Plants
Flowers are evolving to self-pollinate
Findings published in the New Phytologist show that scientists have discovered that flowering plants growing are increasingly depending less on insect pollinators.
Charity
Horticulture Wales and the Woodland Skills Centre promote horticulture
Horticulture Wales and the Woodland Skills Centre have announced the continuation of their partnership in 2024 to promote horticulture to businesses, communities and schools in Flintshire and Denbighshire.
Plants
OATA urges retailers to stop selling Gunnera
Retailers are advised to cease stocking and selling Gunnera due to the likelihood that the plant is result of a crossing with the banned Gunnera tinctoria.
Worth a listen
Houseplants on Hort-Talk
Comprehensive podcast about the houseplant market, customer base, drivers & benefits, featuring Jonathan Miller from Hortihouse, Alex and Mike Opperman from Opperman Plants, and Dr. Tijana Blanusa from RHS & Reading University.
RHS
The Pulp Friction – Growing Skills Garden
Designed by Will Dutch & Tin-Tin Azure-Marxen the Growing Skills garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 celebrates the Pulp Friction community, demonstrating the power of inclusivity through gardening.
Business
Red Sea attacks: Shipping delays & rising costs warning
Since November vessels in the Red Sea have been targeted by Yemen Houthis, forcing shipping companies to detour around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope instead of using the Suez Canal, incurring longer journeys and higher costs.
RHS
Planet Good Earth Garden
A skateable garden designed by skatepark design and build specialists Betongpark and edible garden specialists Urban Organi, supporting physical activity, positive relationships in a natural setting.
Health
Health benefits of winter garden visits
Research conducted by the National Garden Scheme confirms health benefits of visiting a garden in the dark days of winter.
RHS
Bowel Research UK Microbiome Garden
Designed by Chris Hull and Sid Hill, the garden focuses on health, for people, plants and all life, taking inspiration from human cultures that tended thriving ecosystems for nourishment.
RHS
Great Pavilion gardens
The ‘All About Plants’ line-up in the Great Pavilion is revealed, featuring new up-and-coming designers.
On Instagram
River Restoration Knepp Wilding
Restored Adur river project by Knepp Wildland Foundation shows truly impressive performance during the recent intense downpours.
Environment
Tree ring data shows worsening ‘vapour pressure deficit’ across Europe in 21st century
Research shows the atmosphere across Europe has become markedly drier in recent decades compared to pre-industrial times exacerbating drought and wildfire risks.
Careers
Floral designers opportunity RHS Malvern
Show organisers are looking for set dressers, florists or floral designers to decorate stages, theatres and iconic RHS Letters at the 2024 RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
Regulation
Flower industry call for further grace period on post-Brexit border checks
Both the Dutch and UK flower industry express concerns regarding impending introduction of phytosanitary certificates on medium-risk products scheduled for 31 January 2024.
Plants
London Borough of Hounslow is giving away trees
The council is giving away 750 free fruit trees to borough residents, schools and local community groups.
Design
Microbiome enhancing garden paths
Hard landscape features can be designed to support life, hosting plants, insects and microbe diversity.
Business
Last of the peat-fired electricity power plants in Ireland switches to biomass
The end of an era of peat-fired electricity in the Edenderry power plant in Ireland switches from peat to burning biomass.
Plants
Plant fitness, sustainable planting & the conceptualisation of understanding plants
Professor James Hitchmough delivered the 2023 RHS John MacLeod Annual Lecture which took place in November at RHS Wisley and is now available to view online.
People
Flowers From The Farm: Gill Hodgson steps down
The founder of Flowers From The Farm association, Gill Hodgson steps down as Honorary President.
Worth a read
Gardening trends 2024
Garden designer Ann-Marie Powell shares her views on the trends we can expect in gardens and garden design in 2024.
