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…
HOME GARDENER NEWS
10 apprentice gardeners sought by London’s royal parks
The charity that maintains London’s royal parks has called for 10 apprentice gardeners to join its ranks for two years in a paid apprenticeship scheme. Open to people of all ages, the successful candidates will be able to work with top gardeners in London’s most well-known green spaces, including Hyde Park, The Regent's Park and Kensington Gardens.
Apply here.
INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT
Gemma, Colour Wheel Garden
For floral arrangement inspiration, look no futher than Gemma and her Colour Wheel Garden. Each week, Gemma uses homegrown and foraged elements to create a sustainable floral creation. So much effort goes into each creation - and it pays off! Browse her account to see what I’m talking about…
SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS
Plant pyjama party
Join Agatha Isabel, Maria Failla and Kamili Bell Hill as they celebrate their book launches and signing event at the New York Botanical Garden. As Agatha wrote on her Instagram page, “Stay tuned for s]ome hilarious antics by the three of us… yes, it includes a midnight taping and matching PJs”.
NEW PRODUCT NEWS
Bloombux
Rhododendron micranthum Bloombux has the colourful beauty and strength of a Rhododendron and compact neatness of a Boxwood, but without its susceptibility to disease! It’s the ideal container plant, ideally suited to city balconies as well as groundfloor outdoor spaces. It suits any well draining soil, and springs into colour each flowering season with blooms that reach up to 8cm in diameter.
Get yours here.
TRADE NEWS
The big garden centre rebrand
It seems that garden centre marketing teams are undergoing ‘the great refresh’ as new branding is erupting onto the scene! First up is Webbs Garden Centres, who’ve updated the font in their logo as well as their colour palette. Then, Wellingborough Garden Centre in Lincolnshire has undergone a complete rebrand as Doddington Nurseries. And finally Perrywood has released its new brand materials, showing a new logo and an emphasis on its family-run ethos.
PUBLISHING
About Tomatoes and Basil on the 5th Floor by Patrick Vernuccio, A.K.A. The Frenchie Gardener
Balcony growers, pay attention! This is a great guide for those who want to turn their balcony space into a grow-your-own haven, with tips on dividing the basil plants that you bought from the supermarket, to allowing your plants to set seed to benefit the local wildlife.
Get your copy here.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Kew Half Marathon
Thousands gathered at Kew Gardens to run and watch this year’s Kew Half Marathon, which, for the uninitiated, is 21km or 13.1 miles. The race began at The Orangery on Easter Sunday at 8.30am, and those who crossed the finish line were given a t-shirt and medal, alongside none other than a Creme Egg!
If you’re a runner or a spectator, you don’t want to miss out on the Richmond Runfest, which starts and finishes at Kew, in September this year.
PLANT OF THE WEEK
Peonies and hosta
This week’s plants of focus are peonies - but not for the reason you might think! It’s too early for peony blooms, but I love their foliage more than their flowers. And my second plant of the week is hosta, because you can stir-fry the new stems!
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