The Hort Report: 25th April 2025
Tulip gardens, a conifer comeback, 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…
SURVEY
Results are in on the most loved and hated plants!
Thank you to everyone who took part in my ultra-short and simple survey over the past two weeks! The results are in…
Drum roll, please 🥁
The most loved plant was by far the rose, with 12.9% of people stating that it was their favourite plant. This was followed by dahlias (5.4%) and peonies (3.2%).
The award for the most hated plant was tied between ivy and photinia, each with a 4.65% share of the vote. The next most hated plant was the begonia with 3.49%!! Incredible!
Some other popular plants that you love included acer, fuchsia, magnolia, passiflora and venus fly traps. Meanwhile, you also hated marigolds, mahonia, hydrangeas, hebe and euphorbia - though I will say that a good few people stated ‘None’ as the plant they hate most!
NEWS FLASH
Conifers make a comeback
That’s right, the shrubs and trees that you once knew as stalwarts of your parents’ garden are making a comeback! As part of my Conifer Awareness Week, I’m showing off the many varieties of conifer that look nothing like the conifers of yore - in fact, they’re bound to cause shock and awe! Take a look by watching the video above!
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Divya Hariramani Herrero
Divya, known as Fruity Walks on Insta, is a sustainability consultant and Associate Director at Longevity Partners, a London National Park City Ranger and she documents the fruit trees of London and beyond!
Visit @fruitywalks
SOCIAL NEWS
Write a letter to your future self
Café Pli is a Parisian café where you can write a letter to yourself, and it will turn up in one, five or 20 years… how wonderful!
Find out about it here.
SOCIAL NEWS
Introducing Keukenhof
The tulips - and many other spring bulbs - have arrived at Keukenhof, and if you haven’t booked a ticket yet, let this video convince you! Here, I’m giving a quick intro to the gardens and what you can expect to see during your visit.
Watch it here.
PRODUCT NEWS
Large pots for large plants
It’s always a bit tricky finding large enough pots for your supersized houseplants… luckily, Elho has a range that is as beautiful as it is practical.
Discover their premium collection here.
HOME GARDENER PLANT OF THE WEEK
Dianthus ‘Slush Puppy’
Doesn’t this remind you of your favourite frozen drink?? Gerard de Koning posted a piccy of this psychedelic plant - which, yes, is helped along with a bit of dye! Find it at specialist florists!
BOOK
The Accidental Seed Heroes by Adam Alexander
In The Accidental Seed Heroes, Adam Alexander introduces modern-day "seed heroes" - individuals dedicated to preserving traditional plant varieties and developing new ones that support a more sustainable future. Through their stories, he highlights the importance of crop diversity and informed choice in the food we grow and eat. This book celebrates local, sustainable produce and the people behind it, showing how these efforts can nourish both our health and the planet by enriching biodiversity, improving soil fertility, and addressing climate change.
Buy it here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Spring Workshops at Broadwell Manor
Gardener and TV presenter Rachel de Thame is hosting workshops at Broadwell Manor in Gloucestershire this spring, with painting masterclasses held by two botanical artists.
Find out more here.
QVC PRODUCT PICK
Grumpy Gardener Contempory Bird Feeding Table
The Grumpy Gardener Contemporary Bird Feeding Table is a stylish and practical addition to any garden, finished in a sleek gun metal grey. Designed for year-round use, it attracts wild birds when filled with your preferred bird food. Easy to clean with a damp cloth and simple to assemble using a screwdriver.
Buy it here.