Health
Health benefits of winter garden visits
Research conducted by the National Garden Scheme confirms health benefits of visiting a garden in the dark days of winter.
RHS
Bowel Research UK Microbiome Garden
Designed by Chris Hull and Sid Hill, the garden focuses on health, for people, plants and all life, taking inspiration from human cultures that tended thriving ecosystems for nourishment.
Regulation
Flower industry call for further grace period on post-Brexit border checks
Both the Dutch and UK flower industry express concerns regarding impending introduction of phytosanitary certificates on medium-risk products scheduled for 31 January 2024.
Plants
London Borough of Hounslow is giving away trees
The council is giving away 750 free fruit trees to borough residents, schools and local community groups.
Design
Microbiome enhancing garden paths
Hard landscape features can be designed to support life, hosting plants, insects and microbe diversity.
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.
Worth a read
Gardening trends 2024
Garden designer Ann-Marie Powell shares her views on the trends we can expect in gardens and garden design in 2024.
Design
Update Piet Oudolf Landscape at RHS Wisley
The transformation of the Glasshouse Borders at RHS Garden Wisley by the internationally acclaimed landscape designer Piet Oudolf is taking shape.
Worth a read
Ted Green champions ancient forests
The ecologist shares his views on the conservation of irreplaceable, uniquely biodiverse living monuments for their vital genetics in the next generation of ancient trees.
Wildlife
National Trust 2023 Weather & Wildlife Review
Review of the unpredictable weather patterns in 2023 and their impact on nature and wildlife.
Gardens
Combe Down Allotments at risk
Landowner has given notice to terminate the lease renewal on historic village allotments after 130 years.
Plants
Kew experts predict 2024 horticulture trends
Kew horticulturists predict the trends for 2024 from drought-resistant planting, increased urban trees, grow-your-own mushrooms, all year round interest winter plants to becoming more resilient by growing ‘future’ foods.
Business
Houseplants: saviours of the last-minute Christmas shopper
Around one in seven of all houseplants sold in UK garden centres are purchased in December.
Worth a read
The value of a garden for house buyers
The Managing Director of Nicholsons, Liz Nicholson on what to look for in a garden when buying a home.
Charity
The Nature Hubs Fund
In association with Starbucks, Hubbub is offering around 50 groups up to £6,000 of funding to develop green space initiatives to provide much needed access to nature.
Plants
Sarah Raven: Putting the spotlight on shrubs and hedges
Gardening expert and author, Sarah Raven thinks hedging is an overlooked element of the garden.
Product Launch
Seed Pot Grow Kit
Innovative new grow-your-own seed pots with mushroom mycelium by the Caley Brothers.
Worth a read
The battle of the Stag beetle
Lucanus cervus, famous for its impressive jaws is a globally threatened species and numbers in Britain are in decline.
Gardens
Duke of Northumberland loses battle to develop allotments into apartments
Park Road Allotment holders in Isleworth have fought off proposals for the development of apartment complexes on the treasured site.
Design
Physical model magic endures
Technological advances of (3D) computer modelling has resulted in decline in demand for physical architectural models, but for one modeller the landscape design industry is offering new opportunities.
