People
Liz Nicholson elected as member of the RHS Council
Along with Nick Dunn and Ruth Willmott, Liz Nicholson has been duly elected as Ordinary Member of the RHS Council until the end of the RHS AGM in 2029.
Environment
Sustainability of urban forests questioned
New US based research suggests that the trees people are planting in their gardens may not be sustainable in a hotter, drier world.
Business
GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is now open for applications
A celebration of grassroots development and innovation, the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund provides an annual grant of up to £6,000 to help launch innovative, never before seen products for the gardening market.
Environment
Jekka McVicar encourages gardener participation in climate change research project
In her capacity as the Vice President of the RHS, Jekka McVicar appealed to gardeners across the country to participate in the research project to ascertain how climate change is affecting plants in gardens.
Design
Project Giving Back: 2026 RHS Chelsea funding
For the final year of Project Giving Back’s funding for RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens, previously unsuccessful applicants may have another chance to gain support for a 2026 show garden.
Environment
Tree planting ‘Branching Out’ Fund open for applications
The Tree Council grant seeking to establish trees, hedgerows, and orchards is open for applications.
Research
RHS seeks gardeners’ climate change insights
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), University of Sheffield and University of Reading want to hear how climate change is affecting plants in gardens, as they combine forces to help future proof them.
Regulation
HTA calls for rapid review of environmental targets to recognise the value of horticulture
Following the deputy prime minister and housing secretary, Angela Rayner’s announcement to overhaul the planning system, the HTA calls for cooperation and recognition for horticulture’s economic and environmental contribution.
Natural Capital
Nattergal purchases third rewilding site
Nattergal has purchased Harold’s Park Wildland in Essex for rewilding, offering potential for community and corporate engagement.
Charity
Christopher Woodward to undertake sponsored swim to raise funds for new London park
Garden Museum Director, Christopher Woodward to swim 100km in the Peloponnese islands of Greece, to help transform the 5.3 acres adjacent to the museum into a new public park.
Environment
The Pesticide Collaboration launch new national campaign
A new national campaign calling for the UK government to ban the use of pesticides in urban areas was launched by the Pesticide Collaboration.
Research
Slugs: Citizen engagement and identification accuracy
New research study shows how effective citizen scientists are in accurately identifying species and gathering reliable ecological data.
Environment
Scotland’s Flow Country becomes world’s first peatland UNESCO World Heritage site
The Flow Country has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining a very exclusive list of natural wonders, including the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.
Exhibitions
Garden Museum: The Lost Gardens of London
Curated by landscape architect and historian Dr Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, a new Garden Museum exhibition, will reveal the secret history of some of London’s most beguiling forgotten gardens.
Business
Shoplifting offences at highest level for 20 years
New ONS data shows that the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to a new 20-year high.
Plants
Paris 2024: The Olympic dahlia
A vibrant, orange red dahlia, evoking the Olympic flame is the star plant in the parks, gardens and Olympic venues across Paris.
People
Sarah Raven on Desert Island Discs
Gardener and author, Sarah Raven will be sharing her music, book and luxury choices if cast away to a desert island on the popular BBC 4 Radio programme.
Business
HTA’s new Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy – a vision for Wales
The Horticultural Trades Association launched its new Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy —a vision for Wales at the Royal Welsh Show this week.
Regulation
Environmental rules set to change to boost housebuilding
UK ministers have signalled intent to overhaul ‘nutrient neutrality’ regulations to enable new housing development.
Environment
Pioneering mushroom farm at Blenheim estate
Work has begun on a pioneering mushroom farm on the Blenheim Estate to grow gourmet mushrooms on spawn-inoculated substrate created from organic waste from Blenheim Palace.