Garden Centre sales hold up well despite the snow

With the threat of more snow interrupting last minute Christmas shopping, it appears that sales have so far proved resilient. But suppliers fear that garden centres will be cautious about re-stocking in the New Year. See more... Read more - members only

Further losses for garden suppliers

Latest results to be published on Gardenforum include suppliers Gardman, Decco, Europlants, Richard Sankey & Son and Smart Solar; plus the retailers, Coolings Nurseries, Castle Gardens Sherborne, Capital Gardens and Golden Acres. There was a sharp increase in profit for Danning and Symons. A number of garden suppliers are still making losses including Desch Plantpak, Deroma, Fiskars Brands UK, Forest Garden Group and Rowlinson Garden Products. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Otter spotted at Golden Acres coffee shop

The Dorset conservation success of the previously-threatened otter took an interesting turn on Monday, October 18, when an otter calmly wandered into the coffee shop at Golden Acres garden centre at West Parley! Read more - members only

RHS Britain in Bloom 2010 results announced

Falkland in Scotland has retained its title of Champion of Champions in the RHS 2010 Britain in Bloom Awards. The awards ceremony, attended by over 450 community and gardening champions, was held on Wednesday at the Centennial Centre in Birmingham, hosted by BBC Gardeners’ World and Edible Garden presenter, Alys Fowler. See more... Read more - members only

Glee New Product Awards 2010

Pop-up rain barrel/water butt scoops triple honours in the Glee New Product Awards. For a list of winners see More... Read more - members only

A garden without plants?

What will the garden of the future look like? According to a former Chair of the Society of Garden Designers, the idea of a garden without plants is a distinct possibility. See more... Read more - members only

Should we feed birds?

More than half of people with gardens feed birds, says Which? Gardening. But are we hindering or helping our feathered friends, it asks. See more... Read more - members only

Key garden companies defy the recession

Tools and mower businesses show the effects of the recession in the latest results to be published on Gardenforum. But Westland Horticulture, Webbs Garden Centres and Solus Garden & Leisure grew strongly. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Garden centres have lost the plot when it comes to inspiring new gardeners

There were harsh words for UK garden centres from Adam Pascoe and Christine Walkden at Adrian Bloom's conference about getting people switched on to plants. New initiatives from the US show how to remove the barriers for new gardeners. See more... Read more - members only

First-day success for National Plant Show

There was real enthusiasm from leading garden centres and from exhibitors on the first day of the first ever National Plant Show, which continues today. See more... Read more - members only

Hosepipe warnings in Lancashire

After what is probably the driest start to the year for more than 40 years, the threat of hosepipe bans is raising its head again. See more... Read more - members only

Government stops garden grabbing

Between 1997 and 2008, 25% of new houses were built on domestic gardens in what became known as garden grabbing. Government is now giving local authorities the power to control this. See more... Read more - members only

Results show gardening’s winners and losers

Gardenforum’s company results show Mr Fothergill’s, Hozelock, Allensmore Nurseries and Klondyke Group increased sales and profits in their recently released results for 2008/9. Others including Spear & Jackson Products, Adrian Hall, Haddonstone, Monro Horticulture and Marshalls had mixed fortunes. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Will this be the end of the Agricultural Wages Board?

With Caroline Spelman replacing Hilary Benn as Environment Secretary, what can the horticulture industry expect from the new Government? See more...
Read more - members only

April sunshine brings cheer to growers

April proves to be a bumper month for growers who report record trading weeks. See more... Read more - members only

Minister asks the Garden Industry for help

Environment Minister announces a national tree planting campaign and a White Paper for the New Year. He says the garden industry has a key role to play in the Coalition’s promotion of The Big Society. See more… Read more - members only

Highest shop price inflation since January

Overall shop price inflation increased to 2.2% in October from 1.9% in September. Food inflation increased to 4.4% in October from 4.0% in September. Non-food inflation increased to 1.1% from 0.7% in September. See more... Read more - members only

Clear the air meeting between GCA and GIMA set for January

There is to be a new forum to resolve the simmering rivalry between garden centres and their suppliers. Representatives from both sides of the industry are to meet on the eve of the GCA conference to sort out their differences – on the rugby pitch. See more... Read more - members only

By 2014 GCs will have only 22% of the garden product market

According to a report by MTW Research, the share of the garden products and equipment market taken by garden centres is continually being eroded by DIY, the high street and the Internet. As this continues, garden centres are migrating their offer and are becoming day out attractions. See more… Read more - members only

Results from Dobbies, Scotts, Garden & Leisure and ...

Retailers dominate the latest results on Gardenforum including Dobbies, Blue Diamond UK, The Garden and Leisure Group and The Garden Centre Group, which we have already reported on. Also released are the latest from The Scotts Company (UK). See 'more' for a summary of the latest additions to Company Results... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

The Glee Garden Angels are revealed

Glee Garden Angels, hosted by Gardenforum, is an exciting and different event at Glee this year. Based loosely on the BBC's Dragons Den, three Angels will offer advice and perhaps a little more, to companies bringing innovation to the garden sector. We can now reveal the identity of our Glee Garden Angels. See more... Read more - members only

Most retailers results show profits increased in 2009

2009 saw profit increases for Bents Garden Centre, Otter Nurseries, Polhill Garden Centre and OA Taylor & Sons Bulbs. There was a recovery in profits at Country Homes and Gardens, EP Barrus and Roundstone. See more for a summary of the latest additions to Company Results... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Major urban tree survey

Tree lovers are being encouraged to join in a major online survey being organised by the Natural History Museum. See more... Read more - members only

Hillier embraces new media

Hillier commits to a growing new media. Blogs from Chelsea, online video of new plants and now the webcasting of in-store events is propagating a new crop of customers. See more… Read more - members only

Industry fears VAT impact, but…

There have been mixed reactions from the industry to a VAT increase to 20% from 4th January. Retailers will have to decide whether to absorb the increase or move to the next price point. See more… Read more - members only

HTA outrage at AWB settlement

Outraged by the latest settlement figure imposed by the Agricultural Wages Board, David Gwyther says, "The AWB is demonstrating yet again that it is out of touch, out of date and, hopefully, out of time". See more... Read more - members only

Hillier nurseries make it 65

There was relief for Hillier Nurseries as they continued their record breaking run with a 65th gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Other gold winners included John Woods Nurseries, Taylors’ Walkers Bulbs, Raymond J Evison, Peter Beales Roses, Jacques Amand International and David Austin Roses. See more… Read more - members only

Cold chills Hillier’s hopes at Chelsea - follow their progress...

The cold weather has disrupted Hillier’s preparations for the Chelsea Flower Show and the nursery’s attempt to extend its unbroken run of 64 gold medals. Follow the Hillier progress day by day on their blog at www.hilliernurseries.blogspot.com. Click on the link below... Read more - members only

Older Brits want a Veg plot with a Greenhouse and a Hunky Gardener

What would Brits most like to add to their garden? A survey for B&Q shows it could be a hot spa, vegetable plot or greenhouse, but not a barbecue unless they are under 25. See more... Read more - members only

A hung parliament should not be bad for business

Ken Mayhew told GIMA delegates that a hung parliament should not harm business. However the recovery is very fragile and there is a risk that the pound could fall further. See more... Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive