UK: Industry breakfast for young horticulturalists at Chelsea

It is well known that the ornamentals, and wider horticultural industry, want to attract younger workers into the industry. This year, AHDB were able to offer free tickets to young horticulturalists to attend an industry breakfast at the Chelsea Flower Show. This was facilitated by the Hardy Nursery Stock Panel Chair, Martin Emmett.

Chaired by award winning garden designer Adam Frost, who is also an ambassador for the RHS, this was an opportunity for these young growers to meet and network with key figures in the ornamentals industry, and come away with knowledge of how to progress in their careers. After the industry breakfast, everyone was free to explore the show for the rest of the day, and go home inspired by what they had seen.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s most prestigious flower show. It showcases the best of garden design and unusual varieties of flowers, and provides take home ideas for consumers.

All areas of the ornamentals industry can be found at the show, from cacti to orchids, carnivorous plants to dahlias, and trees to native wildflowers.

Having a flower stand at Chelsea attracts growers from all over the world, this year including stands by French and Dutch growers. Smaller growers also feature alongside larger growers. All show gardens work closely with growers, making it a prime opportunity for growers to showcase what they produce. The sheer numbers of people passing through the show means it is not an opportunity to be missed.

The RHS published their report Gardening in a Changing Climate in April, with recommendations for gardeners on how to adapt their planting. The show reflected this, with several drier gardens featuring, as well as a stand put together by Kew Gardens. These changes could present growers with more opportunities to extend product ranges and produce new varieties.

Source: AHDB Horticulture