The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced key programme highlights for Horticulture, The Conference, taking place at London’s Barbican Centre on Thursday 24 September 2026. Read more - open to all

Christie & Co has announced the sale of Pillaton Garden Centre, an established garden centre near Penkridge in South Staffordshire. Read more - members only

Applications have opened for the second Young People in Horticulture Association management development programme, with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation confirmed as headline sponsor. Read more - open to all

The HTA, in partnership with Novuna Consumer Finance, has launched a new service enabling garden centre members to offer their customers the option of spreading the cost of higher value purchases. Read more - members only

Volatile weather and weak consumer confidence remained headwinds to garden centre performance in June 2026.  Yet, thanks to catering growth, HTA figures for the year to date show sales just -1% behind 2025. Read more - members only

A difficult spring season set the tone at this year’s National Plant Show, with growers and retailers reflecting on challenging weather and rising costs. Read more - members only

GIMA has launched Gardenex, a dedicated international trade service that will help members explore new markets, build global partnerships and create fresh business opportunities worldwide. Read more - open to all

Strong supplier demand has made GIMA’s upcoming Buyer Connect event with The Tillington Group one of the organisation’s biggest buyer engagement initiatives ahead of 2026.

A collaboration between the HTA and the BOA will enable growers in environmental horticulture to benefit from the release of more than £334,000 of grants over the next three years. Read more - members only

The RHS and APHA will join forces on a new £3million National Centre for Environmental Horticulture Plant Health that will research and help mitigate existing and emerging threats to our green spaces. Read more - members only

GIMA Buyer Connect at Dobbies Garden Centres brought 40+ suppliers together for product discussions and future ranging opportunities. Read more - open to all

Garden centre operators were briefed on the forthcoming 2026 business rates revaluation during a GCA webinar led by Stephen Hornby, partner at Newmark a long‑standing adviser to the sector. Read more - members only

A new Voices of Retail report from Spring & Autumn Fair and wholesale platform Faire suggests that Britain’s high street is evolving rather than declining. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is hosting a free members’ webinar next week (April 24, 2026) examining the latest changes to business rates and the industry’s ongoing engagement with the Government.

Fothergill’s recently opened its trial grounds to journalists, influencers and bloggers. Three years after the founding family sold the business to Harwood, the company’s direction is clear. Read more - members only

GIMA is using its Gardenex export service to bring a group of international buyers to Glee 2026 (8 to 10 Sept, NEC Birmingham) for a programme of one-to-one hosted meetings with exhibitors. Read more - members only

Two recent CSF-backed initiatives have given horticulture students practical industry insight, career inspiration, valuable professional connections and a bit of fun with the Botanical University Challenge. Read more - members only

The RHS has confirmed a four-show programme for 2027, combining two established flagship events with a new city-centre festival in Bristol and the return of RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Read more - members only

Perennial looks back at 25 years since it widened its services to support all those working in, or retired from, horticulture — a shift that has helped thousands of people facing financial, health, career and life-changing challenges. Read more - open to all

GIMA's latest Buyer Connect event brought member suppliers together with The Tillington Group, creating valuable commercial discussions, new supplier introductions and future business opportunities.

Profits are under pressure in 2026 with rising costs and no growth in overall garden centre sales this year, so far, despite the warmest spring on record in England and Wales. Read more - members only

Fera has launched a redesigned website to make it easier for ornamental horticulture businesses to access expert support on plant health, biosecurity and regulation. Read more - members only

Garden Centre Association’s GROW e-learning platform has launched its 100th course, helping garden centre teams build knowledge on trees, horticulture and customer support.

See the dates and venues for GCA regional award meetings where members find out who has come top in their area annual inspections (May 2026). Read more - members only

Chestnut Nursery, the charitable garden centre in Poole, Dorset, is celebrating a double win at the prestigious Poole Local Business Awards 2026. Read more - open to all

Horticultural Trades Association showcased UK environmental horticulture at the first Flowers and Plants of Europe event at Europe House.

The HTA has confirmed the first keynote speakers for Horticulture, The Conference, which returns to London this September, with a strong focus on economics, politics and future planning for the UK garden industry. Read more - members only

The  Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is supporting UK growers with R&D into two areas where pressure continues to mount: the move away from peat and the shrinking toolbox of plant protection products (PPPs). Read more - members only

March 2025 was the 3^rd sunniest on record, so Garden Centres should be pleased that last month’s sales nearly matched.  However, additional cost pressures mean double digit growth is needed, says HTA. Read more - members only