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
Plants
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
Gardens
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.
Shows
UBS sponsors ‘A day on the nursery’ exhibit at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Partnering with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), UBS will sponsor an exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show, providing funding for four nurseries to exhibit.
Health
New compulsory bird registration rules
Regardless of the size of the flock, Defra has announced compulsory registration requirements for all bird keepers to combat avian influenza outbreaks.
Gardens
RHS National Gardening Week celebrations aim to demystify gardening
For National Gardening Week, the Royal Horticultural Society is celebrating the theme of ‘Knowledge is Flower’ to debunk the biggest gardening myths and celebrating UK’s green fingers.
Gardens
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh seeks support to save the Palm Houses
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh needs to raise £250,000 towards completion of the Palm Houses restoration to ensure their ongoing to legacy inspire and educate.
Plants
Scientists reveal vast DNA tree of life for plants
Scientists have sequenced the DNA from of over 9,500 living, endangered, and extinct flowering plants from around the world to produce groundbreaking plant ‘periodic table’.
Environment
Forestry Commission on reducing plastic tree guards usage
The Forestry Commission outlines their move towards more sustainable forestry with plastic usage reduction and recycling programmes.
Plants
Native plant consumption in the US
Fuelled by consumer demand and mandated by legislation, native plant consumption in the US is growing but it’s a protracted process.
People
Malcolm Catlin appointed Project Director of Plant Healthy Certification Scheme
As the new Project Director, Malcolm Catlin MCIHort will oversee the development of the Plant Healthy scheme and standard to minimise the risks of pests and diseases.
Health
Urban trees reduce heat-related mortality rates
Study found that London’s urban forest helped avoid 153 heat attributable deaths, representing around 16% of Urban Heat Island related mortality.
Gardens
Horatio’s Garden launches private tours of their gardens
The spinal injury charity Horatio’s Garden, has launched a new series of tours offering the public the chance to visit their award-winning, fully accessible gardens.
Events
Great Dixter Summer Plant Fair
Great Dixter announces rescheduled plant fair to take place in July.
Health
Dr Michael Mosley on the benefits of gardening
On his BBC Radio 4 podcast ‘Just One Thing’, Dr. Michael Mosley explains that gardening is not only good for physical fitness but benefits the brain, mood and gut microbiome.
