The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is facing criticism from conservative members over its shift to peat-free compost and corporate sponsorships at the Chelsea Flower Show. Critics argue that the organisation's focus on environmental issues, dubbed 'wokery', is alienating traditional supporters and exacerbating financial difficulties.
The RHS reported a net loss of £8.1 million in the year ending January 2025, double the previous year's losses, partly attributed to roadworks affecting visits to RHS Garden Wisley. However, the RHS stated that unpublished accounts for the last financial year show a 7% income increase and a cash profit of £4.8 million.
Tim Penrose, an award-winning RHS exhibitor, claims he was banned for life after protesting the peat-free policy. Penrose said he was denied exhibition space for not attending 'anti-peat' seminars and staged a protest in a Superman suit. He warned that 'you go too woke, you could go broke'. The RHS declined to comment on his statements.
The RHS's peat ban, implemented in January 2025, has drawn both support and criticism. TV gardener Monty Don has championed the ban, calling peat users 'lazy and irresponsible', while some nurseries argue that certain plants cannot be grown without peat. The government has pledged to ban peat sales but has not yet enacted legislation.
Additional controversy surrounds the Chelsea Flower Show's new sponsor, a car manufacturer, with a garden featuring a parked Range Rover. Critics on social media have expressed dismay, contrasting this with the exclusion of traditional nurseries. The RHS also lost a major philanthropic sponsor this year, and the Newt hotel launched a rival garden show with free entry for under-16s.
