Cherry blossom or ‘Sakura’ is the national flower of Japan, symbolising the transient beauty of life. Tourists make pilgrimages in the blossom season to view the springtime spectacle of the kaleidoscopic montage of pastel pink and white blossom that adorn Japan’s...

The Eastern Branch chose Fullers Mill, near Bury St Edmunds, for its 40th anniversary event because of its central location for members and because the Branch supports the charity Perennial, which has owned the garden since 2013.  Whilst confident that this would...

The Tree Health Pilot grant is being extended until the launch of the full nationwide Tree Health grant scheme to ensure there is no gap in the provision of grants.  The Pilot, delivered by the Forestry Commission, pays land managers and farmers for actions to support...

Seasonal Worker visa route has been confirmed for 2025, with a total of 43,000 Seasonal Worker visas available for horticulture. Defra has also published the 2023 Seasonal Worker’s Survey report as part of Defra’s commitment to monitoring the welfare of the seasonal...

Following a call out for Members to get more involved in their regional branch, Members who expressed an interest were put in contact with their branch.  Please contact Helen at Developmentofficer@horticulture.co.uk if you have not yet been in contact or if you are a...

Congratulations to the Aberconway Award Winner for 2023 - Daniel Jones and Pam Pointer Award Winner for 2024 - Cerys Eleanor, presented at this year's conference by CIH President, David Richardson.Daniel is from Writtle University College and submitted his winning...

Dr John Grimshaw, Director of the Yorkshire Arboretum since 2012, has been appointed Editor-in Chief of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and will leave the arboretum at the end of September. Chair of Trustees Greville Worthington said...

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s Northern Branch Commendation for 2024 has been awarded to the broadcaster Marian Foster. Marian will be a familiar voice to many as the long-running host of BBC Radio Newcastle’s ‘Garden Mania’ programme. The Commendation was...

The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping, and Garden Media professions emerged from BALI's Access All Areas webinars. During these sessions, representatives from various associations collaborated to sign a...

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s (RBGE) project to digitise its renowned Herbarium collection has reached a significant milestone as it celebrates the digitisation of its one millionth specimen. The digitisation project aims to bridge the gap between the...

The Summer 2024 publication of The Horticulturist is out now for all members. View the preview of what’s inside this edition here.

We need your help The agriculture, arboriculture, countryside, forestry, horticulture & landscaping trailblazer groups are checking the approach taken to mandating first aid certificates in apprenticeship standards. Currently some occupational standards limit...

The latest Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (Smeta) standards, which are due to come into force on 10th September, require UK growers to bear all recruitment expenses for seasonal workers, encompassing transport and visa costs.  The National Farmers Union, British...

The Society of Chemical Industry holds The Bright SCIdea Challenge, which provides support for students at university in the UK and internationally, to develop an innovative science-based idea into a business plan and to compete for a prize worth £5,000. Entrants...

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced a package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector. This includes: •            Further support for farmers and growers affected...

National Children's Gardening Week 2024 runs from 25 May to 2 June, an event which is now widely supported by the UK garden industry. Read the full Garden News article here, which features the CIH's Grow Careers North event taking place at Harewood House in Leeds on...

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) is delighted to be supporting ‘World Therapeutic Horticulture Day’ taking place for the second year on 18th May. The day is dedicated to highlighting the numerous therapeutic benefits of horticulture and gardening, such as...

Thursday, 9th May took us to Hestercombe House and Gardens, Taunton, Somerset for the 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year Grand Final. Hestercombe was an amazing venue, and we were lucky to be bathed in sunshine all day. The knowledge across this year’s finalists...

The Tree Health Centre at the Yorkshire Arboretum launches virtual reality (VR) experience, educating future generations on tree health threats. As part of celebrations to mark National Plant Health Week, Askham Bryan College and the Tree Health Centre at the...

New requirements to SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) workforce audits will require UK farming and growing business to pay for the recruitment and transportation fees of the seasonal workers they employ. SEDEX is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve...

Effective from 30th April 2024, implementation of the common user charge for commercial movements of all animal products, medium and high risk plants, and plant products through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. Exemptions: The charge will not apply to low-risk plants...

After a well fought round of Regional Finals across the UK and Ireland, we are pleased to announce the Grand Finalists for 2024 are: Ireland: Chloe Callanan, The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin Scotland: James Douglass, SRUC and the Royal...

Effective from 30th April 2024, implementation of the common user charge for commercial movements of all animal products, medium and high risk plants, and plant products through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. Exemptions: The charge will not apply to low-risk plants...

The Spring 2024 publication of The Horticulturist is out now for all members. View the preview of what’s inside this edition here.

Inspiring, celebrity garden designer, Danny Clarke (aka The Black Gardener) is hosting the ceremony for the national Land-Based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards later this year, with today marking the opening of nominations for 2024 entries. For the second year...