic magnolias or bold multi-coloured blooms finished with embroidered trims and ruffle details. Meanwhile, unique bird prints feature on tailored separates and corseted midi dresses, listed as ‘perfect for special occasions.’

Then, what Oasis calls ‘floaty, boho-inspired pieces’ make up the chic summer dressing collection in both mini and maxi lengths, “exuding luxury with crinkle georgette fabrics, lace yoke inserts and dramatic, tie-up sleeves.”

The core target market for Oasis is women in their early-mid 30s who seek quality, intricate details and print designs with a story. However, the secondary market for Oasis apparel is a significant one, and the association with the UK’s best-loved gardening charity is expected to further enhance the appeal of this new range to a wide age group.

The collection is available online at Oasis-stores.com from the 14th of July.

Michelle Evatt, head Of design at Oasis, said: “We are extremely pleased to launch our first limited-edition collaboration with the RHS. As a brand that celebrates nature and weaves storytelling into print design, the opportunity to explore the RHS botanical print archives was priceless.

“Our design team carefully selected a handful of striking designs and re-sketched by hand, to incorporate these breathtaking prints into a collection that’s contemporary yet full of romance and timeless appeal, while capturing the essence of the RHS.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “From sketch to store, Oasis worked closely with the RHS to capture the essence of the work in our vast library. The results are some truly enchanting prints and captivating styles that together form a beautiful collection that celebrates the joys of nature in a delightful and original way.”

RHS celebrates opening of RHS Garden Bridgewater with limited edition Moorcroft pottery

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The Royal Horticultural Society is celebrating the opening of its fifth Garden – RHS Garden Bridgewater – with the launch of two new collections of limited edition art pottery from its licensing partner and renowned producer of heritage art pottery, Moorcroft.

One collection is inspired by the new garden itself, while the second collection – the RHS Fiori Bottan Collection – is inspired by 45 extraordinary 17th century Italian watercolours that are part of the 25,000 superb images in the RHS Lindley Collections of botanical art.

Two vases have been made to mark the opening of RHS Garden Bridgewater. The first, called Bridgewater’s Bounty, celebrates the strong link that the newest RHS garden has with the former residence on the site, Worsley New Hall, which had a rich history of growing fruit – in particular pears – and a wide variety of flowers.

The vase fittingly depicts pears in varying shades of green and yellow, ripe for the picking, surrounded by delicate white pear blossom, with soft golden centres.

The rich brilliance of a joyous flower coming from the warmth of Southern Africa, ranging in colour from pure white to purple, is the inspiration for the name and design of the second vase, called Nerines. This is marked as another appropriate design for RHS Garden Bridgewater where the RHS holds a national collection of nerines within its Walled Garden. 

Both vases were designed by Emma Bossons, a member of the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts, who has been responsible for many successful Moorcroft limited editions over the years.

The RHS Fiori Bottan Collection is based on 17th century watercolours depicting cultivated plants including daffodils, anemones, irises, tulips and lilies. Preserved in the RHS Lindley Collections of botanical art, the watercolours have inspired three vases (called Forsaken Love, Potter’s Garden and Italian Iris), a jug (Spring Squill), a plaque (Turk’s Cap Lily) and a coaster (Blue Mist).

These artworks, all based on the extraordinary work of an anonymous watercolourist, are by designer Nicola Slaney, whose creations range from affordable pieces to highly priced, rare collectable limited editions.

Both collections are available to order at the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre, online at www.moorcroft.com and also at the RHS shows that Moorcroft will be attending, including RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (5–11 July), RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (21-25 July), RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21-26 September) and Malvern Autumn Show (24 – 26 September). 

Moorcroft and the RHS have collaborated a number of times in recent years, notably through the RHS Rose Bouquet Collection, the RHS Beatrix Stanley Collection, Chelsea’s Choice, (a vase celebrating the extraordinary snow-white hydrangea that was awarded RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2018) and the 2019 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year collection of four vases, a jug, a plaque, a coaster and a limited edition ginger jar that encompassed many of the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year flowers all in one piece. 

Situated near Salford, RHS Garden Bridgewater is the fifth RHS garden and the largest gardening project undertaken in Europe in recent years. The transformation of this 154-acre green space has already begun to enhance the lives of local communities and their environment for the future.

Moorcroft managing director, Elise Adams, said: “Moorcroft’s RHS collaborations are always special but helping the RHS to celebrate the opening of its wonderful new garden has been a real honour. The RHS can always offer strong artistic inspiration and RHS Garden Bridgewater and the treasures of the RHS Lindley Collections have certainly inspired two truly memorable collections.

“At a time when so many of us have been affected by the global pandemic, to enjoy nature in all its forms, whether by gardening or with art pottery in our homes, is more important than ever before.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, said: “These collections again highlight the skill of the Moorcroft design team through a synthesis of nature and craft in perfect harmony. We are delighted to be continuing this association with Moorcroft, which continues to surprise and delight.”

The RHS launches new toiletries range in partnership with Heathcote & Ivory

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The Royal Horticultural Society has launched a new range of toiletries in partnership with its licensing partner Heathcote & Ivory, a leading name in British beauty and fine toiletries.

Called Home Grown, the vegan-friendly beauty and wellness collection takes inspiration from the wellbeing benefits of growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers at home and includes a 100ml Hand Cream and Twist Key, a Care For Hands Gift Set, Scented Soothing Oat Soap on a Dish, Hand Essentials with two 30ml Handcreams and more.

The Heathcote & Ivory RHS Home Grown range will be available from March 10th at RHS shops, online, and via leading garden centres across the UK.

Not only are the ingredients in the range inspired by nature’s home-grown gifts such as carrot seed oil, beetroot extract and pumpkin extract, but both the ingredients and the packaging reflect the focus of the partners in this agreement on sustainability and environmentally friendly messaging.

For the packaging, environmentally friendly glass bottle and aluminium tubes and post-consumer recycled plastic tubes are used. All products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

The items – and the packaging – also make use of designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s largest collection of botanical art. The designs were also inspired by the ingredients – carrot seed oil, snow mushroom, and beetroot and pumpkin extract – used in the formulations.

Established in London in 2000 by Denis Aaronson, Heathcote & Ivory has grown into a lifestyle brand exporting around the world to over 35 countries. Heathcote & Ivory collections are stocked in renowned department stores across the UK as well as independent boutiques and speciality retailers.

The RHS Home Grown collection is the latest range in the very successful RHS partnership with Heathcote & Ivory that launched in spring 2019 with the Flower Blooms Daisy Garland and Tender Palm toiletry ranges. Trellis, the third release in the RHS Flower Blooms series, launched in the autumn of the same year, while the most recent in the series was RHS Flower Blooms Lavender Garden, which launched in the spring of 2020.

Denis Aaronson, managing director, Heathcote & Ivory, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our wonderful partnership with the RHS, whose tireless support of gardeners and gardening has encouraged us to produce a range inspired by the joys of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers at home.”

Lesley Aaronson, creative director, Heathcote & Ivory, added: “The design of the RHS Home Grown range celebrates the joy of growing vegetables and flowers, their vibrant colours and beautiful shapes – a delightful series of images and products inspired by a lasting and valuable partnership.”

Shereen Llewellin, licensing executive, RHS, added: “Wellbeing has long been one of the major benefits of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers, and this collection perfectly captures the mental and physical rewards of home growing. It’s a collection designed to nurture frequently washed hands, soothe tired limbs and uplift the spirits.”

The RHS launches new toiletries range in partnership with Heathcote & Ivory

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The Royal Horticultural Society has launched a new range of toiletries in partnership with its licensing partner Heathcote & Ivory, a leading name in British beauty and fine toiletries.

Called Home Grown, the vegan-friendly beauty and wellness collection takes inspiration from the wellbeing benefits of growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers at home and includes a 100ml Hand Cream and Twist Key, a Care For Hands Gift Set, Scented Soothing Oat Soap on a Dish, Hand Essentials with two 30ml Handcreams and more.

The Heathcote & Ivory RHS Home Grown range will be available from March 10th at RHS shops, online, and via leading garden centres across the UK.

Not only are the ingredients in the range inspired by nature’s home-grown gifts such as carrot seed oil, beetroot extract and pumpkin extract, but both the ingredients and the packaging reflect the focus of the partners in this agreement on sustainability and environmentally friendly messaging.

For the packaging, environmentally friendly glass bottle and aluminium tubes and post-consumer recycled plastic tubes are used. All products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

The items – and the packaging – also make use of designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s largest collection of botanical art. The designs were also inspired by the ingredients – carrot seed oil, snow mushroom, and beetroot and pumpkin extract – used in the formulations.

Established in London in 2000 by Denis Aaronson, Heathcote & Ivory has grown into a lifestyle brand exporting around the world to over 35 countries. Heathcote & Ivory collections are stocked in renowned department stores across the UK as well as independent boutiques and speciality retailers.

The RHS Home Grown collection is the latest range in the very successful RHS partnership with Heathcote & Ivory that launched in spring 2019 with the Flower Blooms Daisy Garland and Tender Palm toiletry ranges. Trellis, the third release in the RHS Flower Blooms series, launched in the autumn of the same year, while the most recent in the series was RHS Flower Blooms Lavender Garden, which launched in the spring of 2020.

Denis Aaronson, managing director, Heathcote & Ivory, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our wonderful partnership with the RHS, whose tireless support of gardeners and gardening has encouraged us to produce a range inspired by the joys of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers at home.”

Lesley Aaronson, creative director, Heathcote & Ivory, added: “The design of the RHS Home Grown range celebrates the joy of growing vegetables and flowers, their vibrant colours and beautiful shapes – a delightful series of images and products inspired by a lasting and valuable partnership.”

Shereen Llewellin, licensing executive, RHS, added: “Wellbeing has long been one of the major benefits of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers, and this collection perfectly captures the mental and physical rewards of home growing. It’s a collection designed to nurture frequently washed hands, soothe tired limbs and uplift the spirits.”

The RHS partners UK gardening experts Woodlodge Products for outdoor pots

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The Royal Horticultural Society has named Woodlodge Products its UK licensing partner for a range of outdoor pots, one of the gardening brand’s key categories.

Under the new deal, Woodlodge Products – a UK supplier of garden pots and gardenware – will launch its first products to retailers for pre-order in September this year. They will be distributed to retail outlets from January 2020.

While the partnership is still in its early stages, Woodlodge is already making preliminary plans for the first range and will include both classic and modern designs and a full selection of sizes to accomodate any outdoor space. The final version of the first range will incorporate standard terracotta, glazed, and fibre clay pots.

For the design process, Woodlodge will have access to the whole range of RHS design assets, including its style guides and artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art.

All product will either be embossed or debossed with the RHS logo, creating consumer confidence at point of purchase.

 Woodlodge boasts more than 1,500 garden centre accounts located throughout the UK and Ireland, all of which will be the primary focus for the new range. The firm also has a history of creating innovative products and eye-catching in-store merchandising so the launch of the new RHS-endorsed range is eagerly anticipated by both retailers and customers.

2020 saw a steep upswing in the gardening sector, with the pandemic introducing a new range of customers to the hobby from across the age spectrum and social demographic. A number of these are discovering not only the benefits of being outside, but the benefits of gardening to physical and mental health at a particularly demanding and stressful time.

The RHS ranges will therefore target all members of this fast-expanding group of budding gardeners, who have embraced nature during the lockdowns.

Michael Wooldridge, managing director, Woodlodge Products, said: “As the market-leading supplier of garden pottery in the UK, it’s important for us to work with brands and partners that have a strong resonance for gardeners. To be associated with the RHS, a charity that aims to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants and promotes the physical and mental advantages of gardening, is, for Woodlodge, a natural fit.

“The RHS is a highly regarded and recognisable brand and will offer consumers both peace of mind and confidence when buying our range of products.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “Our members and supporters are, not surprisingly, keen to have the highest-quality products in their gardens and outdoor pots are a very important category for the RHS.

“We are therefore delighted to be working with Woodlodge, which has always maintained high levels of quality and service while providing continual innovation and style to all its ranges.”

The RHS and Dexam ready to launch Home Grown Children’s Collection

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The Royal Horticultural Society has given the specialist supplier of kitchen cookware, bakeware, and accessories, Dexam, license to produce a range of children’s backpacks and meal accessories using environmentally friendly or recycled material.

Called the Home Grown Children’s Collection, the range includes backpacks, lunch bags with matching drinks bottles, lunchboxes, children’s aprons, toddler messy play aprons and children’s eating gift sets.

The items in the range are all illustrated with engaging illustrations featuring bright and very colourful images of carrots and apples with captions like “I am growing every day”, “Home harvest” and “Locally grown”. 

The range has also been designed with the environment in mind. The lunch bags, backpacks and aprons are made from recycled plastic bottles via a process which turns the plastic into a durable and practical fabric. The bags are wipe clean and the aprons are 40°C machine washable.

Meanwhile, the lunch boxes and kids’ eating sets are made from bamboo fibre. Bamboo is renewable, biodegradable and grows quickly without fertilisers. It is also naturally antibacterial.

The range is expected to launch in spring 2021. It will be available at high street stores, garden centres, RHS shops and online, including the official RHS online store, shop.rhs.org.uk.

These are the first non-publishing-related products to use the children’s style guide, which will see its licensing debut in a range of books from Scholastic. The first Scholastic titles will launch in February 2021.

Dexam was founded in 1957 selling kitchen gadgets and cookware. Its range today has everything you need from peeling to chopping and mixing to baking. Ethical production is fundamental to the integrity of its products.

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, said: “Bringing our children’s style guide artwork to homeware for the first time requires a partner that understands our aims and that has a reputation for quality – and that is a perfect description of Dexam.

“These children’s backpacks and meal accessories are practical and stylish, as well as environmentally friendly. They’re also a lot of fun.”

Helen Boardman, product manager, Dexam, added: “The RHS children’s style guide and our own 60 years of experience in kitchenware and lunch accessories have combined to produce this very child and environmentally friendly range.

“We’ve greatly enjoyed partnering with the RHS on the Home Grown Children’s Collection, which we are sure will delight both children and parents.”