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 tea or coffee and catch up on the latest below…
NEWS FLASH
Woman spends $1k per year on ‘goth garden’, insisting it’s ‘not a phase’
In a unique gothic transformation, Chloe Hurst has spent around $1,000 per year turned her backyard into a ‘goth garden’, complete with almost-black plants and flowers. Her garden includes black pansies, dark purple lilies, and gothic garden decorations. Hurst, who resides in Ontario, Canada, has cultivated this distinctive garden over several years, and emphasises that her garden is not just a phase but a genuine expression of her personality and tastes.
Take a look here.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Gemma Haigh
Gemma Haigh is one half of the team behind the RHS Chelsea Flower Show houseplant studio, Hope After Humanity, an apocalyptic boutique that’s been overrun by houseplants, which emphasises the damage done by rising temperatures. However, when she’s not innovating at the biggest flower show in the UK, she’s talking all about tropical houseplants on her Instagram page!
SOCIAL NEWS
My Little Patch of Earth scores hattrick for border at Gardeners’ World Live
Gardener and allotmenteer Leanne from My Little Patch of Earth won the Platinum Award for Beautiful Border, Gardeners’ World Subscriber Border and Best Beautiful Border at this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live Show. Her ‘Following In My Footsteps’ border celebrates education through shared experiences and promotes having a deep connection with nature, whether young or old.
NEW PRODUCT NEWS
POTR
Deborah Meadon recently awarded POTR the Chelsea Flower Show Sustainable product of the year for their flat-pack, recycled, self-watering plant pots. They’re not only good for the planet, but they’re eye-catching, too! Take a look here.
TRADE NEWS
Dahlia coccinea Dalina® Maxi Starburst Pink by Florensis wins FleuroStar competition
The FleuroStar winner has been announced! A panel of 30 experts judged Dahlia coccinea Dalina® Maxi Starburst Pink to have the highest impact at point of sale and greatest commercial potential.
This new Dahlia blushes with an eruption of unique, anemone-shaped flowers in a strong pink colour with delicate a pattern on the petals - I was delighted to host the ceremony as Florensis was presented with the well-deserved award.
Meanwhile, you guys voted Calibrachoa MiniFamous® Uno Bakari by Selecta One as the winner in the FleuroStar People’s Choice vote that I launched last week - who could predict such a difference in results?!
BOOK PROMO
One Garden Against the World by Kate Bradbury
How much are you doing for wildlife and the planet? In her uplifting new book, Kate writes passionately about how her climate-change anxiety pushes her to look for positive ways to keep going in a changing world. As in her first memoir, she invites you into her life, sharing stories of her mum's ongoing recovery and her adventures with her new rescue dog, Tosca.
Get your copy here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Bi-Curious George presents Queer Planet
Relish in a raucous celebration of queerness and the animal kingdom with drag-king Bi-Curious George! Taking place from 31st July to 26th August during Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Pleasance Theatre 10 Dome, Queer Planet is a combo of stand-up comedy, parody songs and drag in the form of a nature documentary.
Get tickets here.
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PLANT OF THE WEEK
Top secret hostas
Yes - these are a new series of hostas! But they’re top secret, so I can’t say much about them… yet! I spotted them at the FlowerTrials, so if you want to find out more about exclusive new plants like these, make sure to subscribe for my FlowerTrials round-ups!
PODCAST PICK
Cultivating Place
What do we mean when we say we garden? Cultivating Place offers thoughtful conversations with growers, gardeners, naturalists, scientists, artists and thinkers, created by garden writer Jennifer Jewell.
Listen here on Apple Podcasts.
SUBSTACK RECOMMENDATION
Bramble & Briar by Andrew Timothy O’Brien
Andrew Timothy O’Brien is a garden writer, podcaster and coach, who posts updates about his garden and his relationship with gardening itself. As he rightly says, “there's so much more to gardening than knowing how to grow things”. And there’s much more to this Substack than just being a gardening blog!
Subscribe here.
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