Design
North Midlands SGD Cluster Group
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) Cluster Groups provide access to a local network for support for garden designers and events in their area.
People
Adam Frost supports the MindSpace charity
Garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost has joined with Stamford wellbeing charity MindSpace to stage an event in support of their vital works.
Local Heroes
Chelsea Physic Garden: Forget-me-nots
An important and endearing initiative by the Chelsea Physic Garden to support people living with dementia and their families.
Artisan
Patrick Dougherty: The magic of sticks
With just sticks and saplings, sculpture artist, Patrick Dougherty creates the most incredible, ephemeral installations, showcasing the beauty of the natural world.
Business
Scottish Woodlands appoints peatland project manager
Scottish Woodlands Ltd (SWL) has appointed Dr Erin Stoll as its first Peatland Project Manager, reflecting the growing significance of peatland restoration in the future of the rural environment.
Exhibitions
New generation of botanical artists
Exhibition at The Shirley Sherwood Gallery in Kew Gardens, celebrating the talents of young botanical artists aged 16-25.
On Instagram
Must follow @philiptreewalker
Hampshire-based talent, Philip Walker hand-crafts striking sculptures and seating in wood, focusing on the natural beauty of the material, emphasising form, flow and texture.
Media
Monty Don appeals to Waitrose shoppers to buy peat-free
Featuring in Waitrose Weekend, Monty Don appeals to the supermarket’s patronage to refrain from buying peat products to preserve precious peatlands.
People
Botanics Choir: Spring 2024
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is launching a choir, celebrating the wonder of plants through song.
Health
Sarah Raven on combatting the January blues
Expert gardener and author Sarah Raven is a fierce advocate for spending time outdoors in nature to boost one’s wellbeing.
People
RHS Urban Show host: Michael Perry
Gardener, author and presenter Michael Perry will be the host of the new RHS Urban Show at the Mayfield Depot in Manchester.
Careers
Horticulture Careers Discovery Week
Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) this week of inspiring talks puts the spotlight on the variety of horticultural career paths available.
Careers
The Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition
Entries for the 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year competition opens in February, providing opportunities to test one’s knowledge and meet fellow horticulturists from the UK and Ireland.
Charity
David Austin Roses donates £10,000 to Grow to Know
The donation by renowned rose breeders is for the West London-based community of guerrilla gardeners, Grow to Know founded in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
People
Michael Yates: New CEO Chelsea Group of Companies
The new CEO will head the Chelsea Group which includes brands such as Mr Fothergill’s Seeds Limited, Darlac, Woolmans, DT Brown and Johnsons.
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.
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.
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.
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.
