Gardening is good – and does good
What the RHS 2025 report means for UK gardens
Gardening is often seen as a hobby, but the Royal Horticultural Society’s first ever State of Gardening Report 2025 confirms something much bigger. For the first time, the true scale and impact of gardening across the UK has been measured, and the results are striking.
According to the report, 41 million people now garden at least once a month. Collectively, UK gardens contribute £38 billion to GDP, support 722,000 jobs, cover 4.6 per cent of the country’s land area, store 158 million tonnes of carbon, and provide habitats for over half of Britain’s butterflies, amphibians and reptiles, and 40 per cent of bird and mammal species.
That’s serious impact from the nation’s back gardens.
A green engine for health and the economy
The RHS describes gardening as a “green economic engine”, and the data backs this up. Environmental horticulture is now worth more than the aerospace industry, spanning growers, landscapers, garden centres and tourism. By 2030, the sector could reach £51.2 billion and support 763,000 jobs.
But the benefits go well beyond economics. Seventy-seven per cent of gardeners say gardening improves their mental health, while NHS wellbeing gardens show measurable improvements in staff morale and recovery. Gardens are increasingly recognised as part of a national wellbeing strategy, offering nature’s own form of preventative medicine.
Why this matters for your garden
At Flourish, we see these findings play out on the ground every day. Whether we are refreshing a border or redesigning an entire landscape, biodiversity and sustainability are built into every decision.
This includes:
Native and climate-resilient planting to attract pollinators and support wildlife Peat-free compost and soil improvement for long-term carbon health Rainwater harvesting and water-wise design inspired by the RHS Mains to Rains campaign Habitat-rich features such as bird boxes, bee hotels and mixed hedging to create natural corridors
The aim is simple, to create landscapes that look beautiful and do good, for people, pollinators and the planet.
“Space to grow”, a right for everyone
One of the strongest messages in the report is that everyone should have “Space to Grow”. Yet 8.5 million people still have no access to a garden of their own. Community gardens are helping to bridge that gap, offering connection, wellbeing and practical skills for people of all ages.
As Craig Davis (BSc Hons, MCIHort) explains:
“The RHS data finally quantifies what many of us see daily, that gardens aren’t luxuries, they’re essential green infrastructure. Every planting choice we make at Flourish contributes to the nation’s health, wildlife and carbon balance.”
Looking ahead
The RHS is calling for gardening to be embedded across health, education, housing and climate policy. We couldn’t agree more. Every Flourish project is a step towards that greener future, one garden at a time.
If you’d like to create a landscape that supports biodiversity, reduces maintenance and improves wellbeing, get in touch with our team to discuss your ideas.
Because gardening isn’t just good. It does good
