People
Michael Perry becomes the HTA’s new ambassador
As the new HTA’s Ambassador, Michael Perry will be taking a closer look at what the association does for its members in the horticultural sector.
Business
ShopKind retail campaign in Scotland
An annual event, the ShopKind campaign supports the promotion of courteous and respectful behaviour in shops and to raise awareness of the growing problem of abuse and violence towards shop workers.
Awards
Gill Hodgson receives her MBE
Gill Hodgson, founder of Flowers From the Farm received her Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Floristry.
Gardens
Arrests made in connection with thefts at Iford Manor
Wiltshire Police have arrested two people after several statues were stolen from Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon.
Lifestyle
The new must have garden accessory: Outdoor bath tub
Inspired by William Holland’s Alvius bath designed for Soho House’s Babington House in Somerset, the new must have accessory for outdoor living comes in the form of a garden bath tub….
Media
Zoe Ball & Jo Whiley launch new podcast
Broadcasters Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley aim to lift the curtain on the “messy and beautiful reality of living well” with their new Persephonica produced, podcast.
Gardens
Inspired by the Eden Project, China unveils ‘Oriental Eden’
Modelled on Cornwall’s Eden Project, the Eden Project Qingdao in China has officially opened.
Book Releases
Business
Hydroponic, urban ‘farm to plate’ experience
Opened April this year, the Orangery restaurant boasts the largest on-site hydroponic farm in London, offering hyper-local, farm-to-table dining.
People
Hannah McVicar’s botanical Gromit
Botanical illustrator, Hannah McVicar has painted one of the Gromit sculptures for the upcoming ‘Gromit Unleashed 3’ Sculpture Trail in Bristol.
Economy
New UK Trade Strategy to boost exports
The Government has launched its new trade strategy which aims to boost UK services exports and strengthen anti-dumping defences to protect the country from the global tariff wars.
Plants
Rose of the Year 2026: Coral Gardens®
Bred by Kordes Rosen, the floribunda, Rosa Coral Gardens® is the Rose of the Year, a competition run on behalf of the British Association of Rose Breeders.
Business
Blue Diamond to acquire Barton Grange Garden Centre
The garden centre retail group is currently in discussion regarding the potential acquisition of Barton Grange Garden Centre and associated Garden Centre Plants nursery.
Business
British Garden Centres to exhibit at RHS Hampton and Wentworth
The garden centre group has announced that it will be exhibiting for the first time at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and the inaugural RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse.
Design
Foster + Partners win contest for national memorial to Elizabeth II
Lord Norman Foster’s design team won the competition to design the new Queen Elizabeth II memorial, beating a shortlist which included Tom Stuart-Smith.
Business
UK and EU horticulture and floriculture outline support for SPS negotiation
Horticultural Trades Association and Union Fleurs to attend joint meetings of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAG) and Civil Society Forums (CSF) to ensure the needs of the horticulture and floriculture sectors are addressed in SPS negotiations.
Trees & Shrubs
Robin Hood Oak receives emergency watering
Threatened by lack of rain and current heatwave, the 1,000-year-old Robin Hood Oak in Sherwood Forest has received 3,000 litres of emergency watering.
Business
Glee 2025: An update
With 360 exhibitors confirmed to date, the trade show announces growth in terms of visitor registrations, new and existing exhibitors.
People
Gardening activist, Sara Venn has died
Community gardener, activist and founder of Edible Bristol, Sara Venn has died after a long battle with cancer.
Exhibitions
Buzz & Hum & Wing & Song
Inspired by the Tess Taylor poem ‘Solstice’ (2015), a new exhibition featuring works by artists such as Endellion Lycett-Green and Marie Elisabeth Merlin, evokes themes of nature, time and the changing seasons.
Gardens
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival: Healer’s Hollow
Delving into the history of our connection with plants, the RHS Feature Garden at the upcoming RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, celebrates the tradition of plants for purpose and benefits for health and wellbeing.
