It has been a memorable year for the UK garden centre industry. Take a look back at all the major stories through the eyes of GTN. This New Year’s Eve we reproduce all the 2025 issues of GTN (see below) where, with just one click, you can gain access to the page-turning editions and also the Top 100 most read stories in GTN Xtra.  Happy New Year!

GTN Xtra's Top 100 most read stories in 2025:  Click on the story to read in full.

1. Blue Diamond in talks to buy Barton Grange – Issue 25
2. Bumper Glee Preview – Issue 35
3. Scooping the fancy dress prizes at the GCA Associates Night – Issue 4
4. Five Dobbies stores transferring to new ownership – Issue 1
5. GARDENA clinches GIMA Sword of Excellence – Issue 45
6. Chris Francis to leave Hillier Garden Centres and Nurseries – Issue 2
7. GTN’s Greatest Christmas Award winners revealed– Issue 5
8. Blue Diamond reports turnover of £332m and profits of £22m in 2024 – Issue 20
9. Blue Diamond acquires Yarnton Home & Garden, Oxfordshire – Issue 4
10. British Garden Centres appoints Amy Stubbs as MD – Issue 30
11. In depth interview with Dobbies CEO David Robinson – Issue 20
12. Dobbies "accelerate plans for growth" – Issue 5 
13. Fire burns down garden centre overnight – Issue 50
14. Blue Diamond Huntingdon opens after £2m refit – Issue 15
15. Blue Diamond complete the purchase of Barton Grange – Issue 30
16. Furniture 20% off already at Dobbies – Issue 14
17. Pre GCA Conference Inspiration and Stimulation from Retail Safari – Issue 4
18. What is to become of the Great British Garden Centre? – Issue 6
19. Crowned GCA Garden Centres of the Year– Issue 4
20. Dobbies report profits of £121m for FY 2025 – Issue 32
21. British Garden Centres acquires Dobbies Gloucester and Reading stores – Issue 2
22. Imprint win GIMA Golf Day as valuable funds raised for Greenfingers – Issue 23
23. British Garden Centres acquires former Dobbies Gosforth site – Issue 3
24. More photos from the GIMA Awards 2025 – Issue 45
25. Choice Supplier of the Year Awards – Issue 39
26. GIMA announces departure of Vicky Nuttall – Issue 49
27. Worlds End for Dobbies as Blue Diamond take over Aylesbury – Issue 7
28. From Covid auction sale to £5m turnover – Issue 12
29. Alton Garden Centre set to leave Tillington Group – Issue 24
30. Stratford Garden Centre takes over former Dobbies – Issue 3
31. Blue Diamond reports turnover of £332m – Issue 21
32. British Garden Centres acquires Hayes Garden World – Issue 15 
33. Gates take over Dobbies Stapleton – Issue 5
34. Merchandiser (based in the Home Counties) – Issue 3
35. "Great people. Great brand. Good loyal customers" – Issue 17
36. GCA's national Christmas display competition – Issue 4
37. Busy Bee on the Isle of Wight to become a Blue Diamond centre – Issue 33
38. LifestyleGarden confirms closure – Issue 18
39. Greenfingers Charity Celebrates 25th Anniversary – Issue 26
40. How consumers are searching for garden products online – Issue 5
41. Environmental Horticulture Brexit Costs and Border Impacts – Issue 4
42. The Greatest Christmas Teams announced at Spring Fair – Issue 5
43. Three garden centres sold in three weeks – Issue 5
44. Konstsmide closes its UK business – Issue 50
45. BGC Blooms at Rugby – Issue 11
46. Havant takes group up to 70 centres at British Garden Centres  – Issue 6
47. British Garden Centres has a successful reopening at Gosforth – Issue 8
48. Dull December caps off challenging year for garden centres – Issue 4
49. Kate Ebbens joins Woodlodge – Issue 22
50. Sad news of the passing of Raglan’s Jean Davies – Issue 18
51. Perrywood opens new £8.5 million garden centre – Issue 43
52. Gates re-energise Woodlands – Issue 11
53. New Terrarium Workshops launched at The Gardens Group – Issue 4
54. Dobbies launches new long-term creative direction – Issue 11
55. GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are well underway – Issue 47
56. Garden industry mourns sad passing of Kenn Lloyd – Issue 23
57. Wow! Scotsdales open their new 480 seater Greenhouse Café – Issue 24
58. ‘Garden Centres by Homebase’ opened at The Range – Issue 3
59. TV personality Nicki Chapman opens BGC's 72nd centre – Issue 15
60. Lancashire garden centre acquired by new owner – Issue 22
61. Blue Diamond's Harlestone Heath re-opens after £1.5m refit – Issue 12
62. Garden centre plan to cut down historic trees under fire – Issue 4
63. British Garden Centres publishes accounts for 2024 – Issue 39
64. Shinfield Garden Centre reopens to huge crowds – Issue 9
65. Squire's appoints Sam Dickson as new MD – Issue 17
66. Thousands of customers are voting for The Greatest at Christmas – Issue 45
67. New Year’s Honours for garden industry figures – Issue 1
68. Torwood's long serving Kenny McClean died on Christmas Day – Issue 1 
69. British Garden Centres welcomes new buyers to plant team – Issue 1
70. Stuart Lowen's Floral Farewell – Issue 16
71. British Garden Centres expands further – Issue 6
72. An exciting opportunity to join Barrus – Issue 2
73. Customer Votes for The Greatest Christmas Teams reach 5,000 – Issue 48
74. Dobbies further strengthens Executive team – Issue 23
75. Hillier announce the passing of John Hillier – Issue 31
76. Ruxley Rose winners receive their awards – Issue 4
77. GIMA Awards Roll of Honour – Issue 50
78. Quality Garden Structures to distribute Hörmann products – Issue 4
79. British Garden Centres acquires Dobbies stores – Issue 3
80. elho expands UK presence with nine new sales representatives – Issue 10
81. Rowena re-opens with floral flourish – Issue 14
82. Newbridge and Wilton are Blue Diamond Garden Centres of the Year – Issue 11
83. Zest to support charities in 2025 fundraising initiative – Issue 4
84. Greenfingers announces closure of Richard House Children’s Hospice – Issue 50
85. British Garden Centres confirms acquisition of Dobbies Morpeth – Issue 5
86. Local MP Opens BGC Havant – Issue 11
87. News of the passing of Peter Cox, founder of Glendoick GC – Issue 16
88. Woodmansterne seeks Retail Development Manager – Issue 46
89. Henry Street Garden Centre joins Prosper Group – Issue 10
90. John Ravenscroft joins Alan Roper for opening of Octavia Hill – Issue 19
91. BGC Gloucester Opens – Issue 10
92. Garden industry mourns sad passing of Ron Harker – Issue 38
93. Future of garden centres is actually looking rosy' – Issue 10
94. Customer votes for The Greatest Christmas Teams continue to pour in – Issue 49
95. Chelsea Golds for Blue Diamond and Taylors Bulbs – Issue 20
96. Ten new jobs and £1.5m investment for Hillmount – Issue 1
97. Pyle Garden Centre picks up Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre – Issue 4
98. GCA member garden centres ended 2024 on ‘a nice positive note’ – Issue 4
99. Applications open for 2025 Rising Stars programme – Issue 4
100. Whitehall Woodborough sold to new owners – Issue 34

GTN December 2024/January 2025 - Sustainability Directory. In this issue:

Exclusive interview with the Mercer family of Hillmount Garden Centres in Belfast , GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards – all the centres have now been visited – winners will be announced at Spring Fair on Monday 3rd February at 5:00p on The Stage, Spring Fair 2025 Preview, GTN’s Sustainability Directory for 2025, GIMA Awards Sustainability champions, Woodmansterne, ground-breaking environmental credentials, GCA Westland Rising Stars eco-friendly projects, Sustainability with what you already have, Webb eco – where power meets eco-friendliness, Sustainability Directory pages , Glam up your greens, UK Greetings, our world means the world to us, Success with Peat Free gardening, Thetford Garden Centre – now a B Corp, Tildenet’s huge range of sustainable and recycled products, Planteria – 2025 is the Year of the Begonia and the Pea, Let’s keep talking - HTA Viewpoint, A year of running – a big thank you from Kate Ebbens who ran every day in 2024 and raised over £30,000 for the Greenfingers Charity, 2025: friend or foe? - GIMA Viewpoint.

GTN February 2025. GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Special issue: Christmas Greatness Awarded at Spring Fair, Retailing at its best – GCA Conference Awards, Forging ahead with UK Firepits, Christmas through the eyes of a Greatest Awards judge, Greatest Christmas Award Winners including: Birkacre, Gates, Brigg, Cook’s, Munro’s, Coolings, Monkton Elm, Pugh’s, Alton, Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Newquay, Harrogate, Webbs, Ruxley Manor, Polhill, Studley, Perrywood, Baytree, Notcutts Solihull, Wolesely Bridge, Albrighton, Glendoick, Garsons, Castle Gardens, Wentworth, Old Railway Line, Arcadia, Newbridge, Gouldings, Poundbury, Bents, Rivendell, Sanders and many more, Moments of Christmas Brilliance, 10 years at Greenfingers for Linda Petrons, New Plants Galore at IPM Essen, Politics doesn’t matter – EHG Column, Focus for 2025 – HTA Column, Adapting to changing climates – LOFA Column, A year of reset and growth? – GIMA Column.

GTN March 2025. In this issue: New greetings cards and gift packaging from Woodmansterne, Aylsham Garden Centre interview – From Covid auction sale to £5m turnover, Brewing up a quality coffee with Clifton Coffee, Spreading the message – News and new products from The Garden Press Event, Elevating seeds at retail, Growing opportunities with Vitavia, Retail Detail from IPM Essen, New beginnings for Dobbies closed centres, Promising Fragrance – GTN Planteria, Strengthening national reach – HTA Viewpoint.

GTN April 2025. In this issue: The war for talent – More People on how to secure the best candidates, Backing the brand – RHS Licensed products maximise sales, Country Forge – RHS-endorsed from Tildenet, Bramblecrest blossoms with the RHS, Stars come out for Blue Diamond, Plan ahead for spoga+gafa 2025, New beginnings for centres part 2, Best foot forward for Greenfingers – Garden Re-Leaf Day 2025, Floral farewell – GTN interview’s Stuart Lowen, Bedding and seasonal bonanza - GTN Planteria, Addressing misconceptions about SOLEX – LOFA Viewpoint, Boosting business development - HTA Viewpoint, Sunshine, sales and supply – GIMA Viewpoint.

GTN May 2025 - Summer Showrooms Directory Issue. In this issue: David Robinson CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres – GTN Interview, Find your happy place at SOLEX 2025, It’s all about quality at Melcourt Industries, Keeping retail fresh at Glee 2025, Diary dates for inspiration from Sumer Shows, Glee’s Roadshow visits the West Country, GTN’s 2025 Summer Showroom Directory, Welcome to the Floralsilk showroom, Westland’s showroom is open, Smart Showroom visits on the increase, Spotlight on trees and shrubs – GTN Planteria, Is planning broken? – Paul Pleydell Viewpoint, Sunshine & Shows - HTA Viewpoint.

GTN May 2025 link

GTN June/July 2025 - SOLEX Preview Issue.

In this issue: New online garden centre - GTN exclusive, Kaemingk showroom visit for Spring Summer 2026, Industry-wide help for peat-free growing advice, RHS Chelsea Flower Show inspiration and winners, GTN’s SOLEX 2025 Preview, Exhibitor plan and listing, Welcome to SOLEX 2025, Afterparty, awards and events, Bramblecrest at 25, Pages of SOLEX exhibitor news, HEX Living luxury, GIMA golf day 2025, GARDENA makes watering easy, Westland’s Rising Stars, Introducing the Greatest Food & Drink Awards at Glee, Food @ Glee, Catering investments at Monkton Elm, Planteria - Roses of Success, EHG Viewpoint - It's good to talk, HTA Viewpoint - Spring achievements, GIMA Viewpoint - Breaking records.

GTN August 2025. In this issue:

• BGC thanks the industry - GTN exclusive
• Hat’s off to our growers – industry views on excellent plant supplies this year
• The heritage behind Durston Garden Products
• GTN’s Greatest Food & Drink Awards – Enter NOW!
• Power Up – a new lease of life for Pelsis Doff
• Greenfingers Summer FUNdraising update
• 200 years of Henry Bell
• SOLEX 2025 review – winners and new products
• Invest in the experience with Fordingbridge
• Latest innovations from Spoga+gafa 2025
• All the regional winners of the 2025 GCA inspections
• Get ready for PATS25 in Birmingham
• Show Stopping Plants – GTN Planteria
• Never a dull moment - HTA Viewpoint

GTN September 2025 – Bumper Glee Preview. In this issue: Westland Glee Preview Special, GTN’s Exclusive Interview with Alan Roper, AMES are back on track for 2026, Art in bone china from Museums & Galleries, Zest have awards winning flexibility, Vitavia are the smart choice, GTN’s 34 page Glee 2025 Show preview: Glee floor plan and where to meet Team GTN, What’s on at Glee 2025, Glee Exhibitor News – Latest products and services, Floral Thursday FUNdraising at Glee, Hozelock’s Solar Select watering system, Fandango Fire Tools light up Glee, GTN Planteria – Inspiration from Ball, PATS 2025, Are you up for change? Paul Pleydell viewpoint, HTA Viewpoint – Getting out and about, GIMA Viewpoint – The perfect time to reconnect.

GTN October 2025 - In this issue: RocketGro celebrate 5 years, GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 are launched, Successful Choices – Choice Marketing Conference report, Greeting cards and gift packaging in full bloom, Glee 2025 Review starts here, GTN’s Greatest Food & Drink Awards at Glee 2025, Floral Thursday at Glee sets new records for Greenfingers, Glee 2025 New Product Award winners, T&M – Investing in Retail, Greenfingers Garden Openings, The Big Christmas Show kicks off Christmas promotions, Christmas Tree advice from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, Begonias turning heads and changing minds – GTN Planteria, Horticulture highlights from The Conference 2025, Your business values and your people – HTA Viewpoint.

GTN November - December 2025 - GIMA Awards Roll of Honour & GLEE New Products Directory

In this issue: GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 – meet the teams, Powering Retailer success in 2026 with Handy, Fordingbridge turn plants into heroes, GIMA Awards 2025 Roll of Honour, Sticky solutions for growth at Pelsis, Jagram from blueprint to bloom, GCA-Westland Rising Stars 2025, Glee New Product Showcase 2025 Directory, PATS 2025 Review, Growing together – Environmental Horticulture Group Viewpoint, Award winning plants – GTN Planteria, Caring and sharing – HTA Viewpoint , A year of growth, grit and joy – GIMA Viewpoint.

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Santa was the 1^st person to use 1 of the 4 EV Chargers that went live at Kirktown Garden Centre in Aberdeenshire on the 23^{rd of} December just in time for Christmas.

Centre Manager, Colin Curran told GTN Xtra; "we are really pleased to be working with Pogo chargers, this is a great addition to the Garden Centre and the town of Stonehaven."

The Horticultural Trades Association has welcomed today’s Government announcement that the Inheritance Tax (IHT) reliefs threshold will rise to £2.5 million for businesses. Proposed changes to IHT reliefs in the 2024 Autumn Budget were set to create a ‘lose-lose’ scenario for the UK.

Changes announced today (23 December) mean the £1 million Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will increase to £2.5 million from April 2026, allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5 million in qualifying agricultural or business assets between them.

The HTA has campaigned on this issue since the 2024 Autumn Budget, including setting out the risks of this policy leading to a reduction of £60 million in the UK's environmental horticulture sector, with broader economic losses amounting to £143 million due to decreased industry activity. Additionally, the changes may have resulted in the loss of 1,300 sector jobs.

The changes announced:

• The allowance for the 100% rate of relief will be set at £2.5 million, with a 50% rate of relief thereafter.
• This means a married couple or civil partners can pass on agricultural or business assets worth up to £5.65 million tax free, by combining two £2.5 million agricultural/business property allowances and two £325,000 nil‑rate bands that can be transferred between them on death. 

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said:

“We welcome today’s announcement that the Government is raising the threshold on Agriculture Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), which will be a huge relief for many family-owned environmental horticulture businesses. 69% of our members were at risk of being disproportionately hit by the proposed changes to BPR, and 40% by APR.

“The HTA has been tirelessly campaigning on both these issues since the changes were first announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget, knowing that Inheritance Tax changes would have a devastating impact on many families at the heart of the UK’s environmental horticulture sector, the original green industry. The cost hikes facing our sector have and continue to be severe, and so reducing the impact of one of these is a welcome step, and we look forward to constructive engagement on how we can address further barriers to growth.

“The environmental horticulture sector is a cornerstone of the UK’s green economy, underpinning the nation's green infrastructure – from nurseries providing trees for planting targets to businesses maintaining public spaces and private gardens. We are pleased that the Government has finally listened, choosing to support small, family-owned businesses in a sector which contributes £38 billion to UK GDP every year and supports more than 722,000 green jobs.”

Festive Productions has launched its 2026 Christmas collection, delivering a commercially focused range designed to help retailers maximise Christmas sales. The collection builds on proven best sellers while introducing new product developments and exclusive licensed ranges for the year ahead.

New for 2026, the range includes traditionally British colour themes developed to reflect classic festive styling that remains highly recognisable to customers. These colourways have been designed to sit alongside existing ranges, allowing retailers to refresh their ranges while maintaining continuity with established lines.

A key development for the coming season is the new Day and Night Infinity Lights range. Enhanced detailing on the mirrored surface ensures these products present well both on and off, which is a major point of difference from previous versions and a clear point of differentiation for Festive customers.

Festive Productions is also launching a new licensed Infinity range for 2026 through its partnership with Christmas Inspirations. The range includes well-known licensed favourites such as Disney, Star Wars and DC, alongside new for 2026 The Grinch, currently one of the UK’s hottest licensed properties. This licensed Infinity collection is available exclusively from Festive Productions across the UK and Ireland, offering retailers a strong opportunity to stand out in a competitive market.

This exciting new 2026 Christmas range will be on show at the Christmas & Gift Show in Harrogate from 11th–14th January, where Festive Productions will be exhibiting in Hall C. Retailers unable to attend can arrange appointments to view the wider range at Festive Productions’ showrooms at its head office in Cwmbran, South Wales, which are now open.

Christmas & Gift Show Harrogate
11th–14th January
Hall C

Contact
Email: info@festive.co.uk
Tel: 01633 627 300
Web: www.festive.co.uk

Two weeks ago we are shocked to hear of the passing of Caroline Houghton, Key Account Manager at Tom Chambers, after a short illness.

Caroline had worked in the industry for over 35 years representing, Spread Garden Supplies, Scotts, Solus, Stax & Kapiteyn.

Her funeral will be at 2pm on January 2nd 2026 at Gedling Crematorium, Lambley, NG4 4QH.

Family Flowers only.  Donations to Haywood House Nottingham.

As customer voting closed in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards it's extremely close at the top and across the regions. Every centre that is collecting votes in-store should send them in to the GTN office straight away so they can be added to the on-line votes.

As of last week from over 7,000 votes already counted, here are the Top 20 most voted for Christmas garden centre teams.  With votes collected in-store arriving at the GTN office every day this Top 20 could change dramatically, so please send your votes in as soon as the voting closes.

And this is the list, A-Z, of the Top 50 Greatest Christmas Garden Centre teams as voted for by their customers:

In total 138 garden centres have been voted for by customers so far in the race for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Teams of the year.  Here is the complete A-Z list:

As customer voting closed in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards it's extremely close at the top and across the regions. Every centre that is collecting votes in-store should send them in to the GTN office straight away so they can be added to the on-line votes.

GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards

Potting Shed Press

Dairy House, Dairy Drove

Thorney

Peterbrough

PE6 0TX

The results of the customer voting and the judges choices for all the other Greatest Christmas Awards categories will be announced at 1:00pm in the Glee@Spring Fair area of Spring Fair at the NEC on Monday 2nd February 2026.

See you there!

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Rainbow Plants on Holcombe Lane in Ottery St Mary, Devon.

Rainbow Plants is a wholesale plant nursery which sells to garden centres as well as a range of landscaping contractors and housebuilders. The 10-acre site has benefitted from significant investment in recent years.

The site was sold as former owners Peter and Diane wish to retire after running the business for 13 years.

Mayank Shukla of Groh Plants Limited has purchased Rainbow Plants.

Funding for the site was secured through Christie Finance.

Trans-Continental, the company behind the well-known brands SnowTime and SunTime,has taken the decision to consolidate its activities and focus mainly on fob and direct container business in future.

Chairman Mike Withers commented: "With the lease on our warehouse, which we have occupied for more than 20 years, coming up for renewal, and complications following the hacking of our systems by Russian criminals last year; we have decided to take this step. Many of our customers order in full container loads anyway and discussions as to the way forward have been ongoing within the company for a couple of years. The wild fluctuations in freight rates following the upheaval of the pandemic have rendered this step inevitable.

"In acknowledgement of the fact that some smaller sized products, such as Christmas lights, can make filling a container difficult, we have been working for some time on offering customers a service whereby goods from different manufacturers can be shipped together. We are now able to offer goods from five separate factories consolidated into one container.  There are no added costs for this service, meaning customers can be price competitive while not taking unnecessary risks with stock".

The company will be exhibiting at Harrogate where it will launch the new Wallace & Gromit range of licensed Christmas product.

Managing Director Sara Murray said: "This is an exciting opportunity to develop products based on such well-loved characters, known throughout the world. Our designers have been working for months creating an exciting product range which will be showcased to customers in the new year. It is particularly pleasing as the creator of the series, Nick Park, is from Preston, just a few miles from our offices in Blackpool."

The new range will complement the company’s other licensed brands, the highly successful The Snowman, The Snowman and The Snowdog and the hugely popular Richard MacNeil artwork.

The Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) December Market Update shows a steady growth in garden centre sales, offsetting the uncertainty caused by the Autumn Budget and an exceptionally wet November, with the UK receiving 33% more rainfall than a typical November.
 
Overall garden centre sales rose by +8% by value in November compared to the same month last year, and Christmas sales also got off to a strong start, up +9% from November 2024 and +40% from November 2023.
 
However, consumer confidence remained cautious, with the overall index falling -2pts to -19pts in November. All measures that contribute to the overall index fell by at least -2pts ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget.
 
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: “November was a steady month for garden centre growth, with sales up +8% compared to November 2024 and gardening sales up +3% during the same period, albeit they were flat in volume terms. Garden centre sales for the year-to-end of November also remain +8% ahead of 2024 and 12% ahead of 2023.
 
“Due to the significant rise in operating costs across our sector this year, the positive sales growth has only delivered minimal profit increases. Many garden centres are having to sprint in order to stand still, and unfortunately, this looks set to continue in 2026.
 
“It is, however, reassuring to see that Christmas sales got off to a strong start in November. When you look even closer at the statistics, Christmas sales alone made up 26% of November's overall sales, more than all the garden and gardening categories combined. Garden centres are increasingly becoming a must-go-to family destination in the run-up to Christmas, offering diverse products and experiences to engage customers and drive more sales in the colder and darker months.
 
“November benefited from an extra weekend of trade this year, compared to 2024 and 2023. Given that sales volume is higher at weekends than on weekdays, this is likely to have helped both general footfall and sales of real Christmas trees, as our research shows volumes sold were approximately 25% higher than the same month last year.
 
“Catering sales were up +11% from November 2024, supported by both higher average transaction values and greater footfall in garden centre cafes compared to other Novembers. Bedding sales were also up +10% by value, but indoor plant sales were weaker, down -1% compared to November 2024.
 
“What’s interesting is looking at how wet November was. We experienced 19 rainy days on average and had 162mm of total rainfall. It’s encouraging that it didn’t deter people from visiting garden centres, and it also means public water reservoir levels have recovered significantly. Some water restrictions have already been lifted (Thames Water and Yorkshire Water), and November’s heavy rainfall has reduced the risk of water restrictions continuing into Spring, the heart of the gardening season next year.”
 
HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on our website. www.hta.org.uk

As 2025 draws to a close, the Greenfingers Charity is reflecting on one of the most remarkable years in its 25-year history, a year defined by generosity, achievement and the shared belief in the power of gardens to bring comfort and joy to life-limited children, their families and carers.
 
From breathtaking fundraising events to the creation of new therapeutic gardens, Greenfingers Charity is offering a million thanks to the hundreds of individuals, businesses and organisations whose generosity defined 2025. 
 
The inaugural Floral Ball welcomed over 250 guests and marked the charity’s greatest achievement to date, reaching its Silver Anniversary Appeal target of more than £2 million. 
 
Five new gardens at The Nook (Norfolk), Chestnut Tree House (West Sussex), Acorns Children’s Hospice (Walsall) and Hope House (Shropshire) have brought vibrant spaces where children and families can play, learn, care, grow and, for those facing the hardest of times, remember. The Together Garden, which won a Silver Gilt Medal at the RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse, began its sensitive rebuild at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice (Sheffield), where it now provides a permanent sanctuary for bereaved families.
 
Meanwhile, elements from the Greenfingers Charity garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live have been carefully relocated and are now being enjoyed in children’s hospices across the country, extending the charity’s legacy of comfort and connection. 
 
Record-breaking fundraising at Glee’s Floral Thursday, together with ambitious challenges like the Kilimanjaro Trek, already surpassing £40,000, and the unwavering backing of the garden retail sector, including Klondyke, British Garden Centres, Smart Garden and Evergreen Garden Care, showcased the extraordinary breadth of support and secured vital funds to create future hospice gardens.

 
Speaking on behalf of the charity, Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications, said: “This year has been extraordinary, not just because of the milestones we’ve reached, but because of the people behind them. Every event hosted, every plant donated, every hour volunteered has come from a place of genuine care. Together, you have helped us create spaces that bring comfort, calm and precious moments to children and families when they need them most. We are deeply grateful, a million thanks to you all.”
 
Neil Sewell, Director of Operations, added: “Those funds are directly transforming children’s hospices across the UK. Every pound raised goes into building gardens that provide comfort, calm and precious moments for children and families. From sensory play areas to quiet spaces for reflection, these gardens are uniquely designed and created to meet real needs and will continue to make a lasting difference.”
 
The story doesn’t end here. While 2025 has been a year of celebration, Greenfingers reminds supporters that hospices remain on the waiting list, hoping for new gardens. With hospices across the UK facing funding challenges, the charity is determined to keep momentum strong and will launch a new appeal in 2026 to ensure more children and families can benefit from the healing power of nature.
 
The charity has an exciting calendar of events lined up for the year ahead and warmly invites everyone across the garden industry and beyond to continue playing their part in creating magical outdoor spaces for children’s hospices nationwide. Two dates to mark in your diary are: Friday 20th March – Garden Re Leaf Day, when the industry unites for a nationwide fundraising effort and Thursday 2nd July – the Summer Ball at Coombe Abbey, promising an unforgettable evening of celebration and support.  
 
If you want to be part of the Greenfingers story in 2026, do not hesitate to reach out to the fundraising team by emailing fundraising@greenfingerscharity.org.uk
 
In the meantime, you can also follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.
 
Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK.  The charity is committed to creating, beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.  To date Greenfingers Charity has created over 70 inspiring gardens in children’s hospices around the country and has a further waiting list of hospices that need help.

https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/

The Otters Brook Collection will be exhibiting for the first time at the Christmas & Gift Show in Harrogate, marking an important milestone for the brand. Visitors can find Otters Brook in Hall C on stand C13, where the team will be showcasing its new Christmas collection.

For the upcoming season, The Otters Brook Collection is launching a distinctive range of premium Christmas products, designed to bring a more considered, design-focused approach to festive retail. The collection features a carefully curated selection of decorative pieces and room-based Christmas items, aimed at customers looking to dress their homes with subtle seasonal styling rather than traditional novelty décor.

Rooted in home interiors, the Otters Brook Christmas range focuses on products that work seamlessly within living spaces, offering retailers an opportunity to appeal to customers seeking a more refined festive look. The collection has been developed to sit comfortably alongside existing interiors ranges, making it suitable for lifestyle stores, garden centres and home-focused retailers.

The Christmas & Gift Show provides the first opportunity for buyers to view the Otters Brook Christmas collection in person and discuss the range directly with the team. Exhibiting for the first time, Otters Brook is looking forward to introducing the brand to new customers and building relationships with retailers seeking a fresh interiors perspective for Christmas.

Christmas & Gift Show Harrogate
11th–14th January
Hall C | Stand C13

Contact
Tel: 01633 627 300
Web: www.ottersbrook.co.uk

November's Garden Centre Association (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) reveal ‘strong growth’ of +9.04% when compared to the same month in 2024 – with the year-to-date figure up +8.18% too (December 19, 2025).

From the 13 categories recorded by garden centres, 11 were positive, when likened to November 2024 with seeds & bulbs in pole position at +15.04% followed by clothing at +14.62%.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive explains: “The penultimate month of the year has once again showed strong growth for our members despite the significantly wetter month than last year.

“It’s great to see strong increases across the board with seeds & bulbs leading the way and clothing just behind. Were our customers buying warm waterproof clothing so that they could head out to do some gardening?

“It’s also good to see food halls/farm shops and catering still performing strongly. The only disappointing departments were houseplants and hard landscaping with perhaps the weather having an effect here.”

Outdoor plants came in third place at +11.59%, followed by catering at +11.25% and food hall/farm shop at +11.24%.

Christmas was sixth at +8.58%, then furniture & BBQs at 8.22%, garden sundries came next at +7.66%, then the gifts category recorded an upturn of +7.56% and pets & aquatics was also up at +4.1%.

The categories that recorded negatively, when likened with November 2024, where houseplants with -0.85% and hard landscaping at -21.76%.

The GCA’s BoT reports covering 13 categories 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.

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.

Tickets for the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference are now on sale via the members’ section on the body’s website or via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk/.

For further information, please go to www.gca.org.uk.

Blue Diamond Blackdown - GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 judges visit, 22nd October 2025

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Ransoms Jersey - GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 judges visit, 20th October 2025.

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Summerhill Garden Centre- GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 judges visit, 22nd October 2025.

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