Dr Tim Upson FLI to Retire from the RHS After 12 Years of Leadership

Landscape architect and former Landscape Institute President Adam White reflects on Dr Tim Upson’s contribution to horticulture, the Royal Horticultural Society and the wider landscape profession as he prepares to retire later this year.

College of Fellows meeting at RHS Bridgewater: Nick Harrison FLI, Tim Upson FLI, Carolyn Gohler FLI PLI, Saira Ali FLI, Yvonne Matthews, Adam White FLI PPLI, Rob Hughes and Carolyn WillIts FLI

Last Friday, I joined Dr Tim Upson FLI at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where he generously led a guided tour for members of the Landscape Institute and a small group of Fellows. As he prepares to retire later this year, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect on his remarkable contribution to horticulture, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the wider landscape profession.

Over the past twelve years, Tim has helped shape the horticultural direction of the RHS and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading gardening organisations. His leadership has overseen major investment across the RHS gardens, including the development of RHS Garden Bridgewater, which opened in 2021 as the charity’s fifth garden, alongside significant enhancements at RHS Garden Wisley.

For Andrée Davies and me, Tim’s impact was felt most directly through his support for the RHS Back to Nature initiative. Tim immediately understood the importance of reconnecting children and families with nature through playful planting, natural play and immersive landscapes. He was a strong advocate for the RHS Back to Nature Garden, co-designed with HRH The Princess of Wales, first showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 before being reimagined as a permanent legacy garden at RHS Garden Wisley.

Tim shared our belief that plants should do far more than decorate a landscape. They can spark curiosity, encourage exploration, support biodiversity and help children develop meaningful connections with the natural world. His enthusiasm for our playful planting approach helped bring these ideas to a much wider audience and demonstrated the important role horticulture can play in supporting wellbeing and nature connection.

Beyond the gardens themselves, Tim strengthened the RHS Plant Trials programme, expanded the Partner Gardens network, supported the Expert Plant Groups and Plant Society programme, and helped hundreds of horticultural professionals develop their careers through the RHS bursary scheme.

A graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the University of Reading, Tim joined the RHS in 2014 from Cambridge University Botanic Garden, where he served as Deputy Director. Throughout his career he has combined botanical expertise, horticultural excellence and a passion for plant conservation.

Reflecting on his time at the charity, Tim said:

“I’ve always regarded it as a privilege to work for the RHS, particularly to guide and influence the development of the five RHS Gardens and am immensely proud of what the teams have achieved in creating some of the best and most exciting gardens, managed to the highest standards.”

He added:

“The chance to bring a lens on horticulture across all RHS teams has been key for me, and involvement with RHS Shows always a seasonal highlight. Furthering our sustainability work to help tackle the current environmental challenges including climate change across the RHS and to influence industry has been an important part of my time at the RHS.”

Last Friday’s visit to Bridgewater was a timely reminder of Tim’s enthusiasm, knowledge and generosity in sharing his passion for plants and gardens with others.

During my time as President of the Landscape Institute, I was particularly delighted when Tim was elected a Fellow of the Landscape Institute. Fellowship is one of the highest honours the Institute can bestow and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession through leadership, influence and service.

Tim’s election was especially significant because his career was rooted primarily in horticulture and botany rather than traditional landscape architecture. His Fellowship recognised the profound influence he has had on landscapes through plants, conservation, education and public engagement. It also reflected the close relationship between horticulture and landscape architecture, disciplines that work together to create beautiful, resilient and meaningful places.

Following his departure from the RHS, Tim plans to spend more time in his own garden and continue his botanical research, particularly his work on lavenders. Fortunately for the wider profession, he is expected to remain actively involved in the sector, including through the RHS Trials Forum in 2027.

RHS Director General Clare Matterson said:

“Throughout his 12 years, Tim has made an immense contribution across many areas of the charity, most notably through his leadership of the Horticulture team but also support for our Education and Communities work, sustainability strategy and critical advocacy for the horticultural industry as a whole.

He will be missed but I know that through his continued engagement with the industry he will continue to champion the benefits of plants and gardens.”

Tim leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at the RHS and within the wider horticultural profession. I thank him for his friendship, leadership and support over many years, and wish him every success in the next chapter of what remains a remarkable career.

Adam White FLI PPLI is a Director of Davies White Ltd, trustee of The Sustainable Landscape Foundation, Past President of the Landscape Institute and Convenor of the Landscape Institute College of Fellows.