Danish Horticultural Society

The Danish Horticultural Society (Danish: Haveselskabet, formally Det Kongelige Danske Haveselskab) is a Danish nationwide, independent and non-profit association for people interested in gardens and horticulture. Its roots go back to 1830, making it one of the oldest garden organizations in Denmark. It has around 30,000 members, mainly private individuals with an interest in gardening. The Society's purpose is to speak on behalf of garden owners and to safeguard their interests, as well as to create, develop and communicate communities among people interested in gardens. It also provides professional advice on gardens and green areas. Members receive the magazine HAVEN ten times a year — described as Denmark's largest garden magazine — produced by the editorial team in the secretariat. The secretariat also operates an advisory service that members can call or write to with questions about cultivation, plants, bushes, trees and more. Nationwide, the Society is divided into 18 departments, about half of which are further divided into circles. Each circle and department is led by a board elected by members at local general assemblies, working on a voluntary basis with local events. In total there are around 850 volunteers on the Society's boards. The highest governing body is the Repræsentantskab (Council of Representatives), composed of representatives from the 18 local departments and their circles. The Council elects the Hovedbestyrelse (Main Board) and the Society's chairman by direct election. The Main Board appoints the director and leads the secretariat. Charlotte Garby became director of Haveselskabet in 2011. The Society's roughly 120 departments and circles plan and hold more than 1,000 events each year, including plant markets, open gardens, garden trips and lectures. It publishes the member magazine Haven ten times a year, various garden books and professional texts, and a special newsletter for members as well as one for other interested parties. It also runs the garden show Cph Garden, first held in 2017. Until 1 July 2025 it owned and operated Haveselskabets Have on Frederiksberg, and until 1 January 2011 it had an inspiration garden at Clausholm near Hadsten. In 2007 it was decided that Det kongelige danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab – Øerne and Det Jydske Haveselskab should be merged into one legal entity. The merger took effect on 1 January 2008. Today the Society continues to serve Danish garden enthusiasts through membership, events, advice and publications.

The Danish Horticultural Society traces its roots to 1830, when it was founded as Det Kongelige Danske Haveselskab (The Royal Danish Horticultural Society). For much of its history it operated as a national association for garden enthusiasts, with regional branches including Det Danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab – Øerne and Det Jydske Haveselskab. In 2007 it was decided that Det kongelige danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab – Øerne and Det Jydske Haveselskab should be merged into one legal entity. The merger took effect on 1 January 2008, creating a single nationwide organization under the name Haveselskabet. Until 1 January 2011 the Society had an inspiration garden at Clausholm near Hadsten. In 2011 Charlotte Garby became director of Haveselskabet. The Society owned and operated Haveselskabets Have on Frederiksberg until 1 July 2025. In 2017 the Society launched the garden show Cph Garden, which has been held since then. The Society continues to publish HAVEN magazine ten times a year and to organize over 1,000 events annually through its departments and circles.

• 2025

  Haveselskabets Have on Frederiksberg operated until 1 July 2025.

• 2017

  Cph Garden garden show held for the first time.

• 2011

  Charlotte Garby becomes director; inspiration garden at Clausholm closes on 1 January 2011.

• 2008

  Merger takes effect on 1 January 2008.

• 2007

  Decision to merge Det kongelige danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab, Det Danske Haveselskab – Øerne and Det Jydske Haveselskab into one legal entity.

• 1830

  Roots of the Society go back to 1830.

Denmark's leading non-profit horticultural society for garden enthusiasts, offering community, advice and inspiration.

• HAVEN magazine

  Member magazine published 10 times a year, described as Denmark's largest garden magazine.

• Haveselskabets Rådgivning

  Advisory service for members on gardening, plants, bushes, trees, etc.

• Cph Garden

  Garden show first held in 2017.

1. 1Haveselskabethaveselskabet.dk
2. 2Danish Horticultural Societywikidata.org
3. 3Haveselskabetda.wikipedia.org