2017 growth for Blue Diamond, but “With a weakening economy over the coming years almost a certainty, pressures on margin are likely to mount as the marketplace becomes more fiercely competitive,” says MD Alan Roper. Read more - members only

A year of rapid growth following the purchase of William Sinclair, has been followed by 12 months to April 2017 when Westland Horticulture sales have grown little. Pre-tax profits have improved despite the impact of a large bad debt. Read more - members only

A new mobile friendly trade portal unveiled by Farplants will mean plant buyers can check availability and order stock while standing by their display benches. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond has bought, Orchard Park, a North Dorset garden centre with planning consent to expand. Read more - members only

QD Group has confirmed Cherry Lane’s purchase of David’s Nurseries in Martin Hussingtree, Worcester from the administrators of the Home & Garden Group. Read more - members only

Former HTA chief, Carol Paris has set up Somerton, a new garden centre company that will trade as a franchise of Rosebourne.  Read more - members only

Third quarter results from Wesfarmers show a more resilient performance from BUKI (Bunnings UK and Ireland) as reports persist that it is prepared to offer ‘a dowry’ to potential purchasers of the former Homebase group. Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro is to purchase Sunlight Supply the largest US distributor of indoor-growing equipment strengthening its position in the medical marijuana market and indoor vegetable cultivation. Read more - members only

The rose grower Chessum Plants, a sister company to Home and Garden that appointed administrators last month, is for sale having also entered administration. Read more - members only

Gardman says Kings Lynn is fully operational again with over 1200 SKUs in stock and increasing as some lines are being flown in from the Far East. Read more - members only

David Millais of Millais Nurseries has been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as supplier of Rhododendrons and Magnolias.  Read more - open to all

Jonathan Halford, chairman of both Forest Garden and Gardman, is raising funds for CLIC Sargent by running in the London Marathon. Read more - open to all

Fryer's Garden Centre in Knutsford near Manchester wins garden centre of the year at the annual Blue Diamond Awards for the year of 2017 held at Coombe Abbey. Read more - open to all

It has been reported that Wesfarmers has appointed Lazard to find a buyer for Homebase. Articles also speculate that a CVA is a possible outcome. Read more - members only

It has been confirmed that the 9 garden centre Home & Garden Group has appointed the accountants Mazars as administrators on 27^th March. Read more - members only

Family owned Groves Nurseries in Bridport welcomed visitors for the first time last week to the Ivy House Kitchen, their new restaurant designed by Malcolm Scott Consultants.

The FT has listed Smart Garden Products in Europe’s 1000 most rapidly growing companies. Further growth seems certain as stock levels have been raised by 50% at its new warehouse. Read more - members only

Valagro, has announced that its subsidiary Maxicrop (UK) Ltd, has changed name to Valagro UK Ltd, selling to the professional market. Last year SBM took on sales to the domestic garden market. Read more - members only

Gardman is to run a TV advertising campaign leading up to the next bank holiday weekend. Catalogues with new ranges will appear during the summer. Read more - members only

Leighton Buzzard garden centre is the latest from the Home & Garden Group to be sold. This follows confirmation that QD Stores has acquired David’s Nurseries. One other is under new management. Read more - members only

A new, downy mildew resistant Busy Lizzie bred by Syngenta is to be unveiled by B&Q. The Busy Lizzie is back, said Tim Clapp, “This is the biggest thing I have been involved in over my 20 years in horticulture.” Read more - members only

Tildenet is looking for a sales and marketing director to look after its portfolio of brands and companies after it announced that Steve Millington is to leave the business. Read more - members only

Kingfisher CEO, Veronique Laury, has hinted that the future for B&Q would be to focus on smaller convenience stores, drawing on the success of Screwfix. Read more - members only

Dan Robson, MD of recent start-up Green Digit, has laid down a challenge to larger manufacturers: If a young start-up company can successfully sell products – across Europe - made from sustainable, biodegradable materials, then surely others can too. Read more - members only

Fewer independent garden centres will sell in future, said the owner of St Peter’s, Worcester. He also invited suppliers to consider running their gardening shops as a franchise. Read more - members only

Bunnings has opened its 24^th store in Somerset amid reports that private equity firms are eyeing a potential bid. The Aussie chairman is also visiting UK stores. Read more - members only

Klondykes’s Strikes Garden Centre at Stokesley in North Yorkshire was destroyed by fire on Friday night. Read more - members only

It was a tie in the judging for Notcutts’ best garden centre, while the pet and wild bird team won the best category prize at its recent annual awards evening. Read more - members only

Haskins Garden Centre group has re-opened its Christmas department across all centres, due to high demand from customers. Read more - open to all

Gardman have decided to reactivate operations at Kings Lynn as demolition starts on Daventry. Reps will be calling on customers from Monday to advise on availability and ordering. Read more - members only