“I went into my garden centre looking for wellies but they’re all so heavy and boring; why don’t they have ones like these?” An excellent question! One that the team at Leon Boots is frequently asked when customers try on their fun and colourful, super comfortable, ultralight wellies at shows (including BBC gardeners World) around Britain...

Greenworks has a number of battery-powered chainsaws in its range, but this latest 24V model’s key difference is in its size...

New Products for the UK Garden Trade for Spring and Summer 2023 from GIMA Members: AHS, Auto Pot Global, Azpects, Carbon Gold, EKJU, elho, Evergreen Garden Care, Fiskars, Forest Garden, Glee, Handy Distribution, Honeyfields, Hozelock, Husqvarna, Hygeia, Johnsons Seeds, Leon Boots, Maze, Patio Black Spot Removal Company, PlantWorks, Primeur, Rollins Bulldog, Smart Garden Products, Sorbus, STV International, The Real Soil Company, Vitavia, Westland Horticulture, Woodmansterne, Zest.

Yorkshire Garden Centre group has invested in new EPOS technology at its two newest sites. Corby and Fellas have recently installed new EPOS systems at Otley and Bingley Garden Centres to improve efficiency and streamline the centres with the rest of the group.

Warrington-based Bents Garden & Home is a finalist in the Best Retailer & E-Tailer category of the North West Family Business Awards 2023...

HTA Chairman James Barnes gave evidence to the House of Lords Inquiry into the development of horticulture on Thursday. The year-long Special Inquiry is a chance for the voice, value and profile of environmental horticulture to be properly recognised in Parliament...

The Horticultural Trades Association launched their Scottish Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy at the beginning of March – and it was this plan that was the topic of conversation for the Gardening and Horticulture Cross Party Group (CPG) in Scotland’s Parliament on Thursday (16th).

Garden centres keen to support the horticultural industry charity Perennial can this month order two special salvias for delivery in the summer to help raise funds for the organisation...

Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) – the European-wide marketing initiative dedicated to promoting pelargoniums to retailers and consumers – has launched a new-for-2023 resource library, full of free, downloadable promotional materials for retailers to use in-store and online...

Pets & Friends, a specialist pet retailer with a network of UK stores, salons and a leading website, has announced the opening of its latest location in Brigg Garden Centre, North Lincolnshire.

Premium garden furniture brand Bramblecrest have identified and predicted a growing trend for Moon Garden designs for UK customers in 2023 and beyond...

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Quick Lawn with Accelerator-treated seed is made from an innovative formula that joins the seaweed revolution, resulting in a mix that guarantees rapid lawn establishment and requires just a third of the amount of water that’s usually needed...

Expert wildlife brand, CJ Wildlife, has launched a new range of bird and nature products to help children discover the wonderful world of wildlife on their doorstep, in collaboration with Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust...

Henton & Chattell has announced the launch of its new ride-on tractors as part of its Cobra range. This comes as part of the 10-year anniversary of Cobra and is the biggest innovation for the brand yet...

Napoleon Grills, the premium grill and outdoor kitchen brand, have launched two new barbecues for 2023, one a hybrid of two best sellers and the other a brand new compact portable grill perfect for picnics...

The first batch of Wyevale Nurseries’ new non-climbing ivy aimed at landscapers that was launched at Four Oaks Trade Show last autumn has sold out with more coming this spring...

In this issue:

• Hillier grows – Interview with Chris Francis,
• GCA Conference 2023 – Big, bold, sustainable and £100k raised for Greenfingers,
• GCA Winners – All the winners from the GCA Conference,
• PATS Sandown Show preview,
• BeefEater – LOFA Member profile,
• Beautiful stonework from The Patio Black Spot Company,
• GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards Presentations at Spring Fair,
• Pictures from all The Greatest Christmas Award winning centres: Barton Grange, Rosebourne, The Old Railway Line, Pughs, Gates, Longacres, Gouldings, Alton, Groves, Meadowcroft, Brimsmore and Poundbury, British Garden Centres, Pengelly, Blue Diamond, Klondyke, Gordale, Silverbirch, Woodlands, Little Dobbies, Azure, Stratford    , Chessington, Chacewater, Coolings, Sapcote, Wentworth, Perrywood, Garsons Titchfield, Keydell, The Grange, Tingley, St Peters, Garden King, Fron Goch, Ellerker Lodge, Chepstow, Birkacre, Bennybeg,
• Thank you to the judges and sponsors of The Greatest Christmas Awards 2022,
• Encouraging signs for Spring – HTA Column,
• Cash is king – GIMA Column.