Opperman Plants enters administration as sale process begins

Opperman Plants Ltd, the Lincolnshire‑based plant supplier, has entered administration after almost 30 years in business, with advisers now seeking a buyer while the company continues to trade. Read more - members only

STIGA wins three iF Design Awards for robotic and digital innovations

STIGA has secured three iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 titles, recognising excellence across its latest robotic mowing and digital solutions. Read more - open to all

GIMA Awards 2026 entries now open

The countdown is officially on. The GIMA Awards are returning on Thursday 12th November, bringing the garden retail industry together once again to recognise the ideas, innovation and people shaping the sector right now. Read more - open to all

Resilient garden centre sales in March

March 2025 was the 3rd 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

Plant Heritage aims to raise £10,000 in Earth Raise 2026

Plant Heritage joins Big Give Earth Raise 2026 aiming to raise £10,000 for plant conservation, supported by HelenLikesPlants and the Planting Design Collective ahead of RHS Chelsea.

Read more - open to all

William Murray, Kate Campbell and Sally-Anne Rees 

Strong sales and profits growth in FY25 for Squire’s Garden Centres

Squire’s Garden Centres’ accounts for the financial year ending July 31, 2025 show strong sales and profits growth in a period of acquisitions and investment. Read more - members only

Sarah Squire, Chairman with Oliver Turner, General Manager – Barnsfold  Liss

HTA steps up R&D backing on peat‑free growing and crop protection

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

GCA webinar to tackle business rates and lobbying

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.

Read more - open to all

Peter Burks is hosting the GCA’s Business Rates & Lobbying Government webinar

RHS previews first Badminton Flower Show

RHS unveils the line-up for the debut RHS Badminton Flower Show on the Badminton Estate from 8–12 July 2026, celebrating restorative gardens for people and the planet. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows Quiet by Sophie Leo

SOLEX World Cup Awards Night 2026 set to kick off in championship style

SOLEX launches summer in style as its third annual Awards & Afterparty returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 7 July 2026, reimagined as the SOLEX World Cup Awards Night celebration. Read more - open to all

Paul Sinha will host the SOLEX World Cup Awards Night

J. Parker’s celebrates women in horticulture

J. Parker’s hosted a Women in Horticulture morning at Daisy Nook Garden Centre, featuring speakers from Northern Lily, Perennial and RHS, inspiring networking and industry insight.

Read more - open to all

Daisy Nook Women in Horticulture Event

Bent family meets to discuss future of the family business

With its 90th anniversary coming up in 2027, Bents Garden & Home gathered the wider Bent family to think about what a “fourth generation” business could look like in practice. Read more - members only

Family working in the business: Helen, Matthew, Wendy, Ron, Rachel and Katherine

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