The Royal Horticultural Society A History 1804-2004 Brent Elliott Size: Large format Binding: hardback Pages: 458 Number of Illustrations: 150 colour and b/w illustrations Published: 2004 ISBN: RRP: £50.00
	On 7 March 1804 John Wedgwood and six other gentlemen met at James Hatchard's bookshop on Piccadilly to form a new society for the improvement and practice of horticulture. They could have had no idea that 200 years later their Society would have grown to nearly 350,000 members. Today, the Society's aims remain much the same, while broadening to reflect social development and changes in gardening tastes. Now communication has gone beyond publications, London meetings, and exhibitions to include DVD, television and the internet. The RHS embraces the leisure industry without betraying its status as a learned society. Every month there is an RHS Flower Show somewhere in the UK, and RHS gardens offer hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoyment and information. Dr Brent Elliott, distinguished historian, and archivist and librarian of the RHS Lindley Library, has spent 10 years researching and writing this bicentennial history. His witty and perceptive book reveals many diverse stories - of rivalry, recurring financial crises, royal patronage, scientific innovation and horticultural tenacity. His illustrations reflect the changing faces of shows, floral arrangements and gardens; the architecturally innovative halls and library; plants introduced through RHS sponsorship; and the many personalities that have helped the Society reach its Bicentenary in fine form. Produced to a high standard as a large format hardback, with 458 pages and 150 colour and b/w illustrations. 'an exemplary history of the institution' Magnolia 'not a pompous, ponderous read, but a lively story of plants and people. A great coffee-table book, too.' Alan Titchmarsh, Radio Times Other books with a garden theme: Old West Surrey. and Capability Brown.