In June, HortWeek reported several nurseries either withdrawing from or warning they would not be able to supply Chelsea Flower Show 2027. National press picked up on that a month later (a fortnight ago) and the RHS has now responded. All the biggest suppliers, including Hortus Loci, Kelways and Creepers expressed concerns to HortWeek that they would not be able to supply Chelsea and other RHS shows.
Any RHS dispensation will be "tightly limited to exceptional circumstances. The RHS may consider extending its peat starter plants dispensation, with plants grown on in peat-free media, only where exhibitors or growers can show they have exhausted all other options and full compliance is outside their control, such as; significant pest or disease outbreak or biosecurity issue affecting stock, extreme weather events affecting production (flooding, drought, storm damage, heat stress) or because plants are part of a recognised conservation scheme to re-establish populations in the natural environment."
The RHS said without Government legislation, "major barriers remain: complex international supply chains, around 60% of young plants are sourced abroad and often still grown in peat, limited shared knowledge, and costly new equipment. Without action, Government is missing a major opportunity to support industry to increase peat-free domestic production and grow the sector."
The RHS Shows policy is 'No New Peat or 100% Peat-Free Plants with an exemption for nursery peat starter plants for sale.'
There are 115 commercially viable 100% peat-free UK growers, the RHS said https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/peat/peat-free-nursery-finder.
RHS DG Clare Matterson said: “Horticulture is leading the move to peat-free, with major investment across the sector. At the RHS, all retail operations and all five gardens are no new peat plants.
“We know challenges remain, but our Shows Policy stands. The fail-safe will help recognise vital plant diversity, while supporting wider peat-free choice for people and planet.
“We’re already linking designers with peat-free growers for 2027 Chelsea gardens, so we expect any dispensation requests to be rare. It is there to recognise all important plant diversity, while supporting more peat-free choice across the UK.
“Growers and nurseries tell us they will increase both the number and diversity of peat-free plants each year. Our priorities are to support that transition and urge Government to set an achievable collaborative industry and government roadmap to ban peat. Without legislation, there is a real risk the industry could lose momentum.”
REACTION
Kelways' Dave Root, who was first to bring up the issue via HortWeek in June, told HortWeek: "We recently had a very positive nursery visit from [RHS science head] Alistair Griffiths, and we are pleased the RHS is now listening to the concerns of growers, particularly those involved with growing plants for Show Gardens. We look forward to continuing to liaise with them to find a realistic and workable solution to a complex issue for 2027 and in the future."
Hortus Loci's Mark Straver said: "This concession is welcome. Everyone is changing but the whole industry is playing catch up to do their best to grow for the greatest flower show on Earth. Most peat-free commercial growers grow retail-based offerings that don't translate to wholesale-based, design-led ranges. This needs more time and I'm glad the RHS has agreed. This is the best decision they could have made." Plants sourced at the last minute and from overseas have been the biggest issue for show garden supply as most overseas nurseries are not peat-free and the nature of show gardens is they need late replacement plants.
How Green Nursery's Simon Sutcliffe, who has pulled out of Chelsea 2027, told HortWeek: "That’s an interesting change in legislation by the RHS. It’s encouraging to see they are listening to growers concerns with the original timeframes involved.
"The question isn’t that most growers are not wanting to move away from peat – we’d all love to be growing in a media that was cost effective, produced quality plants, with minimal losses and was more environmentally friendly.
"The work the RHS, growing media companies and nurseries have and are currently doing is commendable, but there’s still a lot of work that still needs to be done.
"Our reasons for pulling back on show growing were not anything to do with the 100% peat-free stance. More to do with the financial implications of contract growing in the ever-increasing challenges of the extremes of weather.
"Interestingly, all our out-sourced plug plants are now all 100% peat-free. We source from around the UK, Belgium and now Holland with Spijjker perennials now offering a great peat-free range.
"We still aim to be 100% peat-free with our own production by the end of 2026."
Jonathan Sheppard, cosmos and hollyhock grower/exhibitor, said: "As the UK is hit by another heat wave, with hosepipe bans aplenty, and Europe is literally on fire, the effects of climate change seems to be all around us. That’s why the timing of this announcement for those of us who are convinced growing without peat is the future may seem a little strange.
"It will be a brave grower or garden designer who is adamant they must have a specific cultivar or specimen that requires to be grown in peat under these circumstances, though of course that is their right. I am pleased to know any such dispensations to the peat-free policy will be published so the public will be aware of those plants still using peat, and those who don’t. There is nothing better than allowing people to make informed choices.
"Of course there have been huge successes in the move to peat free and sometimes that is forgotten. Lots of new peat free growers at Chelsea and other shows. Growers who put sustainability at the heart of what they do, and don't see it as an add on, or worse a burden. Government could of course help the situation in terms of legislation, but it really isn’t going to be a priority for them, as much as some of us would like it to be. That doesn’t mean the new administration shouldn’t keep being reminded that action is required.
"Climate change and the ensuing impacts aren’t the fault of horticulture, nor the RHS who have done a mountain of scientific work in the area of peat free. But not being at fault, doesn’t negate the fact that they have a responsibility to lead, for where they continue to lead others will follow. I’m already looking forward to the 2027 growing season."
Peat Free Partnership's Sally Nex said: "If the Government had legislated to end peat sales as it's promised, none of this would be necessary. The RHS is doing the best it can in the circumstances and is showing amazing commitment and leadership on this. But the lack of clarity, support or guidance from the government is appalling - the horticulture industry has basically been left on its own to handle as best it can the biggest system change it's ever faced. It's no wonder the transition away from peat is so slow and patchy. The current situation is a mess and simply underlines the urgent need for legislation and a clear timeframe for a gradual, fair, well-supported transition to peat-free growing for everyone."
The Wildlife Trusts said they had no-one to comment on this issue.
