The UK interior landscaping industry came together on 8 October 2026 as plants@work celebrated its 25th anniversary with its Silver Jubilee Conference and Leaf Awards, bringing together industry professionals to celebrate the achievements of the past 25 years and look towards the future.

Held at the Glasshouse Collective in Chobham, Surrey, under the theme “Celebrating Our Industry, Inspiring Its Future”, the event combined presentations, discussion and networking with the annual plants@work Leaf Awards. The awards showcased an impressive range of projects, from workplace planting and large-scale commercial installations to maintenance and seasonal displays.

The top accolade of the day, Best Project 2026 – Design and Installation, was awarded to phs Greenleaf for the Pinsent Masons project in Glasgow.

The refurbishment of the Pinsent Masons Glasgow office demonstrates how creative planting can transform a challenging space. A combination of live and artificial plants softens the building’s industrial aesthetic while complementing the contemporary refurbishment.

“The scheme makes particularly clever use of planting to solve practical design challenges, including an artificial tree extending through the ceiling to conceal exposed piping and unsightly utility features,” said Ian Drummond, one of the Leaf Award judges.

Universal Floral received a Gold Leaf and Judges’ Commendation for the Miro Berlin refit, transforming a conventional office into an immersive workplace with planting integrated throughout the design.

The multi-level planting scheme brings plants into different areas of the workplace, creating a more welcoming and engaging environment for employees. Following the refit, office attendance reportedly increased by 63%.

Leaf Award judge Greg Redwood said: “It demonstrates the potential of biophilic design to influence both the experience and use of the modern workplace, where interior landscaping can support wellbeing, engagement and collaboration.”

The event also recognised the practical expertise of the technicians responsible for delivering and maintaining many of the industry’s projects. Three Technician Awards were presented in recognition of individuals whose skills, professionalism and dedication make a vital contribution to the quality of interior landscaping services.

The Leaf Awards are not only about projects. As plants@work reaches its 25-year milestone, the organisation also wanted to recognise the people whose experience and dedication have helped build the industry over many decades.

The 2026 celebrations included Long Service Awards, recognising members of the industry who have dedicated 25, 30, 40 and more years to working in interior landscaping and the wider horticultural sector. The awards provided a fitting opportunity to acknowledge those who have spent much of their working lives helping to shape the industry and whose contribution represents an important part of its history.

The Silver Jubilee Conference provided an opportunity to reflect on how far the industry has come since plants@work was established 25 years ago. The programme also explored issues affecting the future of interior landscaping, including business resilience, technology and automation, preserved planting and the growing relationship between biophilic design and building standards. A panel discussion considered the future role of biophilic design within BREEAM.

Kenneth Freeman, Chairman of plants@work, said: “Reaching our 25th anniversary is a remarkable milestone for plants@work and for everyone who has contributed to the association over the years. The Leaf Awards are an important part of that story because they celebrate the quality, creativity and professionalism within our industry. This year’s projects demonstrate just how diverse and innovative interior landscaping has become, while the long-service awards remind us of the depth of experience and knowledge within our industry.”

For plants@work, the Silver Jubilee was about more than celebrating a milestone. It was an opportunity to recognise the people and businesses that have built the industry, celebrate the quality of work being delivered today and consider how interior landscaping can continue to evolve.

plants@work congratulates all of the 2026 Leaf Award winners, commendations, Technician Award recipients and Long Service Award recipients, and thanks everyone who entered, attended and supported the Silver Jubilee celebrations

 Leaf Awards 2026

Thank you to Leaf Awards sponsors Koberg BV