Blue Diamond's new plastic compost bag recycling bins
The Blue Diamond Group, with 42 UK garden centres and sales of £330m, joins Evergreen Garden Care’s scheme to divert 40 million compost bags from landfill. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond's new plastic compost bag recycling bins
The Blue Diamond Group, with 42 UK garden centres and sales of £330m, joins Evergreen Garden Care’s scheme to divert 40 million compost bags from landfill. Read more - members only
London Stone achieves carbon neutral status
Award-winning national hard landscaping supplier London Stone has been awarded Carbon Neutral status in 2023. Mark Gregory will be its first Green Ambassador. Read more - members only
RHS disease ranking reveals fruit trees under threat
The prolonged drought last summer followed by a wet and mild autumn provided the perfect conditions for fungi to spread, and an increase in many diseases. Read more - members only
The Prince and Princess of Wales support Life at No 27
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited a new garden therapy site in Wales, part of the garden-therapy social enterprise, Life at No.27. Read more - open to all
European Rhinoceros Beetle found in the UK
A European Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes nasicornis), native to continental Europe and widespread around the Mediterranean Sea, has been found in Durham, having hitched a ride in a potted plant. Read more - open to all
Huge challenge for garden centres as nurseries go peat-free
Garden centres must change the way they care for plants or face losses, say Bransford and New Leaf, as growers transition to peat-free. Read more - members only
Man wins Japanese Knotweed appeal against council
In a landmark ruling a homeowner has won damages from Bridgend Council for allowing Japanese Knotweed to invade his property. Read more - members only
New supplier for British grown orchids and green houseplants
Double H nurseries is on a mission to transform houseplant wholesale. The Horti House web shop will supply garden centres with British grown orchids and green houseplants. Read more - members only
Leading turf grower challenges industry to become truly green
A leading UK turf grower is calling for the end of the use of plastic netting in turf – something he says is causing unseen environmental damage.
Read more - open to allRetail sale of peat in Wales to end
The retail sale of peat in horticulture will end in Wales, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. Read more - members only
£1m research project to accelerate transition to peat-free
RHS and Government to part fund £1m project with growers and growing media manufacturers to find sustainable alternatives to peat in large-scale commercial operations. Read more - members only
HTA reassures members over peat ban
Following meetings with Government the HTA reassures members that exemptions to the peat ban would be in place well beyond 2024 for professionally grown plants. Read more - members only
Greenwood Plants named ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’
Greenwood Plants has been named ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ at the 2022 Central South Business Awards, held at the prestigious Ageas Bowl in Southampton on 28th September. Read more - open to all
Five Ornamental Growers of the Year
Five winners of the first HTA Grower of the Year Awards were revealed at the HTA conference. They include Allensmore, Ball Colegrave and Palmstead. Read more - members only
SGD launch Manifesto for Sustainable Gardens & Landscapes
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has published a Manifesto for Sustainable Gardens & Landscapes to present its declaration of intent and to establish principles and methodologies that encourage its Members and Affiliated Business Partners to create gardens and landscapes where sustainability comes first. Read more - open to all
Defra reveals date to end peat use by growers
Widespread concern as Government announces professional growers will be required to cease using peat 4 years earlier than expected. Read more - members only
'Say No to Plastic Grass & Plants' campaign
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has launched the ‘Say No to Plastic Grass & Plants’ Campaign to raise awareness of the extreme environmental damage caused by artificial grass and plants and to encourage the landscape industry and the public to seek environmentally friendly alternatives. Read more - open to all
Impactful snow and cold this week
A major change in the weather is underway for the UK, according to the Met Office, as cold air moves in from the north, bringing snow, ice and low temperatures for many. Read more - members only
Driest February in 30 years for England
England had its driest February in 30 years according to figures from the Met Office, following significant spells of low temperature at the start of winter. Read more - members only
News from the aisles of the Garden Press Event
The 2023 Garden Press Event was filled with innovation driven by the quest for greater sustainability; and bloggers feeding the interest of younger plant lovers. Read more - members only
Gardeners invited to help solve aphid mystery
The RHS is calling on gardeners to send in sightings of the giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) to help learn more about this elusive species and the ways it interacts with garden plants. Read more - members only
We are one hot, dry spell away from drought
We are one hot, dry spell away from drought returning this summer, warns National Drought Group. Rainfall over the next three months will be vital. Read more - members only
Government unveils 5 year plant biosecurity strategy
The Government has set out a new five-year strategy to protect Britain’s plant health, native species and biosecurity, from the mounting threat of invasive pests and diseases. Read more - members only
The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up
2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all
New studies show environmental benefit of real Christmas trees
Ground-breaking new research shows that real Christmas trees provide a brilliant habitat for wildlife in the UK. Read more - open to all
Westland celebrates with EIGHT GIMA Awards
Sword of Honour in the 2022 GIMA Awards was won by Boost All Purpose Plant Food by Westland, who also scooped 7 other awards. Meadow View Stone retains the Supplier of the Year title. Read more - members only
Highfield Garden World invests in new solar panels
Within the next few days, Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire will be generating almost half of its electricity from the sun. Read more - open to all
Boningale Limited launches Sustainability Plan to make growing ‘greener’
Boningale Limited has signed up to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) ‘Sustainability Roadmap Supports pledge,’ publishing its own Sustainability Plan in response to climate and biodiversity issues. Read more - open to all
The future looks good for horticulture
Looking over the horizon, the HTA Conference hears that despite a gloomy economic outlook, the winds are set fair for our sector. Read more - members only
British Garden Centres to roll out rapid EV charging
British Garden Centres has partnered Osprey Charging with to roll out rapid EV charging across its UK stores. Read more - members only