Horticulture consultant Howard Drury is a judge for the Four Oaks New Plant & Product Awards for 2026.
What do you love most about your work?
I'm retired but still love growing, seeing, and reviewing plants and products and everything associated with it, including most importantly the people behind the plants and products. If, in even the slightest way, I can help support a good plant or product, it is well worth getting involved as we need to help the public and make them aware of what’s new, and why.
What would you say to young people considering a career in the sector?
Horticulture is the best profession in the world, a great place to work whatever your skills and ambitions, there is something for everyone. It’s not a mundane task in a fixed environment; you are growing with nature and everything that comes with it. No two days, weeks or years are the same. I always suggest to go broad spectrum skills in the early days, although those coming into the profession via higher skills may find a specialist area of interest.
What would be your big ask of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham?
Less regulation and red tape. Stop allowing solar farms to steal acres of valuable for whatever use, agricultural land. It seems easier to build acres of solar panels than put up nursery buildings. Burnham must really show his support as prime minister as he did as regional mayor, by getting things such as the Eden of the north actually moving.
What are the most important challenges the plant production industry needs to overcome in 2026?
The visual effects of the drought on our parks, open spaces and gardens is going to put off many gardeners and maybe gardeners of the future, especially the less experienced from buying or replacing plants. We need breeders to introduce plants that are able to withstand whatever our climate throws at us. We need a better link between the plant producers and potential home buyers, and I feel we, as journalists, are not spreading the word as much as we can.
What are you most looking forward to at Four Oaks Trade Show this year?
Three things (in no order): plants, products and people. All of these are essential for our industry. Just forgive me if I don’t see everything and everybody in these two very hectic days!
