Christmas tree prices, exporting plants to Holland and the identity of the next director general of the HTA were among the topics discussed in the aisles of the HTA National Plant Show. And, orders taken for immediate delivery were up. See more... Read more - members only

Which? Gardening launches a campaign for ‘Better Plants by Post’ saying too many people had experienced problems buying plants online or by mail order. David Austin Roses topped the best retailer list, but only 17% bought roses. See more... Read more - members only

GCA figures for May show that garden centre sales for the first 5 months of the year are almost 12% down on 2011. Outdoor plants and garden furniture have seen the biggest impact but furniture saw a slight recovery. See more... Read more - members only

The success of The Clothing Outlet's unmanned concession, recently opened at Moreton Park Garden Centre, has encouraged the company to look for more garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA has restructured its charges for The National Garden Gift Voucher to protect revenues and make it more rewarding for those that are active sellers. See more… Read more - members only

Two of the leading trade associations are joining forces over training. The HTA is encouraging its members to join training courses provided by GIMA in June. See more... Read more - members only

As of today, landscaping and turf businesses are exempt from the hosepipe ban. See more... Read more - members only

Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden returns for a second series on ITV 1 in June and garden centres will again be given prior notice of the plants and products to be featured. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA reports a mixed trading picture for garden centres and retail nurseries across the country this Bank Holiday weekend. Many felt that trade was better than expected given the gloomy weather, although trade was down like-for-like on last year. See more... Read more - members only

Plant breeders from Europe and the USA will bring an international flavour to the HTA’s National Plant Show this year. See more... Read more - members only

March sales were up 11.5% but April comparisons will be difficult says the GCA. It also calls on garden furniture suppliers to support its members who are frustrated by online competition. See more... Read more - members only

Tuesday’s talks failed to win an exemption from the hosepipe ban for landscapers even though car wash and window cleaning businesses can continue to use a hosepipe. Thames Water is to look at supplying non-potable water. See more... Read more - members only

Reports from HTA’s regional team suggest garden centre trade in the first three months of the year ended strongly, although sales over the Easter weekend proved disappointing. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies has announced a bursary worth £150k to be shared between schools, charities and community groups around its garden centres to encourage them to get growing. See more… Read more - members only

It is just two weeks until the first RHS National Gardening Week starts. Garden centres and nurseries planning events between 16 and 22 April should enter them on the new website. See more... Read more - members only

The National Trust has opened a secret plant propagation facility to ensure the survival of threatened plants at NT properties. It will also assist private plant collections. See more... Read more - members only

The judges will be kept busy at next week’s HTA National Plant Show, with 107 introductions to choose between for the Best New Plant Award. See more... Read more - members only

3 water companies in the SE will end their hosepipe bans tomorrow. But four companies will continue with the ban on domestic use of a hosepipe. See more... Read more - members only

Companies wishing to enter the GIMA Awards must do so before June 15. These provide unrivalled exposure for new products and marketing ideas launched within the last 12 months. See more... Read more - members only

36 applications have been received for the post of Director General of the HTA. The post has been vacant since the resignation of David Gwyther last November. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA is warning garden suppliers about overpayment fraud. Police have said a business in Worcester was inadvertently conned out of £40,000. See more... Read more - members only

Just entering the annual GIMA awards presents unrivalled exposure for any company launching a new gardening product. See more... Read more - members only

Encouraged by their experience in 8 garden centres so far, Roman Originals are hoping to open another 10 concessions each year for the next three years. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA has started the search for a new Director General – See Jobforum. The new DG will be expected to make it more relevant and more financially robust; and to represent the trade in the political arena. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA’s report on Garden Retail concludes that 2011 was a tough year and that there is more of the same for 2012 and beyond. With more competition from retailers such as Next, it believes garden businesses will develop ‘competitive positioning’. See more… Read more - members only

The uneasy pairing of Totally Tools & Totally DIY with Spring Fair has ended with the Totally Shows deciding to go it alone in Coventry in 2013. See more... Read more - members only

There are 3380 new plants in this year’s RHS Plant Finder. 540 suppliers are listed but some have had to withdraw due to damage to stocks from the hard winters. See more.... Read more - members only

From tomorrow over 20m people face a £1000 fine if they water a garden using a hosepipe. They will be able to continue to use drip irrigation but there are conditions. The terms of the water restrictions vary between the seven water companies. So where should garden centres go for advice? See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather suggests that it will continue to be drier than average with cold nights and frosts persisting through the month. Only the North West will see average levels of rain. Easter will be chilly with showers. See more... Read more - members only

First Franchise has teamed up with Bucknalls to provide a complete restaurant service for garden centres. All the retailer has to do is provide the space and take the rent. See more... Read more - members only