As a result of his success at local shows with exhibits of Chrysanthemums from the Broughton Road Nurseries, RCN saw the value of showing locally and nationally in increasing his Woodbridge Nursery business. The RHS shows were then the key to national renown, much as today.

The year after taking over the Nursery, RCN won a Silver Medal for an exhibit of Apples and Pears at the RHS September Crystal Palace Show. The RHS Great Spring Show was at that time held in the grounds of the Temple, where he won a Silver Medal for herbaceous flowers in 1901, 1902 and 1904, progressing to a Silver Gilt Medal in 1905 and 1906.

By the time of the International Horticultural Exhibition in 1912, held in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital, RCN's landscaping skills had also developed. He staged a Rose Garden, which won a Silver Gilt Medal. The show was such a success, that the RHS moved their Great Spring Show to Chelsea in 1913, where it has remained ever since. RCN exhibited at this first "Chelsea", but it was not until the following year that he won his first Gold Medal for an Azalea Garden. Notcutts are one of only some half dozen nurseries to have exhibited at every Chelsea Show, winning Gold Medals most years.

Exhibits won medals further afield too, such as Silver at the Royal Show in 1911, and a Silver Gilt for fruit at the Shropshire Horticultural Society in autumn 1913.

The Woodbridge Horticultural Show was the major local event of the year and RCN encouraged other exhibitors to attend, thus enhancing the show's reputation. Its splendid Silver Medal shows the Shire Hall built by Thomas Seckford on the Market Hill in Woodbridge.

RCN continued showing successfully throughout his life; the exhibits were the mainstay of the business. In 1934, when Tom asked for permission to return from Chelsea early to see his newborn son, this was refused! Shows continued after RCN's death; the last RHS medal before the Second World War was a Lindley Medal for an exhibit of Syringa species in June 1939.