This Summer, the Royal Horticultural Society hosts a new photographic exhibition exploring our relationship with hedges and topiary. Curated by Gareth Gardner, On The Hedge is being held at RHS Garden Wisley’s Old Laboratory gallery space.

From their role in shaping our landscapes and homes to their environmental benefits, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on these often overlooked natural boundaries.

The exhibition emerged from an open call for hedge and topiary photography in 2024 that drew an overwhelming response from artists in the UK and overseas. Following an acclaimed showcase at the Gareth Gardner Gallery, this expanded collection at RHS Wisley will introduce new works and take inspiration from the RHS’ own research into hedges.

The exhibition showcases work from over 40 photographers, alongside a special commission for RHS Wisley by photographer Anna Kroeger, who is using materials from hedges and shrubs themselves to process and tone her photographs in a more eco-friendly way than traditional analogue photography.

Hedges are an ongoing subject matter of interest to many photographers: they tell us stories of who we are, stories of society, culture and modern life, and our relationship with nature. They set boundaries, protect privacy and can express individual creativity. They can also provide real environmental benefits, a subject of ongoing research by RHS scientists.