Environment
Sustainability of urban forests questioned
New US based research suggests that the trees people are planting in their gardens may not be sustainable in a hotter, drier world.
Environment
Jekka McVicar encourages gardener participation in climate change research project
In her capacity as the Vice President of the RHS, Jekka McVicar appealed to gardeners across the country to participate in the research project to ascertain how climate change is affecting plants in gardens.
Design
Project Giving Back: 2026 RHS Chelsea funding
For the final year of Project Giving Back’s funding for RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens, previously unsuccessful applicants may have another chance to gain support for a 2026 show garden.
Gardens
RHS seeks gardeners’ climate change insights
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), University of Sheffield and University of Reading want to hear how climate change is affecting plants in gardens, as they combine forces to help future proof them.
Charity
Christopher Woodward to undertake sponsored swim to raise funds for new London park
Garden Museum Director, Christopher Woodward to swim 100km in the Peloponnese islands of Greece, to help transform the 5.3 acres adjacent to the museum into a new public park.
Tourism
Galloway confirmed preferred location for Scotland’s next National Park
Galloway has been confirmed as the proposed location for Scotland’s third National Park.
Gardens
Fulham Palace Trust’s Bishop Compton collection granted National Plant Collection status
Plant Heritage granted Fulham Palace Trust’s Bishop Compton collection, National Plant Collection status recognising the comprehensive range of plants first cultivated at the Palace during the tenure of Bishop Henry Compton.
Gardens
The history of the Earth brought to life in the new gardens at the Natural History Museum
Complete with new dinosaur, the Natural History Museum has transformed their five-acre gardens for big and small explorers in the heart of London, as part of its Urban Nature Project.
Awards
Mayfield Park wins coveted Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award has been granted to Mayfield Park in Manchester with the judges declaring that they had ‘never seen such an outstanding urban park in 20+ years of judging’.
Design
Max Fordham House & Garden
The environmental engineering firm and its eponymous late founder designed Max Fordham House, the UK’s first net zero residential home in Camden, north London.
Gardens
Great Comp Garden 2024 Summer Show
Two-day summer show held to help safeguard the historic Great Comp Garden in Kent with its rich history of suffragists and female sporting endeavours.
Business
Semple Begg celebrate 10th anniversary with a touch of Dior & RHS Chelsea garden relocation in Scotland
Designers Susan Begg and Nicola Semple, based in Scotland and Switzerland celebrate their 10th anniversary, relocating their RHS Chelsea garden and prestigious Dior Cruise ’25 at Drummond Castle.
Gardens
Over 200 volunteers assisted in the rehoming of the 2024 RHS Chelsea Pulp Friction garden
People’s Choice winner, the 2024 RHS Chelsea Pulp Friction Growing Skills garden, which celebrated the Pulp Friction community has been relocated to its final destination in Nottingham.
Worth a listen
‘The Garden Design Confessional’ podcast series hosted by Darren Hawkes for Maggie’s
New ‘Garden Design Confessional’ podcast series, hosted by the award-winning landscape designer Darren Hawkes, featuring fellow Maggie’s garden designers.
Gardens
The value of a garden…
A new survey conducted by YouGov for STIGA, reveals that people would rather have smaller house if it came with a garden than a large house with no outside space.
People
Susan Raikes is the new Director of Wakehurst at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Susan Raikes has been appointed as Director of Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex to engage the wider public in the beauty and scientific value of the Wakehurst site.
Health
Gardens and local green space leads to lower incidence of antidepressant use
New research paper reveals strong link between living near green space and decreases in antidepressant prescription refills, highlighting the importance of nature for health & wellbeing and urban planning.
Charity
Blue Diamond Garden Centres launch Community Garden Competition
Prompted by their Octavia Hill inspired, 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, Blue Diamond are offering financial support to five UK community garden projects.
Education
Great Bradfords School renovated garden opened by Jamie Oliver
Chef and author Jamie Oliver, opened the newly renovated garden at Great Bradfords Junior School in Braintree, Essex.
Design
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam greenhouse to become completely climate neutral
The eye-catching Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus greenhouse is being renovated to become completely sustainable, heated without gas – providing an inspiring example to all.
