The Centenary of the National Garden Scheme by George Plumptre EMH

Plant Heritage's Cambridge group is delighted to welcome highly acclaimed garden writer George Plumptre to deliver the 2026 Max Walters memorial lecture in Cambridge this November.

Having recently retired as chief executive of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), he will reflect on the charity’s progress as it approaches its centenary and plans to celebrate this milestone in 2027.  We are delighted he will be sharing his infinite knowledge about the NGS, gardens and plants on the eve of its significant anniversary.

George Plumptre spent fifteen years as chief executive of the popular National Garden Scheme, retiring in 2025. He continues to manage some projects for the charity’s centenary. As chief executive, he introduced a range of new initiatives to enhance the NGS’s outreach, including gardening for health. Before joining NGS, George Plumptre enjoyed a long career writing about gardens and gardening and has published several books on topics ranging from garden history to cricket and horse racing. He was gardening correspondent of the Times, and for Country Life (for 40 years). His contributions to horticulture have been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) with two medals: the Carew Pole Award in 2022 and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour in 2024. He writes for the Garden Collective.

The event is kindly supported by Oakington Garden Centre.