Why Form Plants is peat-free
Photograph coming soon
Suggested lead photograph: why Form Plants is peat-free
Form has never used peat in its own growing. Since 2026 we have also refused to buy in any plant containing new peat, whoever grew it, in line with the RHS No New Peat standard.
Why peat matters
Peatlands are extraordinary places. They lock away vast amounts of carbon, hold water in the landscape and are home to rare plants, insects and birds. When peat is dug for horticulture, those habitats are lost and the stored carbon is released. Because peatlands take thousands of years to form, they cannot simply be put back.
Photograph coming soon
Suggested photograph: a note from our founder, Jamie Butterworth
A note from our founder, Jamie Butterworth
“Living in Cumbria, I see what peatland means to a landscape first hand, and the damage that digging it has done. As a nursery, we have a responsibility to do better, and I believe our customers want us to. That’s why we went further than simply potting peat-free ourselves.” [Jamie to review quote]
What our policy means
In practice, our policy has several parts. We have never used peat in our own growing, and we will not buy in any plant containing peat introduced into production after 31st December 2025, whoever grew it. We check this line by line at the point we quote, rather than simply supplier by supplier, so every plant on a quote has been considered individually. Root-balled and field-grown trees and hedging are dug from the soil they grew in, which means they have never touched peat at all.
Photograph coming soon
Suggested photograph: older stock
Older stock
The only peat at Form is inside a small number of older container plants bought in from other nurseries before 2026. We are clearing these through, often at a reduced price, so nothing goes to waste.
Going peat-free at home
At home, choose peat-free composts and ask where your plants were grown. Bare-root and root-balled plants are a great peat-free choice, so bare-root season is the perfect time to start.
Plant with confidence
Every plant we supply meets our No New Peat standard. Explore our collections or talk to our team about your project.