The Hort Report: 13th June 2025
I named a plant, FleuroStar announced their winner, and more!
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…
AWARD WINNER
FleuroStar winner announced!
Digitalis purpurea Hanabee F1 White, by Takii Europe / Florensis, has won this year’s FleuroStar awards, which recognises the plant with the strongest visual impact at point of sale – a title that signals standout performance, both for retailers and gardeners.
This Digitalis features low basal branching and multiple white flower spikes, creating a bouquet-like effect that catches the eye and supports biodiversity by attracting bees and more.
I was pleased to see that the reader of this Substack can spot a winner - as the winner of my People’s Choice Awards (comprising all 7 of this year’s FleuroStar finalists) was in fact Digitalis purpurea Hanabee F1 White! Well done to all who voted for it - you’ve clearly got an eye for quality!
NEWS FLASH
I named a plant!
While on a visit to Decorum Plants & Flowers last year, I noticed that this Haworthia was nameless! Developed by Winco Holland, it features eye-catching white stripes - so I couldn’t not call it ‘White Tiger’! This week, I’m pleased to have been able to collect some for my own collection 😍
Get yours here.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Rocco Elliot
Rapper Rocco Elliot is the first I’ve seen to rap about plant shopping! His track is called ‘Nursery Rhymes’ - love that - and you can stream it right now on your favourite platforms. He even has a music video up on YouTube - and it’s shot in a plant shop!
Follow @rocco.elliot_music on Instagram.
SOCIAL NEWS
Relatable plant memes from The RHS
Ever find yourself commuting to work, and accidentally fall into a public garden? Apparently The RHS does! If you haven’t seen their memes and skits, head over to their Instagram to be entertained - and occasionally informed!
Watch the video here!
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Elmo visits the Flower Trials
Who knew that Sesame Street had such a thing for plants? Elmo himself visited Beekenkamp’s Flower Trials site to see his namesake dahlia - ‘Elmo Ruffle’! This was a finalist in the FleuroSelect awards, the winner of which was announced yesterday: Digitalis purpurea Hanabee F1 White by Takii Europe / Florensis.
HOME GARDENER PLANT OF THE WEEK
Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s Pipe)
Aristolochia macrophylla, also known as Dutchman’s Pipe or Pipevine, is a vigorous deciduous climber native to eastern North America. It features unusual pipe-shaped yellowish-green flowers that appear from May to August and emit a strong scent to attract insects for pollination. However, its standout feature is its dense, overlapping heart-shaped leaves, which can reach 30cm across and often hide the blooms. This fast-growing woody vine can climb over 9 metres and thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Ideal for trellises or facades, it responds well to pruning and is a favourite in woodland gardens.
Buy it here.
BOOK
New Plant Knews by Stan Smith
Stan Smith, AKA @monsterastan on Instagram, has created ‘New Plant Knews’, a brand new zine dedicated to the latest in plant art, culture, and market insights that will inspire your green journey. The first issue is out this month! Find out more here.
SHOW GARDEN
Kitti Kovacs and My Garden Escape at QVC win at BBC Gardener’s World Live
Garden designer Kitti Kovacs and My Garden Escape at QVC won Platinum and Best Commercial Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live for their garden Reflective Retreat. The design features a calming waterfall and reflective glass water feature, surrounded by plants suited to flood-prone areas. As well as offering a tranquil, meditative space, the garden demonstrates how to harness rainwater and build climate-resilient landscapes. It highlights the role of sustainable design in creating beautiful, environmentally conscious gardens.
See more images here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Horticulture, The Conference
Horticulture, The Conference is a one-day event taking place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Barbican Centre in London. Bringing together industry leaders and experts, the day will feature focused sessions on policy, consumer behaviour and market trends, followed by networking opportunities. The event concludes with an exclusive dinner in the Barbican’s Garden Room and the prestigious Grower of the Year Awards, celebrating innovation and excellence in UK horticulture.
Find out more here.
QVC PRODUCT PICK
A new live stream on QVC
We’ve just launched a new type of livestream on QVC for My Garden Escape! Now live on Facebook and Instagram, it’s very interactive, and you can comment and watch along as we present to you! Still unsure? Watch our most recent livestream here.