Our team of judges are prepping their sleighs ready to start the judging process for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025.  

If you think your Christmas teams are the best in the business, now’s the time to get them nominated for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025.

There are categories to recognise display teams, Christmas Trees sales teams, Marketing teams, Grotto teams, Wild Bird Care and Pet teams plus a new award for The Greatest Christmas Food & Drink Pop-Up of 2025.

It's simple to take part, all you have to do is nominate your teams for the award categories below in an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk including a few words about why our team of judges should come and meet your team and a photo or two that we can include in our GTN Xtra Christmas photo galleries. The closing date for nominations to guarantee a visit from our judges is Sunday 2nd November 2025.

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

• The Greatest Winter & Christmas Houseplant Team
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
• The Greatest Gardening as a Christmas Gift Sales Team
• The Greatest Christmas Gifts Team
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Promotion
• The Greatest Christmas BBQ & Outdoor Leisure Team – The SOLEX Sizzle
• The Greatest Christmas Food & Drink Pop up
• The Greatest Festive RetailFood Team
• The Greatest Christmas Wild Bird Care & Pet Team
• The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team
• The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Giant Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team – Overall and regional winners - as voted for by customers

*The Group Garden Centre awards are for centres that are part of groups with 5 or more centres

Judging visits will take place during November and early December with the winners being announced at Spring Fair on Monday 2nd February 2026.

As well as the kudos and fame from winning one of GTN's Greatest Christmas awards, our Gold winners in each category will win prizes including stock, services or hotel accommodation from our sponsors, which at time of going to press include:

• Garden Radio
• Glee 2026
• Museums & Galleries
• Smart Garden Products – Three Kings
• Solex 2026
• Woodmansterne

Watch out for details of the prizes on offer in future issues of GTN Xtra: www.gardentradenews.co.uk and in GTN magazine.

Further sponsorship opportunities that give unrivalled media coverage via the pages of GTN Xtra and GTN magazine during November, December, January and February are available, please contact Alan Burdon: alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07939 048899

So, what are you waiting for, get snapping and send an e-mail with your nominations today to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk to get your entry registered.

What the judges will be looking for:

As GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards firstly recognise the amazing teamwork involved in garden centre Christmas retailing excellence we asked our judges what specific things they will be looking for in each Christmas Awards category this year:

• The Greatest Winter & Christmas Houseplant Team

• Christmas theming of the displays, link sales and plants as ideal Christmas decorations and presents.
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
• Extending the Christmas season out into the Planteria, driving the sales of plants for winter colour, sales of plants as gifts and when the time is right unique ideas that increase the sales of cut Christmas trees. 
• The Greatest Gardening as a Christmas Gift Sales Team
• This award is all about making the most of core gardening products as Christmas Gifts.
• The Greatest Christmas Gifts Team
• From the buyers, through visual merchandising and the customer advisors, which garden centres are pushing the boundaries when it comes to Christmas Gift sales.
• The Greatest Christmas Promotion
• On and off-centre Christmas marketing activity: advertising, p.o.s. video, social media, influencer promotions. We are looking for originality, execution and success.
• The Greatest Christmas BBQ and Outdoor Leisure Team – The Solex Sizzle
• Inspiring sales ideas for BBQ’s, firepits, furniture, arbours and leisure items normally associated with summer rather than Christmas.
• The Greatest Christmas Food & Drink Pop-Up
• With garden centre catering operating at capacity for most of the Christmas period, who has added The Greatest Food & Drink Pop-up this season?
• The Greatest Festive Retail Food Hall Team
• Who is making the most of Festive Food retailing? What is special to your Garden Centre offer over other food retailers?
• The Greatest Christmas Wild Bird Care & Pet Team
• From a gondola end of Christmas pet treats to a whole department dedicated to wild bird care or pets of all shapes and sizes. The festive feeling generated by the team, from their attitude for sales to their inspirational displays.  Who has been bold enough to include a pet or wild bird care display in the main Christmas area?
• The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team
• What have the team done this season to create a really magical, enjoyable and memorable Santa experience.
• The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Giant Garden Centre Christmas Team
• For all the overall team awards the judges are looking for happy, festive garden centre teams who create customer satisfaction through their Christmas displays and theming.  And can keep their Christmas retailing standards at their best throughout the Christmas sales period. 

*The Group Garden Centre awards are for centres that are part of groups with 5 or more centres

Once again, we will be letting your customers have the final say on just who are The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas teams.  Voting can be done on-line and in-store between now and the 22^nd December. See the details here

Once again, as a key part of our Greatest Christmas Awards, we will be letting your customers have the final say on just who are The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas teams in 2025.  Voting can be done on-line and in-store between now and the 22^nd December.

To ask your customers to vote for you and your team, all you need to do is print off the posters, there are four different designs to choose from, that can be accessed via this link: GTN Greatest Christmas Awards Voting Materials, display them in store, add a link to your social media pages or website where you can put the voting link or the QR code as below and let the voting begin.

You can also let your customers vote in-store by printing off the voting postcards and collecting them in-store before sending them in to us for counting before Christmas. This is a great way for your team to see just what customers really like about your Christmas, as they can read through the positive comments and take a big pat on the back too.

It’s as simple as that.  Voting is open now and will remain open until 4:00pm on December 22nd.

As last year, awards will be made on a regional basis as well as overall and will also take size of garden centre and team into account too, so every vote will count!

Here is the link to the on-line voting page: GTN Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 On-Line Voting Link

Here are links to the posters, postcards and "Post your Votes here" artwork - just click on the images below: 

Here is a link to the Voting QR code:

GTN Greatest Christmas Awards Voting QR code

If you have any questions please contact: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973 504214.

Corby+Fellas are delighted to announce that not only did Jacob and Jamie have the pleasure of installing WinRetail at Thirsk Garden Centre this week, but they also welcomed Bay View Garden Centre to our ever-growing portfolio of Choice Marketing customers.

Thirsk Garden Centre is nestled beautifully between the picturesque Yorkshire Moors and Dales, is a cherished, independent, family-run business featuring a popular Coffee Shop. Known for their friendly and knowledgeable team, Thirsk sought a robust retail solution to streamline operations across their plant sales, garden supplies, and restaurant operations.

Our award winning WinRetail system provides real-time sales visibility, efficient stock management, and improved customer service insights — empowering the team to deliver an even better experience for visitors.

We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the Joyce family!

Pictured are Corby & Fellas Support Engineers Jacob Parker and Jamie Cann with Thirsk Garden Centre’s Helen and Tom.

Bay View Garden Centre, overlooking the stunning shores of Morecambe Bay, is a welcoming, family-owned destination offering a wide range of plants, garden furniture, gifts, and homeware. Its modern, air-conditioned restaurant provides panoramic views across the bay, serving freshly prepared meals, cakes, and local treats — with a seasonal Garden Café open through spring and summer.

Easily accessible from the A6 and M6 (junctions 34 & 35), Bay View is dog-friendly and known for its warm hospitality and knowledgeable team — making it a perfect addition to the Corby + Fellas family.

We are privileged to be working with Lisa and Bay View team!

Pictured are Bay View’s James (Finance Manager), Richard (Restaurant Manager), and Rachel (Retail Manager) alongside the Corby & Fellas team.

Designer British Brand is offering retailers £150 voucher to spend on Wilmax England UK stock.

WhitCo Catering and Bakery, a trusted UK name with over 30 years of experience in foodservice and retail solutions, made a bold impact at Glee 2025 from their stand in Hall 11, showcasing a complete and immersive hospitality environment that will help transform your catering department and maximise its profitability.

From Kitchen to Restaurant and Beyond has been the core WhitCo message for three decades. Beyond has become the Companies USP, whilst professionally designed and installed are the given!

Bringing new ideas and innovation to Glee at several events over the years, 2025 saw a huge leap forward for WhitCo, with four new exclusive brands leading up changes in catering kitchens, bakeries, restaurant Furniture and tableware, all boasting sustainability, durability and a wealth of added value to both the design and operation of Garden Centre food service and hospitality areas. 

The WhitCo ecosystem

At the heart of the company’s display at Glee was a fully integrated ecosystem featuring these fournew global brands – Debag, Wilmax, Tilia and LightFry – alongside WhitCo’s bespoke design service. Each brand was selected for its potential to solve real-world challenges, such as: rising costs, limited skilled labour, compliance complexity and shifting customer expectations.

•             LightFry – a revolutionary oil-free commercial air fryer with major health and operational benefits.

•             Debag – world-leading bakery ovens, proofers, retarders, and cooling technology.

•             Tilia – stylish, functional, and durable contract furniture, suited for cafés, restaurants, and outdoor spaces, also a great retail opportunity.

•             Wilmax – robust, stylish, and practical tableware ranges designed for busy hospitality settings, another great retail opportunity.

Expert Content

In addition to this hands-on hospitality showcase at the heart of Food @ Glee, WhitCo delivered a trio of expert-led sessions on the Feed Your Business Stage, bringing three decades of experience directly to operators seeking practical, future-focused strategies.

Vita Whitaker, chief executive officer of WhitCo, who delivered the content live for visitors at Glee, said: “We understand the real pressures garden centres are under – more demand, fewer staff, and tighter regulations. Our stand at Glee demonstrated how, with the right partners and tools, it’s possible to turn those challenges into opportunity.”

WhitCo demonstrated how today’s Innovation, Technology and “Advanced Intelligence” will support businesses as they move forward with change, detailing how they will need to adapt during this decade.  WhitCo designs professional kitchens that free up time for catering operator and allow more time for staff to deliver world-class customer service to their customers, without compromising food quality or consistency.  

WhitCo Director, Angela Hampton, was on hand for the duration of the show to present the brands to garden centres and other retailers and explain how WhitCo can help future-proof their catering departments. She commented: “We’ve been partnering with businesses for over 30 years, building trusted relationships with customers and suppliers. We specialise in commercial kitchens, bakeries, restaurants, and laundry facilities, covering every aspect from design and fit out, to equipment supply.

“Our in-house team manages projects, end-to-end design, building works, equipment, interiors, storage, furniture, and tableware. We source directly from the best manufacturers, ensuring quality and value with no middle costs. Anyone who missed us at the show is warmly invited to pay a visit to our Head Office in Thrapston, where the tea and coffee are always on!

The Head Office is located just off Junction 12 of the A14, where WhitCo’s Test & Taste restaurant and visitor shop showcase their offering in style and provide inspiration for both staff and visitor dining spaces.

Attached to this message is a £150 voucher, which visitors can use towards Wilmax England stock from the UK assortment.

To discover more about the WhitCo’s facilities watch their Test & Taste reel

For more information on WhitCo visit the website: https://www.whitcoltd.com/#

The Greenfingers Charity has celebrated the opening of The Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall. This joyful, inclusive outdoor space was thoughtfully designed to offer comfort, connection, and inspiration to the children and families who spend time at the hospice.

Created by Vanessa and Rachel of VaRa Garden Design and brought to life by Paul Taylor Landscapes, The Centred Garden was envisioned as a safe, accessible, and stimulating environment for children of all ages and abilities. With sensory planting, interactive zones and tranquil seating areas, the garden invites play, exploration, and quiet reflection - helping families connect with one another and with nature throughout the seasons.

The garden’s creation was made possible through the generous support of The Hospital Saturday Fund, LOFA, Clarins, and many wonderful Greenfingers supporters - including those who participated in Garden Re-Leaf Day - as well as a number of Trusts and Foundations. Additional gifts in kind were donated by industry partners including Noma, MK Illuminations, Rolawn, Hozelock, Treadstone and Ball Colegrave, who provided vibrant Beacon Impatiens to the hospice during the summer months.

The Centred Garden was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Greenfingers Patron, David Domoney, joined by children who use the hospice alongside their carers. The event welcomed supporters and friends from across the horticultural industry, including Phil Hurst, Jo Charlton, Richard Jackson Roger Head, Anya Gooding along with Mark Butler and the Vitax team, Jason Eagles, members of the Kilimanjaro Trekkers fundraising team, and many others who have played a vital role in bringing the charity’s vision to life.

Speaking about the garden opening, Boyd Douglas Davies, Chairman at Greenfingers Charity, said: “The Centred Garden is a remarkable example of what can be achieved when compassion, creativity and collaboration are guided by a shared commitment to improving the lives of others.

“This beautifully designed sensory space now offers a safe, inclusive environment where children of all ages and abilities can engage with nature, explore freely, and find moments of joy and connection. As Chairman of Greenfingers Charity, I am immensely proud of what has been accomplished and deeply grateful to every supporter, donor and partner whose generosity has helped bring this very special garden to life.”

This latest project marked another milestone in Greenfingers Charity’s ongoing mission to design and build beautiful, therapeutic gardens for life-limited children and families in hospices across the UK, spaces where memories are made, comfort is found, and nature plays a healing role every day.

Find out more

For more information about Greenfingers Charity visit: www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to discuss ways to support the charity at this or future events.

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.

To learn more about Acorns Children’s Hospice please visit www.acorns.org.uk

RocketGro continues to push industry boundaries embracing clever marketing strategies with the launch of their first TV quality advert.

RocketGro are thrilled to be able to announce the release of their first TV advert. Incorporating vibrant, eye catching, intense images and audio, RocketGro have produced a stunning first advert that takes the company up a level and places a marker down by elevating what can be done in the world of growing media. By avoiding the traditional advert form that may be associated with the gardening sector, RocketGro are attempting to take a modern forward thinking position that embraces both the youth and the older generations.  

With projected growth in 2026, RocketGro are making sure their marketing spend really pays off and grabs eyes across online platforms and perhaps even on the TV at some point soon. RocketGro are not a gardening sector household name……yet. That is changing fast and the brand grows from strength to strength.

Managing Director Toby Thomas commented: “We are so excited by our recent efforts to produce absorbing, engaging, ‘wow’ marketing. This first advert is a major milestone in the ongoing growth of our company. There is much much more to come. Supporting our brand and therefore our retailers with stunning marketing investment is a game changer. Consumers will embrace our fun, dynamic, innovative positioning of our brand. Coupled with our unbeatable eco story, we are a brand fit for the modern era and we are making sure we are not just future proofed, we are creating the future. Turn up the volume. RocketGro are here!’’

If you want to learn more about RocketGro or are keen to discuss adding its product portfolio into your 2025/26 offering, please contact Toby Thomas (hello@rocketgro.co.uk /07936 928 981) or Andy Abraham (andy@rocketgro.co.uk / 07446 937902). View the full range and discover more about the RocketGro story at www.rocketgro.co.uk

Thursday 16th October 2025 would have been the 100th birthday of leading seedsman, horticulturalist and businessman David Colegrave.   

David Colegrave died in 1992, and his son, Jeff, continued to run the Colegrave Seeds business, until it was sold to the Ball Horticultural Company in 2001. During his career, David Colegrave took a keen interest in supporting and promoting the development of young people, and it was with this in mind that Jeff, with his family, set up a trust in memory of David, and the David Colegrave Foundation (now The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation) was formed to support students studying Horticulture.

Peter Seabrook was a great friend of David and became one of the founding Trustees of the Foundation when it was set up in 1993. Following Peter’s sudden death in 2022, the Colegrave family requested that the Foundation be renamed to reflect this great friendship.

Today the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, the only registered charity solely dedicated to supporting students studying horticulture and the commercial production of ornamental plants, it has, in the last 10 years alone, supported approaching 150 students with almost £200,000 worth of scholarships.

The Trustee board met at Kew Botanic Garden, Kew on this significant date and also voted in a new Chair of Trustees. Recently retired from the role of Marketing Manager at Ball Horticulture, Stuart Lowen has taken on Chair of Trustees from Jeff Colegrave.

Stuart told GTN Xtra: “The Foundation is in great shape for future years and the challenges the industry faces and how to best service them for students with their careers in horticulture. Through the support we get form the horticultural industry and companies like Westland Horticulture, Smart Garden Products and Wyevale Nurseries we can build on the Foundations established reputation as the “go-to” provider of financial support for the next generation in the horticultural industry.

"Quite by chance, we are meeting on what would have been David’s birthday, and at a horticultural venue such as Kew. It seems very fitting. I think David would be very proud of the legacy his son Jeff, the wider Colegrave family and the horticultural industry have created and the support we are able to give to so many growing Horticulturalists. Our thanks must go to Jeff for his leadership of the Trustees for an incredible 30 plus years.”

The 2026 scholarship season will launch at the end of this month and will see the continuation of the Smart Garden Products Student Scholarship, one of the most popular the Foundation run, as well as the Wyevale Nurseries Scholarship which was launched for the 2025 season.  Also joining the scholarships supported by Ball Horticulture, British Ornamental Association, The Royal Society of Biology, The Crispa/Cahn Family and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners will be two brand new scholarships for 2026, both aimed at providing financial and practical support to students learning their craft of horticulture.”  

Full details of the work of the Foundation, how you can apply for a scholarship or support their work, which is entirely funded through the support of the horticultural supply industry, can be found on their website;

colegraveseabrookfoundation.org.uk

The Horticultural Trades Association October Market Update shows that garden centres recorded modest but steady sales growth in September 2025, with overall sales by value up +3% on September 2024 and +7% on September 2023. 

Although September is one of the smallest trading months for the sector, performance remained solid, supported by good footfall and encouraging early signs of autumn gardening.

Sales volumes grew +4%, slightly ahead of value growth, suggesting that whilst garden centres are still attracting a steady flow of customers, they are choosing lower-value products overall.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said:

“September was a steady month for garden centres, with growth in line with expectations for the time of year. Whilst our report is an average across the sector, we do know that performance varies significantly between retailers due to September being one of the smallest trading months for garden centres.  While overall sales were up +3% compared to last year, the real story lies in the mix of what customers are buying.

“Gardening categories were relatively stable, up just +1% year-on-year and down slightly on 2023. Live plant sales edged up on 2024, though hardy plant sales were around 10% lower than two years ago. However, bulbs and seeds performed particularly well, up 7–8% on last year and 17% ahead of 2023. This reflects a healthy appetite for autumn planting, supported by the warmer, wetter conditions that created ideal growing weather.

“Non-gardening areas were the main driver of growth again this month, rising +7% on 2024 and +17% on 2023. Gifting, indoor living, and food & farm shop products all did well, and catering sales rose +7% compared to last year. Together, these categories continue to add strength and variety to the garden centre offer.

“Average transaction values were unchanged for the second year running. Given the impact of inflation, this shows that shoppers are still visiting and spending, but focusing on smaller, more affordable purchases. Consumer confidence dipped slightly in September, down two points since August, but remains steady overall.

“Year-to-date sales remain comfortably ahead of previous years, at +10% higher than in 2024 and +11% ahead of 2023, putting garden centres in a strong position as we move into the crucial Christmas trading period. That said, businesses typically need growth of 10–15% year-to-date to maintain profits given the rising costs of doing business, and many are still facing real pressure on margins. To help maintain and grow these vital businesses, our Autumn Budget submission calls for urgent support for garden centre businesses, including reforms to business rates, access to investment allowances, and measures that help our members invest in green skills to grow literally and figuratively. With the right framework, retailers can continue to offer great experiences, support local jobs, and help the UK meet its environmental ambitions.”

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

Garden centre and horticultural industry staff are invited to sign-up for a fundraising event being held at the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference at Carden Park Chester in January.

Teams will compete for the Greenfingers’ Charity Shield on January 25 to help raise money for Greenfingers, which is dedicated to creating enchanting and inspiring gardens in children’s hospices nationwide.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks says: “We’re so thrilled that the Greenfingers’ Charity Shield is back for 2026, which is our special 60th anniversary year, and we’re looking forward to a great battle between the teams from our garden centre and our associate members. This year it’s slightly different as delegates will be placed into four teams with a maximum of 15 people in each to compete and complete all the activities.

“Our Sunday, January 25, Greenfingers’ events are now live on our 2026 Conference booking site and ready for members to book-up. They include outdoor pursuits from 2-5pm with activities such as a driving range, axe throwing, archery and laser clay shooting. These are in an all-weather area, so will go ahead come rain, snow or shine.

“The centre where the activities will take place is just a two-minute walk from the hotel. Places cost just £120 per person including VAT with all proceeds going to the charity. There will be prizes for the winning team too!

“In the evening, we’ve a special Greenfingers’ Wine Tasting and Quiz event with a buffet dinner to celebrate and support the launch of the charity’s 30th Anniversary Appeal. It will take place in the Shooting Gallery next to the hotel from 7-10pm. Places cost £120 per person including VAT with proceeds to the charity. As well as the winners being able to hoist the Greenfingers’ Charity Shield at the end of the day, there will also be prizes for the winning team!”

Greenfingers’ gardens are magical outside spaces in hospices, where life-limited children can spend quality time outside with their families, friends and carers in a safe and protective environment. 

As well as places where therapies, play and precious memories can be created, its gardens also provide a special space for reflection and remembering. 

It has, to date, completed almost 70 gardens in children’s hospices across the UK.

Peter adds: “Booking is now open for our Greenfingers’ Fundraising Day on January 26, 2026, on the members’ section of our website or via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk.

“You can book for all the days of the conference online too. This year’s event is not to be missed as we’ve several brilliant speakers taking to the podium including the writer, broadcaster, former MP and Government Whip Gyles Brandreth and retail guru, businesswoman, broadcaster, author and activist Mary Portas OBE.” 

There is also a dedicated email for any queries members, and those wishing to book for the event, may have: conference@gca.org.uk.

For further information and to book tickets for the 2026 GCA Conference, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

The 2025 GIMA Awards have now officially SOLD OUT! Tickets for the sumptuous event, which will take place on the evening of 6 November at the five-star Celtic Manor resort in South Wales, have been snapped up by 450 guests from all corners of the gardening industry.

Pictured above: Last year's Sword of Excellence winners, Sipcam.

Seventeen different awards are up for grabs on what promises to be a sensational night of celebrating the very best our industry has to offer, from the most innovative products and ingenious marketing campaigns to the most exceptional teams and suppliers.

This year’s host is award-winning comedian and broadcaster, Patrick Kielty, who fronted hit series for the BBC TV and radio and has also appeared on Channel 4 and ITV on many different occasions.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nutall said: “We’re delighted that tickets for this year’s awards have already sold out and this promises to be an incredible night for our guests. We are all now looking forward to seeing the winners revealed up on stage at the most hotly-anticipated awards in our industry. A big thank you to all our amazing sponsors and those who’ve booked tables and individual tickets. We can’t wait to see you all at Celtic Manor next month!”

Find out more

For further information about the GIMA Awards 2025 – including hotel information and award categories – please visit www.gima.org.uk/gima-awards/GIMA.

Further information on the wide range of GIMA member benefits can be obtained by contacting the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk.

The RHS is confirming that from 2026 all plants for sale at its retail outlets and online will be grown fully peat-free or only contain peat already in production cycle before the end of 2025.  

The move comes despite the Government ban on retail peat sales being cast aside, and legislation being stalled*.  

With no Government legislation on a Peat ban, no official guidance on Peat Free definitions and little funding, the UK horticultural industry faces immense challenges as it continues striving to maintain its position as world leader in peat free horticulture.

The industry is reliant on the 60% of young plants – predominantly Peat Starter Plants - brought in from overseas, primarily Holland.  With no Government legislation on peat imports and complex supply chains, many nurseries and Plant Centres remain dependent on these lines as the UK transitions to Peat Free.  

RHS Director General, Clare Matterson CBE, says: “Despite the challenges this brings, in terms of sourcing plants that haven’t started life as ‘Peat Starter Plants’, our ambition is to be the UK’s leading supplier of ‘No New Peat’ plants, where ‘no new peat’ really means ‘no new peat’.   

“Gardeners who care about enhancing biodiversity in their gardens will be able to shop in the knowledge they are not damaging our precious peat bogs and know that from next year no plants that the RHS sells will contain any peat extracted after the end of 2025.” 

To continue to lobby Government; support industry and gardeners and see UK horticulture continue to lead the way transitioning to peat free, the RHS will call on everyone to: 

• Help make UK Horticulture Peat Free 

The RHS aims to work with wider charities and call on and RHS members, communities and our nation of gardeners, and industry to lobby government for a peat ban with clarity on a time-line and with packages for the industry transition.  The RHS remains committed to investing in Peat Free research and continuing to support the industry to transition.  

• Save our Precious Peat Bogs 

At point of sale and via its communications channels the RHS will raise awareness of why UK Peatlands are vital, storing approximately 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon—making them the largest natural land-based carbon store in the country.  

However, around 80% of UK peatlands are damaged—and they’re leaking around 16.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. 

• Ensure ‘No new Peat’, Means ‘No new Peat’

With 56% of people not knowing if plants they purchase are grown in peat**, the RHS is challenging consumers to question whether plants for sale are grown without peat or with new peat extracted after 2025.

Clare continues: “Without any Government legislation on banning peat, it’s not a level playing field for growers and plant centres leading the charge and taking risks to be peat free.  We know ourselves that there may be issues around plant supplies and we will need to consider a different retail offering going forward, whilst still offering our visitors and customers a fantastic choice of varieties of plants for their gardens and outside spaces.

“Ultimately the more we can all champion growing peat free plants and the more growers there are producing peat-free plants, the better for the planet.”

As the Government has not defined what ‘peat-free’ means for consumers given there is old peat in the supply chain for plants that have been growing for several years.  To provide clarity for gardeners wanting to choose the best plants for the planet, the RHS earlier this year created its own definitions to help the public make informed choices:    

• No New Peat Plants – plants grown entirely peat free or older plants containing peat already in production cycle before the end of 2025 **
• Peat Starter Plants – plants which started their life in peat (as a plug plant or liner) but have since been grown peat free
• Peat Plants – grown in peat since 31st December 2025

Earlier this year in March, due to no Government Legislation, the RHS had to introduce concessions at its Flower Shows to support growers in their final stages of transitioning to 100% Peat Free up to 2028.  The RHS’s five gardens at Bridgewater, Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr have been No New Peat Plants since June this year.  The RHS has been growing No New Peat within its own nurseries for the last two years and has been 98% Peat Free for nearly 25 years.

Returning to the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds on 19-23 May 2026, the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show will debut a full lineup of spectacular gardens, plants and inspiration for gardeners across the globe. Renowned garden designers will connect to charitable and cultural causes, curating a stunning set of gardens to inspire and enthral. 

The 13 gardens announced today by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) highlight themes of improving biodiversity in urban spaces and welcoming local wildlife through carefully selected pollinator-friendly plants; gardens that build calming, sensitive spaces through the use of symbolic planting and structures to create resilience and finally the incorporation of iconic and historical British structures that will contrast with several gardens adopting Japanese gardening ideologies into their designs. 

Helena Pettit, RHS Director of Shows, said: “This year our amazing RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens demonstrate the transformative benefits of gardens and gardening. They take a re-energised and uplifting approach to creating special places that highlight hope and resilience and where everyone can feel the restorative power of plants and wildlife. There is a focus on individual empowerment and personal choice to benefit nature and our world and a host of inspirational gardening ideas to ignite the excitement of all those who love gardening.”

Celebrating hope and the power of young adults building brighter and more positive futures is The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine Garden by Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis. A pioneering solar powered structure will provide shelter to young people developing practical skills in horticulture and green industries. Planting reflects the setting of Morecombe Bay with salt-tolerant plants embodying the Eden Project’s mission to inspire positive action for the planet. Also looking to nurture young people is The Children’s Society Garden by Patrick Clarke. The garden hopes to regenerate optimism in a younger generation, with the design drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of ‘wabi-sabi’ - the recrafting of discarded materials to create a garden where both teenagers and plants can develop a resilient network. 

Set in a nostalgic Japanese courtyard, the Tokonoma Garden – Samumaya no Niwa, designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara and Paul Noritaka Tange, is a seasonally inspired garden that invites visitors to reflect, connect, and appreciate traditional beauty. The Garden is designed to evoke the view from a small tea room and celebrates harmony, family bonds, and community spirit.

Presenting exciting elements from the upcoming Clore Garden at Tate Britain, The Tate Britain Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith presents a bold vision of how art, nature and community interact. Offering a sneak preview of the garden ahead of its Autumn 2026 opening, the museum garden will provide an inviting new green space for Londoners to be inspired by art amidst a biodiverse haven of plants.

RHS Chelsea will be celebrating further British landmarks with The Boodles Garden by Catherine MacDonald, inspired by much-loved features found within the four Historic Royal Palaces, including The Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. The garden reflects a popular romantic, gardenesque style of planting, using cultivated species with a strong emphasis on ‘jewel’ colours.

Arit Anderson returns as a designer to RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey. A place of harmony for those living with and assisting those with Parkinson’s. The garden features joyful, jewel-toned perennials and annuals to uplift and energise. Similarly highlighting those living with chronic illnesses, the Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden by Angus Thompson is set on a tranquil woodland edge and will provide a supporting ‘breathing space’ to recover and reconnect. Pine trees, known for their natural antioxidant and immune-boosting qualities, anchor a sheltered space for breath-supporting therapies. The Lady Garden Foundation ‘Silent No More’ Garden by Darren Hawkes is honouring those diagnosed with one of five gynaecological cancers. Designed to encourage conversations and promote discussion around women’s cancers, a meandering path will guide visitors through richly planted borders containing shifting tones of colour weaving between five sculptures. 

The Campaign to Protect Rural England: On the Edge designed by RHS Chelsea veteran Sarah Eberle, shines a light on the overlooked countryside at the edge of our towns and cities. Set on undeveloped land looked after by a community on the urban fringe, the garden showcases nature's resilience with a fallen mature tree that still supports life and highlights the importance of ‘edgelands’ connecting people to nature. Linking gardens with urban living is the Addleshaw Goddard: Flourish in the City garden by Joe and Laura Carey. Pocket-sized oases stitch cities together and London’s status as the first National Park City serve as a base for the garden. Homage is paid to London’s oyster trade though the garden’s structure and form. 

Using the idea of ‘making more from less’ The Killik & Co. 'A Seed In Time' Garden by Baz Grainger delivers a modern and resilient garden that incorporates heritage crafts encouraging sustainability and wildlife into gardens to maximise long-term enjoyment. The garden captures rainwater, supports biodiversity, and responds sensitively to climate unpredictability.

Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth by Max Parker-Smith inspires us to imagine an epic Australian train journey across the outback, linking Adelaide and Perth. One half of the garden will recreate the Western Australian outback and the other will reflect the National Park City of Adelaide’s green urban vision. 

Tackling issues of hunger and the positive impact of food banks, Trussell’s Together Garden by Rob Hardy is inspired by people coming together to help those on low incomes. The theme of ‘togetherness is expressed through intersecting paths and bright, colourful planting. The pea family (Fabaceae) will be used for their ability to enrich the soil and support others, reflecting compassion and solidarity.

Project Giving Back, the unique grant-giving charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea, is once again supporting several of this year’s Show Gardens. 

RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 19 to 23 May 2026 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, more information and tickets available from rhs.org.uk/chelsea

For further details on the gardens announced today, please visit:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/press/shows/chelsea

Blue Diamond Garden Centres set out to bring the joy of the great outdoors to the heart of communities across the UK by supporting local groups in creating or revitalising community gardens.

To make this vision a reality, Blue Diamond launched a nationwide competition, offering £10,000 worth of plants and garden care products—shared equally among five winning community gardens. Each project also received six hours of expert horticultural advice to help them get off to a flourishing start.

Following an overwhelming number of inspiring entries, five winners were chosen. Over the past year, Blue Diamond has followed their journeys—celebrating how this support has transformed their gardens and enriched their local communities.

Newton Abbot Centre Association

This community project was paired with Blue Diamond’s, Fermoy’s Garden Centre.

Newton Abbot Centre Association is a registered charity dedicated to running The Courtenay Centre – a much-loved community hub at the heart of Newton Abbot, Devon. The centre hosts a wide range of local groups and activities, provides space for community events, and is home to a welcoming café offering affordable food. It also runs a community fridge to share surplus food with local residents and organises a variety of support groups and wellbeing activities.

With the help of funding from Blue Diamond Garden Centres, The Courtenay Centre enhanced its outdoor space by purchasing plants for a decorative bath feature, along with herbs, vegetables, and additional plants to brighten other areas of the garden. They also added bird feeders, bird food, and seasonal flower seeds to encourage wildlife and colour throughout the year.

John Addy, Chair of Trustees, Newton Abbot Centre Association said: "Newton Abbot Centre Association were delighted to have been selected as a winner of this competition for our new community garden at The Courtenay Centre. The support of an expert and the funding have enabled us to complete our community garden works. The garden is now a space where people can enjoy much needed rest and relaxation. For those looking to learn or use their 'green fingered' skills, there is an opportunity to volunteer to support the maintenance of the garden. By connecting with the various youth activities at The Courtenay Centre, we hope to inspire the younger generation to get involved and develop a love of plants that lasts a lifetime."

Step Together Volunteering - Get Growing Project

This community project was paired with Blue Diamond’s, Cadbury Garden Centre.

This community “Get Growing” project is based at an allotment in South Bristol. Established in 2021 in response to the pandemic, when people needed a safe space to meet with young people, it is now an integral part of the service offered for young people facing multiple disadvantages in Bristol. The community group run sessions for young people twice a week where they can come together in small groups and develop:

• Confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and aspirations.
• Work-related skills such as communication, reliability, team working.
• Knowledge about growing produce, cooking, healthy lifestyles, and project planning.

The space supports 16–25-year-olds and serves as a “safe” place where they feel connected to their local community, where they can explore their interests and learn about the land and environment around them.

Mel Head - Project Manager and Get Growing Allotment Lead said: "Winning the competition has been transformational for the Step Together “Get Growing” young people’s allotment. It has allowed us access to equipment and plants, that as a small charity,  we would not have been able to have afford. This has made growing fruit, vegetables and plants easier and more productive. In turn, this allows the young people to experience different fruit/veg/plants than they are used to and to learn new skills. Going forward, it will make the site much easier to manage ,allowing us to spend more time doing the thing we love – growing!”

“Meeting the Team from Cadbury Garden Centre has also been important as not only does it encourage our clients to engage with new people, but it has helped them to feel that they are worth investing in. Just this morning, I received a message from one of the groups, asking if the team from Cadbury had been to visit and what they  thought of the work the group had done. The involvement from Cadbury has helped them to feel pride in their volunteering work”.

Kingshurst Community Garden

This community project was paired with Blue Diamond’s Melbick’s Garden Centre.

The purpose of this community group is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes local engagement. They aim to enhance the well-being of their community through various initiatives, including educational programs, social events, and volunteer opportunities. By encouraging active participation and open days, they strive to address local issues, support sustainable development, and strengthen community bonds. The group serves as a hub for residents to connect, share resources, and work together towards common goals, contributing to a vibrant, resilient, and thriving community garden.

Lee Browning from the Kinghurst Parish Council said:"We are absolutely thrilled and honoured that the Kingshurst Community Garden was selected as one of the winners in the Blue Diamond Garden Centres’ competition. This recognition truly celebrates the dedication and passion of our residents and volunteers in transforming our green space into a vibrant, sustainable community asset.

Over the past year, we have worked hard to transform what was once an overgrown area into a flourishing pollinators’ garden to support our community beehives. Thanks to the generous support from Blue Diamond and the valuable advice provided, we have been able to use the winnings to plant a wide variety of pollinator-friendly plants, bushes, and fruit trees.

The garden is now a space enjoyed by all ages and stands as a lasting tribute to what community spirit, expert advice, and a little support can achieve.

Thank you again for your generosity and for inspiring communities like ours to grow together”.

Friends of Holbrook Charity

This community project was paired with Blue Diamond’s Newbridge Nurseries Garden Centre.

The objectives of the Friends of Holbrook group are to encourage the development of the community of the school, and the school within the wider community; to engage in activities which will benefit the school and all its members; to purchase equipment and books to benefit pupils’ education.

Dawn Filson (Year 5 Teacher and Eco Council lead) said: “We were very grateful to a parent and representative of our Friends of Holbrook PTA, Kristina Schraitel, for entering the Blue Diamond’s Community Garden Competition. Being one of the 5 winners has made a huge difference to our project. Over the past year, we have used our competition winnings to buy plants, furniture, paint, animal decorations and feeders for the garden. We spent the money on items that the children said they wanted to have in the garden.  

Like many schools, the project would not have been possible without the kindness and goodwill of parents, staff and local organisations, including Newbridge Nurseries Garden Centre. Kristina has put a lot of work into the project, especially planting the numerous plants we have purchased, and our older children have also helped lay wood chippings to create a walkable path.

In May, we were finally able to open the garden back up to the children. They can use it during breaktimes and have reported back to our Eco Council that they particularly like the animal statues, flowers and new bird hide. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of overseeing the project has been the kindness of the local community. People have offered advice or physical labour for free, and we really appreciate that. In addition, I have already seen the positive effect it has had for the children. Many enjoy the peace of the garden at breaktimes and also during lessons too - it really is a peaceful haven”.

Transition Town Wellington

This community project was paired with Blue Diamond’s Blackdown Garden Centre.

The aim of this community group is to help their town become more self-sufficient as a reaction to the climate and ecological crises. Part of their work is to create community gardens in public spaces in the town with food for residents to pick for free, including fruit, nuts, vegetables and herbs. These spaces are managed to increase biodiversity and soil health to benefit nature as well as people. The group welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to join our group in the “transition” to a low carbon society.

Helen Kington Project Manager said: “Thanks to Blue Diamond for their financial support and help in enabling us to create a new area of our Forest Garden at Fox’s Field.

We started with some essential tools such as forks, trowels, secateurs and gloves and lots of bulbs which provided some welcome early nectar for our pollinators. We then planted some soft fruit, asparagus crowns and rhubarb.

Two more great additions in the early spring were the benches. Nothing is more important in a community garden than somewhere for visitors to sit! The bigger bench sits with a fantastic view of Fox’s Factory, and the smaller bench has a view of a flowerbed with lots of Geums and Lupins. Lupins are just one of the nitrogen fixing plants that we added in spring, as well as the Broom Indigo which we were really pleased to find at Blackdown Garden Centre. 

We added lots of herbs for our forest garden: sage, thyme and rosemary forming part of the shrub layer and planted mint, garlic chives, pulmonaria, wild garlic, oregano and golden marjoram forming groundcover under the trees.

We added some perennial cut flowers including Coreopsis and Dahlias and received perhaps the most important tool in our dry summer - a hose!”

Slug damage continues to take a heavy toll on UK gardens, with many green-fingered enthusiasts facing the frustration of ruined vegetables, shredded ornamental plants, and failed seedlings year after year. 

Whether you're growing in containers, raised beds, allotments or traditional borders, slugs remain one of the most persistent and destructive garden pests.

Their damage is often underestimated until it’s too late. Slugs can decimate young crops overnight, targeting tender growth when plants are at their most vulnerable. That’s why long-term, preventative slug control is vital for gardeners looking to protect their hard work.

And one of the most effective, natural defences available is Nemaslug® 2.0, a biological slug control that works in harmony with nature and delivers results below the soil surface, where the real damage begins.

Why autumn is a key time
Slugs remain active well into the cooler months and continue laying eggs until soil temperatures drop below 5ºC. By applying Nemaslug 2.0 in autumn, gardeners can target both adult slugs and reduce the number of viable eggs in the soil - halting next spring’s population before it starts.

This final seasonal application offers:

• Early season protection for emerging seedlings and young plants
• Longer-term control by breaking the slug lifecycle
• Peace of mind knowing your garden is defended naturally ahead of the winter

How it works
Nemaslug contains millions of Phasmarhabditis nematodes - microscopic, soil-dwelling organisms that naturally target slugs. Once applied to moist soil, the nematodes seek out slugs, enter their bodies, and release bacteria that quickly kill the host. The nematodes then multiply inside the dead slug and spread out to find more prey, continuing the cycle of protection. Once their food source is exhausted, the nematodes naturally decline to background levels making them an environmentally responsible option for any garden.

Unlike pellets or chemical sprays, Nemaslug remains effective during the wet autumn months. It works in harmony with nature, causing no risk to pets, wildlife, bees, or birds and because it’s applied to the soil, it targets slugs where they live, not just where they feed – an approach unique to beneficial nematodes.

Added benefits of autumn use:

• Soil health is maintained, with no chemical residues or runoff
• Perfect for no-dig and organic gardens
• Ideal for raised beds, greenhouses, and ornamental borders
• Delivered fresh to your door with simple instructions

Join the growing movement of gardeners choosing biological control

With more consumers turning to sustainable gardening methods, nematode-based controls like Nemaslug 2.0 are leading the way in pesticide-free, effective plant protection. It’s an easy win for garden biodiversity and a strong line of defence for next year’s garden.

Watch how nematodes work in this short video: https://youtu.be/JHNG1KSluh0

To learn more about Nemaslug 2.0, visit: www.nemasysinfo.co.uk

EGO Power+ has expanded its offering of battery-powered outdoor power equipment by adding two powerful new leaf blowers to its domestic range. 

Best-in-class, the LB6700E and LB6150E boast exceptional power and control, making them ideal for homeowners looking for quick and efficient clearing.

With superior leaf-blowing performance and improved ergonomics, these blowers have the force to clear the most stubborn debris, while the variable speed trigger enables the user to maintain effortless control. Both blowers also come with flat and round nozzles, increasing their adaptability to tackle any task. 

The larger of the two models, the LB6700E has an impressive 1138m3/h output in the boost mode as well as a 21N air force, enabling users to complete challenging tasks with ease. Helping to maintain gardens without difficulty, this high-performance blower ensures gardens stay immaculate, no matter the task at hand.

Neil McGuinness, Product Manager at EGO, said: “We are delighted to be adding  two new blowers to our domestic range this year. Prioritising power and functionality, the blowers are designed to cut down time on gardening tasks without compromising on power, so using these tools with an EGO 56V ARC Lithium™ battery ensures that there is enough run time and power to aid with any gardening job.”

The LB6150E blower can clear large areas due to its 1045 m3/h output in boost mode with 18.5N of air force, while the large-diameter blower tube ensures maximum airflow. 

“With the LB6150E blower, our users benefit from a high-performing, high-quality tool. Due to its suitability for larger areas, this blower is compatible with our EGO Power+ Backpack to provide users with extra support,” added Neil.

EGO is a true pioneer in battery-powered outdoor power equipment. Its batteries are interchangeable across the entire range and are proven to provide more power and performance than the competition.

The blowers come with a five-year tool warranty for domestic users or a two-year warranty for professional users.

The LB6700E retails at £209 and the LB6150E for £169.

To learn more about EGO’s leaf blower range, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/blowers 

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A Cumbrian garden centre, celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, suffered a blaze at the premises on Wednesday. Investigations are continuing to determine whether the incident was arson.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at Larch Cottage Nurseries, in Melkinthorpe, near Penrith, destroying an original potting shed where the business started.

Larch Cottage Nurseries said: “Thankfully no one was hurt, but such a sad way to conclude our 40th year. 

“We would like to thank the fire brigade and especially our neighbours for their swift action.” 

Crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance for about an hour and 45 minutes.

Pictured: The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Board. (Back l-r): Stan Owen, Mark Pitman, Jacqui Prior, Neil Grant, Brett Avery (Front l-r): Jane Lawler, Will Armitage, Fran Barnes, Vicky Nuttall, Alan Down, Geoff Caesar (Not pictured): Martin Rowe and Mike Burks.

The Horticultural Trades Association’s new Non-Executive Directors have attended their first board meeting, bringing their expertise to the table. 

Jacqui Prior, Brett Avery, and Martin Rowe were successfully ratified as Non-Executive Directors at the HTA Annual General Meeting last month. 

They will serve a three-year term on the board to help shape the strategic direction and governance of the member organisation at the heart of UK Environmental Horticulture.

The HTA Board is made up of Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors – the Chief Executive (Fran Barnes) and the Chief Financial Officer (Stan Owen). The role of Non-Executive Directors is to contribute their knowledge and experience to advise, support and constructively challenge the HTA’s executive staff, to agree the organisation’s business plan and to champion the HTA and the industry to members and wider supporters.

Jacqui Prior, HTA Non-Executive Director, commented:

"I am excited to join the HTA board. I look forward to applying my knowledge and expertise while acting as an ambassador for both the HTA and the wider environmental horticulture sector. I recognise the challenges and opportunities in the horticulture industry and hope to assist the HTA in continually developing to meet the needs of our members."

Brett Avery, HTA Non-Executive Director, added:

“Having spent nearly ten years in the horticulture industry, I’ve gained valuable insight into the needs of growers and the customers they serve. I’m honoured to join the HTA team and look forward to contributing to the organisation’s continued innovation and helping guide future growth and development within the industry.”

The HTA represents more than 1,400 businesses across garden retail, growing, landscaping, design, manufacturing and supply and is a leading voice for a green and growing industry. It delivers political representation, insights, commercial support, and collaboration for members, alongside running the National Garden Gift Card scheme, which secures around £40 million of consumer spend in the sector annually.

Adam Taylor, Matthew Bent and Brian Fraser are all standing down from the Board. The HTA would like to thank the outgoing board members for their time, dedication and expertise.

BHETA’s recent Annual General Meeting saw Duncan Singleton, Trading Director at Ultimate Products join the Board. This follows the retirement from the BHETA Board of Alastair Fisher, joint Managing Director of Taylor’s Eye Witness.

With over twenty years’ experience in the small domestic appliances sector, Duncan brings an abundance of expertise and insight to this role. Throughout his extensive time at Ultimate Products, the owner of iconic brands Salter and Beldray, he has played a key role in driving the company’s dynamic growth and expansion.  Duncan’s passion for household electricals, combined with his innovative mindset and alignment with Ultimate Products’ forward-thinking culture, has consistently propelled him to deliver market-leading innovation that resonates with consumers.

The full Board of BHETA therefore comprises:

• Rythm Jain – CEO Avocet Hardware Group – President
• Andrew Weiss – Chairman
• David Holmes - Managing Director The DRH Collection - Treasurer
• Will Jones - Chief Operating Officer
• Stephen Richardson – Marketing Director
• Clare Holland - Finance Director
• Paul Boyce – Chief Executive Officer – QEP UK
• Richard Walker – Managing Director - Eddingtons
• Jonathan Collier - Managing Director - Monument Tools
• Jane Mason – Managing Director – The Denby Pottery Company
• Jon Langford – Managing Director – Croydex
• Duncan Singleton – Trading Director – Ultimate Brands.

Commenting on the appointment, BHETA’s Chairman, Andrew Weiss said, “The whole Board is delighted to welcome Duncan, and I am sure that the wider membership will be equally pleased.  

“I would also like to thank Alastair for his great work over many years’ involvement in BHETA at Board level, including three years as President.  Alastair has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, as has been self-evident by his many contributions to the association during this time.  In particular, he has also been instrumental in focussing BHETA on its lobbying initiatives, something which has been so well received by our members.” 

For more information about BHETA and its many activities on behalf of members, contact Member Services on 0121 237 1130 or visit www.bheta.co.uk.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has officially endorsed HortEx 2026 in Bangkok, recognising its role in advancing horticultural innovation and trade across Asia. The event will run alongside AGRITECHNICA ASIA from 20–22 May 2026 at BITEC.

The exhibition will span over 14,000 m² and is expected to welcome between 12,000 and 15,000 professional visitors from across Asia and beyond.

Organised by DLG Asia Pacific, Nova Exhibitions and VEAS, HortEx aims to strengthen the region’s horticultural sector by offering a platform for knowledge-sharing, technology transfer, and global business development.

AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe welcomed the approval:

“We are delighted to extend our recognition to HortEx 2026. This region holds significant potential for horticultural growth, and events like HortEx are essential for fostering innovation, partnerships and international trade in sustainable horticulture.”

Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director of Nova Exhibitions says: 

“We are truly honoured that HortEx 2026 has been officially recognised by AIPH as an International Horticultural Trade Show. This recognition affirms the event’s international standing and our commitment to delivering a high-quality platform for the horticultural industry in Asia. It is a significant milestone for our team, and we look forward to showcasing innovation, knowledge sharing, and business opportunities to global audience.”

This new approval follows the recent endorsement of HortEx Vietnam 2025, reinforcing the HortEx brand’s role as a trusted driver of international horticultural engagement in Asia.

For more information, visit: www.hortex-exhibitions.com

On a mild autumn day, the gardeners of Keukenhof have started planting the first flower bulbs, marking the official beginning of preparations for the Keukenhof 2026 season.

After months of preparation, the park is ready. The first flower bed planted is shaped like the new Keukenhof logo, which was officially introduced this week. More information about the new visual identity can be found on the Keukenhof website.

In the coming months, 50 gardeners will plant 7 million flower bulbs by hand. The planting must be completed before the end of December. The spring park covers 32 hectares - roughly the size of 50 football fields.

Keukenhof will be open in 2026 from 19 March to 10 May. Tickets are now available at www.keukenhof.nl.

Dobbies Garden Centre in Royston has become the sixth store to complete upgrades to the shopping experience as part of the retailer’s national refurbishment programme. 

Customers can now shop expanded ranges, including their biggest ever Christmas range; an extended autumn gardening range; a brand-new food gifting range; as well as new clothing concessions including Weird Fish and Klass, with more to come. 

There’s a larger soft play, with more equipment, seating and a refreshed look, and there’s an expanded new-look restaurant with an additional 80 seats for customers indoors, and 76 outdoors, taking the total to 344 across the restaurant. 

General Manager, Shaun Goodchild, said: “The store has really been transformed – it feels like a brand-new store! With all the new ranges and all the changes that have been made to the restaurant, which now has double the seating it used to have, it looks really fantastic. 

“This transformation has been a real team effort, with contributions from colleagues across the business. A huge thank you to everyone involved, we can’t wait for customers to come in and experience the improvements for themselves.”

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “As part of a £4m investment in store refurbishments, Royston is the sixth store we have launched this year, all timed to coincide with our Christmas Launch Weekend.  

“We’ve made fantastic progress with our refurbishment programme, delivering positive results in the five stores so far. We’ll continue to focus on enhancing the customer experience, expanding our ranges and creating more reasons to visit, as we continue with our programme into 2026 and beyond.”

Dobbies’ Brighton, Cadnam, Hungerford, Beaconsfield and Bury St Edmunds stores have already completed their refurbishments this year, with work on Moreton Park underway. 

Bernhard and Company, a leading company is sports turf technologies, has announced the death of its founder, Stephen Bernhard. He passed away peacefully at the age of 79.

Stephen was much more than a founder – he was the heart and soul of Bernhard and Company. His vision, energy, and values continue to shape every aspect of the business today. From the way we innovate to the way we work with our partners and customers, Stephen’s influence is ever-present.

With an unwavering passion for excellence, Stephen built Bernhard and Company from the ground up into a world leader in turf technology. His curiosity and drive to improve standards across the turf industry have helped professionals worldwide deliver better turf and elevate their careers and businesses.

Education was at the centre of Stephen’s philosophy. The Bernhard Academy stands as a lasting testament to his belief in sharing knowledge and opening doors for others. His commitment to helping people develop – both personally and professionally – touched so many lives and remains one of his most powerful legacies.

Stephen’s remarkable career included more than 25 years of involvement with the BIGGA Delegation, a collaboration he took great pride in delivering to more than 200 greenkeepers alongside BIGGA. In 2008, Stephen received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade – an achievement that he was immensely proud of. Most recently, at this year’s BTME, Stephen also received BIGGA’s Outstanding Contribution Award, in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to supporting and improving the industry that he so much loved.

Beyond the accolades, he will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and deep respect for the people who make this industry what it is.

As Managing Director, Steven Nixon reflects: “Stephen’s impact on our company and our industry is immeasurable. His leadership, creativity, and compassion built the foundations upon which Bernhard and Company proudly stands today. We will honour his memory by continuing to champion the innovation, education, and excellence he so passionately believed in.”

Stephen’s passing is a profound loss, but his legacy endures, in our people, our purpose, and in every blade of grass his work helped to perfect.

Deco-Pak, the family-run aggregate experts, is gearing up for a landmark 2026 season with a series of exciting new launches that promise to strengthen its garden retail offering like never before.

With innovation and exclusivity at the heart of the line-up, Deco-Pak is giving garden centres and allied retailers fresh tools to inspire customers, drive impulse sales, and increase profitability.

Gravel Glue – set to shake up garden retail

Taking the lead focus for 2026 is Gravel Glue, a brand-new venture for Deco-Pak and the garden retail market. Designed to simplify aggregate stabilisation for the consumer, Gravel Glue prevents gravel migration, reduces maintenance, and makes paths, driveways and garden features easier to manage.

Retail-ready packaging has been developed with the garden centre shopper in mind. Available in a spray bottle and a 5L container (offering coverage up to 10m²), Gravel Glue is set to capture the imagination of the growing number of consumers turning to their local garden centre for accessible DIY solutions, as well as those shopping the houseplant and interior categories.

Furthermore, Gravel Glue is an even more compelling option for retailers when you consider its incredibly low replenishment requirement. It can be ordered in small quantities of just 12 units or simply added onto a standard Deco-Pak order, making stocking and trialling straightforward and cost-effective.

Optimising houseplant sales

It’s not just the all-new Gravel Glue that will help Deco-Pak extend its influence into the houseplant and interiors market. The launch of compact, 650ml ‘shaker-style’ pot toppers in Frost White, Midnight Grey, Mountain Mist and Amber Gold, is set to boost average basket spend. Eye-catching on the shelf and easy to use, these packs are tailored to the thriving indoor houseplant trend, encouraging impulse add-on sales. Beyond aesthetics, they enable customers to personalise their displays while delivering practical benefits such as reducing water evaporation and suppressing weeds.

Signature natural stone exclusives

Deco-Pak’s Signature Monoliths collection will make a bold statement in 2026, with hand-selected Mediterranean Monoliths offering sculptural focal points for premium garden design. These  exclusive natural stone sculptures, positioned as premium statement pieces at an accessible, pick-up-and-go price point, are set to provide retailers with a valuable opportunity to trade customers up.”

Also joining the Signature line-up are Grande Cobbles in timeless white and Mediterranean shades. Supplied in netted grab bags, they’re easy to merchandise and are ideal for impulse sales.

What’s more, as has become synonymous with Deco-Pak’s Signature range, these latest additions will benefit from the same in-store retail theatre treatment. This approach is proven to elevate products into aspirational, must-have purchases that capture attention, spark inspiration and drive sales once seen. While such theatre space is undoubtedly valuable retail real estate, its ability to transform customer engagement and deliver incremental sales is almost invaluable, creating an immersive shopping experience that makes the products impossible to ignore.

Porcelain Hexagon Tiles

Adding to the innovation for 2026 are Porcelain Hexagon Tiles (600mm Ø) in three contemporary finishes – Santorini Sand, Aegean Grey and Olympus Charcoal. Lightweight, stain-resistant and non-slip, they’re low-maintenance and offer foolproof installation, making them a highly attractive option for both weekend DIYers and landscapers.

Chelsea horticultural range refresh

Deco-Pak is refreshing its popular Chelsea horticultural range for 2026 with the launch of Chelsea Multi-Purpose Compost — a thoughtful extension to the collection rather than a move to compete with major compost producers. This premium blend can be added to any Deco-Pak order in single-pallet quantities, allowing retailers to trial it with confidence and experience the results first-hand. While premium in quality, Chelsea Multi-Purpose Compost remains competitively priced, offering an accessible, great-value option. Retailers are encouraged to order a single pallet - or even just one bag - to appreciate the quality and presentation for themselves.

Chelsea Multi-Purpose Compost is a carefully formulated peat-based mix, designed to deliver exceptional growing performance at outstanding value. Deco-Pak has been open about its choice to use peat, recognising both the industry-wide commitment to reducing reliance on it and the challenges posed by some peat-free alternatives. While supporting the direction of travel towards lower peat use, the company has prioritised product quality, ensuring gardeners have access to a reliable compost that truly performs. At the same time, Deco-Pak believes it is important to acknowledge that not all substitutes are without environmental or economic drawbacks, and that a balanced, responsible approach is required.

Presented with the distinctive Chelsea branding and premium packaging that characterises the range, Chelsea Compost is designed to catch the eye in-store and inspire purchase. It provides retailers with an easy-to-trial option that supports meaningful gardening activity all year round, while adding further strength and credibility to the Chelsea portfolio.

A focus on functionality and trends

Craig Hall, Director at Deco-Pak, said: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring to market products that fill gaps in existing availability. There’s been a lot of research and trials before settling on these additions – it’s all about functionality and tapping into trends. For 2026, we’re proud to offer garden centres and retailers a collection of exclusive, inspiring products that are designed to perform on the shop floor as well as in the garden.”

Find out more

At Deco-Pak, the focus is not just on supplying aggregates but on transforming the category, helping retailers offer products that inspire customers and drive footfall. Through innovation, sustainability and a proven commitment to dependable service, Deco-Pak is positioning itself as the supplier of choice for season 2026 and beyond.

To secure the company’s latest innovations, contact Deco-Pak today by emailing sales@deco-pak.co.uk, calling (01422) 204394 or visiting www.deco-pak.co.uk

Corby + Fellas has announced the successful launch and implementation of its advanced EPOS and retail management solution at the prestigious Everton Nurseries.

The WinRetail system is designed to support the continued growth and renowned customer service of the historic, family-run garden centre.

The project was executed seamlessly, with the assistance of Darren Clift of DPC Consultancy, C+F’s strategic process partner.

Pictured: Alessio, Maria and Lucy from Everton, along with C+F’s Jacob, Grant and Darren.