Plants
Hillier new plant introductions for 2025
Hillier Nurseries introduces three new plant varieties this spring, selected for their beauty, fragrance, and climate resilience.
Community gardening
Nearly £300,000 NGS funding for community garden projects
The National Garden Scheme announces the distribution of £294,260 of funding for 117 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People
Thomas Pearson becomes Trustee for Herefordshire Growing Point
Founder of garden pottery business becomes a Trustee for the Herefordshire charity that helps people living with physical and mental challenges to enjoy the benefits of gardening.
Plants
Help in the search for lost peonies
The historic Kelway’s peony collection has been awarded National Collection status, but the search for lost varieties continues.
Collaboration
Gaze Burvill launch new collection with the National Trust
The National Trust and furniture maker Gaze Burvill are launching a joint collection made from locally and sustainably-sourced oak.
By the bye
A few favourite 2025 April Fooleries
A small salute for the individuals and businesses in the horticulture industry who embrace the playful spirit of April Fools’ Day and provide us all with a much needed laugh.
Business
Back to bare roots: Perennial plants
To address the issue of plastic, the industry has introduced recycled, recyclable plant pots, wool or coir but some, such as Peter Nyssen, have switched to selling field grown, bare root perennials – we asked them for details.
Plants
David Austin to launch new rose at RHS Chelsea
To be revealed on Press Day at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the new David Austin rose has been over a decade in the making.
Business
Huw Richards and Gardena search for Britain’s best plot
In support of the National Allotment Society, Gardena has launched the Top of the Plots competition, open for entries in May.
Environment
WWF Prescription for Nature campaign
Approaching Earth Day in April, the World Wide Fund for Nature campaign focusses on the connection between nature and mental wellbeing, highlighting local heroes driving positive change.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Houseplant ‘Foliage Banquet’ for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Using their ‘more is more’ approach, the plant and container garden designers Nikki and Holly Barsby are creating a houseplant ‘Foliage Banquet’ for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Trees & Shrubs
Croft Castle oak avenue restored with 200 new trees
Funded by Blue Diamond Garden Centres, over 200 oak trees have been planted at the National Trust’s Croft Castle reinstating an established oak avenue.
Events
Serge Hill Symposium: A Safe Green Space – Nature and Play
This year’s symposium at the Serge Hill Project will focus on the transformative relationship between nature, gardens, creativity, wellbeing and play.
Tourism
First Scottish Gardens Tourism Conference
Hosted by Discover Scottish Gardens, the inaugural Scottish Gardens Tourism Conference takes place this week, aimed to encourage collaboration across the industry.
Environment
Dartington Forest Garden at risk
The Agroforestry Research Trust have issued an appeal for support to protest the intentions of the Dartington Hall Trust to end their lease, putting the 31 year old forest food project at risk.
Gardens
The gardens at Serge Hill open for visitors
The gardens around Serge Hill will be open for visitors from April to July, to raise funds for the Serge Hill Project.
Gardens
Biddulph Grange Stumpery renovation completed
The Stumpery at Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire has been reinstated after completion of major renovation and expansion.
Environment
Forestry commission approves commercial forest in Durham
Three hundred hectares of new woodland is to be planted in County Durham featuring 31 different species and 600,000 trees.
Gardens
LCGD graduates to showcase Lamiaceae at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Graduates from the London College of Garden Design are set to return to RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival to showcase seven educational borders highlighting the variety and diversity of the Lamiaceae family.
Gardens
Paws on the path trial at RHS Garden Rosemoor
The Royal Horticultural Society will be trialling dedicated dog-friendly days for six months at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon.
