By the bye
Wallace, Gromit & Alan Titchmarsh…
The nation’s favourite gardener makes small ‘appearance’ in the Bafta winning film ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’
Business
Coffee and cocoa prices doubled due to extreme weather
Garden centre cafés and restaurants advised to adapt their strategies to volatile food prices and minimise the impact of crop failures caused by extreme weather.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
First display of funeral floristry at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
A historic first for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Farewell Flowers Directory will be staging an exhibit of funeral floristry in the heart of the Great Pavilion.
Environment
New carbon calculator to assess impact peatland restoration methods
New innovative carbon calculating tool has been developed to assess the most sustainable methods to restore damaged peat bogs across the UK
Products
Gardening innovations seen at the 2025 Garden Press Event
With an eye on ingenuity, creativity and sustainability, herewith a selection of some of the products, innovations and solutions spotted at the 2025 Garden Press Event.
Environment
Peat-free education collaboration
Growing media producers, horticultural retailers, manufacturers, NGOs and trade bodies are working together to provide consistent guidance and messaging on peat-free usage.
Charity
Alzheimer’s Research UK appointed as Dobbies National Charity Partner
In celebration of its 160th anniversary, Dobbies Garden Centres appoints Alzheimer’s Research UK as its national charity partner.
Gardens
Blakedown Landscapes contracted for Horniman Museum and Gardens Nature + Love project
Appointed as the principal contractor, Blakedown Landscapes will be delivering the landscaping works for the Horniman Museum and Gardens Nature + Love redevelopment project.
Business
January garden centre sales down 2%
The latest Market Update by the Horticultural Trades Association shows that overall UK garden centres sales in January declined by 2% compared to January 2024.
RHS
RHS and BBC One The One Show 2025 Pocket Garden Makeover Competition
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC One’s The One Show have announced the return of the Pocket Garden Makeover Prize.
HTA
Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025
The Horticultural Trades Association launches updated online and hardcopy ‘Environmental Horticulture and Industry Insights 2025’ at the Garden Press Event.
Business
Marketing in a downturn
The Garden Press Event takes place today, organised specifically for the industry to showcase the latest horticultural products to the media.
Charity
Climbing Kilimanjaro in support of Greenfingers
Children’s charity, Greenfingers has announced that seven individuals have signed up to climb Kilimanjaro to raise funds for its vital works.
Business
National Apprenticeship Week: Additional government support is needed
As a sector dominated by SMEs, the Horticultural Trades Association seeks to remove any barriers to the take up of apprentices, recognising the sector’s current significant shortfall.
Gardens
In protection of London’s Victoria Tower Gardens
London Parks & Gardens is nominating the Grade II listed, Victoria Tower Gardens to included on the Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
Exhibitions
Into Being by Laura Ellen Bacon
New immersive sculptural installation by Laura Ellen Bacon at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Business
Further Dobbies acquisitions for British Garden Centres in Rugby & Northampton
British Garden Centres has acquired Dobbies Rugby and exchanged on the lease of Dobbies Northampton, further expanding the business.
Gardens
Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons retains their two Michelin stars for 41 years
Known for its garden gastronomy, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons have managed to retain their two Michelin stars for the past 41 years.
Business
Blakedown Landscapes to build new garden commemorating Queen Elizabeth II in Regent’s Park
The Royal Parks charity has appointed Blakedown Landscapes as the official contractor for the new garden in The Regent’s Park to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.
Charity
Horatio’s Garden becomes Country Living charity partner for 2025
The spinal injury charity, Horatio’s Garden has been selected as Country Living magazine’s first charity partner for 2025.