Garden centre sales, including catering, fell 3% behind a strong April 2025, according to the HTA.  It cited weaker consumer confidence for a 7% fall in customer transactions. Read more - members only

Horticultural Trades Association has reminded exhibitors that entries for the 2026 New Plant Awards close on 19 May. Read more - open to all

Horticultural Trades Association is recruiting three Non-Executive Directors to help guide strategy, governance and future growth across UK environmental horticulture. Read more - open to all

British Flowers Week will bring five days of installations, talks and after-hours events to the Garden Museum, spotlighting seasonal UK-grown blooms and the growers behind them. Read more - members only

GIMA members approved leadership changes at its AGM held on 26 March, with a new President and new faces joining the Council as some longstanding members stepped down.  Tributes were also paid to outgoing director Vicky Nuttall. Read more - members only

GIMA has confirmed an expanded speaker line-up for its 2026 Day Conference, where industry leaders will discuss supply chain challenges and future trends shaping the garden products sector.

Dobbies Garden Centres will headline GIMA’s April Buyer Connect event, giving suppliers one-to-one access to buyers to explore innovation and future ranging opportunities.

The Garden Centre Association is inviting members to nominate emerging talent for its new-look Rising Stars Academy 2026, with applications closing on February 28.

GCA members can now apply for the 2026 Dick Allen Scholarship, with up to three places available to attend the International GCA Congress in Germany.

Last week’s GCA conference heard how retail, the economy and even the weather are changing. Speakers including retail expert Mary Portas, and economists from HSBC, outlined strategies for garden centres. Read more - members only

Ruxley Manor, Old Railway Line, Brimsmore garden centres and Woodlodge take top GCA awards. Read more - members only

As we move into 2026, garden centre operators across the UK are reflecting on a successful 2025 and considering how best to navigate the uncertain year ahead. Read more - members only

B&Q will headline GIMA’s next Buyer Connect on 24 February 2026, giving members exclusive access to its buying team with a strong focus on sustainability-led innovation. Read more - open to all

HSBC’s Head of Retail & Leisure, James Sawley, will speak on retail trends at the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference, sharing insights to support garden centre financial strategy and growth.

In a record-breaking year The National Garden Scheme donated £3.9m to nursing and health charities, showing the power of gardens and garden visits for good causes. Read more - members only

The GIMA Awards have confirmed this year’s judging panel, as the industry gears up for another strong year of innovation, creativity and standout entries across the garden sector. Read more - open to all

Keukenhof, Lisse (NL) is entering its final week, with JUB Holland’s 2026 show border ‘The Field of Gold’ on display until 10 May. Read more - open to all

Horticultural Trades Association has confirmed Ed Byrne as evening host for Horticulture, The Conference 2026. Read more - open to all

The countdown is officially on. The GIMA Awards are returning on Thursday 12th November, bringing the garden retail industry together once again to recognise the ideas, innovation and people shaping the sector right now. Read more - open to all

Garden Re‑Leaf Day 2026 once again highlighted the remarkable generosity and camaraderie that define the garden industry, as supporters across the UK came together for Greenfingers Charity. Read more - open to all

Following its 2025 rebrand and continued investment, Durstons is expanding its sales team and seeking ambitious, commercially minded professionals to support growing demand. Read more - open to all

Last month, British Garden Centres hosted a visit from opposition MP, Priti Patel, and underlined the need for urgent political support with rising costs and regulatory pressures Read more - open to all

Edoardo Bortolato outlined how garden centres might improve margins and security at a very low cost by using AI.  Here’s a summary. Read more - members only

Gardenforum contacted garden centres across the UK after Christmas to understand the real impact of shoplifting and how businesses and the police are responding. Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) would like to congratulate its members, Hillier Nurseries, on winning the prestigious International Grower of the Year Award 2026, and Henil Vashi of Robin Tacchi Plants on winning Young International Grower of the Year 2026. Read more - open to all

Leading UK nurseries enter 2026 with cautious optimism, balancing hopes for modest growth against rising costs and market uncertainty especially over April and May. Read more - members only

Don’t delay – it’s time to get your application in for a Colegrave Seabrook Foundation Scholarship as the season is only open until 31^st January.  Read more - open to all

The UK government has announced a significant increase in the threshold for inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs, a move expected to provide substantial benefits to family-owned businesses within environmental horticulture. Read more - members only

Climate scientist Professor Tamsin Edwards will speak at the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference, sharing expert insight on climate change, uncertainty and environmental research relevant to the garden centre sector. Read more - open to all

MPs and members of the House of Lords met the trade at a reception in Westminster to hear calls for closer collaboration between industry and government to unlock Environmental Horticulture’s full potential. Read more - members only