Environment
Sustainable lawn care: University of Oxford collaborates with the Lawn Association
The Lawn Association is collaborating with the University of Oxford to spearhead a new venture in sustainable lawn care training.
Design
Grand Gold Award for Jo Thompson at the GBA Shenzhen Flower Show
Landscape designer Jo Thompson has been awarded the highest award for the ‘I Live with Nature’ show garden at the GBA Shenzhen Flower Show in China.
Plants
We’re not using the correct grass in lawns
According to David Hedges-Gower, the Chairman of the Lawn Association we don’t use the correct grass seed for lawns in the UK.
Charity
Hydrangea ‘Cherry Explosion’ to fundraise for Perennial
New addition to the ‘Plants for Perennial’ collection to raise vital funds for Perennial.
Plants
Banksy: plight of urban nature
The latest work by the anonymous street artist and activist, Banksy is an intriguing mural that re-foliates a rather sad looking, heavily pruned tree in Islington, London.
Plants
Britain’s giant redwoods
Giant redwoods in Britain now outnumber those in their US homeland.
Plants
Sarah Raven: New pond plants range
Expert gardener and author Sarah Raven launches a new pond plants range.
Plants
New beginnings for the Sycamore Gap tree
The National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre report that the recovered seeds and twigs from the felled tree are showing signs of life.
Plants
Annual plant disease ranking dominated by wet weather
The Plant Health team at RHS Science has released its annual disease ranking, revealing the most prevalent problems for gardeners in 2023.
Innovation
Scientists use AI to predict plant extinction risk
For the first time, a team of scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have predicted the extinction risk of all 328,565 known species of flowering plants.
Plants
Recovery of lost apple varieties
In association with Sanfords Orchards, the University of Bristol apple genotyping research project will be sampling heritage varieties from RHS Rosemoor to help recover lost West Country apples.
Plants
Peter Beales Roses to unveil new ‘With Courage’ rose
New charity rose and lifesaving-themed Great Pavilion display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to commemorate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary
Environment
Fireblight concerns for Ireland’s hedgerows
Environmental organisations raise concerns over the risk of fireblight from hawthorn imports in Ireland.
Tourism
RHS Chelsea: A ‘World’s must-see travel moment’
The Royal Horticultural Society’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show rated fifth on Kuoni’s list of the world’s unmissable travel experiences.
Plants
Blossom four weeks earlier than usual
According to the National Trust, the (likely) warmest February on record has led to flowering trees and blossom emerging four weeks earlier than usual.
Regulation
Preventing the spread of invasive plants from gardens
Invasive non-native plants and animals are one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss and cost the economy over £2 billion a year.
Plants
Endangered conifers planted at RHS Rosemoor
The last of the six endangered Wollemi Pines were planted at RHS Rosemoor as part of a special worldwide conservation programme led Forestry England.
Plants
Welsh gardeners offered vouchers to dig up their Cotoneaster
The North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) offering gardeners £20 vouchers to remove Cotoneaster plants from their gardens as an incentive.
Research
Scientists reveal why blueberries are blue
Researchers at the University of Bristol have revealed that the tiny external structures in the wax coating of blueberries give them their blue colour.
Plants
Toby’s Garden Fest: Pocket Meadow Project
Marking the tenth anniversary of Toby’s Garden Festival, the host Toby Buckland has teamed up with Paul Jupp of ‘Meadow in My Garden’ to raise awareness of the plight of bees and pollinators.