The HTA has announced a fully funded training initiative and says Government must give horticulture businesses greater certainty so they can invest in plants and green spaces as extreme weather becomes the new normal. Read more - members only

Despite record heat, UK garden centre revenues rose 2% in August.  Consumer confidence, the general economic outlook and the major purchase index are on the rise, says the HTA.  Updated Read more - members only

Bell Plantation Garden Centre, on Watling Street near Towcester, has joined the Prosper Garden Centre Buying Group, increasing its membership to ten independent, family-owned businesses. Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has extended the deadline for entries to the prestigious Grower of the Year Awards, giving more UK growers the opportunity to take part and celebrate their skills. The closing date for entries is now Friday 17 July 2026.

The countdown to the GIMA Awards 2026 is well underway, with record entry numbers and strong demand for tickets confirming this year's event is set to be one of the most successful in the awards' history. Read more - open to all

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

Irish Christmas Tree Growers (ICTG) will stage its annual Harvest Field Day at Laganvale Farm, Lisburn, Co Down, on Friday 2 October, with demonstrations of how drone technology can help growers. Read more - members only

Paris has been named Grand Winner of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026, with its initiative ‘Retrofitting Paris into a biodiversity friendly city’. Read more - members only

Leading garden retailers have been named in the Government’s latest National Minimum Wage enforcement round, published on 3 September 2026. Read more - members only

BHETA is advising suppliers and retailers to review where PFAS may appear in their products, packaging, and supply chains, as political, regulatory and retailer attention on so-called “forever chemicals” increases. Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Association has confirmed that its 2027 annual conference will take place in Stratford-upon-Avon, with delegates set to gather at the Crowne Plaza from January 24–27, 2027.

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