The Swedish Horticultural Society is the country’s leading association of amateur gardeners. The society acts as an umbrella organization for some 160 local associations and their regional bodies, as well as individual members. In all, there are about 32 000 members. The Swedish Horticultural Society was formed in 1900 when it was known as the Pomological Society of Sweden. It is a voluntary organization, free from religious or political affiliations, and its purpose is to promote amateur gardening and to work for the general improvement of horticulture and the environment in which people live in Sweden. The society publishes “Hemträdgården”, a magazine for members which appears six times a year. The magazine contains practical advice, gardening hints and articles on notable gardens, and gardening history by the country’s leading horticultural publicists and photographers, together with news, book reviews, etc. (Articles in Swedish only). Local horticultural societies run their own programmes of events including courses, lectures, plant exchanges, social gatherings and visits to gardens. Members also have access to free gardening advice by telephone or e-mail and there are further membership privileges in the form of discounts at garden centres, travel and excursions, etc