The Horticultural Trades Association and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh hosted a reception outside the Temperate Palm House of the beautiful botanic gardens in Edinburgh. Featuring key note speaker Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham MSP, the reception brought together the horticulture industry to celebrate the important contributions horticulture has for health, education and communities in Scotland.
As well as key industry speakers, the reception included representatives from throughout the industry who hosted interactive stands throughout the event. Attendees also had the exclusive opportunity to tour the beautiful gardens and experience the Botanic Garden’s edible garden after hours.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, the reception’s keynote speaker said: “I was delighted to speak at such an important event. The horticulture industry has important benefits for the environment, the economy and beyond in Scotland. Horticulture also plays a key role in health, education, tourism and communities throughout our country and I feel very proud to be able to celebrate its contribution in such beautiful surroundings.”
Over 3 million adults in Scotland (72%) have a garden or allotment. Horticulture delivers quality of life for people through the design, development and maintenance of green spaces, both public and private, that make up the green infrastructure of our towns and cities. In short horticulture makes an enormous contribution to Scotland’s environmental, economic and social well-being.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the voice of gardening and horticultural industry representing growers, landscapers, landscape designers, garden centres and horticultural suppliers and manufacturers across the UK.
Neil Cummings, Scotland Regional Business Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association added: “The benefits of horticulture are clear and we are delighted that so many people joined us to celebrate the role horticulture plays in Scottish society. To ensure future generations continue to reap these benefits, the HTA have organised a panel of industry leaders from the Scottish horticulture sector, to develop policy recommendations that we hope will work alongside the Scottish Government to ensure the horticulture industry continues to thrive in Scotland.”
David Knott, Curator of Living Collections at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “The Royal Botanic Garden is delighted to work with the HTA to host such an important event that celebrates horticulture and further promotes the benefits the industry brings to Scotland.”
