The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will kick off National Gardening Week 2023 on 1 May, for a week of gardening across the UK, in the lead up to the coronation of King Charles III.

This year the theme for National Gardening Week is ‘Create Your Coronation Container’ as the RHS calls on people to celebrate King Charles and his love of horticulture by creating colourful planting schemes in whatever available space they may have, whether that be a window box, a hanging basket, or even an old pair of wellies.

The King is known as a champion of the environment and an ardent supporter of the nation’s passion for gardening, so the RHS is inviting people to produce jubilant planting schemes to mark the beginning of his reign.

Participants are encouraged to let their imaginations run riot in concocting colourful displays, whether they feature a nod to the King in the form of his favourite flower, the delphinium, or perhaps Alchemilla Mollis, the preferred plant of the Queen Consort.

The RHS is calling on those who get involved to share images that capture the coronation spirit on their social media channels, using the hashtag #nationalgardeningweek.

National Gardening Week is the nation’s biggest celebration of gardening and raises awareness of the difference that gardens and gardening can make to the lives of everyone in the UK. It inspires more people, particularly the next generation of gardeners, to experience the joy of growing and creating beautiful green spaces.

The RHS hopes that as many people as possible – whether that be community gardening groups, schools, organisations, families or individuals – will get involved.

Clare Matterson, Director General of the RHS, says:

“Immersing our hands in soil, gardening and being in nature brings joy and happiness, lifting our spirits and benefiting our physical health. National Gardening Week is all about encouraging even more people across the country to experience that joy for themselves, regardless of their background or plant knowledge. Given King Charles’ well documented love of gardening we’re calling on the nation to get planting in the week of his coronation, and I can’t wait to see people’s creativity come to life.”