It was another year of momentous change for the garden centre industry - and, predictably, it was the troubles of the former Solus business and the latest re-shaping of the Wyevale Garden Centres group that topped the list of GTN Xtra's best-read stories.

Through the year, we posted more stories than ever before  – more than 3,000 – to keep readers informed, and on a number of occasions, we were first with the news.

We're pleased to say that GTN Xtra continues to grow in popularity, with around 80% of the email database now opening stories published in the weekly e-newsletter. Many of you tell us you now rely on GTN Xtra as your main source of up-to-the-miniute industry information and especially appreciate our 'breaking news' mailings.

Using the data we collect weekly, we can once again publish the Top 100 Most-Read Stories of 2014 (see below). If you've missed any of these stories just click on those of interest (one at a time) to see them in full or search the GTN Xtra Archive using the link at the top of the page.

1          Solus Garden & Leisure goes into administration

2          Scotts Miracle-Gro purchase Solus brands

3          Solus 'close to a deal' with new investors - updated

4          Redundancies, resignations and new appointments...it has been a dramatic week at Wyevale

5          Comment on the Solus-Scotts situation from leading garden centre owners and buying groups

6          Dismay as The Garden Centre Group stores shut at 5pm

7          Scotts & Solus partnership off

8          Scotts and Solus in negotiations to join forces

9          Solus reviews options following Scotts deal breakdown

10        Administrators make 91 redundant at Solus to stem losses

11        “Thursday was very painful for the family and the staff." Ross Yealland

12        Solus answers key questions

13        New centralised retail operations structure for The Garden Centre Group

14        Solus 'regret' that negotiations break down

15        CEO and sales director set to leave Scotts Solus Brands

16        Crest Garden reveal sales team of '12 knowledgeable, well known and respected agents'

17        Tim Clapp is leaving Wyevale

18        Senior buyers and garden centre staff 'set to leave The Garden Centre Group'

19        Wyevale's expansion could result in a stronger independent trade, says leading garden centre boss

20        The Garden Centre Group adds more High Street talent

21        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires four Golden Acres Group stores to take its number to 148

22        What next for Wyevale Garden Centres?

23        Solus: too much change, too soon?

24        Blue Diamond set to buy 16th centre

25        Westland Rising Stars shine during final masterclass

26        We'll speak to key suppliers next week say Solus administrators

27        Garden centres concerned over supplies after Scotts-Solus split

28        Anxious times for suppliers and retailers waiting for more news of Scotts-Solus deal

29        Scotts-Solus brands aim to restore confidence in service levels

30        The Garden Centre Group to rebrand as Wyevale Garden Centres

31        Boyd adds 6 centres to Hillview

32        More Solus jobs to go as Edinburgh depot closure is announced

33        Redundancy fears as TGCG undertake staffing review at Garden & Leisure centres

34        Are The Garden Centre Group about to change their name?

35        Wyevale's Christmas displays unveiled – first pictures!

36        Dobbies U-turn over bid to charge charities £400

37        Solus administrators admit to being "hopeful of completing a sale"

38        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Raglan Garden Centre

39        Nick Davies unveils his new business...Crest Garden Ltd 

40        Solus would be sorely missed, says Westland boss

41        Big changes imminent at Garden & Leisure as TGCG carries out major restructure of the business

42        "We’ll be at £200 million in 10 years" - Alan Roper, Blue Diamond

43        Sale of Solus Garden & Leisure edges closer

44        Jury dramatically discharged in Thomas Hayes trial for a second time

45        Trelawney makes it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 17th is on the way

46        Solus merger talks 'making good progress'

47        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Moreton Park Garden Centre

48        Choice group drops Chapelwood birdcare brand 

49        Gardman save the day as garden centre is let down on Chapelwood delivery

50        Timing wrong for merger with Solus implies Gardman CEO

51        Terra Firma to stay as owners of Wyevale Garden Centres...for the time being

52        Bayer Garden ensures security of supply

53        Stagecraft founder Tom Davis dies aged 66 

54        Gardman exploring sale options

55        Wyevale Garden Centres appoint new Head of Garden 

56        David's is No.5 for Home & Garden group 

57        Van Hage Peterborough soon to have supermarket neighbour

58        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Podington Garden Centre

59        Scotts Solus Brands shows off linked sales opportunities

60        Garden centre boss resigns after being jailed for 18 months

61        Announcement on sale of Solus due next week

62        Tesco trial Dobbies offering at 10 stores

63        Growing trend for centres to de-stock outdoor plants in winter 

64        Choice stick with Solus but plan a back-up

65        Smart Solar reorganises sales team to manage sharp increase in sales

66        Chessington's Rising Star is full of confidence

67        Scotts head off fears over Solus deliveries

68        Blue Diamond offer 'confidential talks' in quest for growth

69        Scotts create "the biggest sales force in UK gardening" 

70        Gateacre Garden Centre in Liverpool closing down as owners concentrate on award-winning Burleydam

71        Terra Firma intends to add to TGCG's growing number of garden centres, reveals chairman

72        Solus brands: give us time, urges Scotts MD

73        Undercover intern shakes up garden centre for TV show

74        Littleheath makes it 9 for Hillview

75        Decco and Glee look to be the initial winners following the Solus Scotts breakup

76        Van Hage work with Waitrose on re-development plan for Great Amwell

77        Suppliers taking the strain

78        Autumn promo gets Crest Garden off to flying start

79        “Focussed, adrenalin pumping,” that’s Stewarts Rising Star

80        Carol Paris enters into the festive spirit dressed as Santa

81        TGCG announces new Non-Executive Board Director

82        Haskins Garden Centre chain eyes national expansion

83        More reaction to the destocking-in-winter debate

84        The Garden Centre Group acquires Brooks in Bude to bring its number of stores to 140

85        Trial of Thomas Hayes to resume with new jury

86        William Sinclair issue trading statement announcing disappointing sales

87        Revenues at The Garden Centre Group increase by £17m

88        Bradley Garden Centre to close with loss of 18 jobs 

89        Trelawney deals make it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 142 for Wyevale?

90        Kaemingk win The Greatest Christmas Supplier Award

91        QD group buy 10th garden centre

92        Oakham is new group's fourth site - and target is 10

93        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Trelawney Ashford Garden Centre

94        Choice switches to Gardman for core gardening products as well as wild bird care

95        The Garden Centre Group poaches director from Gap Inc

96        Rebranding is a possibility for The Garden Centre Group, admits marketing director

97        Proposed new garden centre would create 300 jobs

98        Will the supply chain pull through? We speak to leading distributors

99        Statement on supply issues likely from Solus on Monday

100      Scotts Miracle-Gro purchase Solus brands

Analysis from Newsweaver compiled by Trevor Pfeiffer, managing director, The Garden Communication & Media Company Ltd