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

Westland celebrate receiving the 2022 Sword of Excellence

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

HTA Chairman, James Barnes

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

The BGC hub at Carmarthen will be similar to Osprey's 8-charger hub in Brackley

Compost bag recycling scheme aims at 40m bags a year

Veolia and Miracle-Gro are extending the recycling scheme for plastic compost bags in garden centres with the aim of diverting 40m bags from landfill. Read more - members only

Yorkshire added to areas of drought

Last week the number of drought areas was extended to the South West, parts of Southern and Central England and the East of England. Today Yorkshire has been added. Read more - members only

Hosepipe ban for the Southeast is announced

As a second hosepipe ban has been announced starting on August 12 at South East Water.  It encourages garden centres to set an example and use watering cans where possible. Read more - members only

First hosepipe ban announced

Southern Water has introduced a Temporary Use Ban from 5 August 2022 in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.  Will other regions follow? Read more - members only

Guernsey bans retail sale of Glyphosate

From 31 October 2022 retailers on Guernsey will no longer be able to sell products containing glyphosate for use in the garden or as an amateur product. Read more - members only

How to identify ‘things that go buzz’

As summer arrives, and ‘sting season’ sets in, experts at a national trade body are urging gardeners to learn more about ‘things that go buzz’. Read more - open to all

Asian hornet

How our gardens can help the climate emergency

Gardens and landscapes which support and encourage nature can offer one of the best defences against climate change, and with nearly 23 million domestic gardens in the UK, we really can make a difference to the planet’s future if we work together to harness their full potential.
Read more - open to all

Garden by Lorenzo Soprani Volpini MSGD.

We are now Carbon Neutral – Forest Garden

Worcestershire-based Forest Garden has become carbon neutral.  It has ensured that everything from sourcing to sawing, manufacturing to haulage is now carbon neutral. Read more - open to all

Major new exhibit has been installed in the Eden Project

New Costa Rica Eco Lodge exhibit and exclusive event share world-leading regeneration message. Read more - open to all

£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

RHS Hilltop: Home of Gardening Science

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

Peat-free growing media

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

Paul Sinha, Greenwood's Melanie Asker & Ellie Coutts (Marketing Mgr), Hazel Warwick (Business South)

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

Allensmore MD, Mark Taylor with new HTA President, Alan Down

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

Image: Tracy McQue MSGD

Monty Don's Appeal for the Soil Association

Horticulturist, farmer and writer Monty Don will be broadcasting a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the Soil Association on Sunday 28th August. Read more - members only

 Monty Don - credit Marsha Arnold

Saving the planet one blade of grass at a time

Johnsons Lawn Seed explains how lawns and other grassy areas are truly eco-friendly. Read more - open to all

Hosepipe ban for London and the Thames Valley

Thames Water which serves 15 million people across London and the Thames Valley is the latest to warn of an intended hosepipe ban. Read more - members only

Wood volumes overtake peat in retail compost

The HTA reveals a dramatic drop in the amount of peat used in compost as the industry awaits delayed Government legislation. Read more - members only

Allensmore production in earlier years

Meta’s award-winning Chelsea Flower Show Garden opens to the public

Meta and the National Forest have teamed up to re-home Joe Perkin’s gold medal-winning garden from this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show: The Meta Garden: Growing the Future. The garden will be revealed today at Conkers Discovery Centre, at the heart of the National Forest in Leicestershire. Read more - open to all

GCA members to discuss sustainability

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will have the opportunity to discuss their centre’s approach to sustainability with other members and experts from the industry during a webinar taking place this month (July 2022). Read more - open to all

What will our industry look like in 2030?

The HTA Conference 2022, in September, is an important opportunity for business leaders to step back from their day to day challenges and peer over the horizon.  “What should we do today …?” Read more - members only

New ornamental grower awards announced

New Ornamental Grower of the Year Awards will recognise and celebrate best practices in sustainable ornamental production.  Winners will get automatic entry to IGOTY. Read more - members only

elho celebrates becoming the first European company to be certified by TÜV

Sustainable plant pot manufacturer, elho, has become the first in Europe to be certified by TÜV , a technical inspection association that ensures products are safe and comply with regional, national and international regulations. Read more - open to all

Vibia Campana vertical forest

RHS scientists record first rockrose prickly leaf beetle in the UK

The discovery of the rockrose prickly leaf beetle (Dicladispa testacea) is the first time the species has been recorded in Britain. It was identified from adult beetles on its name-sake plant - the rockrose (Cistus) - in a garden in Surrey. Read more - open to all

Rockrose prickly leaf beetles (Dicladispa testacea)

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive