Uncontrolled overtime and employee lateness can quietly erode productivity, inflate costs, and negatively impact team morale. Whether overtime is approved or not, or lateness becomes habitual, the result is often the same: inconsistent performance, frustrated teams, and unnecessary payroll expense. The key is visibility and control.

With WorkForce Manager, businesses can take proactive steps to manage both ends of the spectrum. Lateness tolerance rules can be configured to reflect company policy, ensuring fairness while maintaining operational standards. Real-time dashboards provide clear visibility of lateness trends, making it easier to address issues early and support more informed employee reviews.

Importantly, flexibility is built in. Managers can adjust timings for one-off situations—such as a usually punctual employee arriving late—without disrupting overall reporting accuracy. This ensures policies are applied consistently, yet practically.

On the overtime side, sophisticated rules allow you to define exactly how extra time is handled. Whether it’s standard overtime or specific scenarios such as Bank Holiday working, everything is tracked and managed within the system. All overtime is presented through a central Approval screen, where managers can review, amend, approve for payroll, or convert hours into lieu time entitlement.

The result? Greater control, improved fairness, and a happier, more accountable workforce.

Take control of overtime and undertime before they impact your business.

Book a demo of WorkForce Manager today and see the difference for yourself.

Monty Miracle is celebrating huge successes, with five new listings and a revenue increase of 500% y/o/y – with a 100% score and Best Buy rating from independent consumer champion Which?.

The highly regarded outdoor cleaner has just been stocked in QD Stores, Cherry Lane Garden Centres and British Garden Centre Group, as well as MKM Building Supplies.

2026 Q1 saw the product’s listing stores increase by 270% across the whole of the UK, with the new 750ml and 2L bottles accounting for 25% of the growth.

All new customers have taken the Monty Miracle in-store merchandise units, with the eye-catching stand design and supporting marketing drawing shoppers in and driving strong sell-through from launch.

“This has been a fantastic start to the year for the team, and it is down to their hard work, research and of course the power of the product,” says Director Peter Beaumont. “We listened to what our customers had to say and we invested in cleaner, more impactful packaging, in-store sales tools and targeted marketing to drive traffic into store to buy.”

Monty Miracle works on a range of outdoor surfaces helping to lift and remove dirt, grime and other organic stains in minutes from stone, brick, render, wood, upvc, concrete & more, making it the ideal option for keeping driveways, paths, patios, fences, outdoor furniture, ornaments and walls. The product comes in a large 5L bottle, a 2L bottle and a 750ml spray bottle for more detailed, smaller tasks and the range also includes a Sealant to keep cleaned surfaces protected for longer, as well as Monty Miracle Artificial Grass Cleaner, which is the perfect product to rejuvenate and fragrance artificial grass.

The outdoor cleaner has recently been recognised with a Best Buy from Which? with a 100% score making it the best outdoor cleaning product on the market and has gained rave reviews from Good Housekeeping and Ideal Home, the latter praising it for getting decking looking “as good as new” - and the team is looking to capitalise on this ongoing rise in popularity by creating seasonal packs to continue to drive sales for retail customers through the Autumn period.

“It’s a hugely exciting time for the business,” says Peter. “We have millions of engagements on social media and are still expanding into North America as well as all over the UK. The team will be returning to leading trade shows GLEE this year with even more products and partnerships and we’re looking forward to conversations with our new, existing and potential retail customers about how we can support them as they sell our range.”

The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade shows April was a ‘resounding success’ for members – despite a slight year-on-year dip in sales (May 14, 2026).

The standout performer for the month was seeds & bulbs, which topped the category chart with an increase of +6.11%, closely followed by clothing (+5.92%) and catering (+4.55%).

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, says: “Despite the fall of almost 2% in overall sales this April, compared to April 2025, this is actually a resounding success when you acknowledge that last April was 26.65% up against April 2024.

“The weather has continued to be very variable and our garden centre members’ trading patterns have reflected that, with some very strong days, but also some poor ones. As expected, it is the gardening side that is seeing the most significant shortfalls, but it’s great to see that catering operations are still attracting customers in and growing their category. It’s also good to hear May started well and we’ve the promise of warm weather on its way too.”

The fourth category measured by the BoT that recorded positively was food hall/farm shop. It continued its steady performance showing a small uplift (+0.20%).

Those categories that were down in April 2026 when compared to 2025 include pets & aquatics (-0.60%), gifts (-1.60%), furniture & BBQ (-1.73%), garden sundries (-3.38%), houseplants (-3.52%), outdoor plants (-4.73%) and hard landscaping (-7.50%).

The GCA’s BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

For further information visit www.gca.org.uk.

As haulage costs continue to put pressure on the garden centre sector, Durston Garden Products has confirmed it is maintaining its delivery lead times and not applying any fuel surcharge, offering retailers much‑needed stability at the busiest point in the season.

With transport volatility now a major concern for garden centres, many suppliers have introduced surcharges or extended delivery windows. Durstons, however, has taken a different approach.

“We know retailers are concerned about haulage costs at the moment,” says Director Dan Durston. “We’re doing everything we can to keep costs down for them, which is why we’ve chosen not to add a fuel surcharge. We’re also sticking to our usual lead times — five days for a full load and ten days for a part‑load — because reliability is absolutely essential at this time of year.”

Strong stock position supports an extremely busy season

Despite a slow start to the season, demand has surged in recent weeks, driven by bank holidays and a sudden uplift in footfall. Durstons reports exceptionally high order volumes, with thousands of bags being ordered daily.

To support retailers through this spike, the Somerset‑based manufacturer has significant bagged stock, on the ground and ready to go, backed by a secure supply of raw materials.

“It has been relentless over the past week but we do have stock available and can meet demand on top‑up orders,” Dan adds. “If a retailer’s usual supplier is struggling or has let them down, Durstons can step in quickly. Having raw materials in place means we can keep production moving and maintain a reliable supply throughout the season.”

A dependable partner in an unpredictable year

At a time when transport costs, lead times and product availability are a cause for concern for many retailers, Durstons’ decision to hold prices and maintain service levels offers garden centres reassurance that their growing media supply is in safe hands.

The company’s stock position, consistent lead times and refusal to introduce surcharges underline Durstons’ commitment to supporting retailers through what is shaping up to be one of the most intense trading periods of the year.

Find out more

Retailers interested in strengthening their peat-free offer and supporting gardeners through the transition can find out more about Durstons’ award-winning range and point-of-sale support at www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or by calling 01458 442688.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, taking place next week, has sold out before opening its doors to the public for the first time since pre-covid, five years ago, as it works harder than ever to support critical RHS charitable work.

The capped 150,000 tickets help raise millions of pounds for RHS national community gardening programmes and science research to inform climate change adaptations.  

Last year money raised from RHS Chelsea was equivalent to that invested into RHS science and communities work. 

The RHS believes that the nation has never needed the joy of gardening so much.  History has shown that in uncertain times people turn to gardening and the RHS is seeing people increasingly turn to gardening for respite, enjoyment and as a way of doing something good for themselves, and the planet.

In April there were 4 million visits to the RHS website for gardening advice.  Since the beginning of the year nearly 9 million visits have been made to RHS online. 

The RHS is also celebrating its highest April for membership acquisition since the Covid gardening boom in 2021 and 2022 (therefore higher than any point in the past), with some 30K new people signed up for membership since 1 February, 9.7k signed up in April alone.  RHS Garden Wisley also had 176,000 visits this April (its second busiest April in history) and the new RHS Grow App had its biggest April with over 110K users across the month. 

Clare Matterson CBE, RHS Director General, says: “RHS Chelsea being a sellout show is great for gardening and the world famous event is our, and horticulture’s, most important fundraiser, enabling the RHS to support and work with thousands of community groups across the UK and provide scientifically backed gardening advice to millions of people.  

“This year at Chelsea we’ll also be announcing a new partnership, which will see a major investment boost into, and significantly more support for, community gardening nationally for even greater impact – watch this space.”

To further support the next generation of gardeners, the RHS is also lifting the gnome ban at RHS Chelsea and has invited celebrities to decorate gnomes to be auctioned off to raise funds for the RHS’ Campaign for School Gardening.  Celebrities painting gnomes include Cate Blanchett, Dame Mary Berry, Sir Brian May, Baroness Floella Benjamin, Tom Allen and Joanna Lumley.

One of the most hotly anticipated gardens in 2026 is The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden designed by Frances Tophill, who has been joined by Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh CBE on her journey creating the garden.  The garden encourages the nation to discover the joy of getting curious about gardening and the vital contribution plants make to the health of people, places and planet.  

All gardens at RHS Chelsea live on after the Show.  The RHS’ own feature gardens at Chelsea have been living on since 2016 and for decades the RHS has been encouraging gardens to be reused, repurposed and relocated after its shows.

Iconic British Brand, Range Rover, is the new 2026 headline sponsor of the RHS Chelsea and its Charity Gala Preview.  Celebrities helping to raise the profile of gardening and supporting the RHS by visiting the show this year include Sir Brian May, Miriam Margolyes, Dame Mary Berry, Adjoah Andoh, Joanna Lumley, Tom Allen, Kim Cattrall, Dominic West, Judi Love and Monica Galetti.

Clare finishes: “We encourage people not to buy tickets from touts or third parties.  Often sold for inflated prices there is no guarantee these are authentic and people risk being turned away at the gate.  Better to visit one of our five beautiful RHS Gardens or buy tickets for our exciting new Flower Shows in Badminton or Sandringham.”

The RHS is the UK’s Gardening Charity, founded in 1804, today the charity helps millions of people across the country garden and grow for health, happiness and the environment. With a mission to promote the Science, Art and Practice of Horticulture, the charity runs national grass roots school gardening and community gardening movements and conducts vital science research to help mitigate some of the biggest environmental challenges facing us today.

The Horticultural Trades Association member businesses are playing a vital role in this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with landscapers, designers, growers, retailers, and suppliers from across the country involved in three-quarters of the gardens on show.

Attracting around 160,000 visitors over five days, the world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show features 37 gardens this year. HTA members are involved in 27 of these gardens, showcasing the pinnacle of horticultural excellence.

The HTA represents the entire environmental horticulture and landscaping sector in the UK, supporting over 1,400 member businesses. These businesses, along with others in the environmental horticulture industry, employ more than 722,000 people in the UK. They also deliver environmental benefits, mitigate climate change, enhance health and wellbeing, and contribute £38 billion to the UK economy.

This year at Chelsea, 50 member businesses are providing a diverse range of services and products – from plants, trees, seeds, and bulbs to tools and various supplies for gardens, exhibits, and trade stands. More than a dozen businesses involved in garden construction this year are the HTA’s specialist landscaper and designer members, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), commented: “Our members are the backbone of the Chelsea Flower Show. They are the businesses that build Chelsea and bring it to life with the sights and smells along the main avenue and within the Great Pavilion. The HTA’s landscapers, designers, growers, retailers, and suppliers embody the skill, innovation, and excellence of the UK's environmental horticulture. Without their contributions, the Chelsea Flower Show would not be the extraordinary event we enjoy today. Best of luck to all our members participating in the judging categories, including show gardens, exhibits, trade stands, and Plant of the Year."

 Among the notable highlights this year:

• APL members involved in the construction of 17 show gardens, including Parkinson’s UK Garden (Landscape Associates), The Boodles Garden (designed by Catherine MacDonald from Landform Consultants and built by Gadd Brothers Trees and Landscapes), Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forest Garden (CJ Landscapes), YoungMinds Garden (Frogheath Landscapes), Alzheimer’s Society: Microbes and Minds Garden (Big Fish Landscapes), and A Little Garden of Shared Knowledge (designed by Katerina Kantalis).

• HTA member Crocus building The Tate Britain Show Garden, Crocus’ 39thgarden at Chelsea.

• APL member JJH Landscapes building the RHS x CITI Season of Abundance immersive installation at the Monument in the Great Pavilion.
• HTA member, Blue Diamond’s fully immersive, walk-through exhibit. It is the largest in the Great Pavilion at 240 square metres and will include more than 35 metres of walk-through pathways.
• HTA member Hortus Loci supplying around 30,000 perennials for the show.
• APL member, Garden House Design celebrating its 30th anniversary, with a garden trade stand designed by Cherry Carmen.
• HTA member Taylors Bulbs showcasing more than 40 varieties of daffodil in the Grand Pavilion. This year, it is launching ‘Wordsworth Golden’ to mark 100 years of The National Garden Scheme.

HTA members also play a significant role in the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year competition. This year, 13 of the 17 shortlisted plants are either being supplied or exhibited by HTA members. Frank P Matthews has entered its Prunus ‘Sumaura-fugenzo’ Japanese Lantern, which won the HTA New Plant Awards last year.

The Garden Centre Association has revealed the dates and venues for its summer regional award meetings when members find out who has come top in their area annual inspections.

Garden centres are encouraged to attend their area event happening at four locations nationwide and to bring their teams along too.

Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA, explains: “As our annual inspections come to an end, we’re pleased to see very encouraging early feedback. Members are now invited to attend their regional meeting to hear the results in full, as well as to explore best practice and new ideas from our inspectors and celebrate the announcement of this year’s category winners.”

The East region will meet at Scotsdale Garden Centre in Cambridgeshire on Monday, July 13 with inspectors Peter Walker and Mark Pitman.

The South East regional meeting will follow on Tuesday, July 14 at Birdworld at Haskins Forest Lodge in Surrey with inspector Colin Farquahar presenting his findings.

The North, Scotland and Northern Ireland meeting will also take place on Wednesday, July 15 with inspectors PhilMcCann and Mark Pitman at RHS Bridgewater in Greater Manchester.

Members in Midlands, Wales & West will meet on Thursday, July 16 at Gates Woodlands Hinckley with Alyson Haywood as the presiding inspector.

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

Peter adds: “Many GCA members say that our unique annual inspections and constructive feedback sessions are among the greatest benefits of membership. They are a powerful motivational and management tool, helping teams stay focused, proactive and committed to delivering their very best every day.

“Inspections take place without prior notice and garden centres cannot opt out. This approach ensures members consistently deliver excellent service and continue to raise customer service standards – a fundamental requirement for all GCA garden centres in order to maintain their membership.

“The results of the inspections form the basis for many GCA awards, including Destination Garden Centre of the Year, Garden Centre of the Year, Local Garden Centre of the Year Area Winners, Highly Commended and Most Improved Garden Centre. All centres scoring 75% or above receive the Highly Commended certificate.”

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

The HTA's monthly Market Update report shows that overall garden centre sales, including catering, fell by 3% in value in April 2026 compared to an exceptional April 2025. However, sales remained 22% ahead of April 2024. Consumer confidence also fell for a third consecutive month to -25 overall.

While weaker consumer confidence saw fewer customers visiting garden centres, with transactions down -7%, last month's warm and sunny weather helped offset spending. The UK's seventh-hottest April on record prompted those who did visit a garden centre to reach into their pockets, as average transaction values rose by 3% to £32.78 excluding VAT, and café and restaurant sales were up 6% compared to April 2025.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“As the sector looks ahead to the peak May trading period and RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this is a pivotal moment in the gardening calendar. April’s warm, sunny weather provided ideal gardening conditions, but the latest figures show many consumers remain cautious as wider cost pressures continue to bite.

“After an exceptionally strong April last year, a 3% dip in overall garden centre sales this April is not unexpected for more typical seasonal trading. Sales were still 22% higher than in April 2024, which saw excessive rainfall and shows just how closely our sector is tied to the weather.

“The more concerning figure is the 7% drop in customer transactions, with fewer people visiting a garden centre. This reflects the continued squeeze on household finances and the caution many are showing, as consumer confidence has now fallen for a third month in a row to its lowest level since October 2023. Higher energy costs and ongoing economic uncertainty are influencing how and when people choose to spend.

“Garden centres remain a good barometer of consumer sentiment. While footfall is down, those who do visit are still willing to spend, with average transaction values rising by 3% and café and restaurant sales increasing by 6%. This reinforces the role garden centres play as social, lifestyle and wellbeing destinations, alongside their retail offer.

“Gardening sales were down 5% compared to April 2025, but remained 27% ahead of April 2024. Against last year’s strong benchmark, bedding plants, hardy plants and indoor plants all saw declines, while seeds and bulbs delivered double‑digit growth, reflecting sustained interest in lower‑cost, grow‑your‑own gardening. Outdoor containers also continued to grow, supported by the spring phase of our Your Garden Year campaign focused on pots and planting.

“As we move through the peak May trading period, the coming weeks will be critical. While early spring weather has helped encourage spending, our latest Business Barometer shows rising costs are increasingly outstripping profits for many horticultural businesses. Energy, input, labour and regulatory pressures are tightening margins and forcing some businesses to delay investment. Garden centres have shown resilience so far this year, but rebuilding confidence, for both consumers and businesses, will be essential to sustaining growth through the remainder of the season.”

HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on the website.

The countdown to the 2026 GIMA Awards is well underway, with this year’s judging panel now officially confirmed ahead of what promises to be another fiercely contested awards programme.

Returning to Warwick Racecourse, entries will be assembled on 30th June ahead of judging taking place on 1st July, when leading retailers, buyers, editors and industry experts will come together to assess the very best new products, marketing initiatives and supplier achievements from across the garden retail sector.

And, if the first wave of entries is anything to go by, the judges are set for another challenging task, with the calibre of submissions remaining exceptionally high year after year. From product innovation and sustainability through to retail impact and marketing excellence, the GIMA Awards continue to represent a benchmark for achievement across the gardening industry.

This year’s judging panel brings together a broad spectrum of expertise from across retail, ecommerce, media and horticulture, including:

• Heidi Towse – Horticultural Content Manager at Blue Diamond Garden Centres and Trustee of Greenfingers Charity
• Nigel Long – Managing Director at Longacres Garden Centres
• Liz Brennan – Head of Gardening at Dobbies Garden Centres
• Selina Hammond – Senior Buyer at Perrywood Garden Centres
• Mark Bickerdike – Founder of Bickerdikes Garden Centre
• Roz Bridges – Ecommerce marketplace specialist with experience spanning Amazon, eBay and Argos Marketplace
• Steve Collinge – Managing Director of Insight Retail Group and Executive Editor of Insight DIY
• Matthew Ball – Range negotiator at Stax Trade Centres
• Veronica Lorraine – Gardening Editor and Associate Head of Features at The Sun
• Trevor Pfeiffer – Editor of leading trade magazine, Garden Trade News

Collectively, the panel represents decades of experience across buying, retail strategy, product development, sustainability, media and consumer engagement, ensuring entries are assessed from every possible commercial and creative angle.

Following the judging process, the winners will be unveiled at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 12th November at the Celtic Manor Resort, bringing together the industry to celebrate the people, products and businesses shaping the future of garden retail. 

Those planning ahead can currently take advantage of the Early Bird offer, with a 5% discount available on Gala Dinner bookings made and paid for by 29th May.

There is still time for suppliers, manufacturers and brands to submit their entries for this year’s awards programme. Whether you’ve launched game-changing products, delivered standout marketing campaigns or driven innovation behind the scenes, the GIMA Awards remain the ultimate opportunity to benchmark your business against the very best in the industry.

The deadline for Product Awards, Best POS, Marketing Awards, Associate of the Year and Supplier of the Year entries is Friday 29th May, whilst the deadline for the Export Achievement Award is Friday 14th August.

To enter, secure your place at the awards ceremony and explore all award categories, visit GIMA Awards 2026

The Greenfingers Charity is preparing to help deliver the next chapter of one of RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026’s most celebrated gardens, after ‘Lifted by Birds’ captured both a Gold Medal and the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Designed by Tom Cave Saunders, Jon Pilling and Dr Amie Wheeldon, ‘Lifted by Birds’ struck a chord with visitors through its immersive celebration of British birdlife, naturalistic planting and richly layered habitats, earning widespread praise across the four-day festival.

Originally created for RHS Malvern Spring Festival by the award-winning design team alongside sponsors Pictorial Meadows, British Trust for Ornithology, Protect the Andes and Arthur Burns & Sons Stone Merchants, the garden will now go on to have a lasting legacy beyond the showground, as elements are carefully relocated and reimagined at the James Hopkins Trust in Gloucester with the support of Greenfingers Charity.

Reflecting on the planting approach behind the garden, designer Tom Cave Saunders explained that the scheme was designed to create a rich tapestry of habitat for birds, blending native planting within a meadow matrix supplied by sponsor Pictorial Meadows. He added that wildlife quickly moved into the space during the show, with layers of hawthorn, seasonal planting and delicate flax flowers helping create both visual beauty and valuable food sources for birds.

Following its success at Malvern, the garden’s next phase will see key elements thoughtfully adapted within the grounds of the James Hopkins Trust, transforming a dark, wooded area into a calming wildlife-rich environment for children, families, carers and hospice staff to enjoy.

Designed to encourage moments of reflection, connection and escape, the permanent space will offer opportunities to immerse in birdsong, planting and seasonal change, creating somewhere to breathe, remember, reflect and reconnect with nature.

The timeline for the build, which is also being supported by Paul Taylor Landscapes, long-time supporters of Greenfingers Charity, will begin in June, with work expected to complete in July ahead of the garden officially opening in the autumn.

Anne Price, Trust Director at the James Hopkins Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that ‘Lifted by Birds’ will find its permanent home here at the James Hopkins Trust. From the moment we saw the garden at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, it was clear just how special it was. not only visually, but emotionally too.

“The opportunity to transform part of our outdoor space into a peaceful, wildlife-rich environment for the children and families we support and for our staff is incredibly exciting. Nature and sensory experiences can play such an important role in wellbeing, offering moments of calm, escape and connection during what can often be very challenging times.

“We are enormously grateful to Greenfingers Charity, the garden designers, sponsors and everyone involved in making this possible. Their generosity, creativity and collaboration will leave a lasting legacy for the children, siblings, parents, carers and staff who spend time here for many years to come.”

Speaking about the response to the garden at Malvern, Greenfingers Charity Chairman Boyd Douglas-Davies said: “Everyone connected to the garden should feel enormously proud of what was achieved at Malvern. The response from visitors was phenomenal and it was wonderful to see the garden receive such well-deserved recognition.

“The garden was constantly drawing people in and one of the questions we were repeatedly asked was, ‘How long has it been here?’ People were genuinely amazed when they discovered it had only been created over a matter of weeks. The level of detailing and maturity within the planting was exceptional.  Tom, Jon and Amie did a brilliant job and everyone at Greenfingers was incredibly proud to stand alongside the garden and help tell the story of what comes next.

“What makes the story even more special is that the garden’s journey does not end at the showground. Through its relocation to the James Hopkins Trust in Gloucester, this beautiful space will continue to make a difference long after Malvern, creating somewhere children, families, carers and staff can spend time surrounded by nature.”

The relocation of ‘Lifted by Birds’ continues Greenfingers Charity’s growing work in helping ensure exceptional show gardens continue to make a meaningful impact long after the shows themselves have ended.

Recent projects have seen gardens and key features from major horticultural events carefully relocated to Greenfingers-supported hospice spaces across the UK, including Acorns Children’s Hospice, Chestnut Tree House and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Once complete at the James Hopkins Trust, ‘Lifted by Birds’ will provide a rich sensory environment designed to support wellbeing, while also showcasing how thoughtful collaboration across horticulture can create enduring spaces with real emotional value for children, families and carers.

Find out more

To date, Greenfingers Charity has created more than 70 hospice gardens across the UK, each one providing a vital, nature-filled space where children and families can spend time together away from clinical environments. With a further 11 gardens currently in progress, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the charity’s most significant years to date, bringing the benefits of therapeutic outdoor spaces to even more children, families and hospice communities across the country.

To find out more, including how to get involved in future fundraising events please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media by following @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Andrew Baker, Managing Director at Zest Outdoor Living, has successfully completed the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most iconic running events, while raising money for Zest’s chosen charities, Tenovus Cancer Support and North Wales Wildlife Trust.  

Andrew completed the race on 20th April in a time of 3:16:02. Boston was his 16th marathon and a long-held 'bucket list' goal, having qualified for the race by achieving the required qualifying standard at the end of 2024.

Widely regarded as the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious races in the sport, Boston is also one of the six World Marathon Majors. For Andrew, whose marathon journey has included races in London, Manchester, Berlin, Cologne and Valencia, taking part represented the achievement of a major personal ambition.

Andrew commented, “For a few years now, Boston has been the goal. It has taken a lot of early morning training runs, discipline, and consistency to get to this point, but qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon has made it all worthwhile.

“My training was far from ideal and was heavily impacted by injury, so just getting to the start line felt like an achievement in itself. To then complete the race, with my son Noah there supporting me, made it even more special.”

Andrew first took up running in 2010, he then went on to run his first marathon in 2012.

He explained, “I started running in 2010 by taking part in the Manchester 10k to raise money for Cancer Research UK following the loss of my dad. At the time, I had no intention of becoming a marathon runner, but getting involved in Zest and P&A Group’s annual charity fundraising gave me the motivation to take on new challenges — and from there, I eventually got the running bug.  I am probably a bit competitive with myself, but running has given me so much over the years. It is tough at first, but once you push through the initial challenges, the benefits can be life changing. It is more than exercise; it supports physical wellbeing, mental resilience and, through fundraising, gives us a chance to help others too.”

This year, Andrew used the Boston Marathon to raise awareness and funds for two charities chosen by Zest and the wider P&A Group.

“Tenovus Cancer Support does incredible work providing treatment, expert advice and support in the heart of the community. North Wales Wildlife Trust is brilliant at protecting and restoring wildlife and wild places across our region, while also helping people connect with and take action for nature. They are both causes we are proud to support.”

Since 2010, employees at Zest and the wider P&A Group have raised and donated more than £200,000 for a wide range of local and national charities, including MS Cymru, North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Dementia UK, British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Meningitis Now and MIND.

The Boston Marathon is just one part of this year’s fundraising activity. In June, colleagues from Zest and the wider P&A Group will also be taking on a 70 mile relay charity walk along the North Wales coast, continuing their efforts to support Tenovus Cancer Support and North Wales Wildlife Trust.

To donate to the 2026 charities, visit: https://www.p-a-group.com/charity

A collaboration between the Horticultural Trades Association and the British Ornamentals Association will enable growers in the environmental horticulture sector to benefit from the release of more than £334,000 in the form of grants over the next three years.

The HTA and BOA are working together to administer the AHDB Funds Scheme for ornamentals, which uses the remaining balances of horticulture levy payments made by growers to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). It was created after nearly 18 months of negotiation between AHDB, the British Growers Association, and sectoral trade and crop associations.

For ornamentals, the HTA and BOA will operate a bidding process, with grants available to support projects that benefit UK growers collectively. Grants can be awarded for a range of purposes, including research, development, grower events, and market development initiatives. Grants towards projects will be awarded based on feedback from growers and on the extent to which they are likely to deliver collective benefit to UK ornamentals growers.

David Denny, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: “As UK growers face one of the most difficult business environments in decades, this scheme provides a welcome opportunity to support work to support growth in UK production. It builds on HTA’s programme to unlock funding and R&D capability for the industry, such as the projects now underway with the RHS and Harper Adams University on wireless sensors for irrigation and vine weevil control.  We look forward to working with BOA and our grower community to progress projects that will deliver collective benefit for the sector.”

Robin Squance, Chair of the British Ornamentals Association Technical Committee, said: “Finally, some positive news about the AHDB Horticulture residual funds. Since the statutory levy ended, a significant pot of money has been sitting in limbo. The BOA and the HTA have been working tirelessly to unlock this cash. I’m pleased that we can now introduce the new funding model, which will allow nurseries to access these legacy AHDB funds. We invite growers to submit their requests that we know will benefit UK environmental horticulture production.”

The criteria

Funds allocated through the scheme must be used for work that provides a collective benefit to UK production rather than a benefit to one grower, organisation or a ‘closed group’ of bidders. 

Projects and activities that can be funded through the scheme must collectively benefit growers in the ornamentals sector and be for any of the following:

• Research
• Innovation
• Development
• Dissemination (including knowledge transfer)
• Grower or stakeholder events
• Communications
• Market development (domestic or export)

To find out more about the AHDB funds scheme, visit: hta.org.uk/ahdbscheme or britishornamentals.org/news/ahdb-legacy-funds-access

GTN April—May 2026, in this issue: Thriving horticultural businesses, growing and retailing, exclusive interview with Fran Barnes HTA Chief Executive - Vicky Nuttall, retiring Director of GIMA, on how the garden industry sector has developed - Get ready to play, register for the SOLEX 2026 After Party - Sea, sand and sci-fi, winners from the annual Blue Diamond Awards - Industry gets together for and other FUNdraising Garden Re-Leaf Day - Captivating curves from Fordingbridge - Sustainability in focus, seven pages of GTN’s spring Sustainability Directory - Shared perspectives from around the world, Adapt or Die - Story telling plants, GTN Planteria - One summer, a swallow does not make - HTA Viewpoint.

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Dobbies Garden Centres has announced its support for 53 local charities and community groups across the UK through its Dobbies Community Gardens initiative.

This year, the programme received hundreds of applications from deserving causes, with each of Dobbies’ 53 stores selecting a local garden project to support from the nominations received.

Through the initiative, Dobbies’ teams will help bring local projects to life by providing volunteer hours and product donations, including plants, compost, grow-your-own items and essential gardening tools.

The successful groups include a wide range of organisations such as schools, nurseries, care homes and community gardens, all working to create or enhance green spaces within their communities.

One of the projects is Age UK in Folkestone, selected by the Ashford store, which supports the wellbeing of people aged 55 and over. The centre provides a welcoming space for socialising, offering home-cooked meals and a variety of activities for local residents.

As part of its offer, the centre runs a small gardening club where members help maintain the grounds and grow flowers and vegetables for the community to enjoy. The garden plays an important role for their visitors, many of whom are elderly or living with disabilities.

With support from Dobbies, the gardening club will be able to enhance its outdoor space with flowers and shrubs for raised beds and containers, helping to create an even more vibrant and welcoming environment for the local community.

Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, said: “Thank you to everyone who applied to Dobbies Community Gardens this year. We received hundreds of entries from inspiring groups across the country, all with a shared passion for bringing their garden projects to life.

“Selecting the final projects has been incredibly difficult, but we’re proud to support 53 groups nationwide, one for every Dobbies’ store. Through this initiative, we’re helping communities to get growing while creating and enhancing green spaces for local people to enjoy. We’re looking forward to seeing how these projects develop and the positive difference they will make.”

Sandra Gillett, from Age UK Folkestone, said: “Thank you to Dobbies for supporting our visitors' centre where we run a small garden club to grow vegetables and flowers. We are looking for some help to add some flowering plants and shrubs to our raised beds to help add colour and brighten the day of everyone who visits."

For more information on Dobbies Community Gardens and to see the full list of selected groups, visit Dobbies Community Gardens | Dobbies Garden Centres

The Royal Horticultural Society and Animal and Plant Health Agency will join forces on a new £3 million National Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health that will research and help mitigate existing and emerging threats to our green spaces.

Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), it will see the two organisations work together in collaboration with industry and others to help protect the UK’s 23 million gardens and burgeoning horticultural trade, which contributes £38 billion to UK GDP and supports 722,000 jobs.

The Centre, operated virtually by staff based at APHA and RHS sites across the country, will engage with industry to identify areas of focus according to potential impact before researching solutions and management practices and sharing findings.

Example threats include Bemisia tabaci, an insect which is a vector for a range of highly damaging plant diseases; Phytophthora spp., part of a group of impactful water moulds that rates as the RHS’ second most reported plant health problem annually; and Rose Rosette virus, an often fatal pathogen of roses.

The RHS will also lean on its 600,000 members to raise awareness of biosecurity and track priorities for both industry and home gardeners nationally. In 2025, honey fungus and phytophthora root rots were amongst the most prevalent plant health problems in gardens according to enquiries to RHS Gardening advice.

The announcement of the Centre falls during Plant Health Week which runs from 11-17 May. More information can be found at National Plant Health Week.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spence said: "Climate change and globalisation are increasing the range and diversity of threats to our plants and this groundbreaking new centre marks a significant step forward in how we protect UK biosecurity. Bringing together expertise to deliver innovative research and science will help us stay ahead of emerging threats and better protect the country."

APHA Chief Executive, Richard Lewis said: "This is significant news as APHA, working with Defra and the RHS, continues to play a key role in maintaining the country’s biosecurity and protecting our borders from new and existing threats."

RHS Director of Science and Collections, Professor Alistair Griffiths said: "Collaboration between the RHS and APHA, alongside Defra and the environmental horticulture industry, is a vital step in strengthening plant health. By combining cutting-edge science with real-world horticultural expertise, we can support an industry that delivers significant economic, environmental and wellbeing benefits for gardeners and society."

The Centre aligns with the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain (2023–2028) and supports the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth through investment in innovation and technology.

The Greenfingers Charity is calling on garden centres, suppliers, and growers from across the UK to embrace all things loud, colourful and gloriously floral on Friday 12th June in support of the charity’s Kilimanjaro trekkers as they begin their once-in-a-lifetime ascent of Africa’s highest mountain.

The concept behind Floral Friday is simple. Wear something floral, share a photo using #FloralFriday and donate to support the trekkers and the creation of new hospice gardens for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

From Hawaiian shirts and botanical blazers to floral dresses and flower crowns, Floral Friday is designed to create a visible and uplifting wave of support right across the industry as the challenge gets underway.

Many across the sector will already know Floral Friday well, with the initiative having become a hugely popular fundraising fixture at Glee in recent years, alongside the wider success of Garden Re-Leaf Day.  Now, the Greenfingers Charity is encouraging the industry to bring that same energy, enthusiasm and floral flair to support the 23 trekkers taking on the eight-day climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Kilimanjaro team, made up of supporters from across the horticulture sector, has already raised more than £160,000 towards the creation of a brand-new Greenfingers garden at Naomi & Jacks hospice in Winchester.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “Floral Friday has always been one of those brilliant fundraising moments that the industry and many others completely get behind. It is fun, visible, full of personality and always creates an amazing sense of togetherness.

“With the trekkers beginning their climb on 12th June, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring Floral Friday back and turn it into a huge show of support for everyone taking part in this extraordinary challenge. We would love to see the industry really embrace it once again, whether that means full floral fancy dress, fundraising activities in-store, at work, in the garden or simply sharing photos and messages of encouragement online.”

Funds raised through the Kilimanjaro challenge will help create a peaceful and uplifting therapeutic garden at Naomi & Jacks, designed by award-winning landscape designer Helen Elks-Smith.

Throughout the day on June 12th, Greenfingers Charity will be sharing supporter photos, fundraising activity and updates from the mountain across its social media channels, helping create a collective send-off moment for the team.

Businesses are also being encouraged to create their own Floral Friday fundraising activities, from best dressed competitions and floral bake sales to team challenges and in-store fundraising.

Linda added: “One of the most special things about this industry is how quickly people rally together behind a good cause, and we have no doubt Floral Friday will once again bring out the very best of horticulture. We cannot wait to see the nation awash with florals on 12th June as everyone gets behind the trekkers and helps power them towards the summit.”

Show your support for the Greenfingers Kilimanjaro team

Standing at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. While it does not require technical climbing equipment, reaching the summit demands determination, endurance and teamwork

To show your support visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/greenfingers-kilimanjaro2026 and keep an eye on the Greenfingers socials to find out more about the trekkers upcoming events.

Napoleon Premium BBQs’ new OASIS 106 has arrived to elevate any outdoor living space and create the ultimate alfresco experience. With an RRP of £6,599.99 this is a true investment piece and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

With many Britons dreaming of creating their perfect outdoor kitchen setup this Summer, the OASIS 106 makes planning simple by being the perfect all-in-one solution, featuring Integrated Rotisserie, Rear LED Burner and Napoleon’s famous Sizzle Zone included as standard.

Integrating perfectly into any design scheme with its sleek matt black features and large cooking grill area, the OASIS 106 is as big on impact as it is on functionality. No running back and forth inside to the kitchen, this BBQ is designed to keep cooks in the centre of the action with everything they need to hand.

Each cabinet is built for durability, featuring matt black, powder coated, galvanneal. OASIS® modular island kits are also easy to install and there are knockouts for electrical, gas, and water, as well as easy-to-level feet.

A luxurious outdoor kitchen experience is guaranteed with an abundance of storage and workspace and a durable finish that will handle anything the elements can throw at it.

Key features include: 

• 700 Series 32-inch Gas Grill Head
• 4 Stainless Steel Main Burners
• 3432 cm² Total Cooking Area
• 75 x 46 cm Main Cooking Area
• 25.5cm Single Infrared Side Burner
• ACCU-PROBE™ Temperature Gauge
• Easy to Install with Self Levelling Feet
• Countertop
• Powder Coated Galvanneal Steel Cabinets
• Grill Covers

For more details on the Oasis 106 click HERE

Chestnut Nursery, the charitable garden centre in Poole, Dorset, is celebrating a double win at the prestigious Poole Local Business Awards 2026.

The garden centre, run by mental health charity Plants and Minds, was crowned joint winner of the Community Service Award – and also jointly picked up the sought-after Best Place to Work Award.

The Poole Local Business Awards, on 7 May, highlighted business excellence across the coastal region. The awards celebrate businesses, organisations and charities that that make a significant contribution to the local economy, while throwing the spotlight on entrepreneurial innovation and championing community spirit.

Announcing Chestnut as a winner of the Community Service Award, judges praised the work that Plants and Minds carries out to support adults with mental health challenges. They said: “Chestnut helps people to gain work experience, life skills and confidence, as well as providing a popular retail outlet for the whole community.”

Every week, Chestnut Nursery, known as ‘the little garden centre with a big heart’, supports around 45 adults with life-impacting mental health issues, known as team members, via its successful therapeutic horticulture programme.

Andy Verreck, Manager at Chestnut Nursery, said: “We are thrilled that the judges recognised the achievements of our team members, volunteer friends and colleagues, who have worked brilliantly as a team to make Chestnut the success it is today.

“Our team members have been through so much, and for many, Chestnut is their second home – a safe, inclusive and friendly environment that helps to break isolation, enhance wellbeing and equip people with the skills and confidence to move forward in life. We are deeply grateful to the judges for recognising Chestnut’s contribution to the community.” 

Team members are referred to Chestnut by professional services including GPs, social prescribers, Access Wellbeing Hubs and Community Mental Health Teams. The nursery is a welcoming, compassionate and non-pressurised ‘safe space’ - a thriving community asset that empowers adults to make friends, develop skills and achieve their ambitions.

With research showing that 25% of the UK population experiences a mental health problem in any one year, judges recognised that the number of Chestnut’s team members who have progressed into paid work has increased by an incredible 300% over the last six years, with many successfully moving into professions including teaching, social work, logistics, creative arts, retail and factory roles.

Chestnut was also announced as the joint Poole winner of the coveted Best Place to Work Award, with judges saying: “Chestnut was nominated by many involved as a fun but professional workplace where people make friends, learn skills and enjoy life.”

Chestnut, along with its sister project, Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth, are currently enjoying one of their busiest spring seasons ever. At Chestnut alone, the horticultural therapy programme is currently in the height of production, with team members growing almost 40,000 bedding plants and 3,500 perennials – as well as shrubs, climbers and exotic plants – for sale at the nursery.

The nursery, which has gained an enviable reputation for first-class horticulture and wow-factor plant displays, can be found at 75 Kingland Road, Poole BH15 1TN. Visit www.chestnutnursery.org.uk to find out more or call the nursery on 01202 685999.

Henton & Chattell has announced a major wave of new product launches for 2026 for Cobra, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s leading lawncare brands.

The latest range expansion spans professional sports turf equipment, commercial mowing solutions, cordless rear-roller mowers and new electric roller machines, demonstrating Cobra’s continued commitment to innovation, lawn performance and dealer-backed reliability.

Backed by Henton & Chattell’s 95 years of garden machinery expertise, the new introductions reflect Cobra’s strategy to support homeowners, estates, contractors and grounds professionals with high-performance equipment designed for modern lawncare demands.

Among the most significant developments for 2026 is Cobra’s move into new professional segments with the introduction of its Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower and its first ever zero-turn and stand-on commercial mowers.

Designed for football pitches, cricket squares, golf facilities, bowls greens and sports academies, the Fortis Stadium 34 delivers precision cylinder cutting and the immaculate striped finish required for elite playing surfaces. Available in Honda petrol or EGO battery-powered versions, the Fortis Stadium 34 gives grounds teams flexibility while maintaining professional performance. The mower is also compatible with the Fortis Turf Management Cartridge System, allowing operators to switch between aeration, scarification, verticutting and brushing functions with a single machine.

Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Cobra, said: “The Cobra range continues to grow year after year, but it’s particularly exciting to be expanding into new sectors such as professional sports turf and commercial mowing. With the Fortis Stadium and our new zero-turn and stand-on machines, we’re bringing Cobra’s reputation for reliability, precision and innovation to customers managing larger areas and professional landscapes.”

This year, Cobra will also be launching its first zero-turn and stand-on mowers. The new ZTR42L and ZTR50L zero-turn mowers deliver exceptional speed, manoeuvrability and productivity for contractors and estate managers maintaining large areas. Complementing these machines are the ZTS32L and ZTS36L stand-on mowers, designed for professional operators who require greater visibility and agility when navigating complex landscapes or working around obstacles.

Cobra has also expanded its ride-on portfolio with the addition of the LT74HRL Hydrostatic Lawn Rider, designed for homeowners managing larger.

Six new rear roller mowers will be added to the range, including the cordless RM4340VX, RM43SP40VX and RM51SP80VX powered by the 40V MAX+ lithium-ion system, as well as the GTRM electric roller range with the GTRM340, GTRM370 and GTRM400 offer varying widths for different garden sizes, combining rotary cutting with Cobra’s signature rear roller for professional-quality stripes in a lightweight, easy-to-use design.

Cobra’s continued product expansion reflects the brand’s commitment to supporting its nationwide network of specialist dealers, ensuring customers receive expert advice, servicing and dependable long-term support.

For more information on Cobra visit www.cobragarden.co.uk or to become a Cobra dealer, please contact Andy Marvin on: 07771 581 296 or call our sales team: 0115 986 6646 today.

Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres, one of the UK's most respected and long-standing horticultural brands, has signed as a Founding Retail Partner of Spacelift - the UK's first expert-led, AI-supported, garden design platform.

The partnership, the first in the UK gardening industry, creates a seamless bridge between digital garden design and real-world retail purchase, embedding the Hillier plant ranges directly into Spacelift’s design and recommendation engine.

For the retail garden and landscape trade, this is a landmark moment. Spacelift represents a genuinely new route to market: a platform that reaches consumers at the moment of peak intention - mid-design, mid-project, mid-inspiration, and converts that intent into a direct retail journey. As the platform's Founding Gardening Retail Partner, Hillier is first through the gate.

Launch at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

The collaboration launches at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2026, one of the UK's most commercially significant moments for the garden industry and comes at a time when the sector is actively seeking new digital pathways to growth. With consumers increasingly beginning their garden journey on a screen, the ability to meet customers at the point of inspiration, and guide them seamlessly to purchase, has never been more commercially valuable.

Consumer passion for gardens has never been higher, yet the industry has long faced a conversion challenge from the gap between a homeowner's inspiration and their first purchase. Spacelift was built precisely to close that gap.

The UK garden retail sector is also navigating a period of meaningful change. The well-documented pressures of rising overheads, business rates and shifting consumer habits accelerating the search for new commercial models. Digital routes to market are no longer a future consideration; they are an immediate strategic priority. Spacelift gives garden retailers a credible, proven opportunity to that question, with Hillier the first to recognise the opportunity.

How Spacelift works

Spacelift empowers homeowners to scan their outdoor space, select preferences from the platform’s style, planting and living prompts, and receive photorealistic garden designs rooted in the methodology of Matt Keightley - double RHS Chelsea Silver-Gilt Medallist, RHS People's Choice Award winner, and one of Britain's most acclaimed garden designers. From that design, users are guided to purchase the plants, materials and products required to bring it to life.

What the partnership means for Hillier

For Hillier, integration into the Spacelift platform means its products and plant ranges become part of the design journey from the outset, not a destination to remember, but a recommendation embedded at the point of inspiration, creating a stronger customer experience. Additionally, access to platform insights and emerging trends enables Hillier to better understand and serve its audience with more targeted, relevant offerings.

Maeve McDonald, Co-Founder and CEO of Spacelift, said: "The garden retail industry has the most passionate, knowledgeable customers of any sector in UK retail. The challenge has never been demand, it has been conversion. Spacelift is the infrastructure that takes a homeowner from 'I want this' to 'I'm buying this', and the Hillier products are the ones they'll find when they get there. Hillier as our Founding Retail Partner reflects everything we believe about who should occupy that position, heritage, horticultural authority, and genuine customer trust built over more than 160 years."

Shelley Sims, Head of Marketing at Hillier Nurseries, said: "Partnering with Spacelift marks an exciting step forward for our garden centres. This collaboration allows us to blend trusted gardening knowledge with cutting-edge AI, helping customers move seamlessly from inspiration to a beautifully designed outdoor space.”

RHS Chelsea Flower Show activation & launch

The partnership launches publicly in May 2026, aligned with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the single most influential event in the UK garden calendar, and the moment when consumer engagement with garden design reaches its annual peak. Hillier has a storied Chelsea history as the world record holder for RHS Chelsea Gold Medals.

Spacelift makes its public debut at the show with three show gardens designed using the platform. 

Spacelift is available from 18th May 2026. For trade enquiries about retail partnerships, or to discuss how Spacelift can work as a route for your business, contact the Spacelift team on alex@spaceliftapp.com. 

Following its successful launch last autumn, sustainable plant pot and garden accessory manufacturer elho has been awarded the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award 2026 for its b’s biodiversity collection.

The collection has been awarded the competition’s highest distinction, ‘Best of the Best’, given to fewer than one per cent of entries worldwide in recognition of outstanding design, functionality and innovation.

The accolade marks the brand’s second major design win for the range, following an earlier triumph at the iF Design Awards.

Raising the bar for biodiversity in garden retail

The b’s collection brings together cosy, essential and organic ranges as a connected offer, rather than a series of standalone products. Designed to support birds and insects, it reflects a more practical approach to integrating biodiversity into everyday gardening.

By combining functionality, accessibility and strong visual appeal, elho is positioning biodiversity not as a niche add-on, but as a core retail category with growing consumer demand.

Robbert Elderenbosch, Head of Innovation & Design at elho, commented: “The Red Dot Design Award goes beyond recognising design excellence for the b’s collection. It demonstrates how this category can and should evolve – simple to use, functional in purpose, and attractive enough to become a natural part of every garden or outdoor space. Crucially, every product is designed to have a positive impact on biodiversity, both in the back garden and beyond.”

Expert-led design with measurable impact

Developed alongside leading bird and insect specialists, the collection is designed to support wildlife in a meaningful way, going beyond aesthetics to deliver real ecological value.

Each product is created to deliver clear biodiversity benefits, from supporting pollinators to encouraging bird populations in urban and suburban environments. All items are manufactured from 100 per cent recycled plastic, aligning with demand for more sustainable garden solutions.

One standout innovation is the range’s birdhouses, which feature interchangeable entrance openings. This allows consumers to tailor them to attract specific bird species, a first for the market and a clear example of user-led ecological design.

Strong early demand at retail

Despite not yet completing a full season in-store, the collection has already attracted early interest from retailers, reinforcing its commercial potential.

For garden retailers, the b’s collection presents an opportunity to build a more engaging and educational category around biodiversity, combining clear storytelling, sustainability credentials and practical outcomes for consumers.

The dual award wins within a single month underline elho’s ambition to make biodiversity both accessible and appealing to a mainstream audience, while supporting retailers in meeting growing demand for wildlife-friendly gardening solutions.

The Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026 ceremony will take place on Tuesday 7 July 2026 in Essen, Germany.

The b’s collection can be viewed here: https://www.elho.com/en/collection/biodiversity/

Wyevale Nurseries has announced the appointment of Lisa Edwards as its new Finance Director – strengthening the company’s board as it continues to invest in its long‑term growth and development.

Lisa, who is an Associate Chartered Management Accountant, replaces Tim Fawbert who is leaving the business after three years to pursue a new opportunity outside horticulture with a European company.

Andy Johnson, Managing Director of Wyevale Nurseries, says: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa onto the Wyevale Nurseries’ board. She joins us already extremely conversant with the business and fits in perfectly.

“Having worked with Lisa as a consultant for five years, through a finance team reorganisation and as a key member of our IT development work, we know first‑hand the value she brings. The board and I are very much looking forward to working closely with her as we move into the next chapter of Wyevale Nurseries’ development.”

Since Lisa joined the company, as a consultant in 2021, she has played a key role within the finance department and has been closely involved in the company’s preparations for its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system upgrade.

Lisa says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of Finance Director at Wyevale Nurseries. Having already worked closely with the business for several years, I’m excited to now contribute at board level alongside such a great team.

“Wyevale Nurseries is an ambitious business with some really exciting projects underway, and I’m looking forward to supporting its continued development while helping embed strong financial understanding and accountability across the organisation.”

Prior to her current role, Lisa built a distinguished 35-year career in finance. She began in professional practice before transitioning into the automotive leasing and asset finance industry, where she developed extensive experience in Finance Director positions across the UK and Europe.

Throughout her career, she has successfully led teams spanning finance, planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, integration activities, and the establishment of a successful greenfield challenger asset finance business.

She adds: “Following the sale of my equity interest in this business in 2021, I leveraged the breadth of experience I had gained to support and enhance the finance functions of other organisations in a consultancy capacity. This ultimately led to my work with Wyevale Nurseries – and, as they say, the rest is history.”

In her new position, Lisa will work alongside the company’s Chairman, Heather Williamson and Andy, as Managing Director, to shape and deliver business strategy, provide leadership across the finance function and ensure robust financial controls, governance and reporting.

Her duties will include profit and loss, balance sheet and forecasting responsibilities, as well as value‑added reporting to drive performance improvement, ensuring robust financial controls and regulatory compliance. She will also support the IT and HR functions.

Andy paid tribute to Lisa’s predecessor, Tim, saying: “After a long career with L’Oréal, Tim joined us in 2022 and brought valuable non‑horticultural perspectives that helped us look at challenges and opportunities in new ways. He has made a significant contribution during his time with us, driving forward several important initiatives and I would like to thank him and wish him every success in his new role.”

Lisa lives in Malvern Wells and is originally from Sutton Coldfield. In her spare time, she enjoys walking on the Malvern Hills with her family and dogs.

Founded in 1930 and still family‑owned, Wyevale Nurseries manages 800 acres of production across multiple sites.

As a wholesale grower and supplier of trees, shrubs, hedging and herbaceous plants, Wyevale Nurseries serves the professional trade nationwide, including landscape contractors, local authorities, housebuilders, commercially run estates. It also sells to garden centres and plant retailers.

One of the last remaining large general nurseries in the UK with its own propagation unit, it grows most of its stock in‑house.

This gives clients access to UK‑grown, traceable plants, backed by robust health protocols and acclimatisation standards that reduce failure risk and contractor liability.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

Bulrush Horticulture is celebrating a major milestone for one of its longest‑serving team members, as Area Sales Manager Michael Clarricoats marks 25 years with the business.

Michael joined Bulrush in November 2000 and has been a familiar and trusted partner for growers across southern England ever since. Over the past quarter‑century, he has supported hundreds of nurseries, as part of the Bulrush sales team, building long‑standing relationships grounded in technical knowledge, honesty, and a true commitment to helping customers succeed.

Michael’s achievement reflects a wider trend within Bulrush, where he is one of a number of long-serving colleagues who have chosen to build their career at the company. The business credits much of its success to the strength, experience, and continuity of its team — many of whom have spent decades working together and supporting growers through an evolving horticultural landscape.

Reflecting on his 25 years in the industry, Michael Clarricoats said: “I still thoroughly enjoy my job because no one day is ever the same and every grower brings something new. I’ve been lucky to work with fantastic customers and colleagues who genuinely care about what they do. Some of the growers I support today are people I first met more than two decades ago, and those long‑term relationships are one of the things that make the job so rewarding. The industry has shifted quite a bit since I first joined but it’s still a great sector to be in. I love the people I meet and the fact that quality and consistency still matter above everything else.”

Michael adds: “Bulrush is a really nice company to work for. We’re smaller than some of the big corporations, which means you actually get to know people – I’m on first‑name terms with the MD – and it also means that they genuinely take an interest in you and want to support you. Even after 25 years, I’m still learning, still meeting new growers, and still enjoying being part of the industry. Seeing businesses grow and knowing we’ve played a small part in that journey is something I’m really proud of.”

Alex Julien, Sales Director at Bulrush Horticulture, said: “Working at Bulrush is like being part of a family and we know how fortunate we are to have as many long-serving colleagues as we do in the business. I’ve been with Bulrush for more than 20 years now and we sometimes joke that I’m still one of the new ones!

“Michael’s dedication over the past 25 years is a brilliant example of what underpins Bulrush’s reputation. Our customers value consistency, expertise, and people who sincerely care – and Michael embodies all of those qualities. He has been supporting growers for a long time, and you can see the trust he’s built over the years. He knows his customers, he listens, and he really wants to help them succeed. As the industry continues to evolve, having experienced colleagues like Michael on board, supporting our customers is invaluable. We’re delighted to celebrate this milestone with him.”

Bulrush continues to invest in its people, recognising that long‑term partnerships – both within the business and externally – are central to its ethos and future success. Last year, the leading substrate supplier created further job opportunities in the industry, increasing the workforce at its main production site and also expanding its sales team with the appointment of Darren Selvey as Sales Manager for the Midlands, working alongside Michel Clarricoats and Rob Aveyard.

Find out more 

Connect with Bulrush today to learn more about our innovative product portfolio and discover how we can support your journey next season and beyond.

To find out more, contact your local area manager, call 028 7938 6555 or please visit bulrush.co.uk

It’s not too late to secure your place at the upcoming Kettler Trade Show, taking place onsite at the Redditch showroom throughout June.

Open across the entire month, the showroom will be available to explore at a time that suits you, and Kettler look forward to welcoming both new and familiar faces.

This is your chance to experience the latest collections up close and gain first-hand insight into our exciting plans for 2027. From innovative product developments to fresh ideas for the season ahead, there will be plenty to discover and discuss.

Designed to be relaxed and informal, the event offers the perfect opportunity to take your time, ask questions, and have meaningful conversations with our team about how we can work together moving forward. Visitors will also benefit from exclusive trade show offers available only during their appointment.

If you haven’t booked your visit yet, there’s still time — but appointments are filling quickly. To secure your place, contact your area sales manager or email trade@kettler.co.uk.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive at The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: “We welcome the Government’s recognition in today’s King’s Speech of the importance of improving trading relationships with the European Union and supporting the economic security of British businesses.

“The proposed European Partnership Bill, which is aimed at strengthening ties with the EU and creating new trading opportunities, reflects the importance of smoother and more practical trading arrangements for UK businesses, including environmental horticulture.

“For a sector that relies on the timely movement of plants, trees, bulbs, seeds, machinery and associated goods, reducing friction and improving certainty is critical to supporting growth, investment and consumer confidence.

“The King’s Speech also referenced measures to tackle late payments, reduce unnecessary regulation through innovation, and help lower costs for working people. These are all areas of significant importance to HTA members, particularly at a time when businesses continue to face rising operational costs and ongoing economic pressures.

“While the direction of travel is encouraging, the devil is always in the details. The HTA will examine the proposed legislation carefully as it emerges and will continue to engage closely with the Government to ensure the needs of our sector are fully understood and reflected.

“We will keep our members updated as further details become available and as the legislative programme develops.”

Urban greening is increasingly recognised as essential infrastructure — helping cities address rising temperatures, flooding, biodiversity loss, and public health challenges. Yet in many sustainability frameworks, the contribution of plants remains fragmented, inconsistently measured, or treated as a secondary consideration.

For the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), this gap presents a growing challenge for cities seeking not only to deliver greener, healthier, and more resilient urban environments, but also to measure, evaluate, and improve their long-term impact.

Dr Audrey Timm, Technical Initiatives Manager at AIPH, says the AIPH Green City Standard was  developed in response to the growing need for clearer and more consistent ways to evaluate how plants and nature contribute to urban resilience and liveability.

“It became obvious that the world had no shared language for understanding what good urban greening actually looks like,” Timm notes. “Even the cities doing exceptional work couldn’t benchmark themselves in a meaningful way.”

This thinking shaped the AIPH Green City Standard — a framework tested with a diverse group of pilot cities and designed to help cities worldwide evaluate how effectively plants and nature are integrated into urban policy, planning, and investment.

The development of the AIPH Standard builds on AIPH’s wider Green City programme, including the AIPH World Green City Awards, which have highlighted growing international demand for clearer benchmarking, measurable outcomes, and shared learning between cities.

Rather than focusing solely on ambition or individual greening initiatives, the AIPH Standard encourages a more holistic and measurable approach to plant-centred urban development.

It is designed not simply as a prescriptive checklist, but as a framework that helps cities better understand how successful outcomes are achieved, supports continuous improvement, and enables shared learning across different urban contexts.

Cities begin with self-assessment through AIPH’s digital insight platform and receive tailored feedback to help identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Independent external audit and verification form a fundamental part of the Green City Standard, ensuring a credible, transparent, and internationally robust process. Certification is intended not as an endpoint, but as a milestone within a continuous cycle of learning and improvement.

As international focus on urban resilience continues to grow, the role of plants within sustainability assessment frameworks is increasingly critical — not only in improving urban environments, but in helping cities demonstrate long-term impact and accountability.

Timm offers a final reflection. “Cities are becoming harder places to live. If we can help them use nature not as ornament but as strategy — and do it systematically — the impact could be transformative for millions.”

Read the full article to explore why cities are increasingly seeking more robust ways to measure the impact of urban greening, the key reasons a city would say yes to adopting a common framework, and how the AIPH Green City Standard will evolve over the next decade to help shape greener, healthier, and more resilient urban development worldwide.

To read the full article, Raising the Bar: Why the World Needs a New Standard for Green Cities, visit: Raising the Bar: Why the World Needs a New Standard for Green Cities • AIPH

Cities and partners interested in engaging with the AIPH Green City Standard ahead of its official launch are invited to register their interest with AIPH: greencity@aiph.org

Research from specialist home interest agency Cairn has found that 87% of consumers say brand trust influences their purchasing decisions for big-ticket home and garden items.

The new independent study, based on responses from 2,000 UK consumers, found that feelings, not just features, are driving Britain’s big-ticket home and garden buys, with factors such as trust and brand alignment sitting at the heart of consumer decisions alongside price and performance.

The Logic Myth report explores the psychology behind major home and garden purchases, asking what builds consumer confidence, what holds buyers back, and the insights that brands in this space can take into their communications.

Exploring how emotion and logic work together, key findings include:

• The emotional importance of big-ticket purchases – Two-thirds surveyed (66%) admit getting these purchasing decisions wrong would affect their everyday life, reflecting the emotional weight behind major home investments.
• The significance of brand values – 69% report that ‘brand fit’, i.e. how closely the brand’s values align with their own, is influential in their decision making.
• Priorities of the younger generation – Gen Z place significantly more weight on how a brand makes them feel, with 67% of 18-24s reporting there was a range of emotions at play (vs 57% survey average).
• Loyalty through reassurance - Consumers who feel reassured are more likely to stay loyal, recommend brands, and pay more.

Will English, Cairn’s co-founder and managing director, said: “The research shows that major home and garden purchases are driven by far more than logic alone. These are high-value decisions with long, sometimes complex buying journeys, where emotional factors play a significant role alongside rational thinking.

"While product information and performance remain important for building trust, emotional reassurance is becoming increasingly influential, particularly among younger consumers. Brands that rely solely on rational messaging around features, price and performance risk losing relevance and credibility. Rational messaging may help close a sale, but emotional connection is what gives consumers the confidence to buy in the first place.”

To download The Logic Myth research report and explore the findings further visit: wearecairn.com/thelogicmyth

May Bank Holiday destination for experienced gardeners and first-time growers alike. With its relaxed festival vibe, the Fair attracts plenty of non-gardeners too, tempted by delicious food and drink at the Good Food Market and Street Food Village, shopping, live music, family activities and all of Beaulieu’s attractions included in the ticket price.   

The Spring Fair was bursting with inspiration and take-home ideas, from the showstopper Neighbourhood of Gardens by headline sponsor, Hillier, to Showcase and College Gardens, Beautiful Borders, and floral and vegetable displays. BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Sue Kent and Ashley Edwardsjoined the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team on stage to share their expert knowledge, answer visitors’ questions, and stop for a selfie or two.

Professional assessors presented official awards to the talented teams that created this year’s Spring Fair show gardens. It was Gold for Southampton-based design and landscaping duo Vicky Lincoln and Rob Woodhouse for their Showcase Garden, Nature’s Spa, a contemporary wellbeing and relaxation space (pictured above left). Also winning Gold and Best College Garden were horticulture and landscaping students from Merrist Wood College, Guildford for Heritage Rewoven, a garden packed with recycled, repurposed and found materials from around their campus.

In the Beautiful Borders category for small-scale show gardens, New Forest charity, Minstead Trust’s Garden of Many Hands won a Platinum award from the assessors and the Best Beautiful Border accolade. The charity’s New Forest Day Opportunities programme supports people with learning difficulties and autism through work, with participants involved in every aspect of this award-winning Border. Best Interpretation of the Theme and a Gold award were presented to students from Coastland College - Kingston Maurward Estate in Dorset for their garden, Salty Towers. Inspired by the theme of ‘Reimagined Traditions’, the garden explored the tradition of coastal salt harvesting with a feature pergola representing the historic blackthorn salt filtration towers used in exposed coastal landscapes.

Spring Fair visitors got to have their say too, voting for their own favourite gardens. They shared the assessment panel’s view, voting Vicky Lincoln and Rob Woodhouse the People’s Choice Best Showcase Garden for Nature’s Spa. People’s Choice for Best Border went to Stacy Blake, Ethan Dodman and Shaun Beale from Woodslee Landscapes in Broughton, Hampshire for A Journey to Wellness which depicted a story of diagnosis of illness, through tests and treatment to a place of hope and recovery.

Lucy Ashworth, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, said: “Wow, we had an absolute blast at Beaulieu this year, even with the odd shower or two to freshen up the plants. There’s always a real buzz around the Spring Fair as visitors spot new ideas, inspiration and exciting new plants to take home. We can’t wait to be back next year.” 

Rachael Goldstraw, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Beaulieu Enterprises, said: “The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair is a real highlight of our year at Beaulieu. It’s always wonderful to see so many visitors making the most of their day to explore and enjoy our attractions, from Palace House and the Abbey ruin to the National Motor Museum and Victorian gardens.”

The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to Beaulieu from 30 April – 2 May 2027, with exciting show gardens and displays, expert advice and talks, garden tours and demonstrations, hands-on workshops, plant and garden shopping, seasonal tasting sessions, delicious food and drink, live music and more. Early bird tickets go on sale in October.  

www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com

EGO is expanding its lifestyle range with the launch of its first 3-in-1 inflator. Combining three features in one tool, the uses of this new battery-powered, portable inflator are endless; from topping up tyres to pumping up mattresses during a family camping trip for any household.  

The handy and reliable IF1600E uses EGO’s infamous 56V ARC Lithium™ batteries, making the addition of the inflator a no-brainer for those who have existing EGO products. A high-pressure mode is suitable for inflating tyres and sports equipment, while the high-volume mode for air mattresses and larger inflatables. It also features a removable floodlight for use in low-light environments or as an extra light for camping. The unit also allows customers to set and store four preset pressures, making it hassle-free to top up tyres on the go. 

In high-volume mode, this inflator outputs up to 300 litres a minute, and a handy air-reversible flow allows customers to quickly pack down cushions, beds, or other bulky items after use. The accessories included cover a full range of inflation tasks, with a high-pressure hose, a reducing adapter, presser adapter, sports needle and taper nozzle. Mode switching and hose replacement are designed to be quick and easy.  

Designed to be compact and stable, the inflator weighs just 2.8kg and features anti-vibration rubber feet and an ergonomic carry handle. All accessories are stored onboard within the compartment, keeping everything organised and ready for use. The IF1600E is fully splash resistant, so users can rest assured it will still deliver in damp or outdoor environments. 

Andrew Frohock, Product Manager at EGO, comments: “We are constantly trying to grow our product range and expand what’s possible from our leading battery system. The inflator is a versatile addition to any home and essential for any vehicle or toolkit. The tool has a simple interface, with plus and minus to set the target pressure, making it easy to use for everyone, regardless of technical experience.” 

The inflator retails at £149. To find out more, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/ 

World Therapeutic Horticulture Day (WTHD) takes place next week on 18 May 2026 to shine a light on the far-reaching ways in which Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) helps people improve their health and wellbeing.

Thrive, a leading gardening for health charity, is joining the day which this year brings behind-the-scenes views of the therapeutic gardening and natured-based activities that are practiced in different settings around the world.

Thrive has been transforming lives through gardening for over 45 years. The life-changing benefits support people physically, mentally and socially, and are especially valuable for disabled people and those experiencing ill-health and disadvantage.

The many health benefits include stress and pain reduction, improved mood, physical activity and life satisfaction, as well as having a positive impact on the environment and in bringing communities together. As people around the world seek ways to deal with mental ill-health, a stroke, dementia, muscular skeletal conditions and lung conditions, among other health conditions, gardening provides a sustainable route to recovery, rehabilitation and overall wellbeing.

This highly effective and cost-efficient proven model of care is recognised by GPs, occupational therapists, social prescribing link workers, mental health practitioners and social workers making the practice a powerful ally in supporting health and care systems.

Thrive CEO Ben Thomas says: “We see the health benefits of gardening in our gardens every day. We are also pleased to support professionals to deliver Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH). Together we enable thousands of people to transform their health.

“WTHD provides an opportunity to raise awareness of STH’s role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing across health and social care systems around the world. We invite everyone to join this global movement by spreading awareness about the life-changing impact of STH.”

Thrive delivers STH programmes for hundreds of people at its three gardens in Birmingham, London and Reading. And, provides STH training for practitioners, and online gardening advice for disabled people and people living with health conditions.

In celebration of the day, Thrive is promoting a range of activities across its centres:

• Sign up for paid course on Using social and therapeutic horticulture to benefit people with mental health support needs on 19—20 May 2026
   
• Attend the Thrive, Reading open day to explore the gardens, meet the team, and learn more about the positive impact of gardening on Tuesday 19 May 2026 from 2 pm to 4 pm.
   
• Try a volunteer taster session at Thrive, Reading and discover more about the work of Thrive on Thursday 21 May from 10:30am  to 12:30pm.
   
• Join Thrive, Birmingham, for a wildlife morning of recording moths, butterflies and caterpillars on Saturday, 23 May 2026 from 10am to 11am.
   
• Visit Thrive, London for the Garden Thyme Open Day and learn about the gardening for wellbeing programme for people living with dementia and memory loss on Friday 22 May 2026 from 10.30am to 3pm.

Join this day of awareness, celebration, and stories using the hashtag #WTHD

Visit www.thrive.org.uk/world-therapeutic-horticulture-day to find out more about WTHD.

Blue Diamond have announced pre tax profits of £31.4m for 2025, up 44% year on year, on sales of £395m.

The group added 6 centres during the year and Chairman Simon Burkes reports that they ended the year with their lowest debt ratio since 2021.

He goes on to say: “Like for like (LFL) sales were +6.1%, with +6.3% in Garden Centres and 5.8% in Restaurants. Total sales were up by almost 19%. This is again an outperformance of the market in terms of LFL sales, albeit by a small margin this year. Performance was strong across almost all departments, with the Garden Leisure category, which includes furniture and barbeques, achieving a remarkable 20% LFL growth.”

Managing Director Alan Roper explains: “Profit increased by 44% (£9.6m) to £31.4m, while EBITDA rose from £34.7m to £46.9m, underlining the inherent strength of the business and the effectiveness of disciplined commercial management.

“This outcome was achieved despite a £3m adverse impact on profit resulting from above inflation increases in the National Living Wage of 6.7% and higher employers’ National Insurance contributions introduced in April. Through focused management action, this impact was fully absorbed within the year.

“During 2026, the focus will be on staff efficiency benchmarking against internal best in class performance, with the expectation that this will deliver further profit optimisation without compromising service quality.

“Our priority is to continue enhancing profit through profit gap reduction and overhead optimisation. Lowering energy expenses remains an ongoing objective, achieved through the adoption of advanced energy saving technologies.

“As we move into 2026, our strategic priorities are clear and focused on strengthening profit resilience within a structurally more expensive operating environment.”

Simon Burke concludes his Chairman's report: “I want to thank our colleagues, now numbering more than 5,000, who work in all weathers to deliver these results for us all. At our annual awards event in March, we had over 800 people attending. What was striking is that despite the significant increase in the size of the business, there is still the same great sense of enterprise, energy and esprit de corps amongst the whole group, which bodes well for our future.”

You can read the full 2025 report and accounts at: https://www.bluediamond.gg/investor-relations/financial-reports

DCUK, The Original Wooden Duck Company, is celebrating after being honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 in the category of International Trade.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are among the most respected business honours in the UK, recognising outstanding achievement in areas including international trade, innovation and sustainable development. Award winners are entitled to hold the honour for five years in recognition of their achievement.

Founded in Devon over 20 years ago, DCUK has become known for its hand-carved and hand-painted wooden characters, now collected and gifted by customers around the world. What began with a few ducks and a simple mission to help people smile has grown into an internationally recognised gifting brand working with retailers, collectors and partners across the UK, North America, Europe and beyond.

Craig Wensley, DCUK owner, said: “To receive a King’s Award for Enterprise is an incredibly proud moment for our whole team. DCUK has always been built around craftsmanship, character and creating products that make people smile, so to see an independent British gifting brand recognised in this way feels very special indeed.We’re hugely grateful to our team, our craftspeople, our stockists and our collectors around the world who have supported us over the years. This award belongs to all of them too.”

Steve Manser, Head of Marketing at DCUK, added: “The application process is incredibly detailed and rigorous, requiring brands to demonstrate excellence across several areas including growth, strategy, international development and wider business impact, so this recognition means a huge amount to us.

"Over the last few years, we’ve enjoyed seeing new retailers and customers around the world discovering the characters and the stories behind them. There’s a real sense of excitement across the DCUK brand right now, and we’re already working on ways to properly celebrate and commemorate this important award over the coming weeks and months. Watch this space.”

The Scottish horticultural developer and manufacturer behind the innovative Air-Pot system has been recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise – honouring its sustained success in international trade.

The Edinburgh-based Caledonian Tree Company, makers of the patented Air-Pot plant growing system, has exported to 40+ countries worldwide during the last 36 years with just a small team.

Jamie Single, co-founder, says: “We’re small but mighty! Selected from hundreds of UK businesses considered for this honour, the award recognises our team’s commitment to innovation and our long-term success in developing an international market for our horticultural growing systems. It is a huge badge of honour that we will all carry with pride.”

Founded in 1990 by Jamie and Suzie Single, The Caledonian Tree Company employs eight staff in Scotland in its offices and manufacturing facility and works with four international representatives supporting growers across global markets.

Suzie adds: “All those years ago, we were simply on a mission to build a better plant pot – little did we foresee the highs, heartaches and hurdles that lay ahead.

“But as plantsmen say, ‘from little things, big things grow’ and we’re incredibly proud Air-Pot® has survived and thrived, and that today our team is being recognised through The King’s Awards.”

The firm’s innovative Air-Pot container system is manufactured from recycled HDPE and is designed to enhance root structure, improve plant health and support more sustainable growing practices worldwide.

Used by commercial growers, nurseries, botanical gardens, research institutions and home growers globally, the system is proven to deliver significantly increased growth and long-term plant performance.

Now in its seventh iteration, with the Air-Pot 7 range, its technology continues to evolve, with the company expanding both its product range and international reach. The founders’ daughter, Georgie Single, is the second generation to be involved in the business too.

Approved by His Majesty The King, this significant award places the Scottish company among the UK’s most respected exporters and grants use of the King’s Award Emblem until 2031.

The King’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious business honour. It highlights outstanding achievement in international trade. Organisations have received Royal recognition through the initiative, initially as the Queen’s Award, since it was first conceived in 1965.

It’s a globally respected mark of excellence and is widely recognised for helping companies develop further and build on their successes, while strengthening their brand.

As a 2026 recipient, Air-Pot is entitled to use the official King’s Awards for Enterprise Emblem on its products and communications for five years from the announcement date, today, helping share its success and inspiring others.

The award will formally be presented to the company at a later date by His Majesty’s Lord‑Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh.

Georgie will also attend a Royal Reception at St James’s Palace in July, celebrating the achievements of 2026 recipients.

For further information, visit www.air-pot.com.

Clothing supplier Klass has unveiled its new Klass Koncept at Gates Garden Centre, Oakham.

The first of its kind in the UK, the new look uses bespoke gold fittings, manufactured in Germany, to display the range of clothing in a contemporary way making it attractive and easy to shop.

Covering 670sqft, it holds 85 clothing options.

In celebration of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on Friday (8 May), the Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association has paid tribute to his life and work.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said: “There is no greater champion or advocate for nature, biodiversity and the importance of green spaces than Sir David Attenborough. His latest series, Secret Garden, highlights the nature and environmental benefits that happen right on our doorsteps – in our gardens.

“Green spaces need these champions to speak out for them, as they are increasingly under threat or taken for granted. As Sir David said, domestic gardens are ‘magical places’ that can be almost as diverse as a tropical rainforest.

“I know I speak for all our members – garden centres, growers, landscapers, garden designers and manufacturers – in giving huge appreciation for Sir David’s recent work, which underlines the role our gardens play in nature recovery and biodiversity alongside his lifelong aims of encouraging us all to safeguard and appreciate delicate and vital flora and fauna at home and abroad.

“When it comes to enjoying our green spaces, it’s worth remembering his words… Across the British Isles, there are magical places: our pride and joy, our gardens.

“Happy Birthday, Sir David Attenborough, and thank you.”

SproutWorld, the company that produces plantable pencils, saw a 25% rise in queries from UK event organisers last year.

CEO Michael Stausholm says that this is thanks to a renewed passion for events and a focus on sustainability: “92% of exhibitors plan to be more sustainable when exhibiting at trade shows, according to research by Display Wizard, and with 76.3% of delegates having a more favourable attitude toward brands that give gifts, consideration needs be given to the right kind of gift - this is where we come in,” says Stausholm. 

Millions of plastic pens are produced every day and it takes thousands of years for a plastic pen to decompose - SproutWorld pencils offer a plastic-free alternative that gives back to the planet when used up. Each SproutWorld pencil contains seeds in the tip, so that the user can plant them after use and watch them grow. The pencils can be engraved and their packaging branded, making them the perfect gift for events or exhibitors looking to communicate their eco-credentials in a fun and useful way.

SproutWorld makes 175,000 plantable pencils out of one tree from sustainable forests. Each one of these 175,000 pencils can then go on to grow into 175,000 new herbs, vegetables, flowers or trees.

“We have been delighted to see such a rise in the demand from event companies and exhibitors searching for gifts that reflect their values - in the UK as well as across Europe,” says Stausholm. “The Sprout pencils have received very positive feedback. Delegates remember to take them home and sometimes even send pictures of the sprouting pencils back to us, which is just fantastic.”

www.sproutworld.com 

Alan Roper and David Domoney took time out on Sunday from the finishing of the Blue Diamond garden in the Floral Marquee of this weeks RHS Chelsea Flower show to record for the Chelsea Flower Show special of Step-by-Step Gardening with David Domoney.

The episode is packed with Chelsea magic, gardening tips, and exclusive access as they step inside the gardens, the nursery, and the story behind the show. From show garden planning to perfect plant selection, houseplant inspiration, and even the famous Chelsea Chop.

With Blue Diamond CEO Alan Roper, David also takes you to the heart of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from the beautiful Bridgemere Show Gardens.

They explore four medal-winning Chelsea gardens that now live on at Bridgemere, including the iconic Cottage Garden that started it all, rebuilt brick by brick after Chelsea in 1988.

Then behind the scenes at Blue Diamond’s Three Shires Nursery, where thousands of plants are grown, selected, cared for, and prepared for their moment at Chelsea.

Alan told GTN Xtra: "From the timeless beauty of Bridgemere Show Gardens to the world-famous stage of RHS Chelsea, this special episode celebrates the plants, people, and passion behind show gardening — with Chelsea magic, expert tips, and exclusive behind-the-scenes of our Blue Diamond Garden Centres' Immersive Walk-Through Home Grown Garden, with full 'Step-by-Step' access every step of the way.”

Watch the Chelsea special, out this Friday.  It is not to be missed!

Merryhatton Garden Centre in East Lothian is set to change hands in June 2026. It will be bought by Caulders, who currently own and operate 10 centres across central Scotland.

Helen MacDonald, who has owned and developed Merryhatton over the past 29 years, will retire and all staff will be transferred to Caulders.

Helen commented: “This is an exciting time for Merryhatton. I’m delighted that our thriving business will be taken forward by such a well-respected family who place great emphasis on garden centres in the community.”

Mandy Barrie from Caulders commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming the team at Merryhatton in to the Caulders family and working with them to continue to develop the great business that Helen has built at Merryhatton."

The sale is expected to complete in June 2026.

The Loving Outdoor Living area is the beating heart of SOLEX 26, where the show floor spills outside into a relaxed, open‑air space filled with great food and glowing firepits. Here, BBQ and outdoor cooking brands step out of the exhibition hall to show what their products can really do, turning live flame, shared plates and easy conversation into a true garden‑party atmosphere.

Open 11am–5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11am–2pm on Thursday, it is the place where visitors naturally gather to unwind, connect and experienceoutdoor living in action.

BBQ manufacturers will be firing up grills, smokers, pizza ovens and firepits to demonstrate how their products perform in real conditions. Visitors can see how quickly different BBQs heat up, how easily they control temperature and how versatile modern outdoor cooking equipment can be. From quick seared bites to slow-cooked favourites, it is the ideal place to taste the difference and ask practical questions.

Food is at the centre of the experience. Exhibitors share tasters straight from the grill, encouraging visitors to stop, chat and discover new flavours. Whether it is a classic burger, a plant‑based hero, or something a bit more adventurous, the atmosphere is informal —much more like dropping into a friend’s garden party than visiting a trade show feature.

Chilled summer tunes set the tone throughout the day, creating an easy-going backdrop for meeting suppliers, networking with colleagues or simply taking a breather from the busy halls. With the scent of woodsmoke in the air and the sound of relaxed conversation all around, the Loving Outdoor Living area brings the spirit of outdoor entertaining to life.

It is also the perfect place to gather real ideas for retail theatre and customer events. By seeing how brands present their BBQs, outdoor kitchens and firepits in a live setting—complete with serving areas, accessories and lighting—visitors can picture how similar experiences could work in their own stores, showrooms or garden centres.

Whether you are specifying new ranges, planning live cook‑ups for your customers or just looking for inspiration on how to bring outdoor living to life, make sure you step outside and spend time in the Loving Outdoor Living area at SOLEX 26. 

https://solexexhibition.com/