Health
Thrive’s new campaign ‘Plants not Pressure’ puts the spotlight on men’s mental health & wellbeing
The new campaign by Thrive advocates gardens and green space as a place for men to grow their mental and physical strength.
People
Susan Raikes is the new Director of Wakehurst at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Susan Raikes has been appointed as Director of Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex to engage the wider public in the beauty and scientific value of the Wakehurst site.
Research
Gardens and local green space leads to lower incidence of antidepressant use
New research paper reveals strong link between living near green space and decreases in antidepressant prescription refills, highlighting the importance of nature for health & wellbeing and urban planning.
Charity
Blue Diamond Garden Centres launch Community Garden Competition
Prompted by their Octavia Hill inspired, 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, Blue Diamond are offering financial support to five UK community garden projects.
Education
Great Bradfords School renovated garden opened by Jamie Oliver
Chef and author Jamie Oliver, opened the newly renovated garden at Great Bradfords Junior School in Braintree, Essex.
Design
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam greenhouse to become completely climate neutral
The eye-catching Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus greenhouse is being renovated to become completely sustainable, heated without gas – providing an inspiring example to all.
Gardens
Botanical Garden Leiden opens new Mediterranean garden
The oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, Hortus Botanicus Leiden has opened their new climate resistant, sustainable and water-efficient, Mediterranean garden.
Environment
The new RHS Environmental Innovation Award goes to World Child Cancer garden
Designed by Giulio Giorgi, the World Child Cancer Nurturing Garden wins the new award that recognises efforts made to reduce footprint at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
The 2024 RHS Chelsea Octavia Hill Garden wins inaugural RHS Children’s Choice Award
Designed by Ann-Marie-Powell, for Blue Diamond and the National Trust, the Octavia Hill Garden has won the new RHS Children’s Choice Award.
Charity
Build of Horatio’s Garden in Sheffield has started
Exactly one year ago, since it began its life as the Best in Show winning garden at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, work has started on Horatio’s Garden in Sheffield.
Gardens
The Oudolf Landscape at RHS Wisley is now open
The highly anticipated, transformed Glasshouse Borders by the internationally acclaimed landscape designer Piet Oudolf at RHS Wisley are now open.
Products
Wildflower seeds for RHS Chelsea WaterAid garden visitors
Seedball has supplied 25,000 bespoke matchboxes for Tom Massey’s WaterAid, drought-resistant show garden to be given away to visitors.
Health
Safety first: No Falls Week
The No Falls Foundation, the first and only UK-based charity for the work at height sector, is launching the first ever ‘No Falls Week’, a powerful campaign dedicated to promoting safe working at height.
Local Heroes
Sandi Toksvig to open Bramshott village gardens event
The residents of Bramshott in Hampshire, open their gardens to the public every two years to raise money for local charities and to fund improvements in their own village.
Health
UK population has low life satisfaction and is more anxious, suggests new ONS data
Exploring UK quality of life, the Office of National Statistics wellbeing report reveals increases in economic inactivity, low life satisfaction with financial pressures contributing to poor wellbeing.
Charity
NGS & Macmillan: 40th anniversary of a very special partnership
As part of Gardens and Health Week, the National Garden Scheme is celebrating a unique, 40-year charitable partnership with one of the most significant beneficiaries, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Gardens
Great Comp Garden’s Azaleas
The unnamed azaleas gifted to Great Comp Garden in Platt, near Sevenoaks have erupted in thousands of blooms throughout the historic woodland garden.
Health
Gardens and Health Week: The uplifting impact of gardens
To mark Gardens and Health Week (4th-12th May), the National Garden Scheme brings together all that is good about gardens.
Education
The Newt & RHS: Growing a new generation of gardeners
2024 marks The Newt in Somerset’s third year as headline sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, supporting the RHS in their mission to encourage and improve the practice of horticulture.
Awards
BBC’s The One Show and RHS announce return of the Growing Together Award for 2024
In celebration of community gardening, the BBC’s The One Show and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) announce the 2024 Growing Together Community Gardening Competition