The company no longer exists as a regulatory authority for the sale of produce in London; instead serving as a charitable institution.
The company also performs a ceremonial role; it formally presents bouquets to the Queen and to princesses upon their wedding, anniversary, or other similar occasion.
This charter sets out the operations controlled by the Company: "The trade, crafte or misterie of gardening, planting, grafting, setting, sowing, cutting, arboring, rocking, mounting, covering, fencing and removing of plants, herbes, seedes, fruites, trees, stocks, setts, and of contryving the conveyances to the same belonging ... ".
Six committees, comprising Assistants and Liverymen, address specific matters relating to the Company's activities and make recommendations to the Court.
The King and Queen of the Belgians are Royal Freemen of the Company, reflecting the British gardening's strong links with Belgium.
Since 1891, the year in which the Company was granted livery status, 11 Lord Mayors of London have been Gardeners, of which, eight have served as Master.
Visits, led by the Master, take place throughout the year to gardens and horticultural establishments at home and abroad and the Company pursues a busy programme of events.
The Gardeners' Company produces a magazine called The Spade, giving details of recent events and visits.
The aim is to encourage the planting of gardens, courtyards, atria, window boxes, troughs, tubs and hanging baskets to beautify the City.
The award, by the Lord Mayor, of trophies and plaques for meritorious displays (Summer) takes place annually at Mansion House.