The 2026 theme, Connections Through Time, aims to explore how plants, people and landscapes are shaped by temporal relationships: seasonal, generational, historical and future facing.

We want to ensure that we encompass new and innovative best practice, science and research within gardening, horticulture, ecology, design and landscaping, especially those approaches with wider benefits to the environment, wildlife and humans, and that help confront the challenges of the climate and biodiversity emergencies and ensure social justice.

Some themes or issues could include:

• Plants’ evolution through time and the directions this may take in the face of climate change
• Humans’ ongoing social and cultural co-evolution with plants across the planet
• Responses to the various challenges of a changing world in professional practices
• The development and/or encouragement of novel ecosystems in gardens and landscapes
• Breaking from the past with new visions for the future of gardening
• The conflict between horticulture and ecology in professional practices
• Changing perspectives on gardens as spaces for people and other species
• Shifting baselines and the establishment of ‘new normals’ in the public appreciation of progressive planting
• Communication and collaboration throughout the industry and with the public