Good stuff
Mycelium celebration
To celebrate Earth Month and the launch of their new Mycelium packaging, eyewear brand MONC partnered the talented Caley Brothers to create an innovative, living fungi window display.
Business
Early Easter boosts garden centre trade in March
Despite the wet and rainy weather, garden centre sales surged by +22% last month compared to March 2023.
Business
Creepers Nursery launch new retail plant site at Lavershot Barns
Long-established plant nursery Creepers have recently announced the launch of their new retail site at the luxury shopping estate, Lavershot Barns in Windlesham, Surrey.
Regulation
Ten-Minute Rule Motion to prohibit the sale of peat set for second reading
The Private Members’ Bill to ban the sale of horticultural peat met with some opposition in the House of Commons, but will see a second reading.
Business
Dobbies renews contract with Wincanton
Wincanton has been awarded extended warehouse and transport contracts with Dobbies for home delivery, store replenishment and eCommerce services.
Gardens
Ballot open to visit 10 Downing Street garden
Part of the 2024 London Open Gardens, the garden at Number 10 Downing Street will be opening via a public ballot.
Worth a listen
Hort-Talk: Celebrating 125 years of UK
Latest episode of the HTA podcast, featuring Alex Jenkins, Ruth Goudy, Tim Smith, Stan Green and Alan Sargent discussing their horticulture business journeys.
Business
Petersham Nurseries seeks support to save their restaurant
By means of their ‘Save Our Restaurant’ campaign and petition, Petersham Nurseries are seeking support to be able to provide evening dining.
People
Dobbies appoints Rajesh Gupta as Strategy & Business Development Director
The garden centre retailer appoints Rajesh Gupta to its senior leadership team as Strategy & Business Development Director
Business
In the spirit of Great Dixter: Hooton’s Walled Nursery
Run by Great Dixter Trainee, Dean and his father Glenn Charlton, the new Hooton’s Walled Nursery promises to inspire gardeners and work to the traditional, generous ethos of Great Dixter.
Shows
Blue Diamond champions peat-free at the RHS Urban Show
At the new RHS Urban Show Manchester, the garden centre group Blue Diamond will be championing the move towards British grown peat-free and soil-free houseplants.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Kent Wildflower Seeds to make their RHS Chelsea Flower Show debut
Family owned, Kent Wildflower Seeds are coming to the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the aim to redefine the role of wildflowers in modern gardens.
Charity
Ben Thomas is the new Thrive CEO
Former Head of Operations at Thrive, Ben Thomas has been appointed as CEO, replacing Kathryn Rossiter who stepped down in March.
People
Tom Stuart-Smith receives much deserved OBE
The landscape architect and garden designer received his OBE for services to landscape architecture at Windsor Castle yesterday.
Business
Mark Fane explains why 2024 is the last RHS Chelsea show garden build for Crocus
Mark Fane has verified that Crocus will stop building show gardens and growing plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show after 2024.
Business
We’re unable to shake ‘Vibecession’…
A term increasingly used by market commentators, vibecession describes the disconnect between the state of the economy and the public’s perception of it being worse than reality.
Books
Mark Diacono’s ‘Abundance’ shortlisted for Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Award
Written ‘live’ on Substack, Mark Diacono’s new book ‘Abundance’ has been listed for an award in prestigious Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Walled Kitchen Garden: 62nd Alitex exhibit for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Producer of glasshouses, Alitex returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 with a walled kitchen garden, designed to inspire growing from ‘plot to plate’.
Events
Igniting the Passion for British Flowers: British Flowers Week
Putting British grown cut flowers and foliage firmly in the spotlight, the 2024 British Flowers Week will take place on from the 3rd to the 9th June.
Business
Small businesses berate new import fees
The horticulture sector is not alone in their condemnation for the newly announced post-Brexit, import Common User Charges coming in later this month.
