The following excerpt is based on Zilla Oddy's "A Growing Success, The Story of Jedburgh Horticultural Society (1815-2015)":
On 19th June 1815, 17 men met in the Spread Eagle Inn in Jedburgh for the purpose of forming themselves into a society called "The Jedburgh Horticultural Society" which eventually became "The United Roxburghshire and Jedburgh Horticultural Society" in 1902. Women were first elected onto the Committee at the 1948 AGM .
In the early days of the Society, much of the fruit grown and exhibited was suprisingly exotic, including grapes, peaches, nectarines and apricots. This was because many of the members were gardeners working for landed gentry in the area who would had access to heated glasshouses.
Since 1959, the winner of the best kept garden in Jedburgh has been announced at the Flower Show, with the silver salver first presented in 1995 and the Floral Art Section was introduced to the Show in 1971. The number of classes in the Industrial Section has increased over the years, with new classes for knitting, sewing, handicrafts and photography, as well as baking and preserves. There is now a large Children's Section, with some classes specifically for youngsters from local Primary schools, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
2015 was the 200th anniversary of the Society and the Flower Show. Videos were produced by Frank Brown of the gardens competition and of the Show itself. The Show was also covered by Border Life TV and on the 30th of August, there was held a Garden Town Trail day in Jedburgh where over a dozen private gardens in the competition were opened to the public.
In 2018, the Jedburgh Horticultural Society organised the planting and maintenance of over 100 hanging baskets and street planters in the town centre. This undoubtedly contributed toward Jedburgh being awarded Best Town in Scotland's Floral Gateway Competition for the Cheviot area and also the Quality of Life Award in 2018.
Images selected from Frank Brown video:
"bi-centinial-200 years Flower Show 2015"
Article on 2015 TV coverage courtesy of
The Jed Eye, issue 58, August 2015.
A link for this TV programme can be found on the "Flower Shows - 2015 Bi-Centenary"
menu tab above.
In 2019, Jedburgh was winner of Scotland's Floral Gateway Competition "Champions of Champions" category, the best of all classes judged in the Scottish Borders.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Society unfortunately had to cancel the town Flower Show
in 2020 and 2021. However, the Best Garden Competition was held as a virtual online
photo competition in 2021.
In 2023, Jedburgh was the Greener Gateway Community silver award winner (town category
pop. 2500+) and silver award winner for Sustainability.
Unfortunately, due to the current lack of new members and support, the Society is limited in what it can achieve and as such, the town's flower show remains cancelled.
