Gardens
Statues stolen from the Iford Manor Estate
Four bronze statues have been reported stolen from the grounds of historic Iford Manor and garden, near Bradford upon Avon.
Trees & Shrubs
Baobab tree in bloom at the Eden Project
Believed to be a UK first, a baobab tree in the Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project in Cornwall is in flower.
Business
Standout spring sales for UK garden centres
Latest data from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Market Update for May 2025 revealed continued strong performance for gardener centres with consumer opting to spend on their gardens.
Environment
Rising likelihood of longer and hotter UK heatwaves
New study Met Office scientists detailed the increasing likelihood of extreme temperatures in the UK, revealing that the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK is accelerating at pace.
Business
August GIMA Buyer Connect: Wickes
GIMA announced that the home improvement retailer, Wickes will be joining their 2025 Buyer Connect programme.
Awards
Frank P Matthews wins HTA New Plants Award
At the 2025 HTA National Plant Show, the tree nursery won the HTA New Plants Award and was also awarded the Visitor Vote.
Events
Detail personified: The Artisan Plant Market at Landgoed De Wiersse
Inspired by the late Bingerden’s Nursery Days and the Great Dixter plant fairs, the Artisan Plant Market at De Wiersse Estate in the Netherlands, has become a notable diary entry for plant lovers.
Charity
Dobbies’ fundraising walk raises £4k for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Staff from Dobbies Central Support Office completed a 25-mile fundraising raising £4,150 for national charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Marketing
Flower Council of Holland rebrands to become Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland
Representing growers and traders, the renamed, Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland promotes the Dutch horticulture sector to attract attention to flowers and plants from European consumers.
Business
WCG Worcestershire Employer & Stakeholder Conference
Tailored to the needs of businesses across Worcestershire, the conference brings together industry leaders, educators and policymakers to tackle workforce challenges and access to skilled talent.
Trees & Shrubs
Frank P Matthews launch Cercis ‘Zig Zag®’ and Prunus ‘Japanese Lantern™’
Tree nursery, Frank P Matthews launch two unique new cultivars for the UK market; Prunus ‘Japanese Lantern™’ and Cercis ‘Zig Zag®’
Events
Picnic & performance at Kew Gardens
This September, Kew Gardens will host a series of live, outdoor events, featuring well-known media and gardening personalities.
Careers
Royal Forestry Society joins ‘Forests With Impact’ to drive social and environmental change
Forests With Impact partners with the Royal Forestry Society to support environmental restoration, sustainable workforce development and resilient UK forestry sector.
People
Dobbies appoints two new Directors
Dobbies Garden Centre announces the appointment of George Hutchinson as Retail Director and Richard Herbert as Restaurant Director.
Exhibitions
Anne-Marie Butlin Exhibition: In and Out of the Garden
Solo exhibition by North London based artist, Anne-Marie Butlin, featuring works painted at Serge Hill, the Chelsea Physic Garden and Perch Hill.
Awards
Rachel Bailey wins Best Show Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live
Scottish garden designer, Rachel Bailey, won Best Show Garden and a Platinum award at the 2025 BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
Charity
National Garden Scheme & Horatio’s Garden celebrate 10 years of partnership
Dame Mary Berry, President Emeritus of the National Garden Scheme and guests celebrate 10 years of support and partnership between the National Garden Scheme and Horatio’s Garden.
Charity
Raising funds for Greenfingers through Challenge for Change
Newly launched, the Challenge for Change initiative, invites individuals, groups, and businesses across the UK to take on personal challenges in aid of a charity of their choice.
Awards
Richard Jackson awarded an MBE in King’s Birthday Honours
The Founder President of Greenfingers Charity, Richard Jackson has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for his outstanding charitable work.
Plants
Dahlia Gardinetta® Velvet Crush named Best New Plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live
Grown by Ball Horticulture and Allensmore Nurseriers, Dahlia Gardinetta® Velvet Crush wins the Peter Seabrook Award for Best New Plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
