Woke environmental rules force growers to pull out of Chelsea Flower Show in row over peat ban

Published: 18:59, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 19:01, 12 July 2026 Organisers of the Chelsea Flower Show have imposed 'woke' environmental rules forcing plant growers to pull out of next year's event. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has imposed new guidelines encouraging plants to be grown in peat-free compost due to environmental concerns. Environmentalists have warned that digging up peatlands for use in gardens is devastating for wildlife and a huge source of carbon emissions.  Two companies that have supplied plants to gold-winning Chelsea show gardens have withdrawn, warning that they cannot guarantee a supply of peat-free plants due to their supply chain. Other growers are likely to follow suit, with many saying the rules will be difficult to comply with. Michael Buck, head of horticulture at award-winning Creepers Nursery, said that they would take a one-year pause from the show. He said of their 26 suppliers, only three were 'fully peat-free' and warned that there was 'no incentive' for many to change.  King Charles, Queen Camilla and David Beckham were among the attendees to Chelsea Flower Show this year Mr Buck told the Sunday Times: 'It's like banning petrol cars and saying everyone has to be driving electric vehicles, but saying it has to happen next year without putting in place the infrastructure.' Kent nursery How Green also announced it would be taking a break after 15 years of supplying plants for the show. Director Simon Sutcliffe, said he was committed to making the nursery peat-free but said the timeline was 'too tight'. The RHS has sent an open letter addressed to the 'next Prime Minister', requesting a timescale for peat to be phased out of growing nationally. Clare Matterson, RHS director-general, said: 'We remain committed to supporting industry, but we simply cannot do it alone. With the right government action, the UK has an opportunity to show real leadership: helping horticulture complete the transition, protecting peatlands and demonstrating how biodiverse green spaces can support both planet and people.'  The lettwe was also signed by the National Trust, the Peat Free Partnership and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh as well as award-winning garden designers, Sarah Eberle and Tom Stuart-Smith, TV gardener Jason Williams and garden writer Kate Bradbury. It read: 'Industry tells us it is struggling without clear government guidance and support, and that complex supply chains make it extremely challenging to guarantee every plant is peat-free, particularly where imports are involved.'  Plants grown in peat were banned unless they were propagated before January 1. The date will remain unchanged next year, meaning only those grown 17 months prior will be allowed. Peat compost is mostly imported from peatlands in Ireland and eastern Europe, with some still coming from lowland sites in the UK. It was favoured by gardeners for its ability to hold moisture and its wight which makes it light enough to carry in large bags.  Despite envirnomental concerns, deadlines to phase it out have been missed and many plants sold in garden centres are still grown in peat.  Peat compost was originally set to be phased out by 2020, before it was pushed back to 2024. It was then pushed back again to 2026, but after this was missed Labour said the phase-out was still on the cards, but has not set out a date. The environment department said: 'This government has pledged to legislate for a ban on the sale of peat and peat-containing products. We continue to work alongside the horticultural sector to support progress on the peatfree transition.'