Nina Mason

A third of Brits unaware of biodiversity meaning

A report by outdoor power product supplier Husqvarna has revealed that a third (33%) of Brits are unaware of the meaning of ‘biodiversity’. The study, which surveyed more than 4,000 garden owners across eight European countries, showcases that familiarity of biodiversity is relatively low in the UK compared to the other markets, with 37% of UK participants acknowledging that they don’t know what actions they could take to make their green space more biodiverse. 41% also admit that biodiversity has a minor or no effect on their choices when planning garden projects, despite ongoing warnings from leading scientists and experts…

RHS Garden Wisley reveals plans for new Orchid House

A new space dedicated to RHS Garden Wisley’s collection of more than 3,000 orchids is to be created inside the Glasshouse. “Currently there’s no dedicated space at Wisley for showing orchids that offers them the correct conditions,” explains Emma Allen, garden manager. “Given that orchids are the largest family in the plant kingdom, that they’ve had such a fascinating evolution and that they come from all over the world, it’s important that Wisley shows off its wonderful collection.” The new space will feature a curved path through artificial branches and arches planted with epiphytes, and faux rock walls with planting…

Environment Secretary calls for action to protect and restore nature at COP27

The Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has called for renewed global action on nature as she set out a path forward for nature at COP’s Biodiversity Day yesterday. Outlining the importance of next month’s meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal, she is calling on countries to come together at that summit and agree a robust global plan for tackling nature loss. While significant progress has been made, more action is needed from both the public and private sectors to bridge the reported $700bn funding gap needed to stop nature loss. Amongst a series of pledges, the UK…

Diversity, inclusivity and equality charter signed at FutureScape 2022

Members from numerous industry associations have signed a charter committing to creating a more inclusive industry.   The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media profession was signed at FutureScape 2022 on Tuesday 15 November. The signing followed a seminar in which representatives from the British Association of Landscape Industries, the Society of Garden Designers (SGD), the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and the Landscape Institute (LI) had shared how they have worked and are working towards making the industry more diverse, amongst tackling other industry topics.   The charter came about after the British Association of…

Pro Landscaper’s Most Influential revealed

Sanctuary and All About Plants gardens unveiled for Chelsea 2023

The Sanctuary and All About Plants gardens will combine blue-sky thinking with practical gardening solutions for our changing times at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, sponsored by The Newt in Somerset. In the Sanctuary garden category. Hamptons Mediterranean Garden by Filippo Dester will transport visitors to a rural family garden with an outdoor kitchen surrounded by edible planting for alfresco dining. While Kazuyuki Ishihara makes a welcome return to RHS Chelsea with a garden inspired by the traditional satoyama landscapes found in the foothills of Japan. Animals will also have their own sanctuary with the RSPCA’s wildlife friendly garden by…

ASA rules against “recyclable” artificial grass

The ASA has published its ruling against Perfectly Green, an artificial grass supplier which marketed one of its products as “recyclable”. Environmental campaign group Plastics Rebellion challenged the claims that Perfectly Green’s Soul Eco Grass could be advertised as recyclable, saying it was misleading as the “PP backing” referred to in the company’s tweet about the product referred to polypropylene. The group says this “complicated the recycling process”. Plastics Rebellion also said the product’s name was misleading as it implied that the artificial grass is eco-friendly. A statement from the group following the ruling says: “It doesn’t matter if something…

RHS Garden Wisley researcher runner-up in national wildlife recording awards

Imogen Cavadino has been named runner-up in the National Biodiversity Network Trust’s Award for Wildlife Recording – Terrestrial for her work on slugs. The awards recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to wildlife recording and the understanding of the UK’s biodiversity. Imogen was given the award for her work investigating the diversity and ecology of slugs in Britain through two national recording projects and her contribution to communicating the important role they play in garden ecosystems. Imogen’s Slugs Count project generated over 3,000 records which will be added to national datasets this winter, the first time since the…

David Ward steps down from Beth Chatto role

Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens’ garden and nursery director, David Ward, 64, has retired from the Grade-II listed site after nearly 40 years of service. The late Beth Chatto OBE VMH sometimes referred to David as her “birthday present” as he started working for her on 27 June – her birthday. David worked for Beth during the creation of both the Woodland and Gravel Garden at Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens in Elmstead Market near Colchester, Essex. It was David who steered Beth away from watering the Gravel Garden in a period of severe drought – reminding her that it…

Kings Landscapes goes into administration

Commercial landscaping company Kings Landscapes has gone into administration as of 14 October. The Milton-Keynes based company, which was established 18 years ago, says “commercial pressures” were behind the decision. Managing director David Houghton says that delays in supply and payments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant its client base were unable to pay on time which left Kings Landscapes also falling behind on payments. Before closing its doors, Kings Landscapes completed all its existing contracts and the majority of its staff have gone on to find other work. David Houghton will continue in the commercial sector as a consultant…

Cranfield study establishes soil health benchmark for British Sugar TOPSOIL products

A year-long scientific study into the amount of soil microbiology in TOPSOIL products has resulted in data that will assist product development and help customers to understand more about the health of the soils they specify or use. The study, which was overseen by senior research fellow of soil biology at Cranfield University Dr Mark Pawlett, commenced in November 2021 and statistically analysed four samples each of TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing, Landscape20 general purpose topsoil, and HortLoam planting soil, taken at three-monthly intervals. At each sampling, the total microbial biomass of each product was measured to assess whether the processes critical…