Tree planting marks first event at the new HTA offices

A ceremonial tree planting to mark the 25th anniversary of the ENA, was the first event to be held at the new HTA offices, which look set to become a central hub for the industry. Read more - members only

HTA staff join members of the Amenity Suppliers group for the tree planting

Delegate numbers hit 250 for Bunnings BHETA Forum

250 delegates from the DIY, garden and housewares sector as well as members of the media are set to to attend the BHETA Networking Forum. Read more - members only

Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director PJ Davis

How Perennial helped over 1200 people last year

Perennial helped over 1,200 people last year battling illness, financial hardship, bereavement and disability. Read some of their stories. Read more - members only

Best brains in horticulture booked for GrowQuip

The Commercial Horticulture Association is bringing together the best brains in horticulture, many of whom have their own strategic success stories, to provide all growers with help in overcoming at least some of the problems they face in the day to day running of their businesses at Growquip in October. Read more - members only

Marshall Dirks

Turn old stock into gold for Greenfingers

Old stock donated by Scotts, Wyevale Nurseries and Wyevale Garden Centres has raised £2,300 at auction for Greenfingers. The charity is asking any company with unwanted stock to donate it to Turn Old into Gold. Read more - members only

Adam Dunnett at Wyevale Nurseries

B&Q sales up 3.6% like-for-like

Kingfisher figures for February to April show B&Q sales up 3.6% excluding impact of 10 more store closures. However seasonal sales were sharply lower. Read more - members only

Malcolm Scott Consultants has joined a well known firm of Midlands surveyors

Malcolm Scott Consultants has completed a deal to join Harris Lamb that will secure the long term future of the business and extend the services it can offer garden centres. Read more - members only

Malcolm Scott with Pat Downes of Harris Lamb

Thrive joins £1.3m garden project for dementia sufferers

Thrive will use its expertise to deliver training as part of a £1.3 million project to transform care home gardens to support people with dementia. Read more - members only

Telegraph opens online Garden Shop

Hayloft Plants has beaten bigger rivals to run The Telegraph online Garden Shop and is looking to add product. Read more - members only

How can we engage future generations through disruptive technology?

Watch a live debate with leading influencers on Garden Tags, a new blog site for gardening writers and gardeners, on the eve of the Garden Press Event. Read more - members only

Cultivation Street calls on garden centres to name their ambassadors

“We need to dispel the myth that garden centres are the place for experts,” said David Domoney. He is calling on every garden centre to nominate their ambassador and so build a network of mentors to help people and communities who would like to start growing. Read more - members only

“We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” Carol Paris

Carol Paris says, “We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” as Minister, George Eustace promises to do what he can to help the industry implement its new Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan. Read more - members only

Wet and stormy weather looks set to last through January

Wiseweather predicts that for much of January a succession of Atlantic lows will continue to push fronts across the UK with rain and at times strong winds. Read more - members only

Christmas and gift sales took off in October

Latest figures from the GCA Barometer of trade show how revenue from gifts and Christmas lines doubled in October. Outdoor plant sales were also good. Read more - members only

Brinsmore Gardens, Yeovil

After many changes in the law, did you know…?

A company can be held responsible for an employee’s behaviour on social media and travel from home to the first meeting should be paid for. GIMA members hear about many recent changes in legislation. Read more - members only

Pershore to install hydroponics lab

Pershore College adds to the growing interest in hydroponics and indoor gardening by introducing a hydroponics lab to teach future students the new growing techniques. Read more - members only

The new hybrid VydroFarm-FishPlant system at Pershore College

GCA looks for new inspectors

The GCA has started its search for 3 inspectors to replace Alyson Haywood, Andy Campbell and Ian Boardman who will stand down after next January’s conference. Read more - members only

Inspector Andy Campbell

Longacres buys Bybrook Barn

Longacres has bought Bybrook Barn Garden Centre in Ashford, Kent. This will be the third centre in the emerging group. Read more - members only

Nigel Long shakes hands on the deal with Terry Burch

3 of the 4 GCA inspectors step down

Ian Boardman, Andy Campbell and newly appointed Alyson Haywood are standing down from their roles as GCA inspectors this year (2016). Only Roger Crookes will continue as the GCA begins the search for replacements. Read more - members only

Alyson Haywood

Busy first day at the National Plant Show

Leading buyers, including a relieved Dobbies team, made an early start at the HTA National Plants show at Stoneleigh. New services were launched and some were concerned about exchange rates after the referendum vote. Read more - members only

Darby Nursery Stock’s Salvia Blue Marvel

News from the aisles of Chelsea

Taylors Bulbs presented Royal Celebration to Her Majesty the Queen. There was Gold for the new Hillier regime.  Guy Hands is pleased with progress of new management team. Minister inspects industry’s Sun Flower Square collaboration. Read more - members only

Minister, George Eustice with Carol Paris and Peter Seabrook

HTA declares neutral position on EU Referendum

Having consulted its members and got a mixed response, the HTA has decided to remain neutral in the debate over the future of the UK in Europe. Read more - members only

Challenging insights from HTA Technology Conference

‘If a consumer can’t buy from you at 10pm, they’ll go to Amazon.’ Are iBeacons the gadget to watch? Retailers say the surprise benefits of EPOS include finding out how often their gut feelings are wrong. Read more - members only

Globalisation has had a major impact on the ornamental horticulture industry

“It seems that the power-base for the production and market for ornamentals is changing,” says Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the AIPH. Read more - members only

Tim Briercliffe

Wiseweather hints at possible late Arctic shock

The long range weather forecast from Wiseweather suggests a more average February with a possible polar arctic shock at the end of the month or the beginning of March. Read more - members only

Garden centres are getting bigger but blander

Malcolm Scott says, “The danger is that garden centres are getting bigger and bigger, but blander and blander.” His colleague, Chris Primett explains how the new Garsons restaurant is different. Read more - members only

Garsons' new restaurant

Garden centres and DIY now have less than 60% of the market

Three recent reports show the growing importance of other channels for garden products. Read more - members only

Mintel estimate of market segmentation

Review of 2015 in the Garden Industry

2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more - open to all

Bicester, one of the 8 garden centres bought by Black Rock for £112.5m

How Bonnington Plastics beat substitute sellers on Amazon

Bonnington Plastics offers to share with other manufacturers the tactics it used to beat the substitute sellers who were costing the company £50,000 a year. Read more - members only

Customers responding to this advert wrongly believed they were buying the genuine product

November is forecast to continue milder and drier than average

Wiseweather predicts a cooler spell at the end of next week in an otherwise mild month. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive