Hillier nursery director calls for a plant import ban

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

Hossein Arshadi, divisional director at Hillier Nurseries

RHS finds new insect British type in Wisley glasshouse

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 to manage turf shortages

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

Website to help fight damaging pest and diseases

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

Red necked long horn beetle

Met office warns cold winter weather is on the way

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.

Read more - members only

Gardenforum reviews a turbulent year for garden retail

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

Gardman's fire started a turbulent year

Research to counter threat of emerging rose virus

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

Gardeners like wildlife… and wildlife lovers like gardening

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

Are you ready for the Millennials?

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

Hubbub makes it fun!

Plastics and Green issues on agenda for Cultivating Retail

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

Trewin Restorick, founder of Global Action Plan and the founding CEO of Hubbub

Agricultural businesses to be offered free recycling waste collections

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

Double digit increases in turf prices

Rolawn, a leading UK turf grower, has warned that prices are set to rise in the coming months, because of the extreme weather and rising costs. Read more - members only

There's a heatwave on the way

The Met Office says, the warm and dry weather is here to stay until at least the end of June and… we could be looking at similar conditions continuing into the start of July. Read more - members only

Press alerts on the oak processionary moth and the Spanish slug

National press highlights re-appearance of the oak processionary moth and the Spanish slug. Gardenforum looks into their threat and their spread. Read more - members only

2017 spread of the oak processionary moth by The Forestry Commission

Winters will be wetter in the North, but summers drier by 2100

A Met Office study into long term weather changes predicts wetter winters.  In contrast summers could be 50% drier in the North and Scotland with more extreme weather events by 2100. Read more - members only

Wyevale Nurseries phases in recyclable plant pots

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

Steve Reed Production Director recyclable taupe plant pots

Bragg is the new chair of the GMA

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

Neil Bragg is centre with green tie.  Steve Harper is 4th from left

Latest updates and key issues at Healthy Plants, Healthy Business conference

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

Chapel Cottage wages war on non-recyclable plastic

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

UN proclaims 2020 the International Year of Plant Health

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 20th December 2018 in Rome. Read more - members only

Defra bans sale of metaldehyde in 6 months

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

One of several popular slug killers containing metaldehyde

Met Office projects climate change for this century

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

75% think the amount of plastic used in gardening is a problem

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

New campaign urges consumers to buy British Christmas trees

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

Xylella found in Belgium

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

Hillier claims to be the first to grow in Taupe pots

In a move away from single use plastics, Hillier claims to be the first nursery in the UK to grow a commercially potted crop in a recyclable pot. Unlike black pots, Taupe can be detected by infra-red recycling equipment. Read more - members only

The safety of glyphosate is in the spotlight again

Bayer shares fell after a US court orders Monsanto to pay $289m and a Brazilian judge suspends glyphosate, in spite of a scientific consensus that the herbicide is not carcinogenic. Read more - members only

First Government Tree Health Resilience Strategy

“Once we leave the EU we will have the chance to … take swifter, more targeted action against serious threats like Xylella,” says Gove launching a strategy to protect England’s trees. Read more - members only

HTA action plan to reduce risk of devastation from Xylella

The HTA has created a 30-day action plan to raise awareness of the threat of Xylella fastidiosa and the potential devastation it poses to the horticultural industry. Read more - members only

Kyle’s dissertation contributes to a study published in BioControl Journal

The Plant Health Coordinator at one of the UK’s leading nurseries has contributed to a study published this month (April, 2018) in a leading scientific journal. Read more - open to all

Kyle Ross Plant Health Coordinator at Wyevale Nurseries

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive