News in brief

1

BLOSSOMING PROSPECTS

Enjoy this spring’s best blossom in National Trust gardens, and join in on social media with hashtag #BlossomWatch. bit.ly/blossom-watch

2

VISIT SCOTTISH GARDENS

From castles to community gardens, over 500 normally private gardens across Scotland will open to visitors this year under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. Plan your visits: scotlandsgardens.org

3

CHECK COMPOST RATINGS

Look out for new petal-style logos on compost sacks and scannable QR codes listing ingredients and giving ‘green’ ratings from A to E. Peat-based composts rank lowest, at D or E.

4

DO YOU HAVE A RARITY?

The hunt is on for plants no longer on sale but still in private gardens. If you have a named variety that is rare or special, enter Plant Heritage’s competition at bit.ly/threatened-plants

5 GREENER HANGING BAAA-SKETS

Line your hanging baskets more sustainably with sheep’s wool pads from Staffordshire startup Hortiwool. The pads can also be used as slug protection and plant insulation. hortiwool.com