The Hort Report: 14th March 2025
1,000,000 snowdrops, groundbreaking hydrangeas, 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
1,000,000 snowdrops planted in Wallington
A decade-long tradition of planting snowdrops at Wallington, a National Trust woodland in Northumberland, has come to an end with the planting of the millionth flower. Since 2016, gardeners and volunteers have planted 100,000 snowdrops each year, creating a popular display that will continue to thrive and spread naturally.
Visitor experience officer Natalie Warren highlighted how families return to see the flowers they’ve planted, while head gardener Simon Thompson noted that the extended flowering season benefits local wildlife. Wallington has now become a key spot for snowdrop enthusiasts, featuring rare varieties like the yellow-marked Northumbrian Sandersii and the double-petalled Flore Pleno.
Find out more here.
NEW FOR THE GARDEN
Sign up before 21.03.25
There’s one week left before we close membership for the Plant Geek Trials Club 2025! The season has already begun, which means that you’ll get your first trials through soon. Open to UK residents only, it costs just £20 for the year, and you’re guaranteed to receive at least one plant or product to test in your own garden!
Sign up here and choose an annual membership.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Oron Peri
Plantsman Oron Peri owns Seeds of Peace, a nursery specialising in plant bulbs from the Mediterranean and South Africa, and you can see some of the incredible specimens on his page!
Visit @oron_peri on Instagram
SOCIAL NEWS
Teaching customers key gardening tips
Sharon from Milbrook Garden Centre teaches newbie customer Harry the do’s and don’ts of choosing the right pot for your plants. Even if you’re a seasoned gardener, give the video above a watch - you might learn something you didn’t know!
PRODUCT NEWS
Mini Egg Bowls by Adam Ceramic
Adam designed these pieces of crockery and called them Mini Egg Bowls, in his words, “not because they look like them, but because I’ve made a bowl I thought would look amazing filled with chocolate to celebrate Easter season!”
Buy them here.
HOME GARDENER PLANT OF THE WEEK
‘Flamenco’ Primroses
It’s not quite holiday season yet, but if you fancy an early trip to the Mediterranean, these ‘Flamenco’ Primroses are the perfect remedy for a long winter. In the video above, I show you how they look in a lovely red container!
BOOK
The Kindest Garden by Marion Boswall
The Kindest Garden by Marian Boswall is a guide to regenerative gardening, which goes beyond sustainability by actively improving biodiversity and supporting the planet’s health. Drawing on insights from farmers, foresters, and rewilding experts, the book offers practical advice for transforming any garden—whether a windowsill or a large plot—into a thriving sanctuary for nature. Covering key elements like soil, water, ecosystems, and planting, Boswall provides clear explanations, practical projects, and planting guidance to help eco-conscious gardeners create a positive environmental impact.
Buy it here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Mr Plant Geek Weekend at Gordale Garden Centre
Join the first-ever Mr Plant Geek Weekend at a UK garden centre, packed with talks, demonstrations, and plant inspiration.
📅 Saturday 5th April
🔹 Talk: Grow This, Not That – What’s Hot at Gordale (11:30am & 3pm)
Showcasing top garden plants, plus a Q&A, book signing, and photo opportunity.
🔹 Demo: LED Terrariums (1:30pm)
📅 Sunday 6th April
🔹 Talk: Weird and Wacky Plants (11:30am & 2:30pm)
Fun plant discoveries for all ages, followed by a Q&A, book signing, and photo opportunity.
🔹 Demo: Barakura – Plants as Art (1pm)
All talks and demos are free to attend on a drop-in basis.
Find out more here.
QVC PRODUCT PICK
Plants2Gardens Philadelphus Petite Perfume White 3ltr
Isn’t this cute?! A compact, mound-forming shrub with pure white, frothy, fragrant blooms from May to July. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it’s perfect for borders, pots and containers.
Buy it here.