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Welcome to the RHS Lindley Collections catalogue where you can search the Royal Horticultural Society's archive, art, ephemera, object and photographic collections.


RHS Heritage Catalogue

There are 6 collection groups in the RHS Heritage Catalogue and you can filter your search to cover some or all of these groups:


ArtBotanical art, orchid portraits and paintings and drawings of plants dating from the 17th century to the present.


ArchivesThe archive of the RHS and collected archives of key people and institutions in British horticulture including plant collectors, nurseries and garden designers.


PhotographyPhotographs depicting the history of the RHS, its gardens and shows, as well as prominent gardens and horticulturalists.


Nursery CataloguesNursery and horticultural trade catalogues documenting sales of plants, seeds, bulbs and sundries from the 17th century to the present.


ArtefactsObjects associated with the history and activities of the RHS including medals and equipment for plant science and collecting, as well as garden tools.


EphemeraIncludes adverts, seed packets, leaflets, garden guidebooks and postcards.


How to make an appointment to viewIf you would like to request an appointment to view items from our collection please search for the relevant item(s), then select the “Add to selection” button. When you have finished adding items go to Selection menu option and fill out the “Request an appointment to view items” form. Please note that some items are closed to public access and are marked as such in the catalogue record


Other RHS Libraries resourcesIf you would like to search records of our rare and modern books, periodicals and pamphlets, please go to the RHS Library Catalogue.

An ever-growing number of our collections have been digitised and detailed images of them can be viewed on the RHS Digital Collections website alongside specimens from the RHS Herbarium. Please go the RHS Digital Collections to view.


Terms of Use

By continuing to use our website to view the RHS Heritage Catalogue you are agreeing to our full Terms of use

The material featured on this site is intended for non-commercial use including private study, teaching, learning and research. Commercial use of information and images published in the RHS Heritage Catalogue will require our permission and the RHS may charge fees for such commercial use.


About digitised images on this siteRecords with images indicate that an item has been digitised and can be found in full on the RHS Digital Collections website. Simply follow the link in the record to access the digital copy and see full details on image use and reproduction rights.

The material featured on this site is intended for non-commercial use including private study, teaching, learning and research. Commercial use of information and images published in the RHS Heritage Catalogue will require our permission and the RHS may charge fees for such commercial use.


Content WarningThe RHS acknowledges that historical records shared on this site may contain, in their content or catalogue descriptions, terminology, which is inappropriate, outdated, offensive or pejorative. Where such language is employed in the original documents, these have been reproduced in the catalogue using direct quotes from the source material and, where possible or relevant, by including a modern, non-offensive term, although it is recognised that this practice may also be problematic. Please see the RHS Heritage Interpretation Principles for background on our approach.

The original terms used in the collections have been retained in the interest of historical and botanical accuracy, and do not reflect the views and values of, nor are they condoned by, the RHS. We welcome feedback about the language in this catalogue and will consider all requests for changes. Please contact [email protected]

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