The Hort Report: 11th July 2025

Award wins, a Lego greenhouse... and more!

Jul 11, 2025

∙ Paid

Here’s your weekly Hort Report - the round-up of industry news, retail insights, home gardener gossip, influencer spotlights, social media news, and so much more.

Grab a cool drink, and catch up on the latest below…

NEWS FLASH

I’ve won two awards!

I’m so excited to announce that I’m the recipient of two awards in tonight’s GardenComm Media Awards! The ‘Silver Laurels’ are for my regular column ‘New Plants Radar’ which appears in HortWeek, and also for this very Substack that you’re reading right now!

It makes me very happy to know that this space is useful and entertaining for everyone reading it… but what’s next?? There’s plenty to come in future, including interviews in the brand new Rooting Around series - so watch out for them in your inbox!

miraclegro

A post shared by @miraclegro

INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT

Miracle-Gro

Who’d have thought Miracle-Gro - that gardening company formed in the 1950s who you probably first saw in your parents’ (or grandparents’) garden - would be a trendsetter in 2025? I’m just loving their take on ‘gorpcore’ (it’s what the kids are calling outdoor clothing!)

Follow @miraclegro on Instagram.

mr_plantgeek

A post shared by @mr_plantgeek

SOCIAL NEWS

A round-up of plant promoting fun!

Over the years, I’ve created a lot of content to promote new and exciting plants - some of it downright wacky, but all of it creative and hopefully entertaining! It’s been a blast so far, and it’s far from over! But if you want to catch up with what I’ve been creating lately, watch the video above!

PRODUCT

Lego Botanical Garden

For an eye-watering £289.99, you can build this beautifully ornate, 19th century greenhouse, featuring plants like Coffea arabica, Acer palmatum and Eucalyptus pauciflora! It even comes with 12 Lego people to enjoy the garden structure just as much as you!

Buy it here.

BOOK

Nettles & Petals by Jamie Walton

Nettles and Petals is a Sunday Times bestselling guide that redefines how we approach gardening and food growing, with an emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Written by 2024’s Social Media Influencer of the Year, Jamie Walton, this book offers practical advice on topics like companion planting, seed saving, urban growing, and the vital role of weeds and flowers in the garden. Aimed at gardeners of all levels, it’s an inspiring read for anyone looking to create a more sustainable, nature-friendly growing space.

Buy it here.

hayloftplants

A post shared by @hayloftplants

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Clematis ‘Elodi’ - as ground cover!

Clematis?… For ground cover? You heard that right. Hayloft Plants have recently touted the benefits of Clematis ‘Elodi’ as a ground cover plant, with its height and spread of 50cm. Would you consider it?

Find out more here.

WHAT TO DO NOW

Yeo Valley Garden Festival, 18th - 20th September

The first ever Yeo Valley Garden Festival will take place this year from 18th to 20th September, in the Yeo Valley in Somerset! Enjoy panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations by experts, and more!