The spittlelbug, native to the UK, is the chief carrier of Xylella in Southern Europe.  The RHS is asking gardeners and nature lovers to report spittle sightings to understand how Xylella might enter and spread here. Read more - members only

The new Welcome building that opens next month at the RHS Wisley garden will sell more unusual and rare plants from one place than anywhere else in the UK. Read more - members only

Consumers don’t trust business when it comes to the environment. The HTA sustainability Matters debate heard examples of garden companies ‘Doing the right thing’ but heard warnings of Green-wash and Green-mush. Read more - members only

US Jury finds glyphosate contributed to man’s cancer. Next it will decide whether Bayer (Monsanto) is liable. Also, the EU has named the four countries that will assess the future of the weedkiller within the EU. Read more - members only

The southern green shield bug, pear rust and the woolly aphid were of increasing concern among gardeners calling the RHS in 2018. Read more - members only

One of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries is now (March, 2019) using recyclable plant pots for all future retail plants that it’s currently potting. Read more - open to all

Neil Bragg from Bulrush Horticulture is the new chairman of the Growing Media Association (GMA) with Ben Malin from Godwins taking on the role of vice-chairman. Read more - open to all

Plant health and biosecurity were the key topics of the day at the HTA Healthy Plants, Healthy Business conference, in association with APHA, which took place at Horticulture House in Oxfordshire on 29 January 2019. Read more - open to all

During 2019 and into the future Chapel Cottage Plants will be trialling a new kerbside-recyclable carry tray alongside the introduction of new one and three litre pots. Read more - open to all

The AIPH has welcomed the UN’s proclamation that 2020 will be the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH), made by the UN General Assembly on 20^th December 2018 in Rome. Read more - members only

Defra has announced that the outdoor use of metaldehyde, the active ingredient in many slug pellets, will be phased out over 18 months, with its sale for outdoor use banned from next July. Read more - members only

The UK’s most comprehensive picture yet of how the climate could change over the next century has been launched today by Environment Secretary Michael Gove. Read more - members only

A survey by BBC Gardeners’ World magazine has revealed the overwhelming majority of gardeners think the amount of plastic used in gardening is a problem and believe it is the responsibility of manufacturers and retailers to address the issue. Read more - members only

Grown in Britain is launching a campaign to encourage UK consumers to buy more assured British grown Christmas trees, saying many retailers and consumers may be assuming they are buying fresh British grown trees, when they are not. Read more - open to all

The HTA has urged the UK to remain vigilant after Xylella fastidiosa has been found in Belgium for the first time, on olive trees imported from Spain. Read more - members only

Top retailer and supplier brands attended BHETA’s workshop, to discuss its responsible knife retailing campaign.  The first actions in the responsible retailing campaign will be announced within weeks. Read more - members only

The HTA’s sustainability matters conference discussed pots. Why Taupe? Is it better to recycle, reuse or are biodegradable pots a way forward? Should there be an industry agreed policy? Read more - members only

Government asks public not to bring back any plants or seeds, flowers, fruit or vegetables to the UK Plants as they can carry pests and diseases that would destroy UK plants, trees and crops. Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling on gardeners to help locate a beneficial garden slug that could be on the verge of extinction in the UK. Read more - members only

Hillier nursery director, Hossein Arshadi, says schemes to halt spread of pests and disease are inadequate and create a false sense of security.  He calls for a ban on imports of host plants. Read more - members only

What is thought to be the country’s first colony of a species of webspinners was discovered in the glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey last summer. Further evidence, it says, of the impact globalisation is having on our gardens. Read more - open to all

BALI calls for dialogue between turf suppliers and users to manage shortages.  The turf industry needs a warm, wet spring to recharge stocks. Read more - members only

The recently launched Plant Healthy website provides a self-assessment tool for business to improve their plant health practises to protect the horticultural supply chain from damaging pest and diseases. Read more - members only

Following the occasional colder snap so far this winter, The Met Office has detected signs that cold winter weather resulting from a sudden stratospheric warming is on the way for the UK.

Here’s your chance to catch up with some of the events in the retail garden sector that you may have missed. It was a turbulent year with the collapse of Gardman; around 60 garden centres changing hands or closing, Wyevale, Bunnings, Snow and drought. This is open to all. Read more - open to all

The RHS and David Austin Roses join new research to fight the emerging threat of the Rose rosette virus, which has been responsible for the destruction of entire collections in the USA and Canada.  Read more - members only

It will come as no surprise to hear that gardeners and wildlife lovers go hand in hand. The latest HTA Market Information special feature on wildlife looks at the crossover in demographics and interests between keen gardeners and those who love wildlife. Read more - open to all

The old ways of doing things won’t open new doors.  Cultivating Retail heard how Millennials’ different lifestyle and technology are disrupting shopping. Read more - members only

According to the latest HTA trend report (Peak Plastic? Changing consumer perspectives of plastic and recycling) 95% of consumers agree that it’s important for businesses to design products that have less plastic in.  Read more - open to all

Each year, Agricultural businesses let tonnes of glass go to waste instead of recycling – but an innovative new service is set to change the landscape of recycling in the area. Read more - open to all