by Holly Chapman | 25 Mar 26 | Garden Design, News
This year’s Ideal Home Show, held from 10 – 19 April 2026, introduces a renewed focus on gardens as an extension of the home with new faces and practical garden upgrades.
Taking place at Olympia London, the show will hear from experts across planting, design, sustainability and outdoor living including ITV’s David Domoney, garden designer August Beth, outdoor living specialist Henry Bartlam and horticulturalist Lynne Lambourne.
The 2026 edition will explore how gardens can be influential in wellbeing, entertaining and everyday living, joined by the introduction of the Edible Garden.
From sustainable growing, planting opinions and alfresco dining inspiration, the Ideal Home Show also introduces other big names such as George Clarke, Megan McKenna, Nick Knowles and Martin Lewis.
Ideal Home Show director, Giles Perry, says after 118 years of the show “it’s always evolving,” adding:
“For 2026, we’ve injected real energy into every corner of the show, completely re-energising it to create our most immersive and experience-led edition yet and marking a bold new chapter in the show’s history.”
Tickets are available to buy on the website.
by Holly Chapman | 18 Mar 26 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
A new project to support people living with dementia by getting closer to nature launches this month at Dundreggan in the Scottish Highlands.
Co-designed by University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), the pilot research project has been launched in collaboration with Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Glenmoriston.
The organisers argue that while Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage is one of the country’s best assets, the barriers surrounding rural isolation, lack of opportunity and accessibility are prevalent.
The residential experience will enable people living with dementia, along with their care partners, to spend three days at the 10,000 acre rewilding estate, Dundreggan.
Professor Anthea Innes of the UHI says “a clear sign of interest and desire to participate in nature-based activities is that all the places for this project have been taken up, and we are now operating a waiting list.
“Participants will be able to stay at the specially designed accommodation at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre for two nights, with meals, accommodation and activities provided entirely free of charge.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a series of outdoor adventures guided by knowledgeable staff.
The project is being funded by The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) Innovation Fund Voucher scheme, managed by Interface, which fosters collaboration between Scottish organisations and universities or colleges.
by Holly Chapman | 07 Jan 26 | Nature & Biodiversity, News, Sustainability
Upon entering 2026, plants@work encourages businesses to adopt its new motto, “Christmas tree out, houseplant in” during January.
The motto comes as January blues kicks in after the Christmas decorations are taken away.
Coinciding with National Houseplant Appreciation Week, which runs from 12 to 18 January, the initiative intends to boost wellbeing to create healthier, happier workplace environments.
Kenneth Freeman, plants@work chairman and owner of Purposeful Places says “Houseplant Appreciation Week is a reminder that plants are not just decorative additions — they’re an investment in people, productivity, and wellbeing”.
The benefits of interior landscaping go beyond aesthetics, explains plants@work, including acoustic comfort and air quality.
plants@work members are fully supporting National Houseplant Appreciation Week by inviting facility managers, business owners, and office managers to assess their indoor environments.
by Holly Chapman | 04 Nov 25 | News, Sustainability
Eco Green Group has announced the appointment of newly created role head of people and culture, in a bid to nurture the wellbeing, growth and resilience of its staff.
Joanne Tierney joins the company with experience in charity work, the British Medical Association and further education.
Focussed on building a strong internal framework for wellbeing, professional growth and community outreach and collaboration as Eco continues to expand.
“What really attracted me to Eco Green Group was the genuine belief that people and sustainability go hand-in-hand,” explains Tierney.
Keith Hills, founder of Eco says “it’s become increasingly important to make sure the same energy we put into sustainable innovation also goes into building a sustainable workplace”.
As the sector continues to face challenges around mental health with high percentages of depression, anxiety and suicide rates, the “need for better well-being support and inclusive workplace practices,” writes the company.
by Holly Chapman | 06 Oct 25 | Garden Design, News
Over 1,000 plants from RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Healer’s Hollow feature garden have found a permanent home at Farncombe Community Garden near Godalming.
Designed by Emily Grayshaw and Jude Yeo of Inspired Earth Design, RHS Healer’s Hollow features rich traditions of herbal medicine, as it explores the benefits of plants for modern-day healing and beauty.
The medicinal beds and woodland species have now been rehomed to boost community wellbeing in Godalming.
RHS Healer’s Hollow. Credit: Julie Skelton
The pair from Inspired Earth Design comment on the plants relocation:
“The link to our RHS feature garden was strengthened by our shared commitment to plants with medicinal purposes, and with the garden led by GPs passionate about holistic health care, we knew this would be the ideal home for the plants.”
Farncombe Community Garden was founded by local GPs to encourage community wellbeing, which is now used by a wide range of people daily.
by Holly Chapman | 12 Sep 25 | Landscape Architecture, News
Architectural practice Harverstock has submitted plans for a new building at The Orpheus Centre in Surrey designed for special education needs and disability (SEND) college students.
Set to replace an existing storage building, the development will also feature a central courtyard with pathways and a mix of hard standing areas and soft landscaping.
The new centre will also contain a theatre, dance studio, reception, gallery, shop, kitchen and toilets, supporting up to 100 SEND students aged 18 to 25 years-old.
Built within a timber-framed building featuring red brick walls, protruding brick patterns, pitched roofs clad in copper-coloured metal and flat green roofs.
Haverstock has worked with The Orpheus Centre team and trustees to bring the vision to life.
by Holly Chapman | 12 Sep 25 | News
The National Garden Scheme has been supporting the Army’s national charity, the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) for 15 years.
Since 2015, the National Garden Scheme has supported over £800k in donations, which is part of £3.5m donated annually by the scheme’s private garden openings to the public. This initiative has helped the wellbeing of soldiers, veterans and their families due to horticultural therapy.
To mark the milestone, the chief executives of both organisations visited a garden of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (RHC), which the ABF helps to fund. The garden was designed by Dave Green for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, before being relocated to RHC.
George Plumptre, National Garden Scheme chief executive, says “we’re very proud to have funded the ABF for 15 years, helping to build new skills and supporting the wellbeing of soldiers and veterans through horticultural activities”.
The donations help to support families through grants, helping them to train for new careers.
The ABF’s most recent grant of £50k to the RHC is helping the charity to provide its pensioners with an occupational therapy service.
by Holly Chapman | 03 Sep 25 | Garden Design, News
The Gardeners’ House in Penzance, Cornwall has officially opened after a nine year restoration completed by the Architectural Heritage Fund, featuring a new sensory garden.
Located within Morrab Gardens, The Gardeners’ House has been transformed from a derelict building into a welcoming community space which will host wellbeing workshops, green projects and a brand-new sensory garden to be used by the local residents.
Offering an accessible and therapeutic space, the sensory garden is a new space for visitors to reconnect with nature. It is especially targeted at those living with dementia in Penzance.
Featuring a mix of shapes, colours and scents, the garden incorporates special plants such as the existing lime tree, as well as climbers and colourful diosma ‘sunset gold’ and eryngium ‘magical purple stars’ flowers.
Local craftspeople were tasked with recreating Pengarth Day Centre’s patients’ artwork in stone, metal and wood, which now also feature within the garden.
Matthew Mckeague, chief executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund says the improving public and green spaces such as The Gardeners’ House “provides an excellent example of how our early stage support and funding provides the foundations to allow successful projects to grow”.
Miki Ashton, director at The Gardeners’ House also comments:
“Since opening our doors, it’s been a joy for our team to see the people of Penzance and beyond visiting us to discover the Gardeners’ House and what we’re about.”
This project was made possible by two grants gifted by the Architectural Fund, the first from 2018 and the second in 2021. The charity has also transformed areas in Carmarthenshire, Wales and Glasgow, Scotland for the wellbeing of local communities.
by Holly Chapman | 15 Aug 25 | Garden Design, News
The National Garden Scheme is opening applications for its 2026 Community Garden Grants, supported by the Julia Rausing Trust on 15 September until 20 October 2025.
Awards between £1,500 and £5,000 will be granted depending on individual merit.
The scheme will be looking for projects to foster diversity and support people with physical or mental disabilities.
George Plumptre, National Garden Scheme chief executive, says the system has changed slightly this year, meaning only the first 300 applications will be eligible for consideration.
In 2025, 114 community garden projects were funded with grants totalling £288,876 to support gardens and allotments supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Danny Clarke, a scheme ambassador, explains the importance of these grants:
“We want to see this funding going to the heart of communities, supporting projects that engage and invigorate diverse audiences, many of whom will discover for the first time the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment.”
Guidelines on eligibility has been released, and is available here: ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants/
Successful applications will be notified of the results in April 2026.
by Holly Chapman | 09 Jul 25 | Commercial Landscaping, International, Landscape Architecture, News
Therme Group Canada has announced the design vision for Therme Canada at Ontario Place has been completed, which will include a large waterpark and wellbeing oasis.
Developed by architecture firm Diamond Schmitt alongside Therme ARC, in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), STUDIO tla, and Trophic Design Inc, the design plans focus on wellness and the public realm.
“This partnership is built on mutual respect, active listening, and a commitment to honouring the cultural and spiritual significance of this traditional territory,” says Therme Group Canada.
Located on the West Island, the plans integrate 16 acres of publicly accessible parkland, walking trails, beaches, gathering areas and nature play zones along Toronto’s western waterfront.
Within the site is Therme’s wellbeing centre, home to 10 pools, 14 sauna, nine steam rooms, cold plunge pools and 20 waterslides.
The building will be topped with a four acre green roof, while water will be gathered and collected in tanks, to be cleaned and returned to Lake Ontario.
by Holly Chapman | 30 May 25 | News
Findings from Perennial’s research conducted in 2024 with the University of Exeter’s Social Innovation Group (SIG) have been released to better understand the wellbeing of the horticulture industry.
The Wellbeing Research Report found that 52% of people experience a health condition and 83% of people scored low or average for their wellbeing.
Julia Hayne, director of services at Perennial explains the results highlight ‘urgent need’ for action across the industry, adding:
“It is essential that we develop an industry-wide understanding of the challenges people face through life and come together to identify real world solutions that make a long-term difference.”
Haynes urges the industry to help in achieving change. She says:
“As a charity we can’t do this alone – collaboration is essential if we want to achieve meaningful change.”
Perennial notes a few things the horticultural community can do; hosting discussions surrounding taking action, Perennial’s free advice and support, and taking part in Perennial’s free mental wellbeing webinars running until November.
The full report can be found here.
by Holly Chapman | 14 May 25 | News
Designed with Mental Health First Aid, Perennial is hosting two wellbeing webinars to help organisations understand more about mental health and how best to support its employees.
Running throughout May – November 2025, the first session will cover how to support your team, aimed at managers and team leaders. The second session will cover if the industry needs mental health first aiders in the workplace, geared toward HR and business owners.
In Perennial’s Wellbeing Research Report 2025 due out in mid-May, almost 83% of people within horticulture scored low or average for their wellbeing.
The charity says wellbeing conversations in the workplace are ‘crucial’, and urges companies across the industry to maintain open conversations about mental wellbeing in the workplace and identify concerns to reach solutions.
This announcement comes as we acknowledge mental health awareness week, 12 – 18 May.
Clare Downs, head of preventative services, comments:
“We need to support each other in our workplaces to ensure that everyone can access the advice and support they need for positive mental wellbeing.”
To book spaces for the webinar, visit: perennial.org.uk/Corporate/mental-wellbeing-in-the-workplace/book-webinars/
The charity has also developed a mental wellbeing resource pack.
