For landscape professionals, creating beautiful, resilient places begins long before the first plant reaches site. Choices made at every stage of the supply chain can help protect individual projects, clients’ investments and the wider environment from harmful plant pests and diseases. This includes sourcing, handling, planting and aftercare. 

That is where Plant Healthy can help. Plant Healthy is a voluntary certification scheme designed for organisations that grow, trade, move or manage plants and trees. Based on the Plant Health Management Standard, it provides a practical framework for identifying risks, strengthening working practices and demonstrating that plant health and biosecurity are being managed responsibly. 

For landscape designers and contractors, this is not simply an environmental consideration. Pests and diseases can lead to plant losses, replacement costs, project delays and reputational damage. A more informed and consistent approach to sourcing and plant management can reduce those risks while giving clients greater confidence in the decisions made on their behalf. 

Professionalism in practice 

Award-winning landscape designer Mark Gregory, founder of Landform Consultants, a Plant Healthy certified member, describes the value clearly: 

“Plant Healthy allowed us to really sharpen up our offering on our soft landscaping. It just makes our business more professional.” 

Plant Healthy is not about adding paperwork for its own sake. It is about reviewing what a business already does, identifying where practice can be strengthened and embedding a culture in which plant health is considered at every relevant stage of a project. 

Certification is independently audited, giving organisations a recognised way to evidence their approach to customers, partners and clients. It can support better conversations about where plants have come from, how suppliers manage risk and what steps are being taken to avoid introducing or spreading harmful pests and diseases. 

Plant Healthy Ambassador Adam Frost makes the same connection between responsible practice and professional leadership. In a short video for the trade, the award-winning garden designer and broadcaster explains why understanding the supply chain, sourcing responsibly and working to recognised plant health standards matter. He also explores how certification can build customer confidence, strengthen a business and demonstrate leadership across the sector. 

Confidence across the supply chain 

The value of certification is also reflected in the experience of Plant Healthy members Architectural Plants.   Owner and Managing Director, Guy Watts of Architectural Plants says: 

“Plant Healthy certification gives us confidence that we’re doing everything we can to manage plant health responsibly and consistently.” 

For designers and landscapers, working with Plant Healthy certified businesses can provide valuable reassurance. The Plant Healthy Directory of Certified Businesses and Organisations, makes it easy to find certified growers, suppliers and other organisations committed to strong plant health practice. 

However, certification is not only about choosing growers and suppliers. Every business that handles plants has a role to play. Everyday decisions - checking plant provenance, understanding the risks attached to particular species or origins, inspecting plants, keeping tools and equipment clean, and ensuring staff know what to look for, collectively create a stronger line of defence.  It’s about prevention rather than cure. 

Taking the conversation to Chelsea 

Earlier this year, Plant Healthy brought that message to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Based in the RHS Experience area, the team spoke with visitors from across the horticultural trade and the public about the practical actions everyone can take to protect plants, trees and the natural environment. 

An interactive “How Plant Healthy Are You?” quiz helped make biosecurity accessible and relevant, at the show and online. Adam Frost’s support as Plant Healthy Ambassador helped extend the conversation further. Chelsea demonstrated the value of bringing plant health out of technical guidance and into engaging, everyday discussion, an approach Plant Healthy will continue at FutureScape. 

Join us at FutureScape 

Plant Healthy will be exhibiting on Stand M50 at FutureScape on 13–14 October. Visitors can explore the benefits of certification and test their knowledge with a short, landscape-focused Plant Healthy quiz. 

On Wednesday 14 October at 10am, Plant Healthy’s Chief Executive, Malcolm Catlin will join the panel discussion “Growing Resilience: Planting for the Future”, exploring how the sector can create landscapes that are better prepared for future pressures. 

Landscapers and designers have a huge role in protecting plant health, given the wide range of species that they specify, source, move, plant and maintain, as well as the complexities of the supply chain.  Plant Healthy provides a clear, practical route to strengthen that work and to show clients that responsible plant sourcing and biosecurity are integral to your professional standards. 

Visit planthealthy.org.uk to learn more about Plant Healthy certification and find out how your organisation can become Plant Healthy certified. 
 
Hear more from Mark Greggory and other certified members, about why they are Plant Healthy certified - here.  

For further information contact: 
Malcolm Catlin – director@planthealthy.org.uk | +44 7748 223170