Editing Royal Horticultural Society (section)

== Medals and awards ==

===People===
The society honours certain British persons who are deemed by its council to be deserving of special recognition in the field of horticulture with the [[Victoria Medal of Honour]], established in 1897. There are only 63 holders of this medal at any time, one for every year of the reign of [[Queen Victoria]].<ref name = "RHS Awards available 2022">{{cite web |title=RHS People Awards |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/who-we-are/rhs-council/rhs-awards |website=Royal Horticultural Society |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817210850/https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/who-we-are/rhs-council/rhs-awards |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2023, the society has handed out the [[Elizabeth Medal of Honour]], for which there could be only 70 holders at any time, one for every year of the reign of [[Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/05/23/king-searches-new-plants-garden-chelsea-flower-show/|title=King searches for new garden plants after rabbit problem|work=The Telegraph|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=23 May 2023|accessdate=23 May 2023|archive-date=23 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523081128/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/05/23/king-searches-new-plants-garden-chelsea-flower-show/|url-status=live}}</ref> Thus, neither of the aforementioned medals are awarded every year

Other awards bestowed by the society include the Associate of Honour (established in 1930) where the number does not exceed 100 at any time (unless they also hold the Victoria Medal of Honour).<ref name="GardenAugust2009">''The Garden'', August 2009, page 512 (Royal Horticultural Society)</ref> As of 2022 there were also the Harlow Carr Medal (for significant contribution to horticulture in the north of England), Reginald Cory Memorial Cup (for introducing new hybrid plants developed from existing garden plants), Community Award (for long-term contribution to [[community gardening]]) and the Roy Lancaster Award (for exceptional contribution by those under 35 years old).<ref name = "RHS Awards available 2022" /> Medals issued by the society earlier in its history have included the Banksian, Knightian and Lindley medals, named after early officers of the society, as well as Honorary Fellowships.

The [[Veitch Memorial Medal]], named after [[James Veitch Jr.|James Veitch]], is awarded annually to persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of the science and practice of horticulture.

The society awards Gold, Silver-gilt, Silver and Bronze medals to exhibitors at its Flower Shows.{{sfn|Tjaden|1994}}

===Plants===
The [[Award of Garden Merit]], or AGM, is the principal award made to garden plants by the society after a period of assessment by the appropriate committees of the society. Awards are made annually after plant trials.

Older books may contain references to the following awards, which were based mainly on flower or fruit quality<ref name=lindley2>{{cite news|year=2014|title=Plant Awards|url=http://www.rhododendrons.co.uk/Page/67/Advice.aspx|publisher=Millais Nurseries|access-date=25 August 2014|archive-date=4 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104225432/https://www.rhododendrons.co.uk/Page/67/Advice.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> (but which are not referred to in current (2014) RHS websites and reports):
: PC: Preliminary Certificate
: HC: Highly Commended
: AM: [[Award of Merit]] (not the same as the AGM)
: FCC: First Class Certificate (once a very prestigious award)