The Hort Report: 4th July 2025
Pamela Anderson, cocktail gardens, 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 cool drink, and catch up on the latest below…
NEWS FLASH
Pamela Anderson’s garden Renaissance
Pamela Anderson talks to Architectural Digest in this month’s issues about finding joy in her garden on her seven-acre Vancouver Island property, which is home to fragrant roses, ground cherries, all sorts of melons, and much more.
Read the article.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Oliver’s Florist
If you’re all about pretty flowers and even prettier coffee, then Oliver’s Florist - a florist, coffee shop and micro farm shop in Newport - is for you. You simply must look at their take on how florists drink coffee!
Follow @oliversflorist on Instagram.
SOCIAL NEWS
Cocktail gardens are trending
Whether you’re a fan of cocktails or mocktails, a garden that provides a little something extra for your drinks seems to be the way forward in 2025! My recommendations: blueberries, mint, lavender, rosemary, and maybe a hardy pomegranate!
PRODUCT
Natural aphid repellent from Norfolk Natural Living
Hailing from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Norfolk Natural Living make natural products for the home! This natural aphid repellent harnesses the power of the cedar tree to repel aphids, lice and weevils - perfect for keeping your roses (and more!) healthy!
Shop here.
PLANT OF THE WEEK
Iris ‘Stepping Out’
Bearded Iris 'Stepping Out' is a striking perennial with bold violet and white ruffled blooms that appear in late spring to early summer. Introduced in 1964 and winner of the American Dykes Medal, it’s known for its strong stems, architectural grey-green foliage, and reliable performance. Hardy and low-maintenance, it brings dramatic colour and structure to sunny, well-drained garden spaces.
Not available to buy just yet, but keep an eye out in autumn!
WHAT TO DO NOW
Gardena’s Top of the Plots
GARDENA’s Top of the Plots competition is a nationwide search for the UK’s most impressive home-growers - from balcony gardeners to allotment pros. Whether you’ve got thriving potatoes, buzzing pollinator beds or a picture-perfect veg patch, you can enter by sending photos and a description of your garden from 19 May 2025 to topoftheplots@democracypr.com. With prizes including £1,000 in GARDENA tools, RHS vouchers, and exclusive merch for the first 100 entrants, the competition celebrates passion, variety, sustainability and resilience. Judged by GARDENA ambassador Huw Richards and the National Allotment Society.
Find out more.
BOOK
Magical Miniature Worlds by Ben Newell
Magical Miniature Worlds: 18 Terrarium Projects for Kids to Make and Grow is a fun and educational book by terrarium expert Ben Newell, designed for children aged 7–9. Packed with 18 creative projects, from fairy gardens to alien landscapes, the book offers step-by-step instructions for building mini ecosystems in everyday containers like spice jars and fish tanks. Alongside imaginative ideas, kids will also learn the science behind terrariums - including the water cycle and helpful soil creatures - making it the perfect blend of craft and discovery.
Pre-order your copy here.
QVC PRODUCT PICK
Thompson & Morgan Philadelphus Petite Perfume 9cm Pot x 2
Transform your garden into a fragrant haven with Philadelphus Petite Perfume – a compact, sweetly scented shrub that blooms from May to July. Supplied as a set of two 9cm potted plants, it's ideal for containers, borders or hedging, and thrives in partial shade, even in challenging spots like coastal gardens or dry banks. With a mature height and spread of 120cm, its orange-blossom scent attracts pollinators and adds charm to any outdoor space.
Buy them here.