Plants for communities

The Hyde Park Nursery handles the growth of the 450,000 bedding plants needed for the world-class flower displays across the eight Royal Parks. The facility grows some 900 different plant varieties needed for the summer displays – such as the scarlet pelargoniums grown to match the tunics of The King's Guard at Buckingham Palace - and the 300 varieties needed for the winter displays including yellow wallflowers.

Our Plants for Communities initiative seeks to ensure that this opportunity reaches the people who will benefit from them the most. Each year, a surplus of plants are grown as a precaution against losses. If it turns out that these surplus plants aren’t needed, The Royal Parks wants to give them for free to benefit local communities and add more colour to our shared spaces.

In tandem with this, our Learning programmes and resources offer the opportunity for your group to find out more about The Royal Parks.

Who’s eligible

In order to apply, your group must fall under one of the following categories:

• Non-fee paying schools
• Non-profit community groups that benefit local residents, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford plants
• Small local charities

Applications from other types of groups may be considered if surplus plants are still available after all qualifying applications have been considered, and if an agreed donation is made to The Royal Parks charity.

How it works

This initiative follows a timeline linked to the likely availability of surplus plants, as follows:

1. Applications will be open during the month of April each year.
2. You will receive a decision on your application in late May or early June.
3. If your application is successful, we will contact you to arrange a collection date and discuss any ways that we can further support your group with resources, a tour or learning activities.
4. Collection of plants will usually take place within two windows: June/July and October/November.
5. We ask that you return empty pots and trays to the Nursery as soon as you have finished with them, so that they can be re-used.

Terms and conditions

1. The Royal Parks will allocate a maximum of 500 plants per group. The number of plants available to distribute varies each season and will be shared out fairly.
2. Groups are responsible for collecting the plants from the Hyde Park Nursery and must arrange a collection time with the Nursery team in advance.
3. Groups may not use these plants to sell on to raise funds or for personal gain.
4. Groups can apply once per year. Being successful one year may not guarantee success in a later year.
5. Acceptance onto the initiative might not guarantee that plants will be provided, as The Royal Parks needs could change between the time of application and the time of plant distribution.
6. The Royal Parks doesn’t guarantee quality or lifespan for these plants.
7. Groups are encouraged to share photos and stories of how these plants have benefited your community.