Applications for Scholarships are open until the end of January

The 31st January sees the closing of the application season for the varied range of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships for 2023. Bursaries from £500 up to £5,000 are available. Read more - open to all

Jessica Mears

New chair for the Tillington Group

The Tillington Group has announced that Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres, has taken over the chairmanship of the Tillington Group from Dennis Espley. Read more - members only

Caroline Owen

Christmas sales down -14% in November

November figures from the GCA show sales were lower than last year in almost every category except garden centre restaurants. Read more - members only

Garden Centre Christmas display winners

Brimsmore Gardens and Garsons Garden Centre Esher have been announced as the national winners of the 2022 Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual Christmas display competition. Read more - members only

 Brimsmore Gardens winning Christmas displays

David Austin Roses becomes the final Key Partner for the YPHA

The Young People in Horticulture Association has revealed David Austin Roses as their final key partner for 2023-2024, joining Floramedia, Boningale, ICL and the RHS. Read more - members only

Extended support for garden Centres in Hunt’s autumn statement

The Autumn Statement by Jeremy Hunt aimed particular support at the much-beleaguered hospitality, leisure and retail sector, meaning that garden centres and farm shops will benefit from increased and extended relief. Read more - open to all

A sharp increase in catering sales props up garden centres

GCA figures for October show that garden centre sales were -5% lower than last year.  Excluding a big uplift in catering income, product sales were down -11%. Read more - members only

Houseplants at Dobbies Tewkesbury

Suppliers can secure exclusive meeting with leading US garden specialist

Suppliers can secure exclusive online meeting with leading US garden specialist retailer, Gardener’s Supply Company, via Gardenex. Read more - open to all

Be Safe – Be Sure – Be LOFA Assured

The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association is made up of the best brands within the outdoor leisure industry and the products they supply are not only of the highest quality but also safe.  Read more - open to all

Great news for students studying horticulture

Smart Garden Products is giving some fantastic support to the recipients of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships. Read more - open to all

Smart MD Jonathan Stobart with Chair of Trustees Jeff Colegrave

Choice celebrates 20 years and names Westland as top supplier

Choice Marketing celebrated its 20th anniversary with a convention for 300 members and suppliers.  Awards were presented to Westland and other top suppliers. Read more - members only

Michelle de Lavis Trafford and Terry Maywood

Perennial's successful free service for physio treatment

In line with its ongoing commitment to raising awareness of good health and wellbeing in the industry, Perennial the charity for people in horticulture, has referred 70 people for physiotherapy since launching its free service last year. Read more - open to all

New Chief Executive to take HTA to next level

The HTA has named Fran Barnes as the new Chief Executive.  With the recent additions of directors of Marketing and of Public Affairs it has a new management team. Read more - open to all

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

Colegrave Seabrook opens for new scholarship applications

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, which supports students studying Horticulture at UK colleges and universities, announces the opening of the application season for scholarships. Read more - open to all

Training at Floranova

BPOA Technical Conference 1st February 2023

Last chance for the early bird ticket offer which ends on 6th January 2023 - don’t leave it too late to book your ticket at the special offer rate! Read more - open to all

The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up

2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all

The YPHA - a game changer for young people in horticulture

45,000 visas for seasonal workers in horticulture

Daffodil growers recognised as Defra increases by 50% the number of seasonal workers allocated for businesses in edible and ornamental horticulture next year. Read more - members only

Nicholas Saphir re-appointed as Chair of the AHDB

The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023.  Read more - open to all

Nicholas Saphir

Peter Burks to become GCA Chief Executive

Former GCA chairman Peter Burks is to become the new CEO of the Garden Centre Association, starting in January. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. Read more - open to all

Allensmore reaches final for International Grower of the Year

Allensmore reaches the final 10 from growers around the world in the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2023. Read more - members only

Become a Perennial Mental Health First Aid Ambassador

Perennial is calling for organisations to become ambassadors and participate in its Mental Health First Aider training programme. As part of the charity’s health and wellbeing focus the programme aims to put more Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. Read more - open to all

Perennial introduces ‘nudge’

Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is introducing a new service called ‘nudge’ to support the financial wellbeing of people in the industry.   Read more - open to all

RHS becomes key backer for Young People in Horticulture

The RHS has signed to become a YPHA Key Partner for 2023 and 2024.  It will be the 5th to back the 300 strong group of young people in horticulture.    Read more - members only

YPHA members at the RHS

Perennial offers home for rent within community housing

Perennial, the charity for people in horticulture, is offering a home for rent within its community housing for retired horticulturists near Cambridge. Read more - open to all

Rory Bremner to host 2022 GIMA Awards

Renowned impressionist, comedian, satirist and columnist, Rory Bremner, has been confirmed as the host of the 2022 GIMA Awards. Read more - members only

Rory Bremner

Alan Titchmarsh MBE to be patron of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation

Horticulturalist and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh has agreed to be the new Patron of The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, the charity which supports students studying horticulture. Read more - open to all

Alan Titchmarsh with the Peter Seabrook Sweet Pea at Chelsea in 2022

LOFA partners with Perennial to promote health

LOFA pledges £20,000 to Perennial and sponsors an Interactive Health Kiosk offering a Health MOT, an early warning of potential health problems, to visitors at industry events. Read more - members only

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

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive