The Hort Report: 21st March 2025
Feeding bees, foraging hazelnut flowers, 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
Studies find that bees need earlier flowering plants
New research from the Universities of Oxford and Exeter has found that many ‘pollinator-friendly’ plants in Europe bloom too late to support wild bee colonies in early spring, leading to a critical ‘hungry gap’ that threatens colony survival.
The study highlights a simple solution: enhancing existing hedgerows with early-blooming plants like ground ivy, red dead-nettle, maple, cherry, hawthorn, and willow, which can boost colony success rates from 35% to 100% without reducing farmland. The findings offer a practical conservation strategy to help halt pollinator decline.
Find out more here.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Ramona
Mona tends a long, sloping cottage garden in Somerset. filled with thousands of spring bulbs, which reach their peak at this time of year. Around the time she moved into her cottage, she was diagnosed with autism, a challenging period during which the garden became a source of support. Over the past year, she has written a book about this journey and the creation of her garden, titled Growing: a year of living and nurturing with the seasons. Through sharing her experiences on social media, she hopes to inspire others to connect with nature and perhaps grow something themselves.
Visit @monalogue on Instagram.
SOCIAL NEWS
Have you tried hazelnut flower jelly?
Ecologist and food expert Artur Cisar-Erlach shows us how to make hazelnut flower Prosecco jelly - and springtime is the perfect time to create it! In Artur’s words, the process results in “a golden, floral-infused jelly that pairs perfectly with a croissant.”
Watch the video above to find out how to make it!
PRODUCT NEWS
The spring collection from Robert Dyas
I was invited to see Robert Dyas’ new spring collection, which - in tandem with the spring equinox AND this wonderful weather we’re having - has really got me excited for spring. I’ve rounded up my top 10 products from the event, which you can read about here.
HOME GARDENER PLANT OF THE WEEK
Sansevieria kirkii 'Coppertone'
The Sansevieria Coppertone, a rare cultivar of Sansevieria kirkii pulchra, is a gorgeous Snake Plant with elongated, wavy-edged leaves featuring unique copper and bronze tones. Known for its air-purifying properties, it’s a nice choice for offices and homes, offering mental and physical health benefits!
Buy it here.
BOOK
For the Love of Plants by Adam Frost
In For the Love of Plants, Adam Frost takes readers on a tour of his garden, sharing the plants that have shaped his life. From wildflower meadows to shady courtyards and woodland walks, he reflects on his design choices, blending personal memories with expert insight. The book includes plant profiles for inspiration, along with practical advice on plant care and garden design, helping readers create beautiful, flowing outdoor spaces.
Buy it here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Dance among the tulips in the Netherlands
Vier de Lente is bringing new energy to the flower bulb sector with a vibrant festival set among Hillegom’s blooming tulip fields. Featuring top Dutch artists like Kris Kross Amsterdam and DJ La Fuente, along with national and local talent, this event is a celebration of spring, music, and Dutch floral beauty. Dance, socialise, and experience the Bulb Region in a way you’ve never seen before!
Find out more here.
QVC PRODUCT PICK
YouGarden Californian Lilac on Trellis in a 17cm Pot
Bring effortless elegance and colour to your garden with this beautifully trained Californian Lilac on Trellis from You Garden. One of the hardiest and easiest-to-grow Ceanothus, it thrives in a compact form, making it ideal for small spaces, patios, or adding vertical interest to a fence or wall. Bursting into a cloud of pale blue blooms in May and June, it not only delivers spectacular beauty but also attracts butterflies and pollinators.
Buy it here.