by Holly Chapman | 30 Apr 26 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
The National Garden Scheme invites people across the UK to take part in The Big British Garden Survey amid declining species and flowering plants.
Within the State of Nature 2023 report, it was found that 1,500 species are at risk of being lost completely while 54% of flowering plants have decreased.
In response, the National Garden Scheme says, “garden of all sizes can be a real lifeline for plant and wildlife species.”
With an aim to build a national picture of where wildlife is thriving in gardens and where there may be opportunities to encourage more diversity, the survey asks the UK public for help.
Dr Richard Claxton, chief executive of the National Garden Scheme comments:
“With around 2.5 million acres of gardens across the UK, these green spaces provide vital stepping stones for nature and are becoming a lifeline for many plant and wildlife species.
“We know from previous studies that gardens are often rich in wildlife and biodiversity, but this project gives us an exciting opportunity to link wildlife records directly with information about gardens themselves.”
Running from April until the end of September 2026, the survey asks everyone with a garden to record wildlife visiting their green spaces.
Find out more: ngs.org.uk/the-big-british-garden-survey.
by Holly Chapman | 02 Apr 26 | Commercial Landscaping, Garden Design, News
The National Garden Scheme has announced the distribution of £294,241 of funding to 118 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, supported by Julia Rausing Trust.
Due to this additional funding, the total amount given to community garden projects since the programme began comes to almost £1.5m supporting over 600 community gardens.
Dr Richard Claxton, chief executive of the garden scheme says, “the grants have become a lifeline for so many projects around the country – seeking to provide cohesion, connection, healing, growth and productivity for both individuals and groups of people from all walks of life.”
Many of the funded garden projects are opening this year, for example Growing Space in Gwent, Wonky Garden in Cheshire and The Shakespearean Garden in Manchester.
Funding will be distributed in April 2026 with project updates expected mid-year with completition in 2027.
The 2027 Community Gardens Award project application process will open in the Autumn, with full details available on the scheme’s website.
by Holly Chapman | 09 Mar 26 | News
Since 1984, the National Garden Scheme has supported Macmillan Cancer Support by raising vital funds to help people across the UK connect with nature.
After raising a landmark £20m, the National Garden Scheme has helped the charity fund 150 Macmillan nurses, healthcare professionals and specialist care units.
The National Garden Scheme also gives visitors access to more than 3,300 private gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Gemma Peters, chief executive of Macmillan says “a cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down and leave people feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what lies ahead,” hence the importance of small moments such as calm and comforting connection with nature. She adds:
“The incredible £20 million raised by the National Garden Scheme is helping Macmillan provide vital emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer across the UK, so they can live life as fully as possible.”
Dr Richard Claxton, chief executive of the National Garden Scheme also comments:
“I’m so proud that we’ve been able to help such an important charity do its crucial work in support of those suffering with or affected by cancer.”
The partnership continues to champion physical and mental health benefits of gardening.
by Bethany Vann | 04 Dec 25 | News
Thousands supported through record breaking donations from National Garden Scheme garden visits in 2025.
The National Garden Scheme charity is reporting another landmark year with a record £3,875,596 donated from funds gathered at garden openings over the last 12 months.
Hundreds of gardens and health projects have been helped through these donations, as well as thousands of people living with cancer, Parkinson’s, and poor mental health to name a few.
In 2025, 114 new gardens received Community Garden Grants, and five new nurse-led projects were funded through the charity’s NGS Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarships.
Chief executive Dr Richard Claxton comments on this year’s donations:
“Behind all this impact are the garden owners and volunteers whose enthusiasm and generosity of spirit makes garden visiting such a pleasure – and whose commitment makes our work possible. We are equally grateful to every visitor who, sometimes without realising it, helps improve so many lives.”
Adding that the charity’s long-term partnerships with charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, and Parkinson’s UK are the “bedrock” of the charity’s programme.
Details on how donations are spent can be found in the National Garden Scheme Impact Report 2025.
by Holly Chapman | 29 Oct 25 | Garden Design, News
Anya Lautenbach, also known as @anya_thegarden_fairy to her 1.1m Instagram followers, has joined the National Garden Scheme as an ambassador.
The social media creator and Sunday Times and Irish Times bestselling author says she is “thrilled and honoured to be asked by the National Garden Scheme to become one of their ambassadors”.
“As a social media creator with a strong sense of community and a sense of responsibility for future generations, I would like to use my social media platform wisely and to leave behind something meaningful.”
Dr Richard Claxton, chief executive of the charity also comments on her appointment:
“I know her well and her passion for the wellbeing that can be found in all of our gardens shines through. She is a force for good, and I’m quite sure she will be a wonderful ambassador for the National Garden Scheme.”
Lautenback joins the other ambassadors such as Emma Bridgewater CBE, Danny Clarke (aka the Black Gardener), Alan Gray, Rachel De Thame, Joe Swift and Jo Whiley.
by Holly Chapman | 01 Oct 25 | News
Richard Claxton begins his new role acting as chief executive of the National Garden Scheme.
Since working as a GP for 23 years, Claxton has used the time spent in his garden to unwind and manage his own stress in order to maintain his mental and physical wellbeing throughout his career.
However, the new CEO has also worked in garden design, written for Gardens Illustrated and Hortus Journal, and has volunteered for Sissington Castle Garden.
Upon stepping into his new role, Claxton says:
“I’ve had a brilliant induction and handover from George Plumptre who has been incredibly kind and thoughtful in helping me to understand the nuts and bolts of the role.”
The new CEO looks toward the organisation’s centenary in 2027, beyond and everyone he’ll meet on the journey.
by Holly Chapman | 01 May 25 | News
The National Garden Scheme celebrates community green spaces as “vital lifelines” in annual Gardens and Health week on the 3 – 11 May with a digital publication; ‘The Little Book of Gardens and Health.’
The Little Yellow Book of Gardens and health Vol 5, 2025
A scheme that began in 2016, ‘The Little Book of Gardens and Health’ accompanies this year’s Gardens and Health week. The fifth edition of its digital publication brings the programme to life, with articles exploring the relationships between gardens and a person’s wellbeing.
With contributions form Danny Clarke, Miriam Stoppard, Dame Laura Lee, Dr Susan Taheri, Hazel Gardiner and nursing charities, the book “brings to life a range of experiences with incisive immediacy,” says George Plumptre, chief executive of the National Garden Scheme.
Revealed as ‘green medicine’, this year’s theme continues to “champion and increase funding for garden projects in health-care settings, and community gardens; areas that we believe are vital lifelines,” says Plumptre.
Plumptre also notes that these green spaces are beneficial for not only health and wellbeing, but for the health of the planet too.
The digital book can be read here.
by Holly Chapman | 09 Apr 25 | News
117 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive funding from the National Garden Scheme to mark Community Gardens Week 7 – 14 April.
Distributing £294,260 across these projects, this community garden grant funding has been supported by Julia Rausing Trust. George Plumptre, chief executive of the National Garden Scheme says he is proud to provide a helping hand. He adds:
“Many of the applications we received centred on the growing of food for communities and those helping others to learn to grow food.”
The funding will contribute to social welfare and gardening projects fighting loneliness and helping the disabled to support community orchards, food banks and GP surgery projects.
“Participating in an allotment or community garden can give meaningful social connections which help to reduce loneliness and isolation,” says Danny Clarke, National Garden Scheme ambassador.
Over £1m has been donated to over 500 community projects since the community grants began. Pakistan Association Liverpool wellbeing garden received a £4,900 community garden grant and will open 22 June. The garden, made primarily from recycled materials and plants, is a space for members to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Rhubarb Farm in Nottinghamshire also received £1,352. It is a horticultural social enterprise providing training and volunteering opportunities to ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, the disabled and those suffering with mental illness.
Funding will be distributed in April 2025 followed by project updates, with completion in 2026. The 2026 Community Gardens Award application process will begin in the autumn.
by Holly Chapman | 01 Apr 25 | News
Hosted by the National Garden Scheme (NGS), Dame Mary Berry champions The Great British Garden Party the same week as her 90th birthday.
The campaign week runs from Monday 14 July – Sunday 20 July, encouraging people to host garden parties in support of charities such as MacMillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, and Parkinson’s UK.
Participants can also host their party outside of the campaign week, and it is free to take part.
Feeling ‘inspired’ by previous garden parties, Dame Mary Berry comments:
“Some party hosts simply threw open their garden gates and invited their neighbours for afternoon tea or morning coffee, making new friends. Others chose to celebrate a special anniversary, gathering friends and family as part of the Great British Garden Party and suggesting a donation in lieu of presents.”
Running since 1927, the NGS designed the Great British Garden Party as a fundraising initiative to celebrate our gardens and outdoor space; in 2024, the party raised £12,000.
Chief executive of the NGS, George Plumptre also comments:
“It doesn’t need to be complicated or grand, just invite some friends over, ask them to make a donation, and help make a difference.”
Find out more at: ngs.org.uk/gardenparty/.
by Bethany Vann | 27 Feb 24 | Garden Design, News
A selection of plants from the National Garden Scheme Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show are to be sold in support of the charity.
The garden, which celebrates almost 100 years of opening private gardens to raise funds for charity, is being relocated to form part of the new garden at Maggie’s at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, after the show closes.
With the relocation not set to begin immediately, the perennials specially selected by the garden’s designer, Tom Stuart-Smith and Peter Clay, co-found of Crocus nursery, will need new homes.
They are to be sold at a plant sale, taking place on Saturday 1 June, giving buyers the chance to own part of the main avenue garden.
Buyers will also have the opportunity to explore the garden at Chilworth Manor, where it will be temporarily relocated.
For more details and to book a timed ticket slot, visit here.
