Research
Defra calling for plant health experts to support research
Defra’s Plant Health team have launched a ‘Register of Reviewers’ to provide a list of external plant health experts for specific knowledge to review new research.
Research
Salt tolerance of Solanum pimpinellifolium
A major environmental stressor, salinity limits the productivity of crop plants as most are sensitive to high concentrations of salts in the soil, apart from a small but mighty tomato…
Research
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.
Research
Slugs: Citizen engagement and identification accuracy
New research study shows how effective citizen scientists are in accurately identifying species and gathering reliable ecological data.
Research
Native vegetation does not impact insect biodiversity in small urban gardens
Research in small urban gardens in the Netherlands found that insects were just as abundant in gardens planted with exotic plants as in those filled with native plants
Research
The more sustainable one’s gardening, the better for you & planet
Scientists at the Royal Horticultural Society have found that gardening sustainably the higher the perceived levels of wellbeing as well as being better for the planet
Research
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.
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.
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
Research
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’.
Research
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.
Research
The changing UK population
Rich Pereira, the Deputy Director for Demography at the Office for National Statistics paints a picture of the changing milestones of adulthood and how society is shifting.
Research
Horticultural engagement is effective for stress & mental fatigue recovery in children
Conducted by researchers in China, research into the stress recovery benefits for children participating in horticultural activities demonstrated greatly reduced physiological fatigue.
Research
Research into garden influences on health & wellbeing seek participants
Researchers are looking for people to take part in a psychological intervention to explore how spending time in the garden influences health and wellbeing
Wildlife
Impact domestic cats on wildlife
U.S. researchers draw up comprehensive list of what domestic cat prey, identifying more than 2000 species, including endangered ones
Research
Solar farms can boost pollinator habitats & diversity
A five-year U.S. based study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that solar farms can be hotspots for wildlife if seeded with wildflowers.
Gardens
Biodiversity: Every garden matters
New research paper by Garden Organic reveals how gardens are a key tool in tackling biodiversity loss.
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.
Research
Wetlands, parks and botanical gardens among the best ways to cool cities during heatwaves
Review led by the University of Surrey reveals that botanical gardens can cool the city air by 5°C during heatwaves.