RHS
RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens go through ‘green audit’
For the first time, RHS Chelsea 2024 show gardens have been through a green audit process with the aim to lower their environmental footprint.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2024
What’s on at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2024
One of the first major shows of the year, the RHS Malvern Spring Festival opens the doors to the gardening season, set amongst the picturesque Malvern Hills.
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.
Gardens
Tom Stuart-Smith to revive Trentham’s Italian Garden as part of the 20th Anniversary plans
The unique, 186-acre historic parkland garden will undergo a further series of ambitious garden development plans, part of a programme of events marking the 20th anniversary of the Gardens’ re-opening.
Shows
Royal Windsor Flower Show: Garden Makers Competition
Organisers of the Royal Windsor Flower Show are calling out to design students and graduates keen to showcase their talents in the show’s Garden Makers competition.
Environment
Garden Organic seek public support for peat ban
According to Garden Organic, a lack of clarity from Defra is continuing to damage precious peat habitats as a promised 2024 ban is no closer to being enforced.
Business
Garden centres up their coffee game…
Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre’s coffee aficionado Adam Kelly has recently won the regional heats of Costa Coffee UK’s Barista of the Year competition, progress to the UK and Ireland final.
Wildlife
UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme: 2023 results
Results from the 2023 annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) reveal a ‘mixed picture’ for butterflies, with some species thriving whilst others continued their concerning declines.
People
The new High Sheriff of Wiltshire: Dr Olivia Chapple
Dr Olivia Chapple, Founder of Horatio’s Garden to be officially appointed as the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire.
People
Meet the gardeners at Waterperry
Established by Beatrix Havergal, meet the team that manage the Oxfordshire based Waterperry Gardens.
Regulation
Common User Charge Rates announced
Defra has announced the Common User Charge (CUC) rates and how the charge will apply to imports entering Great Britain through Dover and Eurotunnel from 30 April 2024.
Events
Great Dixter Plant Spring Plant Fair cancelled
Due to adverse weather conditions the much anticipated Spring Plant Fair weekend at Great Dixter has sadly been cancelled.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
The Climate-Forward Garden
Designed by Melanie Hick, the Climate-Forward Garden is a front garden re-imagined with sustainability and style front and centre.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Plant nursery co-operative returns to RHS Chelsea
The Plant Fairs Roadshow (PFR) will return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Pavilion in 2024 with new nurseries joining the co-operative for the first time.
People
Ben Harrison: Garden Centre Association (GCA) new Chairman Elect
Ben Harrison, Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres will become Chairman at the GCA’s annual conference in January 2026.
Natural Capital
Biodiversity Net Gain now applicable to small developments
Biodiversity net gain has applied to major developments since February, and from today also applies to small developments across England.
Research
Research into garden influences on health & wellbeing seek participants
Researchers are looking for people to take part in a psychological intervention to explore how spending time in the garden influences health and wellbeing
Wildlife
Impact domestic cats on wildlife
U.S. researchers draw up comprehensive list of what domestic cat prey, identifying more than 2000 species, including endangered ones
Research
Solar farms can boost pollinator habitats & diversity
A five-year U.S. based study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that solar farms can be hotspots for wildlife if seeded with wildflowers.
Media
Hornby George PR launch online press office
Created by Hornby George PR, the new platform called PressDonkey enabling direct brand and trade press communication.