The Hort Report: 14th February 2025
Wellness gardens, orchid tutorials, 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 hot drink, and catch up on the latest below…
NEWS FLASH
Wellness-focused gardens take centre stage at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
This year’s Balcony and Container Gardens category at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show highlights how gardening can support wellbeing, with designs inspired by colour therapy, water, and nature. Some of the gardens to look forward to include:
A Space to Read Balcony Garden and the Room to Breathe Hospital Garden offer sanctuaries for relaxation and renewal, with biophilic design and symbolic planting.
The MS Amlin Peace of Mind Garden: Colour psychology, incorporating greens for calm, blues for peace, and reds and yellows for energy.
Secret Base - The another green room: A Japanese-inspired retreat, embracing trees and water for tranquillity.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 20-24 May 2025, with tickets available at rhs.org.uk/Chelsea.
WATCH NOW
Follow my tutorials on BBC Gardeners’ World
Want to try buiding a terrarium? Or maybe you want to find an interesting and unique way to display your orchids? Follow along with my tutorials, which are now live on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine YouTube Channel!
Watch terrariums here, and orchids here.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Matthew Gaston
A botanist, educator, and consultant based in Texas, Matthew teaches his audience about plants - from symbology to how much ‘lux’ a plant needs to survive! Head over to his page and I guarantee you’ll learn something you didn’t know!
Visit @mckgaston on Instagram
SOCIAL NEWS
The Bearded Botanist gets write-up in the Stratford Herald
We’re so used to seeing news online that it’s a breath of fresh air when a figure in the hort industry gets a write-up in the traditional media! The Bearded Botanist, owner of Westons Nursery in Stratford and an award-winning garden designer, got some wonderful words in his local newspaper recently…
See more on his Insta.
PRODUCT NEWS
Illustrations by Lucy Hughes Creations
On first glance, this looks like a cute collection of cacti… but look closer! There are so many fun prints just like this on Lucy’s website, plus cards, shopping bags, blankets and more!
Shop here.
TRADE NEWS
SUS-tee water monitors now available in the UK via Southern Trident
SUS-tee is a simple yet effective tool that helps gardeners instantly determine when to water their plants, reducing the risk of over- or under-watering, particularly when using peat-free compost.
Available in small, medium, and large sizes to fit various pots.
Comes in green, white, and black to suit different preferences.
Minimum order is just three cases.
A nursery trialling the product reported positive results, finding it a useful upsell for indoor plants.
SUS-tee is now exclusively available in the UK through Southern Trident. Find out more here.
JOB AD
Editor at the Natural History Museum
The Editor at the Natural History Museum plays a key role in shaping public-facing content across exhibitions, galleries, and marketing materials.
Key responsibilities:
Copy-editing text for exhibitions, permanent galleries, and publications like Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Proofreading materials for gallery updates, exhibit changes, and marketing content.
Ensuring consistency by maintaining the Museum’s House Style Guide and editorial guidelines.
Managing external editorial support through an editorial framework contract.
Working within the Exhibitions and Galleries team, the Editor ensures all text is accurate, engaging, and aligned with the Museum’s high standards.
Find out more.
BOOK
10 Guided Flower Meditations by Ruth Goudy
This collection of 10-minute guided meditations is designed to help deepen your connection with nature through flowers. Each meditation is paired with a beautiful video showcasing the flower in its natural setting, enhancing relaxation and mindfulness. As research suggests that even viewing nature can boost well-being, these meditations aim to bring comfort and joy to those seeking a moment of peace.
Buy it here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Plantcon Orlando - 22nd-23rd February
PlantCon Orlando is an immersive plant lover’s event, offering a convenient all-in-one experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton with special room rates and free parking. Attendees can enjoy 100+ booths, plant accessories, workshops, presentations, a plant competition, silent auctions, an indoor park, and kids’ activities.
General admission includes a free convention shirt, and the event features an opening reception, live DJ set, PlantTok Ambassadors, and a Plant Locker for purchases. A perfect opportunity to connect with fellow plant enthusiasts and grow your passion!
Find out more here.
HOME GARDENER PLANT OF THE WEEK
Dibleys Begonia Broadway Bonanza
Begonias are big at Dibleys, and they’re celebrating this plant with a handpicked selection of begonias (grown by Dibleys themselves) inspired by musicals! Above is Begonia ‘Phantom’, but you’ll also find ‘Wicked’, ‘Moulin Rouge’ and more within their new-for-2025 varieties.
Find out more here.
INDUSTRY PLANT OF THE WEEK
Phillyrea
These new Phillyrea - for smart gardeners - could be found at IPM Essen this week! Here’s a run-down of the new plants from PEPINIERES LA FORET:
Phillyrea angustifolia Green Up: a bestseller with elegant columnar growth and exceptional vigour.
Phillyrea angustifolia Green Quick®: wide leaves and high density.
Phillyrea x rosmarinifolia Selection: new compact hybrid with narrow leaves and fast growth, ideal for topiary due to its dense branching.
Find out more.
PODCAST PICK
Tim Kerley discusses the art and science involved in breeding novel patio plants
Tim never intended to be a plant breeder but was sucked in by the beauty of plants and the thrill of developing new varieties. Working with a small team at the family business Kerley & Co, Tim develops new plants for well known series such as Petunia Tumbelina and Nemesia Melody. Spare time is spent with the family in the garden testing plants for child/football tolerance.
Listen here.
SUBSTACK RECOMMENDATION
Kathy Slack promos new book
If you’re at all into home cooking, you might want to read about Kathy Slack’s new book. The writer behind Tales From The Veg Patch presents delicious recipes inspired by the veg patch, weaved between her memoirs.
Find out more here.
HERE’S A THOUGHT
Valentine’s for gardeners
Ditch the chocolates - quite literally - this reel from Miracle Gro has me wondering whether confectionary boxes could make the perfect present box for plug plants…
Find out more here.
GET IT QUICK
Hemerocallis ‘See You Tomorrow’
Brighten your garden with Hemerocallis ‘See You Tomorrow’! This hardy perennial bursts into vivid yellow blooms from July to September, perfect for beds, borders, or pots. Easy to grow and quick to establish, these bare root plants will bring long-lasting colour year after year. Includes 3 bare root plants—just plant and enjoy!
Now on offer at QVC.
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