Education
Growing interest in green careers
The Royal Horticultural Society reports a 21% increase in applications across its School of Horticulture programmes for 2024, reflecting growing interest in green careers.
Business
Strong November sales for garden centres
The Horticultural Trades Association has reported strong November performance for garden centres, showing a 6% increase compared to 2023, even when excluding café and restaurant sales.
Business
First UK garden centre certified B corp
Thetford Garden Centre has achieved Certified B Corporation (B Corp) status, joining the global movement of like-minded businesses pushing for change.
Business
Suttons granted Royal Warrant of Appointment to be Seedsmen to His Majesty The King
Supplier of seeds, plants and bulbs, Suttons, has been officially granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment by King Charles III.
Events
Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious
First major exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery devoted to the visionary artist, designer and author Eileen ‘Tirzah’ Garwood, former wife of Eric Ravilious.
Regulation
National Planning Policy Framework to boost building
The government has released the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework, confirming the re-introduction of mandatory housing targets and new ‘golden rules’ for building on the Green Belt.
Business
Houseplants: seasonal saviours for the last-minute shopper
Around one in seven of all houseplants sold in the UK’s garden centres are purchased in December.
Charity
The gift of grasses
Working with its charity the Knoll Gardens Foundation, Knoll Gardens gift ornamental grasses to local community groups to create attractive spaces for benefit of the community and promoting wellbeing.
Gardens
Harris Bugg Studio appointed to revitalise Barbican Conservatory
Landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio have been appointed to revitalise the planting of the remarkable, eco-brutalist design of the iconic Barbican Conservatory
Business
Seismic impact of the Autumn Budget on horticulture
New survey data from the Horticultural Trades Association highlights the severity of the risks posed to the horticulture sector by the Autumn Budget.
People
George Plumptre to retire as Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme
After 15 years at the helm of the National Garden Scheme, George Plumptre EMH, has announced that he will retire from his role as Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme at the end of the summer 2025.
Events
Monty Don in conversation with Sophie Raworth
In February 2025, the National Garden Scheme will host a new fundraising event, featuring Monty Don, at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Design
William Andrews Nesfield archives acquired by the Garden Museum
The Garden Museum has acquired the archives of the eminent landscape architect William Andrews Nesfield (1793–1881).
People
Dr. Olivia Chapple receives her OBE
Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and Chair of Trustees at Horatio’s Garden receives her OBE for exceptional services to charity, from His Majesty The King.
RHS
Applications for Long Borders at 2025 RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse invited
Designers, community groups, horticultural students and gardeners are invited to create a planted border at the 2025 RHS Wentworth Woodhouse flower show.
Environment
Storm Darragh strengthened by human-driven climate change
Research by ClimaMeter shows that storm systems like Storm Darragh are 2 hectopascal (hPa) deeper compared to similar systems in the past.
Regulation
New EU General Product Safety Regulations
The new EU General Product Safety Regulations come into effect this week, affecting all businesses associated with the supply or sale of products on the EU market.
Charity
HTA presents Greenfingers with cheque for £14,537.79
The Horticultural Trades Association presented the charity, Greenfingers with a £14,537.79 cheque, raised through the National Garden Gift Card scheme and fundraising activities.
Exhibitions
Plants & Planets at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden
New exhibition at the Hortus Botanic in Leiden, the Netherlands will allow visitors to travel through time and space: from the Big Bang to the year 2125 and beyond.
Product Launch
FLO by David Harber
Sculptor David Harber launches a new outdoor sculpture, entitled FLO in a limited edition of 25.
