Blue Diamond, the UK’s largest garden centre group, has announced the acquisition of Holt Garden Centre, located on the Kelling Estate in North Norfolk. This acquisition marks Blue Diamond’s 54th garden centre and further reinforces the Group’s position at the forefront of the industry, with an annual turnover of £400+ million.

Set within the scenic Kelling Estate, Holt Garden Centre has established itself as a highly regarded destination for gardening enthusiasts and visitors alike. Over the past nine years, the centre has evolved into a thriving retail and lifestyle hub, known for its quality offering, strong customer experience, and unique setting.

The acquisition aligns with Blue Diamond’s ongoing strategy of investing in high-quality centres with strong growth potential. The Group is widely recognised for enhancing and developing garden centres into market-leading destinations, combining horticultural excellence with innovative retail and dining experiences.

Commenting on the acquisition, Hayley Robertson, Managing Partner, Kelling Estate, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Blue Diamond as the new owners of the Holt Garden Centre on the Kelling Estate. To attract a best-in-class business operator speaks volumes as to how far the garden centre has developed during our nine-year ownership into a go-to destination in an exceptional position. Alan Roper and his team have great ideas and plans, which we will, as both their landlord and neighbour, watch with interest as they grow the business further. We know the future is bright. On a personal level, I have enjoyed every moment, and I hugely thank the Holt Garden Centre team for all their hard work and effort over the years.”

Alan Roper, CEO of Blue Diamond, added that the Group sees significant opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place at Holt, further enhancing its offering while preserving its character and connection to the local community.  Alan told GTN Xtra he expects turnover to double from the current £4.8m over the coming years under Blue Diamond ownership, with plants being a major opportunity for growth.

Landscaping supplies company Altico have made the decision not to pass on any increased haulage costs that have arisen due to the Gulf conflict.

Antony Harker explained to GTN Xtra: “Garden Centres are under enough cost pressure of their own, we cannot simply just push our cost problems on to them. We have to take responsibility for our own challenges and think smarter, managing transport and order quantities better in times like this can have a real effect on the cost, so we asked our customers to try to order in 12 pallets, rather than their normal minimum order. This means the number of drops per load is generally no more than 2 which removes the additional drop charges that we have would normally have incurred.  This calculates we can recoup about 60% of the surcharges we are facing without our customers taking any hit on price. The rest we have to take on the chin to protect our customers and their margins, it won’t last forever, we hope…

“Our customers need to be successful for us to be successful. It's lucky that we're in April when products are selling through fast, if they have a few extra pallets of the best sellers at this time of year is not much of an issue.

Antony explained the increased costs as a supplier are not only for outgoing delivery haulage which is between 15% and 27%, but also incoming product haulage, packaging costs soared by 40% initially but them came down, and the costs of diesel for the forklifts at their production site along with other things have all gone up. “Our team have been doing this a long time and are used to managing and mitigating increases. We have calculated out that overall, our costs have increased by 2.9%, so not a disaster, but still significant.

“We talked to our customers, they welcomed the plan and were happy to work with us and were of course pleased we were not attempting to add a surcharge. We didn’t dictate, we haven't said it has to be 12 pallets, we've said please work with us, help us out, but if you really can’t do 12 pallets, we are still happy to deliver less.

“It didn't surprise me how the customers reacted. Because when things go wrong in our industry, everybody sticks together and they help each other out. That's the great thing about our industry and we've seen that yet again.”

The GTN Team will be at the Glee Roadshow on April 30th at Gates Oakham, where editor Trevor Pfeiffer will be hosting two of the sessions, with Nigel Gates and later with Martin and Jenny Turner from Fakenham Garden Centre.

Register here to attend and join in the discussions about what's really shaping garden retail right now, regionally and nationally. 

https://www.gleebirmingham.com/roadshow#roadshow-signup

The full agenda for the day which starts at 11:00am is:

11:15 | Family business, built to last - Nigel Gates shares the realities of running a fourth-generation independent garden centre - including staying true to family values, creating experiential retail, and building a business designed to thrive for generations. 

11:45 | Solving the people puzzle - An interactive session with Guy Moreton of More People, on recruitment, retention and culture. How do we attract great people and make garden retail a career of choice? 

13:45 | Panel discussion - Leading retailers, Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Nest, and more, come together to explore how centres can diversify beyond traditional retail and adopt additional revenue streams - the opportunities are endless!

14:30 | In conversation - Martin and Jennie Turner of Fakenham Garden Centre share how they have built an award-winning garden centre that’s small but mighty! With a royal visit under their belt, their story is a powerful example of independent garden retail done brilliantly. 

Plus a delicious free lunch provided by Gates, where you’ll have time to network and create a few new connections that last beyond the day. 

Register to attend here: https://www.gleebirmingham.com/roadshow#roadshow-signup

We look forward to seeing you there!

Summer starts here – and SOLEX is kicking things off in feel-good style as the SOLEX Awards & Afterparty returns for its third year on Tuesday 7th July 2026, bringing the celebrations to the Concourse Suite at the NEC, Birmingham – this time under the banner of the SOLEX World Cup Awards Night.

Limited to just 350 guests and with a World Cup 2026 theme setting the tone, this is your chance to swap the show floor for the spotlight and celebrate the outdoor living industry in true SOLEX style — great people, great atmosphere, delicious food… and a brilliant night out.

The evening begins with welcome drinks from 6.30pm, before the spotlight turns to the main stage for the SOLEX Awards Ceremony. Hosted by comedian and broadcaster Paul Sinha. Expect laughs, energy and a proper feel-good vibe as Paul takes to the stage as MC and helps present the SOLEX Awards, recognising excellence across the outdoor living sector.

Following the awards guests move into half-time enjoying fantastic food, music and relaxed networking.  Foosball tables will be in play throughout the interval, adding a light-hearted, competitive element to the evening and encouraging exhibitors and industry colleagues to connect. 

The second half sees guests take to their seats for a live screening of a World Cup Round of 16 match on large screens, bringing shared tournament drama to the SOLEX audience. 

The event wraps up at 11.30pm, making it the perfect way to kick off SOLEX with an unforgettable celebration.

Book your place by clicking here

Attendance is strictly capped at 350 guests.

N.B. There is a £100 non- attendance fee applicable to confirmed bookings not attended.

For more information about SOLEX https://solexexhibition.com/

FELCO, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional cutting tools and a symbol of Swiss quality since 1945, is proud to unveil the new FELCO 2e electronic pruning shear.

As the direct successor to the FELCO 2, the new FELCO 2e transfers everything that made this legendary model successful into a lightweight and powerful electric tool. It has been developed to make life easier for passionate gardeners, enabling them to fully express their craftsmanship in the harmonious and precise shaping of their gardens.

What made FELCO 2 successful remains unchanged: ergonomics, comfort, and perfect cutting control — now enhanced with electric power tailored to the needs of demanding gardeners.

This evolution is not purely technological: it also marks FELCO’s entry into the electric tools market for discerning home gardeners seeking innovative, durable, and easy-to-use equipment.

Branches up to 27 mm in diameter

With a simple click and without any physical effort, the FELCO 2e cuts branches up to 27 mm in diameter, making tasks accessible that previously required considerable force with manual shears. Its ergonomics have been designed for lightness and shaped to adapt to every hand.

With a total weight of under 900 g (including battery), the device guarantees optimal comfort even during prolonged use. Featuring a half-opening mode (18 mm) or full opening (27 mm), an LCD screen displaying all essential device status information, and a powerful battery (10.8 V; 3 Ah), the FELCO 2e is the ideal tool for all pruning tasks.

Enhanced safety thanks to CUT SHIELD

The FELCO 2e is equipped with patented CUT SHIELD technology: the pruning shear detects contact between hand or fingers and the cutting head and stops the blade closing if necessary, thereby protecting the user and increasing safety.

This safety function does not replace user vigilance but makes using the FELCO 2e even safer.

The new patented blade coating, known as F-Tech technology, revolutionizes cutting by reducing plant sap adhesion, significantly simplifying cleaning while ensuring a clean, precise cut that promotes rapid plant wound healing.

The FELCO 2e is supplied in a transport case containing the pruning shear, a battery, charging cable, a pair of FELCO 707 conductive gloves, a lubricating spray for the cutting head, and an instruction manual.

Exceptional product

“The FELCO 2e combines the prestige of the FELCO tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver a completely new cutting experience,” says Nabil Francis, CEO of FELCO.

Stephan Kopietzki, FELCO’s CCO, adds: “We are delighted to present this exceptional new product. This further strengthens FELCO’s offering worldwide for both professional and hobby gardeners.”

Availability

The FELCO 2e kit is ready immediately through selected retailers and FELCO’s online store.

Sipcam Home & Garden is celebrating the powerful momentum of #AJoyfulRebellion, the bold new ecofective® campaign that has exploded across social media following its successful debut at the Garden Press Event.

With Lee Connelly, AKA The Children’s Gardening Coach stepping into his role as ‘Rebel in Chief’, the campaign has already sparked impressive engagement, energising families, gardeners, and green-minded creators nationwide.

A Campaign That’s Already Making Noise

Since its launch at the Garden Press Event in February this year, #AJoyfulRebellion has seen a surge of online activity, with early engagement showing just how ready the nation is to garden differently. 

Highlights include:

• Thousands of impressions across ecofective® and Lee Connelly’s combined social channels.
• Hundreds of video views of launch-day content.
• A multitude of comments and shares from parents, educators, and gardening enthusiasts.
• A wave of creators joining the movement using #AJoyfulRebellion.

This early traction reflects the appetite for a gardening movement that is fun, purposeful, and proudly rebellious.

Led by a Rebel With a Cause

At the heart of the campaign is Lee Connelly, whose authentic, family-focused approach to gardening has helped propel ecofective® into new digital territory. As Rebel in Chief, Lee is rallying a new generation of gardeners, those who care about the planet, embrace creativity, and aren’t afraid to break the rules.

The campaign mission is simple: inspire families to get outside, get growing, and join a movement rooted in joy, purpose, and planet-friendly action.

A Movement for Gardeners Who Don’t Follow the Rules

A Joyful Rebellion is more than a campaign, it’s building a community of like-minded garden enthusiasts - a tribe built on emotional loyalty, shared values, and the belief that small acts can create big change. Right at the heart of the community is ecofective® championing the bee, the beginners, the balcony growers and the planet protectors. This is gardening with meaning.

A Year of Action, Energy, and Real-World Impact

Throughout 2026, the campaign will continue to grow through:

• Live Joyful Rebellion events led by Lee Connelly
• School engagement activities including photo challenges and interactive learning
• Giveaways of ecofective® products
• The Truth or Dare gardening game, already gaining traction on socials.
• Distribution of 2,000 Pollination of the Nation seed packets, encouraging families to grow with purpose and support pollinators

These initiatives build on Sipcam Home & Garden’s commitment to eco-friendly gardening and its mission to help families reconnect with nature.

Join the Rebellion

The Joyful Rebellion is only just beginning and the movement is growing fast. Stay up to date, receive some goodies and get involved - join the ecofective® tribe here! For the ultimate rebels, follow ecofective® (@ecofective) and Lee Connelly (@childrensgardeningcoach) on Instagram for daily #AJoyfulRebellion updates!

The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade for March shows members recorded ‘robust sales’ and a positive year‑to‑date performance.

The food hall/farm shop category topped the figures at +5.37%, followed by catering at +3.89% when compared with the same month in 2025.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, explains: “A very robust sales result was recorded overall at down -3.77% for the month given that March 2025 was an amazing +26.9% up on March 2024.

“This year’s very variable weather could have resulted in much poorer sales. As expected, it is gardening that took the hit, but our non-gardening categories were all positive helping to reduce the shortfall.

“Exactly the reason that our members have developed these categories to help in months like this. We are still waiting for the peak spring season to take off but fortunately the later this comes usually the bigger it is, so still all to play for. Plus, the year-to-date increase is up +1.69%, which is good news.”

Clothing came third in March’s named BoT category line-up at +1.62% %, followed by gifts, up by 1.58%, when compared to March 2025.

The significant categories that recorded negatively in March were seeds & bulbs down by -2.11%, furniture & BBQ down -2.75%, houseplants -6%, garden sundries -6.63%, pets & aquatics - 6.69%, outdoor plants -10.95% and hard landscaping down by -17.85%.

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

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

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre has donated a range of summer flowing plants, veg plants, herbs, wildflower seeds, and peat-free compost to the five local cluster primary schools.

Operations Director, Katie Eckley said: “We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of gardeners. We love to collaborate with local schools and help with projects whenever possible.

“Each school received over £100 worth of gardening goodies which will set them up for growing success this season. Matthew and Mike had an enjoyable morning out in the van delivering the goods and meeting the children at each school.”

Retail and Events Manager, Matthew Lewis added: “With National Gardening Week coming up, it was great fun delivering a bundle of plants and gardening materials to our local primary schools. All the pupils were so excited about the opportunity to grow their own plants and vegetables at school. Gardening is a great activity to get children outdoors, to enjoy the fresh air whilst learning about growing plants and where their food comes from.”

For more information about the Old Railway Line Garden Centre contact the Old Railway Line directly by calling 01497 847055 or visiting their website www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.

Hornby George PR has appointed leading horticultural voice Ross Dyke as its new in-house horticultural expert, a strategic move that significantly strengthens the agency’s specialist offer to clients across the garden and horticulture sectors.

With over a decade of hands-on experience as a grower, Ross brings a depth of practical knowledge and industry insight that will further enhance Hornby George PR’s ability to deliver authoritative, credible and compelling storytelling for its clients. Currently based at Newey in Evesham, Ross has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic and forward-thinking horticultural communicators.

Beyond his work as a grower, Ross is widely recognised for his contributions to horticultural education and outreach. He is the host of The Plant Pod podcast and the founder of Get Children Growing, an initiative developed in partnership with some of the industry’s biggest brands. Through this programme, Ross has distributed more than 14,000 free grow kits to schools across the UK over the past two years, helping to inspire the next generation of gardeners.

Ross’s influence continues to grow across multiple platforms. Earlier this month, he began writing a weekly horticulture column for the Worcester News, as well as contributing across the wider Newsquest network of newspapers, while his first book, The School Garden Guide: How to Grow, Cook, and Learn, is set for publication in September. He also organised and hosted the inaugural Pershore College Horticulture Conference in 2025, titled Helping You Grow a Better Future.

His achievements have been widely recognised within the industry, including winning The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation Smart Garden Scholarship in 2024 and being named one of six IPPS Europe ‘Six Pack’ award winners. Ross is currently completing the final year of his BSc in Sustainable Horticulture degree, due to finish in May.

Kimberley Hornby George, Founder of Hornby George PR, said: “It is an absolute joy to welcome Ross to the team. His knowledge is second to none and forms such an important part of the stories we are telling on behalf of our clients within the garden and horticulture sectors. The expert insight, third-party credibility and industry connections Ross brings will be an invaluable asset and will undoubtedly open up new opportunities for us. We are incredibly excited to have him on board.”

Ross Dyke added: “I’m really excited to be joining Hornby George PR at such a pivotal time for the gardening and horticulture industry. There is a real appetite for meaningful, educational content and I’m looking forward to supporting the team in telling stories that genuinely resonate with audiences. From mid-2026, it’s also fantastic to have Hornby George PR coming on board as sponsors of The Plant Pod podcast, which will help us continue to grow its reach and impact.”

Find out more

To learn more about Hornby George PR’s work, partnerships and strategic approach to storytelling-led communications - or to find out more about its clients and how they can support editorial plans - visit www.hornbygeorgepr.com or contact kimberley@hornbygeorgepr.com.

More than 4,500 customers across East Anglia have told Perrywood Garden Centres that their garden is their number one happy place – and the results have shaped everything the family-run business is doing in 2026.

A major new customer survey, the largest Perrywood has carried out, found that 95% of respondents enjoy spending time in their garden, with 44% saying they do so as often as possible. Almost all (97%) agreed that time outdoors makes a meaningful difference to their health and wellbeing.

The findings have inspired Perrywood's theme for the year: Your Garden, Your Happy Place — a celebration of the everyday ways people use and value their outdoor spaces, whether that's growing veg with the kids, feeding the birds, or simply looking out of the kitchen window at a flowering tree or blooming pots and hanging baskets.

More than just a growing space

The survey revealed gardens are pulled in many directions at once. Growing plants came out on top (93%), but practical use, such as hanging out washing, wasn't far behind (86%). A third of customers (36%) said their garden is primarily a space for pets, and nearly one in five (19%) use it as a children's play area.

Interestingly, 71% of respondents said they value being able to look out at their garden from indoors — a reminder that good planting earns its keep all year round, not just when standing in it.

When asked what gardening inspiration would be most useful, customers were clear:

• Seasonal colour and planting ideas (75%)
• Wildlife-friendly gardening (63%)
• Low-maintenance ideas (62%)
• Growing fruit and vegetables (44%)

Their dream gardens, in their own words, were strikingly consistent: spaces full of plants, wildlife, birdsong and somewhere comfortable to sit. Here are a few examples, we have many more:

“A place full of plants and wildlife where I can sit and relax and watch all the wonders of nature.”

“A garden full of wildlife, with birds, bees and butterflies everywhere.”

“A big space that can be enjoyed by all. A nice outdoor seating area for entertaining. Beautiful flowers that attract wildlife.”

Brought to life in Sudbury

Perrywood Sudbury officially launched the theme on Wednesday, 15th April, with a VIP Spring Event attended by local customers, Perrywood team and special guests.

Three new display gardens were unveiled on the evening — a relaxation garden, an entertaining space, and a family growing garden. Each was given a live demonstration: a yoga instructor leading poses among the planting, food cooking on the BBQ, and hands-on growing activities for families with Veg Trug. The Sudbury Art Collective were on hand to show how gardens can inspire art.

Louise Smith, Senior Communications Manager at Perrywood, said: "Gardens mean something really personal to people — that came through clearly in every response we read. Whether it's growing food, watching the birds, or just having a place to decompress at the end of the day, outdoor spaces are positively improving people's mental health and happiness. We wanted our display gardens this year to reflect that."

The survey findings will also shape Perrywood's events programme throughout the season, including its popular Cream Tea with a Plant Expert sessions.

Perrywood Garden Centres operates across three sites in Essex and Suffolk, employing over 350 people. The survey was completed by more than 4,500 customers ahead of the 2026 season.

The countdown is officially on. The GIMA Awards are returning on Thursday 12th November, bringing the garden retail industry together once again to recognise the ideas, innovation and people shaping the sector right now.

Taking place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales, the event remains one of the most anticipated dates in the industry calendar, providing a chance to step back from the day-to-day, celebrate success, and benchmark against the very best.

The GIMA Awards continue to champion the businesses pushing boundaries across product development, marketing and retail support.  Spanning a comprehensive range of categories – from garden care and outdoor living through to POS, marketing campaigns and supplier excellence – the awards reflect the full breadth of innovation happening across the sector today.

Open to entries from June 2025 through to May 2026, this is an opportunity for brands of all sizes to showcase the ideas, products and initiatives that are driving real impact in garden retail.

And for those considering entering, perhaps this is the year your business joins the roll of honour alongside last year’s winners, which included names such as GARDENA UK, Elho, Woodlodge, Meadow View Stone and Smart Garden Products.

Helping you put your best entry forward

For those looking to put their best foot forward, GIMA is introducing additional support for entrants this year.  A dedicated GIMA Awards online workshop on 6th May will give businesses practical insight into what makes a winning entry. From understanding judging criteria to structuring submissions effectively, the session is designed to remove guesswork and help entrants present their work with confidence.

Judging will then take place at Warwick Racecourse across 30th June and 1st July, where industry experts will assess entries in person.

Entry details

Entry fees remain accessible, with GIMA members able to enter for £70 + VAT per submission, and non-members at £140 + VAT.

Tickets for the awards evening are priced at £379 + VAT per person for members (£3,579 + VAT for a table of 10), and £449 + VAT per person for non-members (£4,299 + VAT for a table of 10), with dinner and accommodation included.

Book early and save

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

Further details, including full entry criteria, submission information and to book your ticket, can be found at www.gima.org.uk/gima-awards-2026/

A new ADOPT-funded project has begun to demonstrate the use of wireless sensor technology for precision irrigation and nutrient management in peat-free ornamental crop production, as the Horticultural Trades Association steps up its work to drive research and development and unlock funding for the industry's benefit.

Nursery events will be held later this month to showcase how the technology is being applied in commercial trials.

ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) is a multi-year funding programme delivered through the Defra Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK. It supports collaborative, grower-led, on-site trials designed to test and demonstrate innovative solutions to commercial production challenges.

The one-year project, which started in April, brings together a consortium including the Horticultural Trades Association, Hillier Nurseries, The Farplants Group – Fleurie Nursery, the Royal Horticultural Society and Van Walt.

The project will evaluate how wireless sensors can be used to monitor substrate moisture and nutrient status, enabling more precise irrigation and feeding strategies in peat-free growing systems.

Launch events will take place on-site at participating nurseries on 30 April at Hillier Nurseries and on 1 May at Fleurie Nursery. The free, two-hour sessions will outline the project’s objectives, the science underpinning the technology, and how it is being applied in commercial production to assist growers to optimise plant culture, and the business in its transition towards peat-free production.

Wayne Brough, Technical Horticulture Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“This project is focused on generating practical, nursery-scale evidence concerning how wireless sensor technology can support peat-free production. By monitoring growing media conditions in real time, growers can make better informed irrigation and nutrition decisions, improving product consistency, while reducing plant wastage and optimising resource use. The aim is to build confidence in adopting these tools across the sector.”

Steve Carter, General Manager at Fleurie Nursery, said:

“We were very pleased to receive this significant support from ADOPT, recognising that growers need additional support and tools for the transition to peat-free growing. We are excited to witness how sensors can improve our knowledge of crop water use requirements and determine whether this technology can be used in the future to automate irrigation systems. We look forward to working with all the partners and sharing our learnings with the wider industry.”

Further details and booking information are available here: https://hta.org.uk/current-events/adopt-wireless-sensors-project.

The Garden Centre Association is hosting a free members’ webinar next week (April 24) examining the latest changes to business rates and the industry’s ongoing engagement with the Government.

The session on April 24 at 3pm will provide insight into the financial pressures facing garden centres and associates and highlight current lobbying efforts aimed at influencing policy.

Peter Burks, CEO of the GCA, who is hosting the webinar explains: “Business rates remain one of the most pressing and challenging issues currently facing our members. This webinar will ensure they are fully informed about what is happening, what is being done on their behalf and how our collective voice can make a real difference.

“We hope to see as many representatives from garden centres and associate members as possible at this virtual event.”

The webinar, entitled ‘Business Rates & Lobbying Government’, will be hosted by Peter and will feature expert insight from Stephen Hornby of Newmark, formerly Gerald Eve, who will discuss the business rates landscape and its implications for the sector.

Members will also hear from a representative of the Horticultural Trades Association, who will share an update on current lobbying activity and engagement with government.

The session aims to provide members with a clearer understanding of the latest news on business rates, the challenges facing the industry and the steps being taken collectively to influence change.

GCA members can register by emailing laura@gca.org.uk, who will provide joining details for the webinar.

OGL Software is proud to share some of the Profit4 software advancements following its partnership with Bransford Webbs, a collaboration designed to deliver major benefits for businesses across the horticultural sector.

With 50 years of experience delivering ERP software solutions, OGL Software brings deep industry expertise and a long-standing commitment to innovation and reliability which plays a key role in shaping the ongoing evolution of Profit4.

The partnership with Bransford Webbs has strengthened the development roadmap of Profit4, introducing powerful new features designed to improve operational efficiency, commercial insight, and compliance for growers and suppliers.

Key developments include:

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Tracking

With EPR legislation placing responsibility on businesses that supply packaging waste, Profit4’s EPR feature enables users to accurately track packaging waste produced and estimate associated tax liabilities, supporting compliance with confidence.

Advanced Label Printing

Streamlined product label printing functionality supports faster, more accurate handling across operations.

Reserves Management

The reserves feature allows businesses to create reserve lists that estimate which product and quantities customers are planning to purchase. This enables smarter growing-season planning, while automatically allocating stock to customers once plants become available.

Multi-Warehouse Functionality

Multiple Warehouses mean growers can move stock through the growing process from ‘in production’ to ‘ready’ meaning only products ready for sale are made available to the sales teams.

Optimised Picking & Dispatch

Single order and consolidated picking along with dispatch from handheld devices, improves warehouse efficiency and accuracy.

Trolley Optimisation & Transport Savings

Users can define trolley capacities per product, with Profit4 tracking how full each trolley is during order placement. Displaying trolley counts directly on the sales order screen prevents half-empty trolley dispatches, helping reduce transport costs.

MaxOptra Integration

Enables optimised delivery planning, helping businesses reduce mileage, improve delivery accuracy, and enhance customer service.

Advanced Analytics & Leakage Reporting

Full access to analytics, including sales performance and leakage reporting, empowers data-driven decision-making.

Customer Portal

The customer portal improves the online ordering experience and transparency; the eCommerce quick order screen includes automatic stock allocation to prevent overselling.

Together, these innovations position Profit4 as a powerful, future-ready platform for horticultural businesses seeking greater control, efficiency, and insight in an increasingly competitive market.

For more information

bransfordwebbs.co.uk

ogl.co.uk

The Horticultural Trades Association monthly Market Update report shows that garden centre sales in March 2026 fell by -4% compared to March 2025, but remained +18% ahead of March 2024. 

This is predominantly due to more typical weather conditions bringing trading back towards seasonal norms after last year’s strong performance.

Jennifer Pheasey, HTA Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “March reflects a return to more typical seasonal trading conditions after the very strong performance we saw last year. Sales are down 4% on 2025, but still 18% ahead of 2024, when much wetter and colder weather held back demand. The contrast across these three years highlights just how influential weather remains on our sector.

“This month’s market update reports fewer overall customer visits, with total transactions down by 4%. Gardening categories saw the biggest impact, with sales down around 8% compared to last year, including bedding plants -9% and hardy plants -11%. This is reflective of a combination of more mixed weather, overnight frosts towards the end of March, and the earlier timing of Easter and Mother’s Day, which are key trading periods for the industry.

“At the same time, consumer confidence has also weakened, with households becoming more cautious as economic uncertainty grows. However, customers who are visiting are still spending, with average transaction values holding steady. That shows there is still a strong underlying demand for gardening and the experience garden centres offer.

“This support for local garden centre businesses is critical at a time when our members are facing increasing cost pressures from multiple directions. Businesses are being squeezed by rising costs and weakening confidence at the same time. The conflict in Iran is already feeding through into supply chains, not just through fuel, but with fertiliser prices rising sharply, with ammonium nitrate up 24% since February, and disruption to key shipping routes pushing up freight costs. These pressures are unlikely to ease in the short term.

“This comes on top of significant structural cost increases, including higher business rates following the end of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief, as well as increases to wages, National Insurance, and changes to inheritance tax. As a result, many businesses now need to achieve growth of 10–15% simply to maintain their position.

“Environmental horticulture contributes £38 billion to the UK economy and supports 722,000 jobs, so businesses must be able to operate in a stable and supportive environment.

“However, garden centres remain places people come for inspiration, advice and enjoyment as well as essential products, and that continues to resonate even in a more challenging economic climate. Gardens and green spaces are increasingly valued as places to relax and unwind. With spring now underway, there is a real opportunity for people to get outside, make the most of their gardens and support their local garden centres.

“While the year has started slightly ahead of 2025, with sales up 1% year-to-date and 11% ahead of 2024, the strong lead built earlier in the year has narrowed as we move into the peak season. With April starting positively, the next few months will be crucial in determining how well businesses can convert seasonal demand into sustainable growth.”

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

GARDENA is continuing its partnership with Alan Titchmarsh, returning as a sponsor of his gardening series. 

The second series of ‘Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh’ will launch this month (April) following the same format; weekly episodes showcasing a mix of how-to videos, informative tips and gardening masterclasses. 

For the second year running, GARDENA is the exclusive irrigation partner, featuring its watering products in videos shared across Alan’s social media accounts, offering expert tips to help gardeners. 

Titchmarsh, one of the most recognisable figures in gardening, will share his unrivalled knowledge and experience with his audience once again.  

The former Gardeners’ World and Ground Force presenter is thriving online, with his YouTube channel now boasting over 100,000 subscribers, showcasing practical gardening advice and hands‑on demonstrations of GARDENA’s innovative irrigation tools. 

Titchmarsh said: “It is great to receive the support of some of the UK’s leading gardening brands for a second year running, a testament to the series’ growing impact.” 

Sarah Bentham, UK Marketing Manager at GARDENA said: “Alan Titchmarsh’s expertise and passion for gardening continues to inspire people of all ages and abilities, so we’re thrilled to be supporting his series for the second year running. 

“After a successful first year, we’re excited to build on that momentum by continuing to showcase our high‑quality irrigation tools. Alan’s hands‑on demonstrations help gardeners see just how simple and effective the right watering solutions can be.” 

“We are proud to work together to educate and inspire audiences across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Our shared aim is to help every gardener - whatever their level-grow with confidence and enjoy their outdoor spaces even more.” 

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link

Harvest Wildlife Products, a leading manufacturer of premium wild bird foods, has achieved the BRCGS AA* Food Safety Certification following a successful unannounced audit.

This is the highest possible rating under the Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS), reflecting exceptional performance under the most stringent audit conditions.

This elite AA* grade, awarded only after passing a comprehensive unannounced audit, places Harvest Wildlife Products among a select group of global manufacturers recognised for outstanding food safety, operational excellence and unwavering commitment to quality.

Nanette Gough, Head of Quality & Technical at Harvest, said: “Achieving the AA* grade through an unannounced audit is a significant milestone for our business. It demonstrates not only the strength and consistency of our food safety systems, but also the everyday commitment of our team to maintaining the highest possible standards. We always operate audit-ready, because quality and safety are embedded in everything we do.”

The BRCGS is one of the most respected and widely recognised food safety certification programmes in the world, trusted by major retailers and brands across more than 130 countries. The AA* grade is only awarded following an unannounced audit and signals the highest level of confidence in key areas including hygiene, food defence, process control, traceability and hazard analysis.

This achievement is particularly significant within the pet food sector, where transparency, cleanliness, and nutritional integrity are essential. The certification confirms that Harvest Wildlife Products consistently operates at a level that not only meets but exceeds global food safety benchmarks, even without prior audit notice.

Founded on a passion for animal health and wellbeing, Harvest Wildlife Products has grown into a trusted name in the pet food industry. The company offers a diverse portfolio of high-quality products designed to meet the nutritional needs of wild birds at every stage of life. With a firm belief that birds deserve food that is as safe and wholesome as human food, the company adheres to rigorous sourcing, production and quality assurance protocols.

All Harvest Wildlife Products, wild bird food is proudly manufactured in the UK at a specialist facility equipped with advanced food safety systems and sustainability practices. From ingredient traceability to packaging innovation, every step in the production process reflects the company’s core values: honesty and integrity, working better together, striving for excellence, and inspiring innovation and change.

“With this AA* certification, we are reinforcing our position as a trusted partner to retailers and consumers alike,” added Nanette. “It gives our customers complete confidence that our products are produced to the highest possible standards, every single day.”

With the BRCGS AA* certification now in place, Harvest Wildlife Products is well positioned to continue its growth, expand its market presence and set new benchmarks for food safety and nutritional excellence in the wild bird food sector.

To learn more about Harvest Wildlife Products, visit www.harvestwildlife.com.

The Horticultural Trades Association has commented on the Government’s response to the EFRA Committee report on negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU.

Sally Cullimore, Technical and Trade Policy Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

"We are very clear that we will welcome a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement that removes costly burdens and barriers for our member businesses and the sector. As highlighted in the Government’s response, this is a complex and far-reaching issue. Businesses need detailed information to prepare, adapt, and understand the UK’s new biosecurity measures.

“The Government must move swiftly on the phytosanitary aspects of the agreement, by implementing a pragmatic approach, and changes to remove checks at the border for our members, as soon as possible. We also recommend exercising caution when introducing new regulations, such as those related to plant protection products and plant variety rights. These will require managed transitions that operate after an agreement comes into force, which is expected in mid-2027. 

“For this to succeed, the Government and its agencies must continue to work in partnership with the HTA and our members to ensure our sector's needs are met.” 

As fast-changing outdoor design falls out of favour, homeowners turn to enduring craftsmanship with Haddonstone’s Home & Garden range.

A noticeable shift is underway in British gardens this spring, as homeowners move away from fast-moving design trends in favour of more permanent, character-led outdoor spaces.

Rather than seasonal styling or short-lived landscaping ideas, gardeners are increasingly investing in long-lasting features that bring structure, interest, and genuine personality to outdoor living. At the centre of this shift is the growing appeal of timeless materials, particularly cast stone, as seen in the Home & Garden range from Haddonstone, which is designed to bring enduring form and structure to gardens of every size and style.

From trend-led gardens to lasting landscapes

Over the past decade, garden design has often been influenced by rapid aesthetic cycles; from minimalist outdoor schemes to highly curated, social media-driven spaces. However, industry observers suggest a clear reversal is now taking place. Homeowners are increasingly prioritising durability, craftsmanship, and a sense of permanence over short-term visual impact.

“We’re seeing a real change in how people approach their gardens. There’s a move away from designs that feel temporary or trend-led, towards spaces that feel established and enduring. Materials like cast stone naturally support that shift by bringing a sense of permanence that only improves with age," said Will Haxby, Director of Home & Garden Sales at Haddonstone.

Designed to last generations, not seasons

The Haddonstone Home & Garden range features planters, water features, statuary, garden buildings, sundials, and much more. Each product is crafted using premium cast stone material, and is designed specifically for long-term outdoor use.

Key characteristics include:

• Frost-proof and durable
• Low maintenance
• Natural 'weathering' that enhances character over time

Unlike temporary landscaping features or lightweight decorative materials, cast stone develops a weathering effect (patina) over time, allowing garden designs to settle visually into their surroundings rather than fade or deteriorate.

This long-term approach is resonating strongly with homeowners seeking to invest once, and invest well.​

A quiet rejection of 'fast' design

While contemporary garden trends continue to evolve, many homeowners are now consciously stepping back from highly stylised, short-term aesthetics. Instead, they are investing in materials and forms that feel established from day one, and grow more integrated with time.

The Haddonstone Home & Garden range reflects this philosophy, offering designs that sit comfortably across traditional, contemporary, and transitional garden styles.

Looking ahead

As the spring and summer seasons unfold, demand is expected to continue growing for garden design that prioritises longevity over novelty. Permanence is becoming not just a design choice, but a value statement that reflects how people want to live, maintain, and experience their outdoor spaces.

For more information about Haddonstone’s full range of cast stone features visit www.haddonstone.com

As momentum builds towards the official opening of its UK showroom this May, Royal Garden has taken a significant next step in its relaunch with the launch of its new global website – www.royal-garden.com.

Designed as a central hub for both retailers and consumers, the new platform has been created to showcase Royal Garden’s evolving outdoor living proposition, while making it easier than ever to explore product ranges, discover inspiration, and locate local stockists.

More than just a brand website, the platform has been developed as a practical commercial tool – supporting buyers in range selection and planning, while also helping consumers navigate the breadth of the collection and visualise how different pieces come together across outdoor spaces.

Collections that tell a complete outdoor living story

At the heart of the site is a carefully curated presentation of Royal Garden’s collections, each bringing together coordinated materials, finishes and design details to deliver a cohesive outdoor living offer. From contemporary dining and lounge sets to shading solutions and structural elements, the collections demonstrate how the brand’s ranges are designed to work together – enabling retailers to create strong in-store storytelling, while giving consumers the confidence to mix and match across categories.

The initial launch introduces the first 50 products within the Royal Garden collection, spanning key categories including garden furniture, parasols, gazebos, pergolas and wider outdoor living essentials. This curated first phase offers a clear and accessible entry point into the brand, with further product combinations, configurations and market-specific variations set to be added in the coming months.

Royal Garden’s UK Sales Manager, James Cohen said: “This initial launch introduces the first 50 items within the collection and represents an important step in enhancing how customers experience and understand the Royal Garden brand online. Additional set combinations and market-specific variations will be introduced progressively, building towards a complete and fully integrated offer.

Developed through close collaboration between our marketing team and agency partner, this first phase has been designed to deliver a clearer, more engaging and commercially effective presentation of the brand and its product universe.  Ultimately, this platform lays the foundations for stronger customer understanding, increased brand visibility, and a more robust digital framework to support future growth.”

Connecting digital and physical retail experiences

The launch of the website forms a key pillar of Royal Garden’s wider UK relaunch strategy, providing a digital foundation that complements its upcoming physical showroom experience.

Together, the two platforms are designed to give retailers and partners a more connected, cohesive way to engage with the brand – from initial inspiration through to product selection and in-store storytelling.

With the showroom set to open its doors in early May, the new website offers a timely first look at what Royal Garden represents today: a coordinated, design-led outdoor living brand built for modern retail.

Be among the first to experience Royal Garden’s new UK home

Royal Garden will open its brand-new UK showroom in Essex this May, with an exclusive press preview week taking place at the end of April. Located close to Southend-on-Sea Airport, the showroom is designed as a destination for UK and European buyers.

Bringing the full Royal Garden vision to life, the space showcases its integrated outdoor living offer – from core collections to material innovation – demonstrating how a cohesive range can elevate retail environments.

Preview appointments are now open. To book, contact salesuk@mwhgmbh.de or your usual sales representative.

EGO has expanded its cleaning range withthe HPW1800E compact pressure washer and WDV0300E wet/dry vacuum. 

Designed for portability, convenience and powerful performance across a variety of indoor and outdoor cleaning tasks, both tools run on EGO’s 56V ARC LithiumTM battery platform, making them fully cordless and compatible with the existing battery range from EGO. 

The WDV300E is a compact, 12-litre wet and dry vacuum that is designed with transportation and strong suction power in mind. With a high-efficiency brushless motor, the vacuum features two power modes that can either be controlled onboard or via the wireless remote. ECO mode, allows homeowners to clean at a steady pace for longer, while the Turbo mode has an airflow of up to 144m³/h and 149 mbar suction, making light work of household dirt, sawdust, water and grit. 

The WDV0300E features a compact, low-profile frame, making it ideal for moving around with ease, while the fitted 2-metre, 48mm hose, helps the vacuum to maintain airflow. For enhanced usability, the vacuum features a foldable handle and accessory storage, making it easy to store and transport, and the addition of a wireless remote allows users to start, stop and switch power modes when picking up thick liquids or deep-seated dirt in cars.  The addition of an easy-to-change, washable filter allows users to switch easily between wet and dry applications.

The LED light bar provides extra visibility when car cleaning in the evening, while the rear blower port turns the vacuum into a blower, allowing users to prep before vacuuming, without having to bring an extra tool. The vacuum is also fitted with an integrated filter management system, which maintains strong suction and less time spent cleaning filters.

The HPW1800E pressure washer delivers up to 125 bar of dirt-and-debris-blasting pressure and 270 litres per hour of water flow, making it perfect for a range of cleaning tasks. This washer also features three power modes to tailor to cleaning windows, refreshing decking and removing tough stains from patios. 

Homeowners can supply water from a hose or static source via the included siphon hose, allowing them to continue working when not near a water source outside.

In the kit are four nozzles: 40°, 25°, 15° and Turbo, allowing homeowners to cover everything from gentle rinsing on windows to heavy-duty work such as pressure washing patios and tiles. Users can also use the foam cannon for detergent application, providing customers with thick foam, making car cleaning easier and quicker. 

Andrew Frohock, Product Manager at EGO, shared, “When it comes to pressure washers, wet & dry vacuums, and other cordless cleaning tools, the main issue is the weight of the tools combined with short run times. EGO’s 56V battery system provides high and sustained power over longer periods of time. As well as providing longer run times, our batteries are all lightweight and easy to transport, putting less physical strain on the operator when using them for a long period of time.” 

Starting at £269 and £359, the pressure washer and wet/dry vacuum are available to purchase today. 

Find your local dealer at egopowerplus.co.uk 

RHS Badminton Flower Show, set to debut at Badminton estate in July, has unveiled its garden line-up which celebrates the restorative impact gardening has on both people and the planet.

In the Young Designer Gardens, a category that celebrates new and upcoming talent, Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows Quiet by Sophie Leo (Somerset) explores how gardens can bring peace and refuge to those experiencing grief. Just as the ancient sheepfolds across the British countryside once provided refuge for shepherds and their flocks, this garden will reimagine a sheepfold in the form of a stone structure. With soft planting and comfortable seating, the garden provides visitors with a safe space to pause, rest and reflect on their journey with grief.

In a world where young girls face tremendous levels of pressure to meet unrealistic societal expectations, often through social media, young designer Sophie Sturgeon (East Sussex) has created A Space For Her. Its soft planting, sheltered decking area, curvilinear path and calming palette will encourage young women to pause, reflect, and build self-confidence and self-worth in a calm, supportive environment away from all the digital noise.

Completing this year’s Young Designer category is Silo: All that comes in remains by Abigail Stoyle (Greater London). The garden will demonstrate how designs can be transformed using reclaimed and repurposed materials which are often labelled as “waste”. The planting follows an edimental approach where vegetables, herbs and edible flowers feature within the design, alongside an outdoor kitchen and pergola.

In the Show Gardens, Elle Arnett (Gloucestershire) will be bringing Macmillan Cancer Support: The Nascent Shade Garden. The garden will feature birch trees, lime and stone sculptures, and brass details. These features are, at first, spaced unevenly, demonstrating the inequalities people experience in cancer care. The space then transitions and the layout becomes more even, representing the work Macmillan are doing to close the gap.

Inspired by Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Oregon - The Productive Garden by Sadie May Stowell (Hereford and Worcester), recreates beautiful orchard landscapes. The garden uses elements that depict the valley such as fruit trees arranged in gentle curves, flowing water, and lavender and wildflower planting which supports pollinators and biodiversity.

Clare Greene, RHS Badminton Show Manager, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing an RHS show to South Gloucestershire this year, a new location for us. What has been wonderful to see is so many designers taking inspiration from the local area and incorporating features traditionally found within its landscape. We are delighted to not only be celebrating the local area, but also talented designers and the power gardening has to help positively restore both people and the planet - we can’t wait to see this year’s gardens come to life in July.”

The Cotswolds’ rich heritage is reflected in elements of this year’s Artisan Gardens. Joshua Fenton (Kent) incorporates hedge laying into Electuary, a pastoral craft which has a rich and ancient history connected to the region. Wicker weaving, thatching, beekeeping and herbalism are also showcased in the space. Set within the Cotswolds, Honing Heritage by Nick Leitch (Gloucestershire) mirrors character and materials traditionally found throughout the region. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 1800s and horticulturist, Gertrude Jekyll’s planting philosophy, the garden features dry stone walls, formal flagstone paths, and naturalistic planting.

Elsewhere in the Artisan Gardens, Gloucestershire designer Rachael Austin has taken inspiration from the local woodlands and valleys to design the Ruskin Mill Trust - Artisan Woodland Craft Garden. It’s materials and planting represent the woodlands in the valley at Ruskin Mill College, with a green and naturalistic planting palette. Finally, inspiration from Flo Hamer’s artistry of the endangered craft of split hazel basketry has informed Henry T Pope’s (Avon) Split Hazel Basketry: Weaving Tradition with Flo Hamer garden.

First-time exhibitors will showcase their gardening skills in the Pocket Planting category centred around this year’s theme ‘The Variety of Life’. Within the Floral Marquee and Plant Village spectacular displays will be showcased and visitors will be able to talk to expert nursery exhibitors and purchase their favourite plants. To celebrate the local area there will be over 15 wheelbarrows planted by local schools and communities with the theme of ‘Live, Love, Local’. Visitors can also explore the floral show jumps, listen to inspirational talks, discover a host of retail opportunities and relax by the lake. These will all join The Archers 75th Anniversary Garden, which is set to come to life at the show in July.

RHS Badminton Flower Show runs from 8-12 July 2026 and tickets are available online at rhs.org.uk/badminton

Evergreen Garden Care, supplier of trusted consumer brands like Miracle-Gro, Levington, Roundup, Weedol and Clear, has joined BHETA.

The company is based just outside Ipswich and is the only garden care manufacturer with its own research centre in the UK.  This facility operates 19 acres of turf, beds, borders, and glasshouses to develop innovative, eco-friendly feeds and growing media. 

Evergreen’s UK National Accounts Sales Director, Phil Harrison commented: "DIY is an important and growing channel for garden care in the UK, currently worth £4.3m. Becoming part of BHETA gives Evergreen Garden Care a great opportunity to gather clearer insights and understanding of this route to market. With £152m of potential garden care category expansion planned over the next five years, we’re excited about the role the DIY channel can play in helping attract more shoppers and increase basket size."

Steve Edwards, BHETA’s sector manager for DIY & Gardening, added: “I’m really pleased to welcome Evergreen Garden Care to BHETA. The team brings a strong portfolio of well-known brands and a genuine depth of expertise in the garden care space. The company’s commitment to innovation, particularly through its UK-based

2

research centre is the kind of forward-thinking approach we’re seeing across the DIY and gardening sector. We’re looking forward to working together to support category growth and help members make the most of the opportunities ahead.”

For more information about BHETA and the retailer networking, market data, lobbying and business support opportunities it offers, contact Steve Edwards on 07967 814192 or view the website at www.bheta.co.uk.

The boots of only the 11th head gardener to have tended and curated a topiary garden that is now 332 years old, need to be filled this year, as the current incumbent hangs up his clippers and topiary shears after 40 years in the job.

Levens Hall and Gardens, home to the unique and oldest topiary garden in the world, is searching for its next passionate custodian.  Current head gardener, Chris Crowder, is due to retire in September, creating a phenomenal opportunity for a talented, ambitious and dedicated gardener to literally shape the garden’s history in the years to come.

This is probably one of the most prestigious head gardener jobs in the world, let alone the UK, with the Gardens having attained global renown and having no equal.  Its style of topiary design is very distinguishable from that in both France and Japan, which favour parterre designs and cloud formations respectively.  Whilst other world gardens, such as Longwood in the USA, have some themed shapes within their topiary, the fact Levens has over 100 historic pieces to admire is truly remarkable.

All of these trees, whether shaped as a toppling wedding cake, Queen Elizabeth I and her maids of honour, a top hat or a more contemporary tiered display need to be carefully trimmed and maintained.  One part of the head gardener’s role is to organise an annual trimming of the topiary, starting in September and going throughout the winter, deploying cherry pickers to trim at height and then traditional trimmers for that more delicate final trim.

Alongside the trees, there is the Beech Hedge, also dating back to the late 17th and early 18th century.  This huge structure also has to be trimmed by the gardening team, who typically have to be suspended by harness to achieve this feat.  With the hedge 500 metres long, 5 metres high and 5 metres wide, it is no mean task.

The satisfaction of keeping the topiary looking sharp and world-class, year after year, is matched by the pride the head gardener can derive when talking to visitors about this amazing part of the garden.  The attraction pulls in over 40,000 visitors per year and many are curiouser and curiouser, the more they venture around the Topiary Garden. Answering questions is another important part of the job description.

The global interest and awareness of the Gardens has increased dramatically in the past six years, since it founded the annual celebration of World Topiary Day.  It takes place on the closest Sunday to May 12 – the original date of the rather infamous Radish Feast at Levens Hall in the 17th and 18th centuries.  Special tours of the garden and other activities are arranged on the day – this year May 10 – and the same sort of activities take place in over 50 gardens worldwide, who now all join Levens Hall and Gardens in celebrating the marvellous art of topiary.

However, the Topiary Garden is just one part of the garden that the 12th Levens head gardener needs to focus upon.  The 10-acre gardens also include a Fountain Garden, a rose garden brimming with David Austin English roses, a herb garden, an Orchard, herbaceous borders, England’s oldest example of a ha-ha and a Bowling Green.  In the midst of all this lies the Beech Circle, surrounded by the massive Beech Hedge.

To keep the beds full of colour and contrast, the gardening team grow 30,000 bedding plants on-site.  Distinct colour schemes are adhered to in the quartered design, originally laid out by the first head gardener, the enigma that is Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont.  He was employed by Colonel James Grahme, who bought Levens Hall in February 1689, having been Keeper of the Privy Purse and then Keeper of the King’s Harthounds and Buckhounds for James II and needing to escape the political limelight in the south when the Stuart monarchy fell.

Whilst records show Beaumont was brought up to Levens Hall from Bagshot Park, little else is known about him.  Inside Levens Hall, there hangs a portrait, inscribed with the words, ‘Monsieur Beaumont: Gardener to King James 2nd& to Col. Jas Grahme. He laid out the Gardens at Hampton Court Palace and at Levens.’

This in itself is intriguing, as Beaumont was not the head gardener at Hampton Court.  There are also vague references which suggest he worked at the Palace of Versailles under the acclaimed Andre Le Notre, but again this is shrouded in mystery, despite efforts to discover more.

What the new head gardener will gain as a perk of the job is the opportunity to live in the charming original cottage that was Beaumont’s abode.  Beaumont’s Cottage is located right next to the Topiary Garden, fittingly carrying a sun dial that could be construed to convey the message that today’s garden only exists thanks to the patience, over time, exhibited by its 11 custodians to date.

“Whoever takes on this exciting role will need to be dedicated, have a sense of the history of the garden and a willingness to respect that, as importantly, exhibit the enthusiasm and vision to put their own stamp on it.  Bringing new ideas to the fold, to continue to keep the garden relevant, as the 21st century progresses, will be important,” says owner, Richard Bagot.

“They will also need to be PR-friendly and personable, as many media interviews are given each year.  Greeting photographers and film crews is all part and parcel of the job.”

What the successful applicant will benefit from is the support of a remarkably small but very tight team, who have all fallen in love with the gardens at Levens Hall at some point and who work alongside enthusiastic volunteers who willingly give up their time to help out.

Who will be clipping the 10-metre-high Levens Hall and Gardens Great Umbrella tree this year is yet to be determined but it is certainly a gardening job like no other.  Someone out there in the gardening world will probably sense that taking this prestigious job is their destiny – just as seems to have been the case with many of the previous head gardeners who have not just filled the role for a few years but actually performed the duties asked of them for decades.

Anyone who believes they could be the all-important number 12 at Levens Hall and Gardens, can contact Mark Bibby, on mark@levenshall.co.uk 

British Flowers Week is back (Monday 15th - Sunday 21st June 2026) when it will be championing the UK’s cut flower industry and celebrating the growers, wholesalers, and florists who work with British-grown flowers.

Entrepreneurial women are at the forefront of the diverse UK flower-growing sector, which has impressive representation across the UK. The British flower industry is growing. For the first time, the trade association Flowers from the Farm has released robust data highlighting the sector's positive impact on the UK economy and society.

• A sector primarily led by women, the new figures are a positive business story that echoes the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). Average business revenues climbed to £33,600 in 2025, a 12% year-over-year increase. This financial growth is mirrored by a surge in productivity: average yields jumped from 30,700 to 43,500 stems per hectare in the last year alone, with average stems per member increasing by 55% to 32,500.
• Economic changes have made the sector a more viable employer, with the average number of full-time equivalent (FTE) roles per business rising to 1.8.
• This commercial success reflects a shift in consumer behavior. Driven by a commitment to sustainability, the public is increasingly seeking out UK growers who pioneer agroecological methods – a holistic approach that prioritizes ecosystem health, from soil regeneration to mindful consumption.

With events spanning England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the British Flowers Week programme offers the public an unprecedented look into the UK’s vibrant growing scene: 

• For the first time in its history, the festival coincides with the Garden Museum’s British Flowers Week programming.
• The festival features a diverse lineup of workshops, markets, talks and guided tours. These events offer visitors practical growing insights and the opportunity to discover the beauty of seasonal, British-grown stems.
• The full programme of events will be announced in the coming weeks via: flowersfromthefarm.co.uk/british-flowers-week

spoga+gafa, the leading global trade fair for garden lifestyle and BBQs, is taking place in Cologne from 22 to 24 June 2026. With very strong bookings for the theme world "Living", it is sending a strong signal for the upcoming event.

The high demand underlines the segment's relevance for the international trade and confirms the trade fair's course of development. Including among others a clearer range of offerings, which allows improved orientation, increases the efficiency of the trade fair visit and promotes more targeted networking.

The Living theme world bundles the outdoor decoration, furniture and shading solution offerings at spoga+gafa and thus covers the key product categories of the garden industry. The strong participation of both national and international companies demonstrates the dynamism of the market and illustrates the growing significance of stylishly designed outdoor living spaces. Against this backdrop, spoga+gafa serves as an important international platform for trends, orientation and business initiation. It offers the trade audience a concise overview of the current developments in the Outdoor Living market and opens up new business potential.

"With its focus on decorative design and new lifestyle perspectives, spoga+gafa showcases how outdoor spaces are defined as a combination between design, comfort and nature today. The high demand confirms that our offerings are meeting the current market demands and further reinforces our role as a driving force in the industry," said Claudia Maurer, Director of spoga+gafa.

International brand diversity
Numerous national and international companies are shaping the landscape of the theme world Living this year. In the Decoration section, among others Capi Europe, Edelman, Esschert Design, IDeL, Nuova Deroma, Prosperplast, Scheurich and Teraplast are represented.

The exhibitors in the Outdoor Furniture and Shading section include Brafab, doppler, 4 Seasons Outdoor, Hartman, Kettler Home & Garden, Platinum, Sieger, SUNSIT, Tierra Outdoor and Zebra.

A full overview of all participating exhibitors can be found online in the exhibitor search of spoga+gafa 2026: www.spogagafa.com/spoga-gafa-exhibitors/list-of-exhibitors/.

There is also high demand in the remaining segments of the trade fair: The theme world "Creation&Care" has also reported a high number of applications. Further product offers in the theme worlds BBQs and Outdoor Adventure round off the overall offer of the garden industry. spoga+gafa is thus once again underlining its importance as an international industry meeting point and confirming the significance of its role for Cologne as a trade fair location.

Outlook: New impulses due to the changed date for 2027
spoga+gafa will take place in September as of 2027. With the new date, the trade fair is aligning more closely with the actual business cycles of the bricks-and-mortar trade, creating optimal planning and order conditions, especially for garden centres, DIY store and the specialised trade. Exhibitors from the theme worlds Living and BBQs, in particular, will in future benefit from a more precise timing for product presentation and business transactions.

As part of the new date and ongoing developments of the event, individual hall concepts are also being reimagined. In this context, the planned launch of the special exhibition area “Object.Europe” for premium outdoor living brands – curated by H.O.M.E. publisher Angelika Müller – is being considered for 2027. “As a multiplier, we aim to support spoga+gafa in creating a new platform for high-quality European design and in setting fresh impulses for the industry,” says Angelika Müller.

Further information: www.spogagafa.com/trade-fair/spoga-gafa/portfolio-worldwide/

Following the successful launch of the collective ‘We Love Conifers’ at IPM Essen, the platform is now taking the next step. In two weeks, the first consumer campaign themed ‘Tuscany’ will kick off. This initiative showcases how twelve leading growers use conifers as the backbone of a modern Mediterranean-style garden.

From green foundation to holiday feeling
The ‘Tuscany’ campaign is the first in a series of modern themes aimed at repositioning the conifer as a plant of the future. While conifers are sometimes still seen as traditional, this theme highlights their versatility. By featuring robust, winter-hardy species such as Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’ and Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’, the collective offers a frost-resistant alternative to the classic but delicate Italian cypress.
The campaign provides garden owners with ideas for a neat, year-round garden without requiring high maintenance or expert knowledge.

Support for growers, retailers, and garden centers
To stimulate demand throughout the chain, ‘We Love Conifers’ provides extensive promotional material for growers, retailers, and wholesalers:

• Professional content: Inspiring images and ready-to-use social media content are available for use. 
• Customer inspiration: The campaign offers practical step-by-step guides for transforming a (city) garden into a low-maintenance Mediterranean paradise. 
• Focus on sustainability: Emphasis is placed on climate resilience, biodiversity, and year-round structur

Invitation to participate
The collective, coordinated by Blunt Communicatieadvies, invites growers and channel partners to use and share the material. Closely involved parties are encouraged to join the collective. Participation provides access to a broad network, knowledge sharing, and increased promotional reach while keeping costs low through economies of scale

About We Love Conifers
‘We Love Conifers’ is an initiative by twelve growers who have joined forces to reposition the conifer as the essential plant for the modern, climate-resilient garden and public spaces.

Twenty-one inspiring city greening initiatives have been selected as Finalists for the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026. Each of these cities demonstrate the transformative power of plants  in solving some of the most pressing urban challenges - from extreme heat and flooding to food security, biodiversity loss and public health.

Initiated by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and supported by its network of Green City Partners, the AIPH World Green City Awards champion ambitious nature-orientated approaches to city design and operation.  The Awards recognise the role of city authorities in promoting and enabling the use of plants as practical tools to improve urban life - supporting climate resilience, restoring ecosystems, strengthening communities, and creating more liveable cities.

Across the 21 Finalists, this is already being put into practice - from transforming streets and restoring degraded land, to expanding urban forests, improving access to green space, and developing new models for food production - demonstrating how planting can deliver measurable environmental, social and economic benefits. In the first of a two-stage judging process, a multidisciplinary Technical Panel reviewed all entries to the Awards and scored them according to  six judging criteria. The Finalists comprise the three highest scoring entries in each of the seven Awards categories.

The Finalists are:

Living Green for Biodiversity & Urban Ecosystem Restoration

• Surrey’s Green Infrastructure Network - Preserving Biodiversity for Future Generations, Surrey, Canada
• Retrofitting Paris into a biodiversity friendly city, Paris, France
• The Willow Cure: Natural Decontamination for Urban Brownfield in the city of Montréal, Montréal, Canada

Living Green for Climate Change

• Mission Million Trees - Planting 14 million trees in Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, India
• Climate Action: Cool Streets and Greening, City of London, UK
• Restoring Montréal’s Riverbanks in a Changing Climate: A Strategic, Ecological and Social Commitment, Montréal, Canada

Living Green for Health & Wellbeing

• Cidade da Criança: Nature-Based Early Childhood Infrastructure in Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil
• Bringing Resilient and Biodiversity-Rich Forests Back to Ensure Healthy Environments: Montréal Restores High Conservation Value Forests After a Perfect Storm of Invasive Species, Montréal, Canada
• The Greening of City of Joburg as Park of Bridging the Green Divide, Johannesburg, South Africa

Living Green for Water

• Like Alkmaar, Alkmaar, Netherlands
• Melaka River Rehabilitation and Beautification Project, Malacca, Malaysia
• Bunia Climate-Shield: A Green Belt for Urban Resilience, Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Living Green for Social Cohesion & Inclusive Communities

• Project Community Garden of Maringá - Environmental and Productive Inclusion, Maringá, Brazil
• Sariyer Büyükdere Atatürk Nursery and Gardening School Project, Istanbul, Türkiye
• Green City Chiang Rai — Plant Trees, Plant People, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Living Green for Urban Agriculture & Food Systems

• Joy is a Farm, Quezon City, Philippines
• Programa Altépetl, Mexico City, Mexico
• Fish From the Mountains: Bayawan Inland Aquaculture, Bayawan, Philippines

Living Green for Urban Infrastructure & Liveability

• Greening the Future - Sheffield’s Model for Climate Resilient Urban Design​, Sheffield, UK
• City of Perth Urban Greening Strategy 2023-2036​, Perth, Australia
• Green Infrastructure Plan Vitacura​, Vitacura, Chile

An international Jury will assess the Finalist entries based on their capacity for influence, replicability, and scope to inspire change. They will select the seven winning entries for each category, as well as the overall Grand Winner of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2026. A Youth Jury will select a shortlist of three entries that most inspire and meet the needs of young people. Of these three, one will receive the AIPH Youth Award. Further details on the Winners announcement will be confirmed shortly.

Subscribe to the monthly AIPH Global Green City Update to stay informed of news announcements. 

RECOUP will hold The RECOUP Plastics Assembly in Peterborough on 1 October 2026.

Created to accelerate practical progress, this one day event is designed for professionals who want to drive real change, connect with peers, and gain fresh insight into the solutions shaping tomorrow’s circular plastics system.

Why Attend?

Attendees will gain:

• Direct insight into current and emerging priorities in design, infrastructure, behaviour and policy

• Deep dives into the issues shaping the next decade

• Fresh thinking on circular design, materials, and infrastructure

• PLUS: First‑hand access to innovation powering the future at the Innovation Room. A dedicated space where start‑ups, researchers and universities will showcase cutting‑edge materials, technologies and processes driving circularity.

A High‑Impact Programme

Attendees can choose one session from each of the following groups:

Morning session 1

• Designing Plastic Products for a Circular Future
• Recycling Infrastructure for Circular Plastics
• Who Drives Circular Behaviour? Rethinking Responsibility

Morning session 2

• The Future of Materials: Sustainable Plastics, Plastic Alternatives, Composites & Beyond
• Stopping Plastic Pollution: Tackling Litter, Leakage & Waste Crime
• The Policy Landscape

A Catalyst for Industry Transformation

By bringing together designers, recyclers, policymakers, sustainability professionals, innovators and researchers, The RECOUP Assembly is a flagship event for cross‑sector collaboration and forward‑thinking strategy.

If your organisation is preparing for what’s next in plastics, this is the room you need to be in.

Event Details

Date: 1 October 2026

Time: 09:00–16:00

Venue: Holiday Inn Peterborough – West

Book Now

A highlight of the recent Blue Diamond Awards night in Bournemouth last month was an internally produced video Alan Roper created to explain the past year in a fun way.

The AI produced movie: Blue Diamond - Growing into the Future, is not publicly available, but by popular demand outside Blue Diamond, it is being exclusively made available to the trade through GTN Xtra.

Above: Sarah Squire (Chairman – Squire’s Garden Centres) with Oliver Turner (General Manager – Barnsfold Liss) at the West Sussex nursery site.

Squire’s Garden Centres has recently filed its account for financial year ending 31 July 2025. The year was one of significant activity and exciting progress for the business. After a challenging first half of the year, the company benefited from excellent spring weather and achieved strong sales growth in its core garden centre operations.

In December 2024, the company acquired Liss Forest Nursery, incorporating a well-established hardy plant grower into its nursery division, now operating as Barnsfold Liss Nurseries.

On 14 February 2025, the company launched its Friends of Squire’s loyalty programme and has seen rapidly expanded membership. This initiative has enabled the business to better understand its customers, communicate more effectively as well as target promotional activity with greater precision.

Also in February, the company completed the purchase of the freehold of Hare Hatch Garden Centre and welcomed colleagues into the Squire’s team. The centre was restocked and reopened in sharp turnaround, with doors opening on Valentine’s Day, supported by the strong efforts of the Hare Hatch team alongside colleagues from other centres and Squire’s Group Office. Investment is ongoing to enhance the customer experience, including a remodelled restaurant and other improvements, with further developments planned. The company believes the centre has strong potential for future growth.

The £5.6m capital expenditure programme for the year focused on existing sites and included completion of the roof replacement project at Twickenham and the extension of the Milford centre. Restaurant upgrades were also carried out at Stanmore and Cobham. These projects are delivering positive results in the current financial year.

Core garden centre sales increased by 9% to £70.7m (2024: £64.9m), including an initial contribution of £1.9m from Hare Hatch. Within this, garden centre sales rose 9% to £59.8m (2024: £54.7m), while restaurant sales grew by 7% to £10.9m (2024: £10.2m). E-commerce sales were £1.0m, remaining flat year on year. Barnsfold Liss contributed £2.2m in sales (2024: £1.9m), bringing total Group sales to £72.9m (2024: £66.8m). Like-for-like customer numbers increased by 5% in Garden Centres and by 6% in Restaurants. Underlying Garden Centre profit before tax rose to £3.6m (2024: £2.2m).

The company looks forward to continuing progress on its sustainability programme and remains committed to its charitable and community engagement.

Sarah Squire, Squire’s Chairman comments: “Once again, I would like to commend our hardworking and talented colleagues throughout the business, who have shown such commitment and worked so tirelessly in a very busy year for the business. 

“At the end of the financial year, we gave our Managing Director, Martin Breddy, our thanks and good wishes for his retirement and welcomed our new Managing Director, Sam Dickson, to the team.”

Above: investment in restaurant upgrades delivered refreshed dining experiences at, from left, Stanmore, Cobham and Hare Hatch.

As it approaches its 90th anniversary next year, Bents Garden & Home is placing a strong focus on its long-term future and is actively progressing plans for how the family owned and run business will continue to operate as it moves into its fourth generation.  

As a multi-generational business with deep roots in the garden centre industry, Bents recognises the importance of structured succession planning in maintaining continuity.  With this in mind, 22 members of the Bent family and spouses, aged between 12 and 83, attended an away day where the second, third and fourth generations came together to talk about the future of the Bents family business. 

Hosted by renowned family business adviser, Juliette Johnson the event was wide-ranging. Chairman Ron Bent talked about the history of Bents, dating back to 1937 when his parents started to grow roses in their front garden; all members of the family were invited to share their first memories of visiting Bents; and a brainstorming session looked at how the business might look beyond its 90th year.

Said Matthew Bent, Managing Director and third generation member of the family: “We were delighted with the success of our recent family away day, which provided a valuable opportunity for everyone to come together, reflect on the business and look ahead to the future. 

“As we approach our 90th anniversary, it was particularly important to open up new conversations around planning for the next generation and explore how our younger family members can become more actively involved in the business, whether they work within it or not. Ensuring we have a clear and inclusive pathway for our future generations is key to maintaining the strength and continuity of Bents as we move into our next chapter.”

Juliette Johnson added: “It was a real pleasure to be part of Bents’ first family weekend. Seeing all the children engage was a real highlight — their curiosity, confidence and the quality of their questions were genuinely impressive. There was such a great energy throughout the event, thoughtful, informative and a lot of fun too. I have no doubt this is the start of many more brilliant family business weekends for Bents in the future.”

As part of its succession planning process, the family, with help and guidance from Juliette, has now created the Bent Family Constitution; a document which provides a common vision for the business and outlines the principles by which it is owned and operated together as a family. It has also introduced a Next Generation Guide providing information for younger members who are interested in learning more about, or getting involved with, the business. 

By taking a proactive and strategic approach, the Bent family is ensuring the business is well positioned to evolve, while continuing to uphold the values, expertise and customer experience that have underpinned its success for nearly nine decades.

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has confirmed the sale of Moorland Nurseries & Garden Centre, a long‑established retail horticultural business located between Harrogate and Knaresborough in North Yorkshire.

Founded in 1947, Moorland Nurseries & Garden Centre has been in the same family for 79 years, spanning three generations. The Merrin family have built a highly regarded, community‑focused business featuring a popular garden centre, glasshouses, extensive retail areas, and successful concession partnerships. The 2.54‑acre freehold site also includes a well‑presented 75‑space car park and a café, attracting strong and loyal customer footfall.

The site has been acquired by British Garden Centres, the largest family-owned garden centre group in the UK, bringing the group’s national portfolio to 79 garden centres. The acquisition marks the next chapter for the site, bringing new investment and opportunities to build on the family’s decades of dedication to horticulture and retail in the region.  The site will now operate as Knaresborough Garden Centre and the existing team will remain in place following the acquisition.

The Merrin family commented, “We would like to thank our loyal and valued customers for all their support over the years and wish Charles and his family all the best for the future.”

A spokesperson for British Garden Centres, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Knaresborough Garden Centre to our Family. We are looking forward to continuing the great horticultural background of the site, while developing some of our other ranges in there. The Lime Cafe will stay and be run as a concession.”

Andrew Birnie, Director – Retail & Leisure at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, commented: “Moorland Nurseries & Garden Centre is a much‑loved, long‑standing family business. We received interest from a wide range of potential buyers however we are delighted to have supported its sale to British Garden Centres, whose experience and scale will ensure the site continues to thrive.”

With just weeks to go until the Glee Roadshow arrives in the East, the team behind the event has revealed further details about what attendees can expect from the day’s carefully curated agenda.

Far from a traditional conference, the Roadshow has been designed as a structured, working day for garden retailers – one that reflects the pressures, priorities and opportunities shaping the sector right now, while creating space for honest discussion and practical problem-solving.

A working agenda for today’s garden retail

The day begins with arrival, tea and coffee, setting an informal tone and allowing retailers to reconnect, share immediate challenges, and step away from day-to-day trading before the core programme gets underway.

The opening session brings everyone together for a sector-wide discussion, led by Matthew Mein and Boyd Douglas-Davies.  Focusing on the current state of garden retail, it tackles everything from shifting consumer expectations and footfall to staffing, margin and operational pressures. Crucially, this is a moderated discussion shaped by the experiences of those in the room.

Learning from real retail success

From here, the agenda will move into more focused sessions, starting with Growing a Modern Family Business: The Gates Story. In this conversation, Nigel Gates (Chairman – Gates Garden Centre) shares how a fourth-generation business continues to evolve, whilst offering practical insight into expansion, ecommerce, experiential retail and diversification.

Tackling the people challenge

Attention will then turn to one of the sector’s biggest challenges – people. In Solving the People Puzzle: Recruitment, Retention and Culture, Boyd Douglas-Davies is joined by MorePeople’s Guy Moreton to explore what is really working when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, with audience input helping to shape the discussion.

A dedicated networking lunch will provide time to continue conversations and contribute to a live Slido discussion on the biggest challenges facing businesses in the year ahead – helping to shape the afternoon sessions.

Turning insight into opportunity

Post-lunch the focus will then shift towards opportunity and growth. In Experience, Transformation and Diversification: Real Growth in Garden Retail, panellists including Michael Smith from Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Samantha Gibbs from Nest & Retail Mentor, and British garden Centre’s Amy Stubbs to explore how centres are evolving. From enhancing customer experience to unlocking new revenue streams through food, events and partnerships, and rethinking how space is used to drive dwell time, spend and repeat visits.

Big impact, whatever the footprint

The final session, Small Footprint, Big Impact: Retail Excellence at Fakenham Garden Centre, sees Martin and Jennie Turner join GTN’s Trevor Pfeiffer to share how they’ve built a high-performing, award-winning business on a compact site to prove that scale is no barrier to success.

The day will then conclude with closing reflections, bringing together key insights and ensuring attendees leave with clear, actionable takeaways, followed by further networking to strengthen regional connections.

Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee and Autumn Fair, said: “What we’ve created with the Roadshow is a genuinely useful working day for retailers. It starts with an honest look at where the sector is right now, and then moves quickly into how businesses can respond.

The value comes from the room as much as the agenda – bringing people together to share experiences, challenge thinking and leave with ideas they can put into practice straight away.”

How to join the Glee Roadshow

When: Thursday 30th April, 11am–4pm

Where: Gates Garden Centre, Oakham

The Roadshow is designed for garden centre and garden retail managers, executives, directors and senior buyers from the immediate region and neighbouring counties.

Heading to the east for the very first time the Glee Roadshow will dig into the challenges, opportunities and trends shaping garden retail right now, both regionally and nationally.

Attendance is free, but spaces are limited. To register your interest and stay up to date visit www.gleebirmingham.com/roadshow

GIMA Buyers Guide & New Product Digest - Spring 2026 - A valuable reference for the UK Garden Trade Read On-line here

New Products for the UK Garden Trade for 2026 from GIMA Members: Altico, Auto Pot Global, Avocet Hardware – Greenman Tools, Bees Seeds, Big Cheese (STV), Charles Bentley, Durstons, Eastern Connections, Easy Cleaning Solutions (Jeyes), elho, Evergreen Garden Care, Fiskars, Floramedia, Gardena, Greenkey, Glee, Handy, Hex Living, Hortiwool, Johnsons Lawn Seeds, Lava-Lite, Lodi UK, The MAD Company, Meadow View Stone, Melcourt, Mercia Garden Products, Monty Miracle, Museums & Galleries, Outtrade BV, Pelsis Doff, Phoenox Textiles, PlantWorks, Super Ninja, Treadstone, Treasure Gardening, Vitavia, Woodmansterne, Zest Outdoor Living and the GIMA Member Directory.

GTN March 2026. In this issue: New gift packaging and greeting cards from Woodmansterne, Exclusive GTN interview with Derek Bunker as he takes retirement, Houseplants benefit from the Durston’s difference, Hunter Stoves enter the outdoor leisure market with Pollen, More than just cards – the story behind Museums & Galleries, Round up from this year’s Garden Press Event, Investments underline the future for Evergreen Garden Care, BGC’s family values vision - GTN meets up with Charles and Amy Stubbs  , Inspiration from winning garden centre teams in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, Giant Garden Centre Teams, Large Garden Centre Teams, Mid-Sized Garden Centre Teams, Small Garden Centre Teams, Group Large Garden centre Teams, Group Small Garden Centre Teams, Review from Spring Fair and Glee at Spring Fair, Invasive Plant Advice – GTN Planteria, AI - your partner in business - Adapt or Die, Hungry for change - Pleydell Smithyman Viewpoint, What’s shaping Outdoor Living - LOFA Viewpoint, Grounded Horticulture - HTA Viewpoint, Cautious Optimism - GIMA Viewpoint.