Plants
UK’s first oak seed of tested planting stock for homegrown timber
Following 25 years of research, Future Trees Trust has announced the availability of quality oak seed for the next generation of oak.
Gardens
The Oudolf Landscape at RHS Wisley is now open
The highly anticipated, transformed Glasshouse Borders by the internationally acclaimed landscape designer Piet Oudolf at RHS Wisley are now open.
Research
Researchers discover origins of the iconic baobab tree
New research reveals the majestic Baobab’s origins in Madagascar and long-distance dispersals to Africa and Australia.
Research
Ten years on: The Living Ash project
Established in 2013, the Living Ash Project (LAP) aims to restore ash as a thriving broadleaved species in the future.
Products
Wildflower seeds for RHS Chelsea WaterAid garden visitors
Seedball has supplied 25,000 bespoke matchboxes for Tom Massey’s WaterAid, drought-resistant show garden to be given away to visitors.
Plants
Harkness launch new rose ‘Chelsea Pensioner’
Rose breeder, Harkness has launched a new rose named the ‘Chelsea Pensioner’, the colour of which mirrors the iconic scarlet coats of its namesakes.
Health
Safety first: No Falls Week
The No Falls Foundation, the first and only UK-based charity for the work at height sector, is launching the first ever ‘No Falls Week’, a powerful campaign dedicated to promoting safe working at height.
Local Heroes
Sandi Toksvig to open Bramshott village gardens event
The residents of Bramshott in Hampshire, open their gardens to the public every two years to raise money for local charities and to fund improvements in their own village.
Plants
Blue Diamond & National Trust launch Rosa ‘National Trust Beauty’ and RHS Chelsea plant collection
In celebration of the RHS Chelsea Octavia Hill Garden, Blue Diamond Garden Centres launch a new plant collection and a rose.
Health
UK population has low life satisfaction and is more anxious, suggests new ONS data
Exploring UK quality of life, the Office of National Statistics wellbeing report reveals increases in economic inactivity, low life satisfaction with financial pressures contributing to poor wellbeing.
Charity
NGS & Macmillan: 40th anniversary of a very special partnership
As part of Gardens and Health Week, the National Garden Scheme is celebrating a unique, 40-year charitable partnership with one of the most significant beneficiaries, Macmillan Cancer Support.
People
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Trustees appointed
Defra has newly appointed Fay Cooke as Trustee and Sir Paul Nurse, Judith Batchelar and David Richardson have been reappointed, and Professor Christopher Gilligan has been reappointed as King’s Trustee.
Worth a read
Redressing the lack of collective nouns for trees
With his debut book, Ewan Fenelon, a 22-year old ecologist invents colourful collective nouns for trees, which he hopes will become part our everyday vernacular
Research
Modern roses at risk from lack of genetic diversity
Intensive, 19th century breeding of roses has led to a reduction in genetic diversity that makes them more vulnerable to diseases and climate change
Gardens
Great Comp Garden’s Azaleas
The unnamed azaleas gifted to Great Comp Garden in Platt, near Sevenoaks have erupted in thousands of blooms throughout the historic woodland garden.
Plants
Beth Chatto’s new urban plant collections
Synonymous with the philosophy of right plant right place, Beth Chatto Plants & Gardens introduce a new plant collection for urban gardens for creating a, wildlife friendly space in urban locations.
Health
Gardens and Health Week: The uplifting impact of gardens
To mark Gardens and Health Week (4th-12th May), the National Garden Scheme brings together all that is good about gardens.
Education
The Newt & RHS: Growing a new generation of gardeners
2024 marks The Newt in Somerset’s third year as headline sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, supporting the RHS in their mission to encourage and improve the practice of horticulture.
Awards
BBC’s The One Show and RHS announce return of the Growing Together Award for 2024
In celebration of community gardening, the BBC’s The One Show and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) announce the 2024 Growing Together Community Gardening Competition
Good stuff
The Chatsworth playground is a marvel… if only I was still a kid
With towers, rope bridges, zip lines, slides and all round adventure, the children’s woodland playground at Chatsworth is an example to all.
