The journal of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture | Volume 30 No. 2 | Summer 2021 The Ho rticulturist

Cut-flower farming PLUS Peat-free compost | James Bruce Lecture | Plant health | Routes into horticulture | Green horticulture

CONTENTS 4 12 26

Volume 30 No. 2 | Summer 2021

IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 Peat-free compost We did not envisage that for the second year running we would be holding the 2021 AGM Catherine Dawson outlines the way one online. Due to the uncertainty of the spread of new variants of Covid-19, and the restrictions company is involved in all aspects of the surrounding face to face meetings, this was the only option. The elected officers are settling search for alternatives to peat. down into their roles. Over the past couple of months trustees and branch officers have also 7 Second-guessing the future been completing their terms of office. We would like to thank outgoing volunteers who have Matthew Appleby, Editor of Horticulture been an integral part of our success. We welcome new officers, and we will provide support at Week , reflects on the challenges facing the all levels to ensure continuity. horticultural industry. We were very much looking forward to the CIH Autumn Conference in Edinburgh; sadly this 10 Sap ooze or oomycete? has once again been postponed, this time until 2022. We very much hope that we will be able Derek Hargreaves on the death of a number of to plan this event in the near future. Betula pendula over the past couple of years. The YHoY Action Group, together with Regional Organisers, has forged ahead with 12 From plot to vase: farming flowers developing the online competition. I am pleased to report that the first round (Round 1) has Liz Anderson reports on a relatively new been successfully completed, without any technical hitches. We did not envisage holding the horticultural career and charts the rise of a Regional finals online, but once again due to Covid-19 restrictions this has taken place online. group of professional cut-flower farmers. We are hoping that we will be able to hold the Grand Final at RGBE Logan Garden in the 16 How ‘green’ are we as an industry? autumn as a face-to-face event. Simon Jones poses questions and looks at Helen Sessions (Development Officer) is now a fully integrated member of the team, engaging ways to find solutions. with partner organisations, interacting with branches and along with Dr David Elphinstone (Chair 20 Institute news of Education) is working towards finalising CIH’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 20 Routes into horticulture offering. CIH President Susan Nicholas starts a new Communications with branches has greatly improved. The quarterly meetings are proving series of articles showcasing CIH members fruitful. We have a two-way dialogue that is enabling us to have a better understanding of and their individual routes into horticulture. branch needs, and also gives us the platform for discussing future events arranged nationally 25 Book review and regionally. Helen is now in the process of meeting with branches to build a relationship for 26 Branch reports mutual benefit. Going forward we are actively encouraging branches, via their chair, to form an 30 Horticultural research integral part of any changes necessary for our success. Edible crops The council of Trustees continue to meet via Zoom. We have started the process of updating the strategy for the next three to five years. Normally we would have held a Strategic Planning day, but like many organisations we Cover Sweet peas at Gordon Castle Walled have to re-think this. Looking ahead we are planning one or two live Garden, Moray, Scotland, meetings with others held on Zoom. Face-to-face meetings give owned and farmed by Zara Gordon Lennox. members the opportunity to network, and whilst in Zoom meetings we get the business done, I am sure we are all looking forward to catching up in person. I am looking forward to a productive year in all elements of our work and thank you for your continuing support.

Susan Nicholas FCIHort, President [email protected]

The journal of the Chartered Institute of Write for The Horticulturist Advertising enquiries Horticulture promotes and disseminates best Much of the content of The Horticulturist arises from Hall-McCartney Limited, Heritage House, practice and achievement in the science, voluntary contributions from members in the shape of PO Box 21, Baldock, Hertfordshire SG7 5SH technology, education, business, and art of ideas, articles and photographs. 01462 896688 horticulture to all professional horticulturists. If you are interested in writing an article for the journal [email protected] ISSN 0964 8992 or have a newsworthy item please contact the Editor, Barbara Segall, at [email protected]. Subscriptions Editor Barbara Segall CHort FCIHort £90 (UK & Ireland) Proofreader Sue Minter CHort FCIHort VMM Issue copy dates £118 / €146 / US$162 (overseas addresses) Designer Made In Earnest Autumn 2021 issue: 27 September Printer Blackmore Spring 2022 issue: 24 January All prices include cost of postage by air, except in UK. Publisher Hall-McCartney (on behalf of the CIH) Summer 2022 issue: 24 May There is a 5% reduction for agency subscriptions. Orders and inquiries should be made to the Chartered Institute of Horticulture Paper stock Secretariat at the Institute. BGA House, Nottingham Road, Louth, You will notice that The Horticulturist is Lincolnshire LN11 0WB printed on 100% recycled paper. Copyright 03330 050181 The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) all rights [email protected] This is the second phase of our efforts reserved. No part of this publication may be www.horticulture.org.uk to protect our environment and reproduced in any form or by any means or stored in a complements the recent introduction of retrieval system without the written permission of the Facebook CIHort the compostable sleeve. CIH . Views expressed in The Horticulturist are not Twitter @CIHort necessarily those of the Editor or of the CIH . The CIH Instagram @CIHort We hope you will enjoy the look and feel does not endorse any products or services advertised Registered charity No. 1159140 of the journal. within the pages of The Horticulturist . GROWING MEDIA Catherine Dawson outlines the way one company is involved in all aspects of the search for alternatives to peat. Peat-free compost: a manufacturer’s perspective

Having worked for nearly four decades in the field death that inevitably impacted on the quality of late 1980s, the debate at that time centered on the of growing media, my career has coincided with the top growth. loss of habitat and biodiversity caused by peat what must be one of most tumultuous periods in Peat/ bark mixes began to take over when their harvesting. The lowland raised mires favoured by the history of horticultural substrates in the UK. benefits in terms of better long-term structural peat producers are, in their natural state, host to a But how much less interesting it might have been stability were demonstrated. So growers, unique flora and fauna that is simply not found in without the strongly political and controversial particularly in the hardy ornamental nursery stock any other habitat. effects of the debate surrounding the use of peat. sector, became used to handling bark as an Whatever one’s view of the environmental ingredient. This was to have significant benefits Government initiatives against peat use impacts of using peat, it is inescapable that it is an when it came to using mixes that contained no peat The first UK government target for peat reduction extremely effective growing medium and a at all. Unlike some of the other peat alternatives was introduced in 1995 and aimed for the UK to be challenge to emulate. As a manufacturer of that growers were being asked to use, bark was a 40% peat free by 2005. In more recent years the alternatives to peat, Melcourt has been involved in familiar material and therefore less challenging. importance of undisturbed peatland as a carbon sink all aspects of the debate from the start and an When the move towards alternatives started to and also its value in flood mitigation has widened the active member of the Sustainable Growing Media gain pace in the 1990s Melcourt was well-placed calls for peat harvesting to cease. Various climate Task Force. to service the growing demand for finer bark change-related government legislation and policies products, which were more peat-like in nature. By have impacted peat production and in 2018 the UK Melcourt: from mulch to growing media the early 2000s it had moved to the provision of government’s 25 Year Plan to Improve the Melcourt was founded in the early 1980s at a time complete growing media in line with the general Environment reiterated previously stated targets for when the benefits of bark mulch as a labour- trend for nurseries to move away from mixing peat use to be ended in amateur products by 2020 saving device in landscape management were their own composts. Sylvamix®, its range of and in all UK horticulture by 2030. being recognised. During the same era the rise in professional peat-free growing media which is Governments elsewhere are also now bringing popularity of containerised plants brought with it used by some of the UK’s most prestigious in restrictions. Germany for example aspires to be growing evidence that the peat/grit mixes which growers, was launched in 2001 and in 2014 peat free for retail products by 2026. The part Irish had been the norm, were not always entirely SylvaGrow®, its retail equivalent was introduced. Government-owned Bord na Mona peat appropriate, particularly for longer-term nursery Much has been written about the reasons why company, one of the principal suppliers of peat to stock. Gradual structural breakdown in the lower growers and gardeners are being asked to stop the UK, announced in January 2021 that with layers of the pot caused waterlogging and root using peat. Coming to general awareness in the immediate effect, it would no longer be harvesting

4 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 peat, instead increasing its focus on green energy • low in pH media annual uptake. However, the power production. In May 2021 the UK government • low in nutrients stations cannot deal with the fines element within announced its intention to ban peat for amateur Being a renewable resource is now of course wood chip, this needing to be screened out prior use by 2024, subject to consultation. The UK also a necessity and one which peat cannot to delivery. The 0-10mm fraction is the very size growing media industry via the Horticultural achieve. that the growing media industry needs and in the Trades Association co-ordinated Growing Media Materials that are high in pH and nutrients quest for ever greater volumes of wood chip for Task Force, has reaffirmed its commitment to such as green compost for example, have a place the power stations, new sources of fines are phase out peat in professional media by the end of but they present the manufacturer with more becoming available to horticulture. this decade. challenges. Ingredients such as wood fibre and Coir, a by-product of coconut production, has bark that have a low pH and nutrient content grown in popularity in recent years and has What can we use? provide, like peat, a blank canvas onto which the become a mainstay of the soft fruit industry in the The latest data 1 suggest that in 2020 5.4million 3 of required pH and nutrient level can be applied UK. Over 670,000m 3 was used across all sectors in growing media were used by UK horticulture and without restriction. 2020 and industry insiders say that there is plenty gardeners. Of this 41% was peat (see Fig. 1 Derived as by-products of the timber industry, of unused volume in India and Sri Lanka waiting overleaf). bark and wood fibre are together the highest to be utilised. At Melcourt we use low volumes of However, some 30 years after the start of the volume alternative to peat and they have been coir within some of our mixes as it provides a peat debate there remain only four alternatives shown by Melcourt and other manufacturers to useful water-holding capacity and rewettability that are making any significant headway as fully be excellent growing medium ingredients. They that complements our composted barks and commercial alternatives, these being wood fibre, are capable of producing results easily on a par wood fibres very well. bark, coir and green compost. Other materials are with peat-based mixes and at commercially viable Green compost is mostly used within the retail of course being utilised but none in substantial levels. trade where unfortunately many products are quantities (see Fig. 2 overleaf). Much has been made of the competition for made to a price rather than to a quality standard. Alternatives to peat need to emulate its supplies between the growing media industry and A good, well-made green compost from a PAS100 qualities, the principal ones being that they are: the heavily incentivised biomass industry. Wood- certified site can however, be a very useful • consistent fuelled power stations utilise vast volumes of ingredient if handled correctly and used at • available in significant quantities wood chip, one of the larger ones alone relatively low volumes within the mix. The • UK sourced – preferably consuming fully a fifth of the entire UK growing absolute requirement with green compost, as with

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 5 Fig. 1, far left: Peat % reduction between 2011 and 2020. Fig. 2, left: Volume of ingredients in 2020.

any ingredient, is that the sourcing is careful and up from a wide variety of interested parties also create a vacuum that will no doubt stimulate the quality is constantly monitored. including conservation NGOs such as the RSPB innovation. Although there are only four materials and the National Trust, the RHS, garden centres making any headway as viable alternatives to peat Designing and monitoring mixes and retailers such as B&Q and Homebase, at the moment, companies such as our own are There are no short cuts when it comes to growing manufacturers, growers and the Horticultural looking at novel materials and my expectation is media design and manufacture. At Melcourt we Trades Association. In all 35 organisations were that the newly vibrant market conditions for peat- carry out our own trials and testing although we involved which gave great credibility to the free products will enable research and investment make extensive use of an accredited laboratory for initiatives that were to emerge from the process. at much greater levels. Melcourt for example, is nutrient analyses. Our trials site at a nursery near A key outcome of the task force was the taking part in a three-year, government-funded Cambridge provides facilities for both outdoor Responsible Sourcing of Growing Media Scheme project looking at the development of farmed and greenhouse testing and we also carry out (RSGMS).2 This is a scheme that measures the sphagnum. During a previous study we were able trials on growers’ nurseries once products have environmental and social impacts of all growing to demonstrate its potential and the current work proved themselves within in-house trials. medium ingredients using seven criteria: energy with partners Micropropagation Services, Having carried out thorough development and use, water use, social compliance, habitat and Manchester Metropolitan University and others, is testing, since launching our professional growing biodiversity, pollution, renewability and resource looking in more detail at various aspects including media range Sylvamix® in 2001 it has gained a use efficiency. handling methods from farm to mixing line. large and loyal following, numbering some of the Every stage of the supply chain is assessed, the Other innovations we will see in the growing UK’s most prestigious nurseries amongst its users. starting point for bark for example being the media of the future will be a greater knowledge The versatility of the range surprised even establishment of the tree seedling in the forest. and harnessing of the pathogenic suppressive ourselves and we now have grower customers The end point is the mixing line at the growing potential of growing media ingredients. Various producing everything from seedlings through to media manufacturing plant. Manufacturers are studies have illustrated the potential but this area large containerised trees. The structural stability audited against the scheme rules and products are remains largely commercially unexploited at of our wood and bark-based ingredients are scored according to their weighted average present. particularly well-suited to longer term crops. ingredient contents. The data required to pass the In conclusion, there is no doubt that peat use in Good porosity after a long period in the pot can audit is detailed and time-consuming to amass. A UK horticulture will reduce to very low levels in be a challenge for softer, less well-structured growing medium performance standard has also the future, the only question being the pace of that ingredients. been developed and this will run along side the change. But exciting, innovative times lie ahead, of Melcourt and others have demonstrated that scheme. that we can be sure. there is very little that cannot be grown At the time of writing the scheme is in the final successfully and commercially without the use of stages of preparation for launch. Several Footnotes: 1. growingmedia.co.uk/research.html peat. The question of the cost, typically a little companies, including Melcourt, have had their 2. growingmedia.co.uk/responsible-sourcing.html higher for peat-free products, is frequently raised first full audit, a benchmarking committee is More info but increasingly the low price of peat is being looking at the range of scores achieved and the This article is based on the webinar that Catherine challenged. There are retail growing media in scheme rules are being finalised. A distinctive label Dawson gave during the CIH Spring Webinar Series 2021 garden centres and DIY stores today that cost has been drafted. (www.horticulture.org.uk/events/spring-webinar-series- perspective-growing-media-uk-2021-catherine-dawson/). hardly any more than a decade or more ago, but at The great strength of the scheme is that it has what cost to the environment? Both government been created by a group of interested parties taken and conservationists are strongly of the opinion from all parts of the debate including Defra. As that this needs addressing. such a huge knowledge base has been tapped and Catherine Dawson MCIHort It is interesting to note that many of our there is a sense of ownership from all sides. It is Catherine is the Technical Director of Melcourt Industries Ltd, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of sustainable growers use Sylvamix® for technical reasons but fully acknowledged that it is far from perfect at growing media and bark products. She has worked with they nevertheless are doing it commercially and this stage but continual improvement has been bark and horticultural growing media since the 1980s, following a degree in Soil Science and irrigation research in competitively in markets that until recently were built in and there is no doubt that even in its the vineyards of South Africa. A not particularly strongly demanding peat-free current form, the scheme brings a transparency previous Chair of the Growing plants. and highly evidence-based picture of the impact Media Association, Catherine has been very that a growing medium has in a way that has been actively involved in the The Responsible Sourcing of Growing impossible up to now. It brings a scrutiny to all cross-industry Sustainable Media Scheme materials where in the past, peat has been the only Growing Media Task Force and the new Responsible When the government enshrined the 2020 and product under the spotlight. Sourcing of Growing Media 2030 targets in its 2011 Natural Environment Scheme. White Paper it set up the Sustainable Growing The future… Media Task Force to investigate the barriers to The RSGMS will help to drive change and the further peat reduction. The task force was made proposed government restrictions on peat use will

6 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 This rainbow of coloured plants pots at Ball Colegrave was one of many installations highlighting the industry reaction to the pandemic.

Second-guessing the future

JAMES BRUCE LECTURE In his James Bruce Memorial Lecture to the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s 2021 AGM, Matthew Appleby, Editor of Horticulture Week , reflected on the challenges facing the horticultural industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the UK’s departure from the European Union.

To set the scene, 2021 marks the 180th Houses, Shrubberies, Flower Gardens, memories and predictions for the future from anniversary of Horticulture Week . the magazine I Conservatories, Lawns Nurseries, Plantations, Geoff Dixon, John Adlam and Peter Seabrook, edit, and it is fair to say that the horticultural trade Forests, Rural and Garden Architecture, Landscape who, along with technical editor Sally Drury have has changed more than at any time for decades Gardening, Walks, Roads and the multifarious around 200 years of industry expertise between during the pandemic of 2020/21. Additionally matters connected with these branches of rural them. there is the impact of Brexit on the sector. economy are the points towards which our Addressing current industry issues, the Brexit Looking at broader issues, race and gender have attention will be more particularly directed.” impact has not been as bad as feared. Exports are risen up the agenda – how has the industry Now the magazine is published by Haymarket, difficult as plants to be sent to the EU can’t be reacted? Is the horticulture industry proactive or owned by Lord Heseltine. His lifelong passion for grown in soil but imports are going well. Floridata reactive to the challenges it will face in the coming horticulture as the owner of a 28ha arboretum says UK imports from Holland increased 30% in years? And in 2022, what will be the future and ornamental gardens and a vice-president of March 2021 compared to March 2019. People buy gardening and horticulture industry trends? the RHS since 2009, as well as horticulture brands more from Netherlands as demand was high and Horticulture Week is well known for its including TASPO, which is the leading UK capacity is not big enough, though many UK campaigning; ‘Greening the Olympics’, ‘Save our publication for commercial horticulture in nurseries are seeking to substitute imports by Science and Parks’, and in 2020 on behalf of Germany, is well known. growing more. garden centres, growers and parks during the That’s relevant as the aftermath of Brexit There was some support in the industry for pandemic. continues and Heseltine has been vocal in his leaving Europe during the Brexit vote in 2016. support for staying in the EU. Around 30% were positive about sector prospects Magazine backstory Now we’ve moved on from Darwin writing us long-term and 57.5% negative. Back in 1841, businessmen William Bradbury and letters to looking at digitising the archive.The Ahead of the 12 December 2019 General Charles Wentworth Dilke persuaded botanist modern era began in 1969 when The Gardeners’ Election, 40.5% of those responding to a John Lindley and leading gardener of the day, Chronicle incorporated The Horticultural Trade Horticulture Week poll said they would vote Joseph Paxton, to launch a national magazine for Journal to become Gardeners’ Chronicle and Conservative and only 28% Labour. Some 57% gardeners. Horticultural Trade Journal , a mouthful of a name said Brexit was an important driver for making Issue one’s editorial introduced the title as that it would keep until 1986 when its title their decision. Only 7.1% said Brexit was not covering, “Gardening in all its numerous branches changed again to the current Horticulture Week , important when they considered their vote. forms the general subject of elucidation. Market still in print today. Not much Brexit support remained by 2020. Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Orchards, Forcing In June’s issue of Horticulture Week , we featured Some 93% of readers polled said they thought

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 7 plant prices will go up post-Brexit. And in January Non-essential retail and outdoor catering (beer Consider the Ethical Consumer Research 2021 there were 82% who said plant importing gardens) reopened on 12 April but it was only Association ‘Ethiscore’ rating categories – how was less smooth post-Brexit; 78% said prices cold weather that held back garden centre sales. high are they on horticulture businesses’ agendas would rise; 56% said there would be plant The 17 May date for restaurants and pubs to and how high might they be in the future? shortages and 69% said the government should reopen will increase garden centre footfall but also The ratings categories are environmental do more to help. bring more leisure options competition to reporting, climate change, pollution and toxics, gardening. Foreign holidays remain off, while habitats and resources, palm oil, animal testing, The pandemic polls show 58% don’t mind the idea of coming factory farming, animal rights, human rights, The other current big issue is the Covid-19 back to the office. workers’ rights, supply chain management, pandemic, and specifically its impact on the irresponsible marketing, arms and military horticulture industry. Lockdown on 23 March Diversity in the industry supply, controversial technologies, boycott call, 2020 hit growers and retailers hard, and the true Looking ahead: after the pandemic and Brexit I political activity, antisocial finance, company story of its impact is coming out now after the think a longer-term issue for the industry is ethos and product sustainability. panic at the time. diversity. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Turnover at Scotsdales Garden Centres in has a new Diversity & Inclusion Manager, and Gardening trends Cambridgeshire was down 16.5% in the year to 31 there’s going to be a Mangrove 9 Garden at Chelsea In 2020 I predicted uncertainty over consumer July 2020 after being shut for 52 days in peak 2022, designed by Danny Clarke and Tayshan spending, exchange rates, import delays and season 2020 because of the pandemic. Hayden-Smith. Meanwhile, Royal Botanic Gardens tariffs going into 2020. After an unsettled autumn Squire’s was minus 7% on Brexit impact. Kew (RBG Kew) is decolonising the collection. 2019, with an election and postponed Brexit, UK However, the garden centre group said direct The London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) is horticulture still sees the possibility of more imports from the EU amount to only 6% of cost launching a report about diversity and inclusion of import substitution in the new decade, as well as of sales. tree officers within London. A LTOA survey found greater biosecurity against threats such as xylella Nevertheless, some garden retailers say the that London tree officers are not representative of and oak processionary moth. ‘supply chain is broken’ as a result of lockdown the population that they serve in areas such as 2020 is the Year of Plant Health – the pandemic demand, three million new gardeners, more gender, ethnicity, nationality and religion. It also meant this actually happened online, and mostly disposable income, Brexit, good weather in March revealed barriers to entering the profession. in 2021. The four P’s: peat, plastic, pesticides and and the Suez Canal blockage. Kingfisher (B&Q), Wilko and Wickes are plant health were high on the agenda. After garden gatherings restarted from 29 March among 55 retailers who pledged to take decisive For 2021, I predicted that gardeners will buy 2021, many centres experienced their busiest action to improve diversity practices across the more peat-free compost. In 2020, pandemic-led March and Easter ever, with plants, furniture and retail industry outlined in the Diversity and supply shortages meant many bought what they sundries selling out. Centres in England and Inclusion (D&I) charter led by the British Retail could get. Peat-free sales almost doubled to 23% Wales had little competition for the first Easter Consortium (BRC). of the market in 2020, but peat-based sales rose ever with non-essential retail closed. March plant too and the 2020 target for voluntary phase-out of sales were nearly double the previous record, Environment retail peat sales was missed. although comparisons with 2020 were rendered Environmental issues have taken a back seat After Defra said it would consult this summer irrelevant due to the first lockdown. during the pandemic, but they will be back. on to ending retail bagged peat sales by 2024,

8 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Left: For 2021 I shortages and 3,000% sales increases of some Looking ahead predicted that gardeners will buy more varieties. “People have always grown their own in Looking further ahead, peat could go by 2025 or peat-free compost. In times of crisis,” says Seeds of Italy’s Paolo Arrigo, sooner, glyphosate might by 2022, wages and 2020, pandemic-led who cites potential Brexit-led food shortages as a inflation are up, labour supply is down, and use of supply shortages meant many bought reason for more GYO in 2021. Arrigo says labour-saving technology is on the up with what they could get. compact tomato varieties will be the most Covid-19 grants helping install it. The garden Below left: Cover of popular choice along with Zucchini Romanesco, industry is going to have to sell greener products. April 2020 issue posed the question of what with courgette sales helped by restaurants being In 2022, will the garden industry be back to the shutdown meant for shut because of the lockdown. Missing out on normal? I suspect so, with UK-grown slightly up, horticulture. Below right: The being overseas means increased sales of products if labour is available. contents page of The that remind gardeners of abroad, such as truffles Garden centres will sell more food and pets as Gardeners’ Chronicle and ‘Roma’ tomato seeds. they are essential retail. There will be more eating 1914. Kings Seeds horticultural director Andrew outside. Tokely says: “Customers are eating everything. The four nations will diverge further. Trends don’t change much – top sellers include The online garden sales market has grown five tomatoes, peppers/chillies, beetroot, runner years in one and the overall garden retail market is beans.” sized by online leader YouGarden at £8.5bn. The government says 3% of UK fruit and veg Still, I am reminded that many of the eaten is grown in gardens and allotments and I innovations of the last generation and more recent would say there’s scope for more. In the 1970s 2% past, including the Grobag, Flymo, container plant of allotmenteers were women. Now, it’s more than and garden centres, have shaped the market today. 60% in some areas. This is a significant shift and Gardening became ‘fast food’ with the Flymo, mirrors the gender imbalance in many areas of container plant, Grobag and decking. professional horticulture. There’s now a generation born into instant We are seeing a long-term shift towards using gardening. The cheap democratisation of the garden as an escape from the daily chaos of the gardening started a generation ago when plant pandemic. Outdoor living has been forced on factories became mechanised. Britons. Working in your ‘shoffice’ shed/office and But might the boom of gardening as a common eating and socialising in the garden is becoming pursuit end with the green revolution? Plastic, de rigueur, as shown by garden furniture and peat and pesticides, rewilding issues could barbecues selling out in 2020 and increased sales overtake the industry. of patio heaters (up 400%), waterproof Or could gardening become leisure and garden upholstered suites, outdoor lighting, fire pits, retail become cafes, houseplants, farm shops, living pools and outdoor kitchens. clothes, bird food and candles? Televison Dobbies, the UK’s biggest garden centre chain, People working at home and spending their gardening has moved from Titchmarsh, Hessayon committed to ending bagged peat sales by the money in different ways than before has led to and Thrower to Monty Don. start of 2022. B&Q says it will go bagged peat-free online sellers such as Thompson & Morgan Five years ago we asked gardeners for in 2023. This spring, the RHS said it would follow (parent company BVG bought Suttons in Horticulture Week’s 175th anniversary what will moves made by RBG Kew and the National Trust November), Crocus, YouGarden, Gardening happen in the future in the industry. The answers in the 1990s to end peat use across its operations. Express, Hayloft and Primrose seeing up to 200% were more tech, consolidation and pests and In 2020, Evergreen Garden Care found the rises in sales, which they say has advanced e- diseases/biosecurity – after the pandemic and Instagram tag #wildgarden was the second most commerce garden buying five years in just one Brexit we are likely to return to these. popular gardening trend on the social media site season – buying plants on the internet has become To end on a bright note CIH Chartered (after balcony gardening) with 91,777 posts. normalised. Horticulturist David Domoney predicted for Garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin says in Horticulture Week back in 2016: “The next 25 years 2021 we should be leaving at least 10% of a garden Media departments will see the first fruits of the children, who are now to its own devices as a way of balancing residential The main gardening representative bodies have being taught horticulture at primary school. This client needs with helping wildlife, “allowing bolstered their lobbying and media departments. will change the attitude of gardening being solely for anything to grow and leave some wilderness in Lobbying power, with the Horticultural Trades the older ages and will create new customers who just part of the garden whatever the size of garden. Association’s new policy director James Clark (ex- view their gardens as being as important as their It is a small action but is a positive step in the right Coca Cola public affairs), led to garden centres kitchen or lounge. The industry must be ready to direction. I’m inspired by the re-wilding we are being designated as ‘essential retail’ and being service an unprecedented demand from this new seeing in agriculture.” allowed to open during November and December generation.” But if we rewild gardens, are we doing any 2020’s lockdowns. New RHS president, Keith gardening at all? Weed, who replaces Sir Nicholas Bacon, is a Editor’s note Some facts and figures in Matthew Appleby’s original In winter 2020/21, the RHS culled a herd of roe former Unilever marketing head. The RHS has lecture (delivered in April 2021) have been updated. deer to help make way for its new Bridgewater also appointed former New Musical Express editor, garden in Greater Manchester, then, when Tom Howard, as head of content in an effort to exposed, was forced to issue a grovelling apology. attract a younger audience. Matthew Appleby Vegan garden designer Cleve West hopes this Horticulture Week editor since 2020, Matthew has worked at the could prompt change in how horticulturists treat Shows title since 2003. He is author of wildlife. “Another example of how humans assume More virtual and small country flower shows three gardening books: Allotment Planner , The Children’s Garden and they can just exterminate any species it likes for where you can socially distance were planned for Super Organic Gardener . He is an convenience or to preserve an unnatural aesthetic.” 2021 such as the Spring Virtual Flower Show (17- occasional contributor on TV and Bridgewater’s carpark is also built on a peat bog. 18 April 2021), organised by Paul Dibley of radio, and in newspapers and magazines. But where else could they build it? Similarly with streptocarpus specialist Dibley’s Nurseries. Will Wisley’s expanded carpark – there is greater good flower shows ever recover to the level of a decade in building a garden visitor attraction than leaving ago? More working from home will mean fewer a bit of countryside unpaved. sales rep visits and more online conferences and Grow your own fever in 2020 saw seed events.

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 9 Fig. 2

Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Sap ooze or oomycete?

PLANT HEALTH Derek Hargreaves has observed the death of a number of Betula pendula over the past couple of years in woodland near his home. He is convinced it is a Phytophthora of some sort but has heard otherwise from Plant Health/Fera. He hopes to prompt others to have a look and report their findings.

I have noted the now quite frequent ‘bleeding’ natural host. small number of the affected trees have since died from tree stems over a number of years and a I alerted Defra Plant Health to the finding and – and this may have been by chance but there do number of genera. This produces the all-too- they took samples of the few trees affected for not appear to be any deaths amongst the large familiar staining on the trunks of species such as further analysis and they also carried out on-site number of other Betula on site. A few more trees Alnus , Quercus and Fagus etc and these have been lateral flow device tests. The local tests were had become affected by February 2021 (Figure 4) identified as being caused by various shown to be positive for Phytophthora (the test is and further tests were carried out by Plant Health Phytophthora species (Figure 1). not species specific and has been shown to be and FERA at the time. Again no conclusive In early February 2020, in a mixed broadleaf unreliable) but the tests carried out by the Food indication of disease was found and the problem wood local to me in East Yorkshire, I observed a and Environment Research Agency (FERA) at its was written up by them as stem flux. similar symptom on the lower trunk of Betula Sand Hutton facility were inconclusive. I hope to highlight this problem and encourage pendula causing the dark staining of the bark seen One of the observations from the sample sites other interested people to look into this issue. in similar problems (Figure 2). The site is on sand at the time of sampling was a distinct staining Stem flux in birch is quite common where overlying chalk. A fellow member of the British under the bark at the site of the external damage branches are broken or trees are cut down. The Mycological Society Facebook Group reported a (Figure 3). I was informed by the Plant Health resulting out-pouring of liquid sap (usually in similar problem in his area – also affecting Betula . officer that this was, in his opinion, typical of spring) is quickly colonised by various fungal and The Forestry Commission host list (2015) for Phytophthora. Since then a number of things have bacterial opportunists and produces a typical Phytophthora ramorum lists Betula pendula as a happened – apart from the Covid lockdown. A ‘stem flux’ that tends to be quite pale. A typical

10 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Fig. 1: Alnus spp. due for removal 2014. Fig. 2: Stem base damage, February 2020. Fig. 3: Staining, February 2020. Fig. 4: Fresh damage, February 2021. Fig. 5: Stem flux. Fig. 6: Close up of flow.

All photos: Derek Hargreaves

Fig. 4

Fig. 5 Fig. 6

stem flux produced by a Betula that had been but I am a trained horticultural consultant of recently cut down is visible in Figure 5. The many years’ experience dealing with plant Derek Hargreaves MHort(RHS) FCIH damage caused to the trees in question is a much pathogens in commercial crops. One thing I have Derek completed his qualifications at Writtle College in 1975. He was then appointed to the teaching staff at darker flow (Figure 6). This only arises from near learned over the years is that a negative find from Askham Bryan College where he worked for four years the base of the tree and does not appear to come the laboratory indicates that they did not find the before moving to the then MAFF ADAS advisory service. He moved up the ranks to become Divisional Horticultural from any visible damage. problem under scrutiny – not that is was not there! Adviser and the National Cucumber Consultant before In 2020 I didn’t observe much decline in the What I would like readers of this article to do is leaving in 1990 to work as an overall health of the affected trees although one to look in their areas and if they find anything independent crop consultant covering protected crops in specimen did go through a period of canopy die- similar affecting Betula to either contact me various parts of the world. back. A small amount of re-growth from the directly via email (derekehargreaves@ He is retired now but still lower trunk of this tree was observed in mid-May outlook.com) or at least alert the Forestry carries out a small amount of consultancy on crop 2020 but by August the whole tree was dead. By Commission or local Plant Health officer. If it nutrition. Over the past 2021 the number of affected trees had increased turns out to be nothing other than stem flux then few years he has become very interested in fungi and and of those affected in 2020, some are now dead we can all go back to looking for more fungi – but spends time photographing or dying. Figure 5 shows similar stem base if it does turn out to be an increase in the amount them. damage in February 2021. of Phytophthora in the UK woodland – perhaps I am not a trained pathologist or mycologist – something needs to be done about it?

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 11 CUT-FLOWER FARMING Liz Anderson reports on a relatively new horticultural career and charts the rise of a group of professional British cut-flower farmers. From plot to vase: farming flowers

One of the relatively recent developments in The origins of a movement rediscovering these beautiful varieties that don’t horticulture over the past decade has been the A decade ago Gill Hodgson started growing cut stand up to transportation and, as such, had been emergence of a new breed of horticulturist: the flowers as a sideline on the family farm and was ignored.” professional flower farmer. These independent, selling them from an honesty box at the farm gate. Realising there was a market for the locally- artisan growers have carved out careers in It was so popular that Gill took her flowers to grown flowers that had all but disappeared from cultivating and selling seasonal, sustainable and Driffield Farmers’ Market, where she was high street flower shops and wholesalers, Gill preferably, scented, cut flowers, that look freshly overwhelmed by the response from people who looked for an association she could join to help picked from the garden and do not cost the earth. queued to buy and smell her fragrant, garden- expand her business. When she couldn’t find one, And the UK is leading the way globally in style flowers. “It has taken it until now for people she decided “between one slice of toast and the developing the market for locally-grown flowers, to discover that in today’s global market there is next” – as legend has it – to set up her own. thanks to Flowers from the Farm, the brainchild still space for the small artisan grower,” Gill Flowers from the Farm, the membership of a Yorkshire farmer. observes. “A new generation is delighted to be association Gill founded on 24 February 2011,

12 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Clockwise from above: This spring, Flowers from the Farm announced the winners of its inaugural Diversity Scholarship: Andrea Ferdinand, Anais Carrillo-Hawkins, Jenny Yeong, Charlotte Merryweather and Elsie Harp.

Far left: Flower tunnel at Cotswold Posy Patch, Gloucestershire, farmed by Liz Fallon. Left, top to bottom: Gill Hodgson the founder of Flowers from the Farm; Carole Patilla, Co-Chair of Flowers from the Farm and owner of Tuckshop Flowers in Birmingham; Zinnia moments with Tim Tordoff of the Tin Shed Flower Farm at his plot in Sussex; a nice bunch: Sula Jones, co-owner of Nice Bunch in Somerset, celebrates British Flowers Week. Above: A plot at Floriferous owned and farmed by Clare Allen and Matt Gunning-Legs, near Bristol, showing sunny summer border flowers.

now champions over 1,000 artisan growers of (CLA), Sarah Hendry. colour (BIPOC) a unique programme of advice, seasonal, scented British cut flowers and foliage. Flower farming is an important and expanding reference books, tools and equipment, work Over the past two years, membership has leapt by part of the UK’s small-scale farming ecosystem placements, and training courses to help kick- 75% in all four nations of the UK. Managed by a and economy, and Flowers from the Farm wants start their careers as flower farmers. team of volunteer members, Flowers from the its membership to be representative of the The scholarship programme is the first big step Farm has three guiding principles: to encourage nation’s population. This spring, Flowers from the in a long-term plan as part of the newly formed the public to buy more cut flowers; to inspire Farm announced the winners of its inaugural Diversity Action Group. “The more diverse our more people to grow for market; and to foster Diversity Scholarship – Anais Carrillo-Hawkins, community is, the more vigorous it will be,” friendship and collaboration. Jenny Yeong, Andrea Ferdinand, Charlotte observed Flower from the Farm’s current Co- The flower farming community is uniquely Merryweather and Elsie Harp. The programme Chair, Carole Patilla. “It’s great to see people from collaborative, freely sharing growing, market and will offer five black, indigenous or people of different backgrounds coming into flower design information on the members’ Facebook farming and bringing fresh ideas and perspectives forum, and grouping together to market Flowers to the table.” from the Farm at flower shows nationwide. Since FLOWER FARMERS’ 2015, the association has won 35 medals at flower BIG WEEKEND Defining the flower farm shows including 24 Golds, most notably for its On 13-15 August, members of Flowers from the Flower farming is essentially a new sector in exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2018, Farm across the UK are opening their gates for the horticulture. Flower farms are neither the which was visited by HM The Queen and Flower Farmers’ Big Weekend. The three-day traditional single-crop nurseries that filled the open flower farm festival is a chance to see showcased cut flowers from over 70 flower farms behind the scenes of the slow flowers movement, Cornish flower trains nor the volume glasshouses nationwide. At its 10th Anniversary Conference in meet the growers, buy flowers fresh from the plot, of Lincolnshire. They offer something completely and perhaps even be inspired to become a February 2021, Flowers from the Farm proudly professional flower farmer. different. shared video messages of congratulations from A flower farm can range in size from a productive The Duchess of Cornwall; RHS President, Keith To find out more about Flowers from the Farm, cutting garden, allotment, a walled garden or search for your local flower farmer or for Flower Weed; RHS Vice President, Alan Titchmarsh; Farmers’ Big Weekend events, visit farmland of 4.8ha or more. Based on results of its NFU President, Minette Batters and Director www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk 2020 membership survey, Flowers from the Farm General of the Country Landowners Association estimates that its members farm over 404ha in total,

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 13 Claire Brown Rosie Burgon

“I love the science of why things work and why “I studied Horticulture – BScHons in Horticulture they don’t. I grow over 300 varieties in a full at Auchincruive and the Scottish Agricultural colour palette, some varieties in 10s and 20s, College in Edinburgh. I worked at a strawberry farm others in hundreds or thousands of stems. I can look for a couple of year before getting a job at Glendoick at the plants and know when they’re ready for cutting. I grow on chalk Garden Centre. I was getting itchy feet working indoors and found so not everything will do well here. You need to really know the plants Paula’s (Paula Baxter of Mill Pond Flower Farm) one-day Flower and watch them carefully. Right thing, right place. Farming Career Change course. I came back and handed in my The whole point of flower farming is to sell your flowers. Selling is resignation. I hadn’t known that anyone in Scotland was doing this form almost more important than the growing, because otherwise you don’t of horticulture. It felt as though gold had landed in my lap! I started survive. I know how to keep costs low and to only grow things that are reading every book I could get my hands on and formulating a plan. going to be profitable. You need to know your market and grow the I calculate that 100% of my marketing takes place through sharing right crops for your customers. pictures on Instagram, and that’s where my wholesale business came Flower farming is a distinct sector in horticulture. It is farming not from initially. I found Flowers from the Farm through Paula, and it’s a gardening. You only weed if the crop will be damaged if you don’t, and group of like-minded people mad about the same thing. I’ve made a crop may only last for three weeks and then you move on. What good flower friends from it – people I can share information with or get flower farming does take from gardening is in how to grow strong, good advice from. quality flowers. It draws too on crop production, learning how to grow Everyone can be a grower. It’s the other stuff that’s challenging. It can flowers quickly and strongly, and knowing the varieties that are right for be a stress to have to wear all the hats. There were modules in my the vase. degree that have come in useful, and I use Business Gateway and Education is key. When I started, I went to sell my flowers to the local Business mentors. florist. I was told British flowers were not good enough quality, even I had focused on wholesale, but when wholesale business before the florist had looked at my flowers. It made me even more disappeared with Covid-19, it gave me a fright and I’m back to keeping determined to only grow the best quality to overturn these my options open. Switching to mail-order deliveries saved me last year. preconceived ideas. I now run flower farming courses as ‘The Business I want to do more wedding work, and have brought a florist on board of Selling Flowers’ with two fellow growers to help build the industry now, so that I can focus on the growing.” knowledge base and ensure the highest standards of production.

Scottish Cut Flowers, Perthshire Plantpassion, Surrey 0.4ha walled garden plus three 20m x 8m polytunnels 0.5ha plus polytunnel and raised beds www.scottishcutflowers.co.uk www.plantpassion.co.uk Instagram: @scottishcutflowers Instagram: @plantpassion (photo: Emma Davies)

John Gibbons Cel Robertson “It was watching beautiful Dior training videos of “I started the flower farm in January 2013, how the flowers were farmed and harvested in having studied garden design at Capel Manor gardens all over the world – roses, lily-of-the-valley College and developed a landscape design – that first sparked my career change from make-up company with my husband. I’d always had an artist to flower farmer. I found Floret on Instagram, took her online allotment of my own, and eventually realised my allotment was flower farmer course, bought her book and decided that this is what I gradually becoming more flowers than veg. I loved to gather flowers to wanted to do. I found my growing site in Hale, a former put into a vase and had always been concerned by the environmental chrysanthemum cut flower nursery in a 0.4ha walled garden and impact of imported flowers. glasshouse. My introduction to horticulture came through people I met as a The first thing I did was to invest in myself to learn as much as I teenager who were involved in environmental protest. Climate change could. I knew I had no knowledge of flower farming, I didn’t come from affects everyone, everywhere. Every action we take, every purchase we a family of gardeners, and I knew that a general horticulture course was make has an environmental cost. We need to think of the carbon not what I was looking for. I wanted to know how to produce stems of footprint of everything we purchase. flowers for wholesale. The public do not know about how flowers are produced and what a When I started the business, I looked at my strengths and large carbon footprint is attached to a bouquet of imported flowers. As weaknesses. I know what needs doing and to organise where time small, local growers producing flowers seasonally, in tune with nature, spent and profit needs to come from, and I brought in someone to do we are able to provide a bouquet of flowers with a low carbon footprint: my own admin and invoicing and to design the website. 5-10% of an imported bunch. We also use no chemical sprays, and I Flower farming is hard work – there’s no getting away from it. It’s long try to operate a no-dig system, because digging releases carbon. hours, but if you’re organised and plan your time and your schedule It is really important to me to provide a beautiful product, flowers that properly through the season, it’s all possible. I wouldn’t change it for the sit beautifully together because they are seasonal and would grow world. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been! naturally together in a garden. They have a very different aesthetic.”

Lakes and Rivers Flower Farm, near Liverpool Forever Green Flower Company, Norfolk 0.4ha walled garden and 0.3ha glasshouse 0.4ha www.lakesnrivers.com www.forevergreenflowerco.co.uk Instagram: @lakesandriversflowerfarm Instagram: @forevergreenflowerco (photo: Andrew Crowley)

14 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Summer flowers at the Real Flower Company in Hampshire.

indicating an average plot size of 0.4ha simply bunches of flowers, 64.5% describe flower provenance. Typically, a flower farmer will grow hundreds of themselves as ‘farmer-florists’, additionally Growers trade extensively with one another to different types of flowers and foliage over a offering added-value floristry services such as supplement their own production at peak times, season, a mix of annuals, biennials, and hand-tied bouquets, wedding, event and funeral and supply florist members, passionate about perennials. Crops tend to be grown outdoors and floristry to maximise income streams. using locally-grown flowers for both ethical and in polytunnels with no artificial heat or light. “Flowers from the Farm also helps you to meet aesthetic reasons. The emphasis in flower farming is on seasonal other businesses that you can band up with,” Awareness and sales of local-grown, seasonal cut crops rather than year-round production. Local advises Carole. “Flowers by Season in Yorkshire is flowers are boosted further by two annual flower farmers can offer their local market the a group of three flower farmers – Binnington campaigns: British Flowers Week (mid-June) and more delicate, unusual seasonal crops that would Blooms, Field and Bloom and Picked at Dawn – by the Flower Farmers’ Big Weekend (13-15 be damaged in a longer supply chain such as who collaborate to supply volume and range to August 2021). British Flowers Week is coordinated Orlaya grandiflora , sweet peas, Verbena florists in the region, for example, and in Builth by New Covent Garden Flower Market and is an bonariensis , fruit and ornamental blossom, Wells, Edw Valley Flowers has teamed up with industry-wide initiative. The Flower Farmers’ Big deciduous foliage and dahlias. Jenny Wren Flowers to open a high-street flower Weekend in August is a three-day open flower Concern for the environment is a major driver shop. We don’t tell you how to run your business farm festival which takes visitors behind the scenes for many flower farmers, a response to the air at Flowers from the Farm. There is no template. It of the Flowers from the Farm movement to meet miles, energy usage and chemicals involved in the is up to you how to run it. We’re here to forge the growers and learn more about the art, craft and global cut flower industry. Defra estimates that connections, create opportunities and share business of flower farming. 86% of the cut flowers sold in the UK will have information.” been imported from Holland, Israel and as far afield as Kenya, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Finding a market Liz Anderson Social media and the internet have facilitated Liz has specialised in marketing within the horticulture and floriculture sectors for the past 20 years, and has worked The business side access to market for independent flower farmers, with Hillier Nurseries, Garden Day, Claire Austin Hardy Every flower farmer is a small business owner as who can showcase their work, share their stories Plants, New Covent Garden Flower Market and David Austin Roses amongst others. Liz has been closely much as a cut flower grower. They need skills in and sell direct to florists, brides, the media and involved in the British cut flower movement since 2008, marketing, book-keeping, purchasing, social flower-lovers. Flowers from the Farm’s new when she staged the Best of British Flowers trade event at media, logistics, as Carole Patilla, owner of website is already revolutionising the ease with the Flower Market featuring Sarah Raven and British Tuckshop Flowers in Birmingham, explains. “It’s which consumers and florists can search for their growers. In 2013, Liz all very well loving flowers, but you’ve got to love local grower anywhere in the UK, and on social helped launch British running a small business too. Growing the media the community has a reach of over one Flowers Week, reaching 12 million on social customers is just as important as growing the million through its membership alone. media alone. Liz has flowers. You need to decide what your business Event and high-street florists are increasingly worked with Flowers from the Farm during the past model is, and you need to learn quickly and shift receptive to locally-grown flowers as the supply two years of its record accordingly.” base of growers expands. Their customers are growth. Whilst 25% of members focus exclusively on embracing the trend for wilder, more naturalistic flower farming, selling stems wholesale to florists floral design that favours the garden-style look of and event companies and retailing buckets or British seasonal cut flowers, and now ask about

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 15 How ‘green’ are we and what can the industry do to mitigate a changing climate?

GREEN HORTICULTURE Simon Jones poses these questions and looks at ways to find solutions, suggesting that a national framework for sustainable horticulture should be created.

It is now 50 years since the first publication of plants following fen peat extraction or sand oil produced absorbs carbon dioxide and provides Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring , highlighting reclamation in boreal ecosystems 13 or even the role oxygen. When critically questioning our the impact of pesticides on the wild animals and of the Saharan desert dust in providing nutrients horticultural modus operandi, you could argue their habitats, impacted on the early stirrings of to the tropical forests of the Amazon basin. 14 that it is not an intentional objective to increase the environmental movement. It has set me Issues and topics such as these are discussed, pollination vectors, create habitats, improve thinking about how green we are as gardeners and appraised and continually documented, however, health and well-being etc, but that these are as an industry. Do you think that because we are omitting Saharan dust, one can argue that the merely positive by-products that we have, over horticulturists, who produce and grow plants, praxis relating to the science of the above, relies time, conveniently and retrospectively used to conserve rare and endangered flora, cultivate upon horticultural skill applied to land use. offset the negative impacts of our industry. This places of cultural, historical and scientific Without doubt, the horticulture industry may be harsh reading, and many will disagree but significance, we are all conscious of our contributes an enormous amount to the if we are to face the reality of climate change then environmental impact, whether that be negative economy. Retail horticulture in Scotland, for honesty, with impartiality, is desperately needed. or positive? example, contributes over £300 million alone, 4 For example, look at our gardens and garden I am directed to this question by reflecting on plus it supports many forms of local, national and centres, awash with plastic in the shape of pots, my own work, asking if we as an industry benefit international industries within our supply chains, tools, machinery, gloves, cloches, fencing, the environment or are we, like all industries, either directly or indirectly. Plants also play a membranes, sheds, fleeces, ornaments, watering responsible for the climate crisis? Furthermore, critical role within therapeutic gardening, helping cans, compost bags, bulk bags, labels and coated what solutions can the horticultural industry offer people take care of their physical, emotional and wire and plastic-coated books. 10 society in a true act of ethical and moral social wellbeing. 15 The industry has not stood still However, put this into the modern operational sustainable development. Being mindful of the on raising these issues, and many more, to local context of mechanisation, reduction of gardener consequences of not moving away from the and national government through fantastic resources, lack of investment and cost widely adopted corporate sustainability ideology collaborative industry-led documents such as effectiveness then why not. Polymers are cheap, that is merely concerned with ‘responsibility’ or Horticulture Matters in 2014 and HTA Scottish strong, pliable and waterproof. But sadly this ‘doing less harm’. 9 Horticultural Action Plan in 2018. However, what demonstrates another example of the If we accept that horticulture is an incumbent I would like to highlight is the reality behind our horticultural industry collectively contributing to industry, and furthermore if it is to grow and horticultural practices whilst suggesting a new an over-consumption of finite resources and survive changes in modern society, then it stands direction for our industry that augments inherently to the devastation of the planet. to reason that its core purpose and pathways need gardening heritage with modernity. The Table overleaf gives some general to be disrupted. 19 Into what exactly, I hear you say? observations regarding some of these aspects and What is not in question here are the many Positive impacts the environmental impact of production, from wide-ranging and critically important functional Once we scratch the surface, within horticulture, seed to plant through the lens of environmental roles that plants play within global ecosystems, there are few intentionally positive environmental assessment. whether that be the restorative properties of impacts, the main one being that the plant Each of these environmental impacts in

16 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Examples of various pieces of plastic equipment in a potting shed. Below right: The industry has not stood still on raising these issues, and many more, to local and national government through collaborative industry-led documents such as Horticulture Matters in 2014 and HTA Scottish Horticultural Action Plan in 2018. growing plants are, almost exclusively, linear in global demand seen in the 250 million roses their embodied carbon production, in effect, they bought on Valentine’s Day each year with Ethiopia use raw materials and produce harmful waste growing at least a quarter of them. 2 Why Ethiopia? products such as greenhouse gases (GHG) and Because the climate is more suitable for year- effluent. Conversely, the plants produced do have round production, land is cheaper, labour is an environmental mitigation value in terms of cheaper and there are fewer regulations. Reflecting their carbon sink or sequestration properties, 8 the globalisation of cut flowers. I will merely hint although the irony in that situation is centred on at the humanitarian impact of such a globalised the use of peat as a growing medium. In 2012 the business by mentioning that this could be held as UK used 2.2 million m 3 of peat within the an example of human exploitation to serve our horticultural industry, 5 most of this being capitalist needs with the negative environmental imported from Ireland. 6 In other words, the UK is impact directly affecting the country in which the committed to peat reduction in extraction and flowers are grown in terms of; water consumed for use, but we will happily import it from elsewhere. irrigation and run off, infrastructure, This does not paint an honest picture of our transportation, waste produced, plastic packaging, ‘green’ credentials. pesticides used and fertiliser applied. At Heathrow airport in 2017, approximately 8 Be my Valentine… million roses were imported 15 wrapped in Having a large carbon footprint is very typical of multiple layers of plastic packaging, distributed by almost all 21st-century living. The embodied refrigerated land freight, sold and kept for a few carbon footprint of our ‘needs and requirements’ days before, possibly, being recycled by local is truly mind-blowing and often extremely authorities and composted by their specific overwhelming. Take the example of a red rose for systems. My argument is that the only ‘green’ or Valentine’s Day. This is a human ‘need’ with its environmentally positive aspect about this own cultural and emotive symbolism in a well- industry is the rose (CO 2/O 2 exchange) in all its established global tradition. Since red roses are gloriously short-lived yet globalised life. However, not normally in flower in UK for February 14, I am in danger of fulfilling the western moral high they are often sourced from the Netherlands, or ground stance, because, for Kenya, one of the four grown further afield and then transported to the countries responsible for 98% of Fairtrade flower UK. production (Kenya, Ethiopia, Ecuador and A single red rose has the same carbon footprint Tanzania), this generates about £6million 1 (2.1kg CO 2) as 4.5kg of bananas. Furthermore, annually for Kenyan flower workers and their those who can afford cut flowers have created a communities. Workers collectively decide how to

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 17 ASPECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURE (material or activity) (qualitative) (practical not legislative)

Seed production Plastic-coated packaging, fossil fuel derived energy Locally sourced, renewable energy generation, organic (storage, packing, transportation and source) used for transportation. production and organic waste recycling using vermiculture. Water, pesticide and fertiliser for growth.

Plug plants Similar to seed production, with the added use of Renewable energy generation, reuse of plastics back to (as above) plastic trays and growing media. the grower.

Growing media Quarrying, peat processing from our natural landscapes, Reduction in peat, use of vermicompost, biochar and (sand and minerals, peat, compost, additives) industrial processes for media enhancement. organics recycling.

Plant pots, seed trays, tree bags Plastics produced from raw materials. Disrupt production and waste and reuse – disrupt, create a network of recycling.

Watering of plants Water use and increased run off contributing Grey water harvesting. to eutrophication.

Fertiliser Energy intensive industrialised processes with high Unpasteurised vermicompost and organic waste recycling. Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Pest and disease control Energy intensive industrialised processes with high Bio-controls and unpasteurised vermicompost 7 (non biological) GHG emissions.

Tools, equipment and machinery All produced using industrialised processes using finite Re-engineer, recycle and re-use where applicable. (iron, steel, aluminium, timber, plastics, lubricants, fuel) raw materials, with the exception being timber from renewable sources.

Infrastructure Metals, plastics, cement, aggregate. Re-engineer, recycle and reuse. (glasshouses, cold frames, poly tunnels)

Energy Fossil fuel use and GHG contribution. PV, Solar PV, Heat Pumps (heating, lighting, electricity) (NB this technological disruption has its own embodied carbon cost for production.) spend the money – this might go directly to them measure, it is prudent to assess the multiple materials across or between countries. and their families, or to community services such correlation issues of embodied carbon We can see a direct impact of this in the rapidly as education and housing. The premiums can also (production and operational) when considering declining numbers of ash trees in the UK, now go towards dedicated medical services to provide nursery-grown trees. Urban trees do indeed suffering from ash dieback, which can be directly rural healthcare facilities. Some farms go further mitigate climate impacts by assimilating carbon attributed to globalised tree production methods. and provide hospital services free for workers and dioxide (CO 2) in their biomass as they grow and, This further emphasises that the horticultural their families, and subsidised care for the rest of through shading, evapo-transpirational cooling industry component of this situation should be the local population. 3 and wind speed reduction, building energy use is disrupted so that the trees are raised from seed to Granted, it is an intertwined and complicated reduced. 8 whip, locally, thereby reducing the risk of matter due the modern day ‘need’ for fast cheap A study in 2011 at the University of California transferring pests and diseases. 20 production and if we stop the demand what then stated that urban tree production GHG emissions happens to the people and their livelihoods at the were modest in comparison to the carbon sink Food crops production source? Alternatives are required. effect of the tree, within its lifespan. This is very Globalised food crops, in particular, often travel Perhaps the horticultural knowledge gained by positive and takes into account the GHG huge distances, but can they be produced more local people could be focussed on growing food emissions from the energy, irrigation and fertiliser locally in an almost bio-regional manner? 12 This crops within their countries rather than servicing use in tree production. However, my point is that would disrupt the system that ensures food lorries affluent nations with roses. In addition, profit the horticultural component of this process is the account for over a fifth of all traffic on our roads throughout the supply chain could be redirected part which has the negative environmental impact and where the top five food retailers have an into enforced mitigation of the production and if these processes are disrupted to have a lower annual turnover of £30 billion, utilising land impacts such as the EU ‘polluter pays principle’. 17 impact then the carbon sink effect of the trees will owned by only 0.5% of citizens. 12 have a conversely greater positive value to the This does not give the impression of food Tree planting environment. The intriguing addendum to this security, more like food insecurity and risk, with When considering tree planting as a commonly discussion would be the, ever more important, most of that food only ever stored in freight lorries acceptable urban climate change mitigation biosecurity concerns in the moving of organic rather than warehouses such is the immediate demand generated by our consumerism. These figures become even more staggering when we factor in that the UK, USA and Japan waste at least 50% of all food purchased. 18 Plant consumerism is almost analogous to the supermarket supply chain model ie we want it now, fresh and sometimes out of season. Even in horticulture we bear witness to our 21st century conditioning. It seems obvious that a rethink of our food (in)security on a local, national and international stage is urgently required. The subject of food insecurity is not a foreign issue and the lack of produce on our shores will become greater with the National Farmers Union stating that by the mid 2040s the UK will only be able to feed 53% of its population. 4 With food insecurity in mind, horticulture must face the impact of climate change, in my opinion,

18 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Left: Trees alongside roads and streets do indeed mitigate climate impacts by assimilating carbon dioxide (CO 2) in their biomass as they grow. Opposite, below left: Rosa ‘Princess Anne’ is grown in the UK and is widely available.

Footnotes: 1. Berners-Lee, M How Bad Are Bananas – The Carbon Footprint of Everything (2010) 2. www.bjp-online.com/2020/02/adriano-marzi-valentines- day-ethiopia-roses/ 3. www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/the-new- roots-of-the-flower-trade/ 4. HTA Scottish Horticultural Action Plan (pages 8, 15) 5. Alexander, P Peat Use and Environmental Concerns , RHS 6. www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/sites/ default/files/Peat%20and%20horticulture%20NPG%20dr aft.pdf Clifton Bain and Emma Goodyer, IUCN UK Peatland Programme (August 2016) 7. Sherman, R The Worm Farmers Handbook, Mid to Large Scale Vermicomposting for Farms, Businesses, Municipalities, Schools and Institutions (2018) 8. Kendall, A & McPherson, E G A life cycle greenhouse gas inventory of a tree production system (2011) 9. In conversation with John Elkington, Transform (September 2020 edition) 10. Thackery, F Plastic Free-Gardening (2019) 11. Musgrave, T & Musgrave, W An Empire of Plants – People and plants that changed the world (2000) 12. Lang, T Feeding Britain – our food problems and how to fix them (2020) 13. Edited Vitt, D & Bhatti, J Restoration & Reclamation of Boreal Ecosystems – Attaining Sustainable Development (2012) (pages 179-203) 14. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2015/02/150224102847.htm by undertaking a radical shift away from the plants can serve as an educational platform 15. www.trellisscotland.org.uk/content/about-us-0 importance of established gardening resources learning from despicable human inequality and 16. www.westlondon.com/tonnes-of-valentines-day-roses- used to conserve traditional gardening practices. persecution, none more obvious than when arrive-at-heathrow/ 17. researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/ Instead resources should be refocussed into local considering the impacts of the history associated documents/POST-PN-0590/POST-PN-0590.pdf food production, flood mitigation, clean air with the production of tea, tobacco, sugar, opium, 18. Stuart, T Waste – Uncovering the Global Food Scandal (2009) generation, habitat creation, contaminated land quinine and cotton, which has shaped the destiny 19. Frediani. K (2009), The ethical use of plants in zoos: regeneration and organic waste recycling of people, countries and industries around the informing selection choices, uses and management (vermiculture and not heavy industry). world. 11 strategies. International Zoo Yearbook . Volume 43, Issue1 (January 2009, pages 29-52) Please note that I am in no way suggesting that Horticulturists are among the finest people I 20. Frediani, K (2020), Botanic Garden Profile Inverewe: the fantastic skills and plant collections within know. The most logical, clever, pragmatic, artistic gardening on the edge. Sibbaldia: The International Journal heritage and botanic gardens are refocussed in and single-mindedly stubborn folk yet also the of Botanic Garden Horticulture , (18), 19-35. doi.org/10.23823/Sibbaldia/2020.286 this social manner. Their plant and seed most caring, thoughtful and passionate. We must collections will become, and already are to a large be able to augment collective will, thought and NOTE degree, ex situ refugia for currently rare and professional disciplines with the absolute need for A version of this article was first published in Transform endangered plant taxa from across the globe. The change. We all know that human behaviour must magazine (issue Jan/Feb and the link to the feature online global collective of atavistic botanical knowledge change, we all know the answers to the threats of is transform.iema.net/article/how-green-your-garden Transform is the magazine for Environment and will be critical in understanding suitable plant global ecosystems and biodiversity loss. These Sustainability Professionals, members of the Institute of choices in the face of a changing climate and as thoughts are not new, I am not suggesting a new Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). such these prize garden assets may need to technology, a new power source or even a new continue diversifying and integrate in order to method of propagating and growing plants. directly help society. However, I am suggesting that a ‘National Simon Jones CHort MCIHort PIEMA Framework for Sustainable Horticulture’ is Simon is the Gardens & Designed Landscapes Manager for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), managing Education created that primarily focusses on three aspects: gardens such as Threave, Culzean, Broughton, Where does this change begin? Education! The 1. Horticultural education in the national Greenbank, Hill House, Geilston, Crarae and Arduaine. Previously he was Curator of Plants at the Royal inclusion of horticulture into our national curriculum Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo, curriculum is the key, taught from primary school 2. Integrated approach to being carbon neutral in designing and constructing over 30 exhibits during this through to secondary school, and beyond, with its all plant production including food crops time. He trained at Oatridge College and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, further augmenting these skills with importance being akin to reading and writing. 3. Use of practical horticulture to address social further qualification to the level of Practitioner with the Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most issues in modern times Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, powerful weapon which you can use to change the This can be pragmatically realised by an honest skills put to use at Edinburgh Zoo as Sustainability Manager. Outside his role with NTS, world”. non-political approach, harnessing the knowledge he is a past Vice-President of the If horticulture is to survive the inevitable disseminated through centuries of agricultural Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, member of the capitalist revolution in conjunction with the and horticultural expansion that is currently Incorporation of City accelerated green agenda, 9 then should we not ask taught. Gardeners of Glasgow, past how can the horticulture industry change to have The horticultural industry can play its role to Director for Gardening Scotland Show and Charity a significantly lower environmental impact? ensure future generations possess the ability to and now a committee Whilst collectively demanding that government grow plants, mitigating the risks of food insecurity member with Kinghorn changes its stance we should ask what can the and then just maybe we can all play our part in Community Land Association. horticultural industry do for society? what Tim Lang calls the ‘Great Food The pursuit of and growing of plants is Transformation’. 12 Horticultural skills and inextricably linked to the state and fate of the knowledge are part of the problem and the solution modern world. The historical curation and uses of to complex societal issues in a changing climate.

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 19 INSTITUTE NEWS

Routes into horticulture

CIH President Susan Nicholas picked up During my career in horticulture I have walking and climbing, and having the spade to break the ground for a new experienced many changes. Today we trained as a youth leader with the have a great opportunity to bring new YMCA, spent many weekends training series of articles showcasing CIH members people into our industry, with increasing young people to take part in the Duke of and their individual routes into horticulture. and diverse courses and the extension Edinburgh Award scheme. It was only of training provision across all natural that I should look for something disciplines. We can also provide a fast to replace my previous outdoor route in for career changers. activities whilst raising my two children. I Horticulture is my second career. enrolled on a gardening course at the After leaving school I pursued a career local college, not knowing that this in banking where I met my first would be the start of an exciting and challenges. I wanted to take my Institute varied career in horticulture. of Banking exams but it became clear I studied two days a week for four that women were not encouraged to years, initially completing City & Guilds follow this path and should Level one and two, followed by the RHS instead embark on a course of Diploma. During this time I was able to shorthand and typing. look at many aspects of our industry. I Needless to say within started teaching on a part-time basis, six months I had started and made the decision to become self- my exams. In my early employed. This gave me the opportunity thirties when I started to explore various routes for a family I realised that employment. I thought that I would start I was not going to by designing small gardens. The first be able to pursue commission I undertook was to restore my chosen one of the Gatehouse Gardens in banking career. Sefton Park, Liverpool. Prior to this I This was my baptism of fire. I very had spent all my quickly learned that the wishes of the leisure time client were not always achievable. In outdoors, this case the underlying soil and weed population presented many challenges. I was fortunate that my lecturer in college Dr Richmond Dutton had inspired me to become passionate about soil, and in particular, how to remediate and rejuvenate the most difficult sites. This was to be one of the most valuable lessons I learned. Whilst studying, I also discovered the delights of plant propagation. Being able to take a small part of a plant and turn it into a new specimen still gives me a was a challenge. It had formed part of Institute life. Giving young people a Below: Susan I VERY QUICKLY Nicholas the council’s services depot. Unlike my platform to launch their careers and spearheaded the LEARNED THAT first project the soil profiles were dug exposing them to the opportunities £6.2million using a mechanical digger. It was not available in such a diverse industry has development of the purpose-built facility THE WISHES OF long before we discovered a tarmac been amazing. A real two-way street! for the YMCA Wirral road, about 1.5 metres below the In April I embarked on yet another (photo: Nigel Hughes THE CLIENT surface. This impacted on how I horticultural adventure as CIH President. CEO, YMCA Wirral). WERE NOT developed the project. Multi- span I am once again facing challenges, polytunnel, fully irrigated with raised albeit different ones: dealing with the ALWAYS beds has enabled volunteers to grow a pandemic, providing and enhancing wide range of fruit, vegetables and provision for members and ensuring ACHIEVABLE. flowers. I have been able to deliver short that we offer the best provision for the courses with some volunteers gaining future leaders of our industry. I am buzz today. Collecting seed and Level 2 qualifications. fortunate that I am surrounded by understanding the growth cycle enabled My first involvement with the Institute experienced CIH members, who will me to successfully germinate difficult was whilst studying. Dr Dutton enable us to expand and grow. species. This has resulted in me introduced me to Peter Thoday, an Empowering people to achieve the growing a large number of plants with eminent writer, presenter, garden best they can in life has been my driving relatively little outlay. historian and lecturer. I was inspired by force. For young people today the I decided that I would set up a small him and his encouragement gave me challenges are great, but my message nursery and look for a niche market. I the drive to pursue a meaningful career. to them has never faltered. You can do chose ornamental grasses as at that As a member of a professional body I anything you want in life if you believe in time, in the late 1980s, very few people have had the chance to meet so many yourself and seek help from those who grew them. Looking back I think I may interesting people, many of whom have can assist you. well have been on or ahead of the given me openings and opportunities Looking back I have had an exciting current trend. that have enhanced my career. I quickly and varied career. I never envisaged that Continuing to expand my business, in became involved in the committee I would become President of the CIH. I 2007, I was invited to join a consortium structure of the Institute. My financial have continued to be involved in the led by Dr Philip Putwain of Ecological background and knowledge of charities YMCA, and am proud to have Restoration Landscapes to undertake has been invaluable. Developing the spearheaded a £6.2million development trials of peat reduction in growing media Young Horticulturist of the Year of a purpose-built facility for homeless using composted green waste. Using a competition with Graham Porter has people, many in drug and alcohol 40% reduction we were soon able to been one of the highlights of my rehabilitation. identify the challenges both positive and negative. Studying a variety of bedding, herbaceous and woody nursery stock gave us an insight into the growth habit, root formation, number of flowers and the movement of nutrients. I continued to undertake many and varied projects, but also increased my teaching. In early 2000 I took up a full-time teaching post. Being able to deliver a syllabus backed up with the knowledge I gained whilst working in the industry meant I could pass onto students something extra, a wider understanding of practical issues. It also enabled them to identify the opportunities available to them on completion of their course. After leaving the Coleg Cambria I was approached by a group of councillors in Rhyl, North Wales who wished to set up a horticultural training centre. This was to be one of the most exciting projects I have undertaken. Once again the site

If you have a story to tell about the route you have taken to get into your horticultural career WHAT WAS YOUR please do send it to me with one or two images that show you in action or give us an insight ROUTE INTO into your sector.

HORTICULTURE? If you have web links that would be useful for students or new entrants please also make them available. Together we can network and help colleagues and students to find their own way to horticultural success.

Please contact the Editor, Barbara Segall, at [email protected] Plants, people and places

Rose of the Year 2022 Rose of the Year 2022 is ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ (Dictwix). A floribunda/shrub it has shown excellent disease tolerance in the two-year Rose of the Year trials. Its dark-green glossy foliage, which remains late into the season, complements the lightly scented, long-lasting blooms. Each flower has over 60 petals in varying shades of orange, pink and peach, the tones of which change according to temperature. The plant is strong and robust, upright in habit, growing to a height and spread of approx 95cm x 100cm. Bred by Colin Dickson, Rose of the Year 2022 is introduced by Roses UK on behalf of the British Rose Trade. Colin Dickson is a member of the British Association of Rose Breeders (BARB). Plants will be available to buy this autumn from rose nurseries and garden centres. The Rose of the Year (ROTY) competition is managed by Roses UK on behalf of BARB (British Association of Rose Breeders). UK rose breeders and the UK agents of international rose breeders, are invited to enter some of their most promising new varieties into the trial. Each ROTY trial, which lasts for two years, commences six years before the commercial introduction of a winning rose. Flower and plant form, colour, scent, abundance of flower, health and easy maintenance are considered important characteristics of a Rose of the Year.

Plant Heritage awards Plant Heritage awarded Roger Hammond, National Plant Collection Holder of Epimedium , the prestigious Brickell Award at RHS Hampton Court Above: Rose of the RHS Hilltop: a new era for research supporting health and wellbeing. Palace Garden Festival 2021. The award Year 2022 ‘It’s A In June the Royal Horticultural Society The new building, designed by Wonderful Life’ was presented by Roy Lancaster and (Dictwix) (photo: opened the doors to its £35m RHS architects WilkinsonEyre and built by Chris Brickell, the current Vice-President Melange Pictures Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Osborne, is a state-of-the-art home to LLC). and founding member of Plant Heritage Science, at RHS Garden Wisley. The unparalleled collections including after whom the award is named. UK’s first scientific centre of excellence 25,000 entomology specimens, 90,000 Roger has built one of the largest for horticulture represents the charity’s dried plants in the Herbarium, and a collections of Epimedium in the country. largest single investment in science in library of more than 28,000 books, The Brickell Award has been running its history. artworks and items of horticultural since 2003 and celebrates outstanding Around 70 scientists and students will literature dating back 500 years. The contributions to plant conservation. be based at RHS Hilltop, with research centre also contains an exhibition To find out more about Roger’s set to focus on helping gardeners adapt space, auditorium, teaching studios, Epimedium National Plant Collection, to the challenges posed by climate laboratories, offices and a café. visit: www.epimedium-collection.com change and pest and disease threats, For the first time in over a century of and for information about Plant Heritage and the growing understanding of the science at RHS Wisley, visitors can go to: www.plantheritage.org.uk. role gardens and plants play in discover and interact with RHS research

22 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 in a new exhibition. Hands-on features Top: RHS Hilltop built by renowned landscape Wisley and also features numerous RHS explore key themes of health, preparing to open at consultancy Landform. ‘Plants for Pollinators’, demonstrating RHS Garden Wisley, biodiversity and the environment, Surrey (photo: The Wellbeing Garden, designed by many ways to attract beneficial garden helping gardeners understand the RHS/Oliver Dixon). Matt Keightley, is formed of small, wildlife. Above, left to right: impact they can make through what Roger Hammond, intimate ‘Garden Rooms’ allowing The World Food Garden, designed by and how they grow. Brickell Award 2021 visitors to be enveloped by the Ann-Marie Powell, features a café area The building is set in 1.6ha of new recipient ( photo: R generous planting, to centre themselves with herbs, edible flowers and leaves; Hammond); garden spaces. The three new ‘living Epimedium and hopefully improve their wellbeing. Good to Grow plantings of the best laboratory’ gardens around the building ‘Marchant’s Twin Set’ The Wildlife Garden, designed by RHS AGM crops; and the World Food have been designed by RHS Chelsea (photo: R & L Ann-Marie Powell, contains the largest Maze of edible plants from around the Hammond) Flower Show gold medal winners and water planting scheme at RHS Garden globe. News roundup

Grow Careers Suzanne Moss (RHS Head of Education). Fowler was the second President of the Grow Careers will take place on George Gilchrist FCIHort Institute and while he was President the Wednesday 17 November at the Royal Grow Careers Scotland Chief first contacts were made with the Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), given Organiser Shropshire Horticultural Society, in an that any remaining Covid-19 restrictions attempt to find sponsorship for the allow for it. Speakers include Andy Sad news Young Horticulturist of the Year Sturgeon (award-winning garden It is with sadness that CIH learned of competition (YHoY). A full obituary will designer), Chris Collins (author and a the death of Vic Fowler VMM, Past follow in the next issue of The former Blue Peter gardener), and President 1986-1987 in 2021. Vic Horticulturist .

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 23 Young Horticulturist of the Year

Round 1 of the Young Horticulturist of RBGE Logan Garden will host the Year (YHoY) Competition 2021 was the YHoY Final in September held in May with a new look online format, the previous multiple-choice only questions were expanded to include odd one-off, identification, association and insert the missing word questions, using the iSpring Quiz software accessible via the Institute website. This new format was well received along with the accessibility of it being online. The Regionals were held across July, but due to ongoing restrictions branches had to undertake these online. The format was changed to directed questions only with the usual identification rounds completed online, the Regional Finalists did well under the circumstances and were positive about making it to that stage of the quiz. The finalists came from a range of backgrounds including current students, garden centres, botanic gardens and estates, with one finalist in the Eastern Region only having been in the industry for just three months! We are currently hopeful that the restrictions will allow the Grand Final to take place as planned at RBGE Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer on 4 September Victoria George MCIHort YHoY Competition, National and Scottish Regional Organiser Graham Ward OBE

Graham Ward OBE, a former CEO of Horticulture. He was the power behind Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC), the EU decision to change nitrate was instrumental in ‘saving’ residue levels in lettuce allowing winter Stockbridge. He maintained his day-to- production in the UK to continue. He day involvement until he stepped down delivered and supported the promotion from his role as CEO last year, to enjoy of Yorkshire Produce with cooking a well-deserved and happy retirement. demonstrations by top chefs and There will be plenty of time to reflect presentations showing the advantages on Graham’s life, however, the ongoing of using local production. and enduring success of Stockbridge is Much will be written about Graham’s a fitting epitaph to his work. Through contribution to our industry, and there time the team will find an appropriate will be appropriate ways to mark his way to commemorate Graham’s passing. It is hoped STC will be able to contribution. Whilst important, hold an event this summer to mark the Graham's work at Stockbridge is only contribution Graham made to this part of a story that shows dedication to industry, when we can all share stories British growing and, of course, and good humour about time spent with ultimately led to him being honoured him. with the OBE. At this moment, it is a time to stop Though he made Yorkshire his home, and remember Graham for the Graham hailed from the West and the ICI Fernhurst, chaired, and ran incredible individual he was, and most rich horticultural and growing areas of numerous grower co-operatives, before importantly in our thoughts, a husband Worcestershire. He left there to join the being instrumental in forming the and father. Research and Development section of National Farmers Union first Board for Derek Hargreaves and Nigel Bartle

24 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 Eastern Branch Survey BOOK REVIEW

The Well Gardened Mind: Rediscovering Nature in the The Eastern Branch committee has not expanded to coincide with topics of Modern World been idle during lockdown. They current study. By Sue Stuart-Smith decided to use this quieter time with When asked if members would be William Collins Books, £20 less branch activity and no visits to interested in attending industry visits ISBN 9780008100711 improve communication and which are organised monthly from The Well Gardened Mind aims to show organisation to further meet the needs March to October the response was the value of horticultural pursuits in and expectations of the membership. overwhelmingly in favour with the most improving our mental health. It is written Their first step was to compile a popular choice of venue being public by psychiatrist Sue Stuart-Smith, whose survey to send to all Eastern Branch and private gardens closely followed by literary background shows in the members asking what they wanted and glasshouse/nursery production and volume’s style. It’s a highly unusual expected from membership of the research/advisory establishments. Most combination of evocative metaphor Chartered Institute of Horticulture and respondents would be happy to travel fused with real-life experiences woven the Eastern Branch in particular. up to an hour each way for these visits together with scientific research. A newsletter email went out to all with almost as many willing to travel up The book begins with the compelling members in January with an invitation to to two hours each way. Nearly a third story of Stuart-Smith’s own grandfather complete the survey via an online link. would consider an overnight stay if the (chapter 1), whose gardening helped Most of the respondents were in the venue were of particular interest to him recover from the torment general membership with the next them. experienced during World War I. This biggest response from students, then More than half of the members who sets the stage for the rest of the book, fellows, chartered, retired and associate responded were interested in attending which tells of how horticulture has members. branch social events via Zoom, with rehabilitated prisoners (c2), healed The survey asked members why they weekday evenings being the most soldiers suffering from PTSD (c3), had joined the Chartered Institute and popular time. As a result, the Eastern provided solace for the dying (c10) and the two most popular reasons were to Branch has scheduled a member-only restored the health of hospital patients be a part of a professional organisation once a month informal Zoom meeting (c12) – among other things. Stuart- and network with other horticulturists. for 7pm, the first of which was Smith cites research on the benefits of Becoming part of the national voice of successfully held and attended on 20 exposure to everything from sunlight horticulture and learning about other May. Members were also asked and soil microbes to the colour green parts of the industry were also popular whether they would like to attend social and green exercise, often with answers with undertaking continued events in pubs or other venues and with impressive statistics to back up her professional development lower on the most responses in the yes or maybe claims, and she brings these findings to list of reasons for joining. Members category this could be something on the life with stories from her clinical practice were then asked if their expectations on agenda in future. Fund-raisers and pub and personal life. All this is presented in joining the Institute had been met with lunches were two suggestions made. favour of supporting a thesis that those the majority answering yes or partly. Over half of the respondents were of us in horticulture all hope is true – Further comments in this section interested in joining a Facebook group namely, that closeness to plants is a included suggesting a way to contact for Eastern Branch members only and marvellous medicine for the mind. other members professionally, such as as a result this has now been organised, Stuart-Smith also offers her own online profiles. up and running since May 2021. Many insights into why horticulture is such Students were asked if they had any members were also in favour of a great medicine – e.g. by removing comments on how the Institute was WhatsApp group, which has not yet problematic social hierarchies (p55), helping them with their studies or could been actioned but may be in due offering achievement that restores self- help further. Internships with existing course. esteem (p47-9) and changing our members was suggested and one Overall, the survey has provided mental scripts to help us move beyond responder commented that the some useful data about what members our mistakes (p61). webinars were helpful and could be would like from their branch and given The volume may, however, leave the the committee information to work with rigorous academic reader frustrated at to help improve its services to times. Interesting studies sometimes lack WHEN ASKED IF members. The Facebook page and in-depth analysis, which is exacerbated MEMBERS WOULD Zoom network meetings have been by the lack of footnotes (there are end BE INTERESTED IN initiated as a direct result of member notes, but they’re not numbered and are request with further action planned from sometimes imprecise). So too, the book ATTENDING other results of the survey. It is great to is not an attempt to offer a fair INDUSTRY VISITS know what visits the members would be assessment of the scholarly literature and WHICH ARE interested in attending while next year’s thus doesn’t consider disconfirming ORGANISED calendar of events is at the planning evidence or compare horticulture with stage. other interventions. MONTHLY FROM This survey was only completed by What the book does well is to take a MARCH TO Eastern Banch members but hopefully human look at the lives of particular OCTOBER THE gives an insight into what the national individuals, showing how, for many of RESPONSE WAS membership might be looking for from us, horticulture proves to be a life- the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. changing experience. OVERWHELMINGLY Fran Suckling MHort MCIHort RHS Dr Fay Edwards MCIHort, Freelance IN FAVOUR Eastern Branch Reporter Content Strategist, fayedwards.com BRANCH REPORTS

South East 26 | Eastern 26 | Northern 27 | Scotland 27 | Ireland 28

[email protected] if you SOUTH EAST have any ideas for visits for 2022, would like to contribute to the committee, or would like to discuss upgrading your membership. Criteria for each grade of As we still have not been able to meet membership is on the website, including in person there are no branch visits to how to become a Chartered Member or report. The visit to Ulting Wick and Fellow. Furzlea Garden that has been postponed several times is now Angela Evans FCIHort scheduled for early September, Council Rep members will be emailed with details in [email protected] due course. Fingers crossed! After discussion with the committee the ABM will again be via Zoom: a EASTERN midweek evening was suggested to see if this may appeal more to members not wishing to disrupt their weekends. Kate Cooney of Perennial will give a Following results of a branch survey in presentation as part of the ongoing January (see p21) the branch has been branch commitment of support to our busy during the first half of the year with members and the charity. This year we new initiatives. have renewed our Bronze Partnership of A new Eastern Branch Facebook Perennial, an organisation that has done group (Eastern_CIHort) has been so much to help people in horticulture launched, which all members are during the pandemic. encouraged to join, to share stories, pictures, news and advice. YHoY Informal Zoom network meetings are In our last report we introduced Richard to be held regularly for members to Moore as the branch YHoY Co- socialise and get to know a bit more ordinator. Richard has been instrumental about each other as well as possibly in helping the YHoY Action Group move holding some quizzes or talks. The first the first round of the competition online, meeting was held at 7pm on 20 May. It with facility to hold the Regional Final was interesting to chat to each other online too if necessary. Hopefully these about which field of horticulture we are changes will equip the competition for in and our route to it. We heard about a the way young people engage with the diverse range of careers including world, keeping it vibrant and improving educators, journalists and specialist inclusivity. growers, heritage plant care, design and social welfare schemes. Social media The meeting was attended by a In line with the scheme to highlight CIH spectrum of ages from young student members’ Instagram profiles in previous members to retirees. It’s really up to the reports, here are some more to browse: members to choose what they would like @plantnamessimplified (the same name to see and do on these evenings and to as the book favoured by tutors and make the best use of the opportunity to students was recently updated by CIH interact with fellow horticulturists. member Adrian Stockdale; the Remember to look out for the Above: Two images 4 September Instagram posts enrich the book’s solid notifications via email and the Facebook by Richard Moore Joint visit with the South East Branch to (see his Instagram information, a good way to keep skills group to register for future meetings. @the_botanical_ two Essex gardens. The gardens are sharp); @fragrantbloomers (does what it gardener). Small Ulting Wick, a 1.6ha garden created delicate flowers of says on the tin!); and Richard Moore Future events Miersia chilensis , a around a 16th-century farmhouse, posts as @the_botanical_gardener With a lifting of some lockdown species in the normally only open to the general public (Richard is a previous YHoY winner and measures branch visits are back on the Amaryllidaceae family for a few dates each year under the native to central Chile, many of his beautiful images, agenda and we hope to be organising a where it grows in National Gardens Scheme and Furzelea, accompanied by informative text, are full calendar. Check your emails moist wooded valleys a 0.4ha garden featuring exotic and taken at RBG Kew, where he currently (sometimes they go to spam or in marshy, wet soils. unusual plants as well as a black and Fritillaria pinnardi is a works). promotions) and the CIH website for up- delicate species from white garden. to-date information. Zoom network Turkey, Iran and Lebanon, that grows Be in contact… meetings are currently scheduled for 19 in semi-desert Jo Seymour Taverner MCIHort Please do get in touch with the branch August, 9 September, 17 October and conditions. Branch Secretary committee at 25 November all starting at 7pm. [email protected]

26 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 we managed to field a reduced number FUTURE NORTHERN of questions from the reduced level of SCOTLAND EVENTS visitors. However, their questions were just as interesting and challenging as Members will be they have always been, from chafer informed when events start again Now its eleventh year, the Garden beetle larvae wrecking someone’s In March Scottish members enjoyed an through Branch Advice Bureau has had another, slightly prestigious lawn to a garden overrun interesting and informative Zoom talk by emails, in the post, different show appearance at the with ground elder. Liz Stewart , National Organiser of the or by checking on horticulture.org.uk. Harrogate Spring Essentials Show 2021, We will be back at the Autumn Show Scotland’s Garden Scheme (SGS) this spring due to the Covid-19 on 17-19 September at Newby Hall, Its formation dates back to 1931 with restrictions placed on the show between Ripon and Boroughbridge (see the Fundraising Committee of the organisers, the North of England www.flowershow.org.uk to book stand Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, and Horticultural Society, sponsors of the space and/or visitors tickets and the then specific aim of supporting district YHoY Northern Branch competition. www.newbyhall.com to get an oversight nurses. It was a huge success from 1932, With a combination of cold winds and of this wonderful garden). its first full year of operation: the King rain, it made for a challenging but Graham Porter FCIHort opened Balmoral to the public, one of successful show for trades people and 500 gardens to open their doors. Initially visitors alike. Sue Wood MCIHort the gardens opening to the public were With the assistance of Derek [email protected] for the most part attached to historic Hargreaves and Sarah Owen-Hughes , houses owned by the landed gentry.

NEW MEMBERS

The Activity Field MEMBER Managing Director Rachel Wallace 3 STUDENT Samantha Doherty Maintenance categorisations have Paul Bentley 5 Essex Horticultural Therapist Ann Aitkenhead 9 10 County Somerset been updated as part Director Devon Amanda McFarlane Shropshire Gardener North Londonderry Daniel Ori 12 East of the database Michelle Brandon 5 12 Corporate Martin Wardale 7 Ayrshire Kevin Downey 8 Sussex upgrade to provide a Landscape Designer FR/Owner Regional Operations Liam Baker 5 Cork Georgia Palmer 14 better picture of the London Leicestershire Manager Horticulture student Claudy Fox 9 Bristol Horticultural different sectors within Conor Cullen 3 Timothy Miles 9 Buckinghamshire Nottinghamshire Piluca Garcia 11 Apprentice West horticulture in which Horticultural Lecturer Partner Edinburgh Mark Webber 4 Dean Bell 11 PhD Cork Sussex members operate. County Antrim Erika Packard 9 Senior Arboriculture & Student Bristol Samin Ghiasi 14 Xanthe Parker 7 Sally Cullimore 9 Partner Edinburgh Horticultural Heather Birkett 9 Freelance London Apprentice Gardener 1. Journalism Policy Manager Matthew Palmer 12 Consultant USA Senior Gardener Ross Greaney 11 Berkshire 2. Production Oxfordshire Professional Gardener Rae Wilkinson 5 Cumbria Cork Oliver Parsons 9 (Non-Food) Tracy Elrick 7 Sole Lanarkshire Designer/Director Martyn Broadey 9 Juit Lian Heng 8 London 3. Education Trader West Lothian Phil Paulo 3 Plants West Sussex Lawn Technician Senior Landscape Una Quinn 6 Plant 4. Arboriculture Tracy Foster 5 for People Service Tom Wood 7 Deputy Somerset Architect Singapore Area Assistant County 5. Garden Design Garden Designer Manager Hampshire Operations Manager Daisy Campion 3 Charles Hills 3 Londonderry 6. Garden Retail West Yorkshire Dean Peckett 12 Devon Lancashire Devon Rebecca Rathbone 7. Greenspace Roy Goodwin 4 Head of Horticulture Malcolm Yull 12 Sarah Campion 10 Holly Hinchcliffe 5 9 Donegal Management Senior Consultant Gwent Associate Landscaper Cork Self-Employed Kumar Ambuj Sahu 8. Landscaping Louth Alan Power 12 Hertfordshire Robyn Caple 8 Gardener East Riding Sahu 4 Varanasi India 9. Ornamental & Michala Haines 8 Garden Manager Duncan Zacks 7 Horticulture of Yorkshire Nathan Scheller 8 Amenity Horticultural Manager Kerry Deputy Head of Apprentice Wiltshire Louise Hughes 5 Grounds Person 10. Production (Food) Kent Robin Redmile- Grounds Maintenance Jessica Carey 3 Projects & Dorset 11. Research Jacqueline Hamblen Gordon 7 Director Oxfordshire Marketing Manager Development Director Bertie Smith 12 12. Advisory & 9 Gardener Somerset Surrey Surrey London Gardens Team Leader Consultancy John Heald 14 Anthony Riddington ASSOCIATE Sandy Carney 3 Johann Johnson 8 Worcestershire 13. Allied Gardener South 3 Horticultural Alex Donaldson 9 Facility Manager Dietitian Bedfordshire Helen Steval 5 Self 14. Botanic Garden Yorkshire Lecturer/Senior Assistant Nursery County Antrim Kim Julien 9 Employed Cornwall Duncan Henderson Gardener/Technician Manager Lancashire Lynne Chapman 5 Gardener Wiltshire June Tainsh 7 8 Managing Director Leicestershire Clare Farley 13 North Lanarkshire Stanislaw Kubacki 9 Garden Manager West Yorkshire Ciarnad Ryan 3 Garden Programme Hannah Claydon 3 Cork North Yorkshire Rebecca James 7 Lecturer Co Tipperary Leader Oxfordshire Production Line Larry Lai 3 Lecturer Audrey Tam 9 Owner Wiltshire Donald Sillitto 8 Christina Hughes Associate Hong Kong County Londonderry Izabella Jaremek 5 Gardener Argyll & Nind 13 Project Gloucestershire Alan Lawson 5 North Claire Tatler 9 Head Garden & Landscape Bute Leader Berkshire Wesley Conroy 5 Ayrshire Gardener Shropshire Designer Midlothian Victoria Jane Daniel Millan 10 Caretaker Gardener HaoJun Liang 3 Luke Tattersall 7 Darren Jeffery- Thomas 9 Gardener Allotment/Community Dublin China Lancashire Brisby 12 Proprietor Worcestershire Garden Manager Maria Paula Sharon Lines 3 Emily Tuffen 3 Hampshire Chi Kong Tsang 3 Cheshire Contreras 14 Donegal Apprentice Gardener Timothy Kelly 9 Part-time tutor/ Anja Schmalfuss 9 Botanical Fraser MacRae 14 Bristol Hertfordshire instructor Hong Kong Owner Essex Horticulturist East Renfrewshire Helen Twomey 3 Kin Ming Kwong 5 Hing Shing Tsang 8 Susan Stephen 9 Colombia Mari MacRitchie 14 Cork Lead Project Designer Assistant Director Gardener Perth & John Coombes 5 Student North Hana Vanova 9 Self- Hong Kong Hong Kong Kinross Military Instructor Lanarkshire Employed Devon Susan Lindsay 7 Onur Can Ulutas 5 Hoi Shan Wong 8 Surrey Kirsty Newberry 8 Simon Ward 9 Surrey Gardener Fife Agricultural Engineer/ Managing Director Joel Cowland 7 Apprentice Steven Whitaker- Hannah Martin 5 Gardener/ Director Hong Kong Horticulture & horticulture/landscape Jones 3 Distance Creative Cambridgeshire Carl Bennett 9 Head Landscaping supervisor South Learning Assessor Director/Garden Michael Vinsun 8 of Breeding West Operative Somerset Gloucestershire West Yorkshire Designer Devon Landscape Designer Midlands Zoe Defoe 12 Heather Newson 5 Colin McDowell 8 Cheshire Horticulturist Essex Head of Garden IRELAND

Tree Week National Tree Week (NTW) has been celebrated in Ireland for the past 36 years and was showcased ‘virtually’ in March 2021. It is an initiative of the Tree Council of Ireland (TCI) and is a week- long series of events dedicated to an appreciation of trees and disseminating knowledge about them. The CIH Ireland Branch, long-standing members of the Tree Council, hosted an on line seminar in keeping with this year’s theme of From a fundraising perspective it Willowhill in Fife, which features a new Above: The Healthy Trees – Healthy Planet. Three enabled the doubling of the £20 annual 48m border, Dalswinton Mill in Galloway Schoolhouse, Skirling experienced professionals from different by Biggar, part of pension paid to district nurses and also – created by Colin Crosbie, formerly of Scotlands Gardens spheres of the ‘tree world’, were invited supported nurse training. It continued the RHS, Helensbank in Fife, featuring a Scheme (Kathy to address an audience drawn from Henry) during World War II even though many National Collection of Portland Roses members of the CIH, TCI, students and gardens had given over their flowerbeds and Bruckhills Croft, which has a the general public. to vegetable production. Patriotic teas National Collection of Galanthus , fall into Kevin Collins , Forestry Inspectorate, were served and a special petrol this category. Department of Agriculture Food and the allowance was given to garden owners Next came gardens in far flung Marine, Ireland (DAFM) with a talk and bus operators to encourage visitors. places, often in impressive landscapes entitled ‘Creating New Native From a fundraising standpoint local which Liz illustrated with images of Woodlands from Scratch, The openers were allowed to support nurses Nonavaar in Shetland, The Tower in Fife, Beginning of a Great Adventure’ gave in their vicinity with 40% of funds raised. 2 Durnamuck – adjoining Loch Broom in an insightful account of the scheme Following the end of the war and the the North West Highlands and Langwell dedicated to supporting this woodland creation of the NHS the Garden in Caithness. type, its aims and the many benefits. He Scheme widened support to the Curated collections and villages are articulated the steps and considerations Gardens Fund of the National Trust for important features of current openings, involved in creating a new native Scotland and the Gardeners’ Royal including the Dundee & Angus Trail, woodland from scratch following Benevolent Society, later named North Lodge Edzell, Brighter Bothwell ecological principles, while outlining the Perennial. Further changes were made and its Horticultural Society and various successional stages as the in the 1960s when 40% of funds raised Gardens of the Highest Villages. Finally, plantation matures, yielding valuable went to the charity of the gardener Liz touched on events where the focus environmental benefits as it grows. opener’s choice and 60% shared is on plant sales, including the Soon the new woodland would also between Perennial and the Royal Fund Scheme’s annual event at Hill of Tarvit. make an impression on the landscape, for Gardeners’ children. To round off her talk, Liz explained the enhancing the visual amenity of the Liz offered members a pictorial tour of support given to Garden Openers, countryside, especially where species a selection of gardens that open today. including the annual guidebook, the selection and planting design were in They come in all shapes and sizes. In Yellow Book, signage and insurance. keeping with the landscape character of addition to historic house gardens, Over the past five years over £1million the area. villages, community gardens, has been raised for over 600 charities. He pointed out that the rewards of allotments, and walled gardens now Today 60% of funds raised go to the native woodlands did not just include participate. The key criterion is that the garden opener’s nominated charity with enhanced biodiversity and a wood garden, or group of gardens, should be 40% directed to Maggie’s Cancer Care resource, but were an important feature capable of holding visitors’ interest for Centres, the Queen’s Nursing Institute of the landscape offering a wider range 45 minutes. Pre-pandemic an estimated Scotland and Perennial. The choice of of benefits to include improved water 44,000 visitors were welcomed with the first of these nominated charities quality, carbon sequestration and flood teas and plant sales also contributing to links to the late Charles Jenks’ Garden mitigation. He emphasised the value of fundraising. of Cosmic Speculation in Dumfriesshire, working with organisations such as the Different styles of gardens which the home he shared with Maggie Environmental Protection Agency, Inland open were illustrated, starting with Keswick, whose death was the Waterways Ireland and other ‘Creative Gardens’ such as Shepherd inspiration for the gardens at Maggie’s stakeholders in terms of achieving the House, Broadwoodside and Jupiter Cancer Care Centres. maximum level of water quality in line Artland, the privately owned Sculpture Any member planning a trip to with the objectives of the ‘Water Park west of Edinburgh adjoining Scotland can visit the Garden Schemes’ Framework Directive’. He stated that Bonnington House. ‘Walled Gardens’, website at scotlandsgardens.org where when foresters and ecologists work sometimes but not necessarily attached they will find details of gardens that are together with organisations such as the to historic houses, such as Tyninghame, open during their visit. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Shieldhill Quothquan (near Biggar) and Local Authorities, Heritage Council, Glassmount in Fife fall into this category. Neil Woodcock AIHort other landowners and industry sectors, Gardens made by plants-people and Branch Correspondent the planting of native woodland can National Collections came next. [email protected] also facilitate the realisation of that

28 | THE HORTICULTURIST | SUMMER 2021 organisation’s environmental objectives who record the findings. Thus, being too. Kevin alluded to the loss of forewarned of likely alien pests and traditional woodland crafts over the pathogens that could utilise these plants years and how their restoration could as hosts, ensures that potentially be a valuable social asset to eradication/containment strategies can the local community. be implemented in a timely manner in Dr. Ana Perez-Sierra from Forest the event of an accidental introduction Research, Tree Health Diagnostic and in the home range. Advisory Service, UK (THDAS) spoke An important objective of the IPSN is about her role with the diagnostic and to encourage networking and the advisory service and the important dissemination of technical information contribution that citizen science also about the likely threat of invasive aliens plays in the early detection of priority on certain tree species. Practical pests and diseases. This was a workshops, information leaflets and fascinating insight into the work that the posters on specific threats help upskill pathology and entomological teams garden staff on important aspects of carry out to help improve the biosecurity. knowledge and understanding of The Plant Health Checker is a user current and unfolding tree problems friendly diagnostic tool which allows which result from such things as ease of monitoring (using colour codes) increased globalisation, international and sharing of information with travel and trade, especially movement technical staff regarding the health of of large plants, and climate change. She plants within the network’s sites. Among gave a flavour of the prevalence and resources created, is the impressive symptoms of the top ten pathogens Global Tree Search, the most arising from the thousands of samples comprehensive database available on sent to their laboratory annually for trees, which can pin point all the identification. These included the usual locations in the world where a specific suspects of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus , tree is found. This is very useful in the now worryingly detected on some non- event of a confirmed threat to a species, Fraxinus species, various Phytopthora genus or family. species and Armellaria mellia , as well as Katherine also highlighted some of newer introductions such as Sirococcus the targeted surveys that they engage tsugae , Diplodia shoot blight on pine, with internationally, and a specific study Douglas fir and spruce and also on oak has identified the polyphagous Heterobasidion abietinum detected on shot hole borer as the biggest threat to western hemlock, with grand and noble oak growing in Europe for the future. fir noted as hosts also. Studies on the much feared emerald The information thus gathered helps ash borer shows that it has now spread inform on the health of trees in Britain dreaded bacterial disease Xylella Above, clockwise from Asia to Ukraine and is moving from top left: Dr. Ana and acts as an early warning system for fastidiosa , should it be detected in the Perez-Sierra from west at 40km per year. Therefore, the likely problems impacting tree health UK. With this in mind, volunteers study Forest Research; work of the IPSN is very important in into the future. The online reporting app the geographical distribution of the Kevin Collins, predicting which organisms are going to Department of ‘TreeAlert’ allows enquiries from both spittle bug, one of the vectors of the Agriculture Food and pose a threat in the future to our trees. the public and ‘Observatree’ citizen disease and the host plants on which the Marine, Ireland; Katherine simplified the whole science volunteers to be triaged and they feed. Links were given for both the the field identification biosecurity situation by stating that guide; and Katherine appropriate biosecurity measures to be ‘Observatree’ and ‘BRIGIT’ substantial O’Donnell, Botanic ‘prevention is arguably the most carried out in a timely manner. online educational resources, which Gardens effective way to protect our plant Conservation TreeCheck is the app used for reporting include videos, webinars, e-learning International resources’. on the island of Ireland. packages, field guides and posters, all The latter two talks in this seminar Currently, five priority pests and six free to download. showed how vital strict, informed and priority diseases have been confirmed The final speaker Katherine well-resourced and executed by THDAS from the 22 organisms on O’Donnell , Botanic Gardens biosecurity measures are, coupled with the watch list, based on observations Conservation International (BGCI), gave collaboration and information sharing made by Observatree volunteers. These an illuminating talk on the important from around the world to combat are: Pests (oriental chestnut gall wasp, work of the International Plant Sentinel unknown and unwelcome threats. This oak processionary moth, elm zigzag Network (IPSN), which is a global completed a most informative seminar sawfly, horse chestnut leaf miner and network of botanic gardens, arboreta on tree health, and as summed up by great spruce bark beetle) Diseases: (ash and plant health organisations, all Claire Woods , also encompassed dieback ( H. fraxineus ), acute oak collaborating together to provide an details and considerations on how to decline, cedar blight ( S. tsugae ), early warning system for new and select, plant and culture trees in native mountain ash ring spot virus, emerging pests and diseases of plants. woodland situations as well protect Phytopthora austrocedri on Juniperus The network has 66 formal members them from the many risks that threaten and sweet chestnut blight and other gardens involved in specific their future well-being. (Cryphonectria parasitica )). surveys. Plants from around the world Dorothy Hayden CHort MCIHort Ana highlighted ‘BRIGIT’ another are grown outside their native range in useful citizen science initiative, aimed at these far flung locations and are Claire Woods CHort FCIHort preventing the establishment and monitored regularly for Branch Chair improve the capability to respond to the damage/infection by experienced staff [email protected]

SUMMER 2021 | THE HORTICULTURIST | 29

HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH

EDIBLE CROPS

Comparison of on-vine and post-harvest ripening on Red/blue light ratios induce morphology and physiology Some recent antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activities of alterations differently in cucumber and tomato. Liang Y, horticultural hydroponically grown cherry tomatoes. Tsakiri S, Sofia T, Kang C, Kaiser E, … Yang Q & Li T, 2021. Scientia publications have Nifakos K, … Delis C & Spiliopoulos I K, 2020. European Horticulturae , 281: article 109995. been briefly summarised by Journal of Horticultural Science , 85: 422 (open access). Many papers now report on the optimisation of the LED- Dr Allen Langton The nutritional value of tomatoes is generally thought to be mediated light spectrum for plant growth in controlled FCIHort , an Honorary Research Fellow at higher when they are harvested fully ripe rather than harvested environments. However, plant responses may be species the Warwick Crop earlier and ripened off the vine. However, this Greek study specific. Tomato and cucumber plants were grown in this Centre, School of Life showed that whilst harvesting at the “breaker” colour stage study in varied red (R) and blue (B) light ratios at equal PPFD. Sciences, University of Warwick. and ripening at ambient temperature did reduce total phenols B was shown to be essential in both for normal growth and and flavonoids, it also markedly increased final lycopene and development, but cucumber was the more sensitive to R/B It is planned that all of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content. ratio. the major horticultural commodity areas will be covered in this Harvesting at the end of the day extends postharvest life Reducing postharvest losses of spinach stored at way over the course of the coming year. of kale ( Brassica oleracea var. sabellica ). Casajús V, Perini nonoptimum temperatures with the implementation of Of necessity, the M, Ramos R, ... Frezza D & Martínez G, 2021. Scientia passive modified atmosphere packaging. Batziakas K G, selection represents a Horticulturae , 276: article 109757. Singh S, Ayub K, … Rivard C L & Pliakoni E D, 2020. personal choice. Three dots in the Harvested kale leaves frequently show rapid senescence, with HortScience , 55: 326 (open access). author list of a citation yellowing and reduced nutritional quality. However, this storage Refrigeration and/or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) indicates that there are additional authors study showed that whilst this was the case for kale leaves with reduced O 2 and increased CO 2 maintain spinach quality whose names have harvested at 08:00, other leaves harvested at 18:00 showed and extend shelf life but are expensive for small producers. not been shown here, only slight senescence symptoms with a marked delay in However, this US study shows that “Passive MAP” using but this omission will not hinder anyone yellowing. It was assumed that this reflected effects of the BreatheWay technology, can be a viable and cheaper locating a paper. diurnal cycle on metabolic and physiological plant processes. alternative. The specific package film permeability and commodity respiration rate together ensure that a suitable Please note: HortScience and Longer photoperiods with adaptive lighting control can modified atmosphere is achieved naturally, but with a lag of Journal of the improve growth of greenhouse-grown ‘Little Gem’ lettuce several days. American Society for (Lactuca sativa ). Weaver G & van Iersel M W, 2020. Horticultural Science are now open access HortScience , 55: 573 (open access). Semi-closed greenhouse photosynthesis measurements ‒ journals. Articles in An equal integral of LED supplementary lighting applied over a A future standard in intelligent climate control. Mortensen Scientia Horticulturae after Vol. 255 are now longer photoperiod (12 to 21 hours) progressively increased L M & Ringsevjen F, 2020. European Journal of identified by article dry weight gain in lettuce by increasing photosynthetic Horticultural Science , 85: 219 (open access). number rather than conversion efficiency (dry weight/joule supplementary lighting). This study reports the successful continuous monitoring of page number. Leaf size and chlorophyll content also increased. However, photosynthesis and biomass production in a tomato crop higher growth rates also tended to increase tip burn growing in a large (9.447m 2), semi-closed glasshouse in symptoms, due to inadequate calcium transport. Norway. The authors believe that this opens the way to further optimising climate control, but point out the need for a Mild drought stress has potential to improve lettuce yield sufficient availability of CO 2 for summer enrichment. and quality. Paim B T, Crizel R L, Tatiane S J, … Rombaldi C V & Galli V. Scientia Horticulturae , 272: article 109578. Stalk length should be considered for storage quality of Lettuce is the world’s most widespread leafy vegetable, but is broccoli heads based on the investigation of endogenous relatively poor in phenolic compounds and provitamin A hormones metabolism. Chen Y, Song X, Guo Y, … Zhang carotenoids. However, this research showed for greenhouse- X & Ma Y, 2020. Scientia Horticulturae , 267: article 109338. grown plants that restricting water supply to 80% saturation This study found that stalk length in harvested broccoli had a significantly increased a range of phenolics, including significant effect on changes in endogenous hormone levels in carotenoids and chlorophylls, increased antioxidant activity both stalks and florets during storage, and that these changes and still maintained harvested yield and firmness. markedly affected quality loss and post-harvest longevity. Optimum stalk length appeared to be 6cm. The floret to stalk Postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene application delays leaf hormonal ratio tended to be lower over time for heads with yellowing of pak choi ( Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis ) by both longer and shorter stalks. improving chloroplast antioxidant capacity and maintaining chloroplast structural integrity during storage Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) pollinators and their at 20 °C. Song L, Yi R, Luo H, … Gu S & Yu Z, 2020. effect on fruit set and quality. Toni H C, Djossa B A, Scientia Horticulturae , 270: article 109466. Ayenan M A T & Teka O, 2021. The Journal of Horticultural Treatment with 1-MCP alleviated the rapid post-harvest Science and Biotechnology , 96: 1. yellowing typically shown in pak choi and extended market life This literature review identifies 77 known pollinators of tomato by 2 days. The efficacy of the compound was shown to be its flowers worldwide, including 16 species of Bombus retardation of the degradation of the chloroplast membrane, bumblebees. Five of these species plus the honeybee, Apis so preserving function and the production of high levels of mellifera , are managed to aid greenhouse tomato production, antioxidants. This, in turn, slowed chlorophyll breakdown and B. terrestris being the favoured pollinator in Europe. There is preserved postharvest quality. no mention of the reportedly inferior performance of the British native sub-species, B. terrestris audax .

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