HTA
Plants in Parliament
Organised by the Horticultural Trades Association, the “Plants in Parliament” event was attended by around 100 MPs, Peers and their teams, highlighting key industry issues.
Regulation
WaterUK calls for higher water charges for large gardens
Trade body, WaterUK is calling for water metering to be made compulsory which would result in higher water charges for homes with larger gardens.
Business
Businesses struggling to keep head above water, says S&P
S&P Global Market Intelligence suggests private sector confidence collapse and significant output decline in April, with firms reporting “more of a struggle” to survive after Chancellor’s tax rises kicked in
Products
Cobra Garden launches new VX Petrol Mower range
Manufacturer of garden machinery, Cobra Garden has launched their new range of petrol lawnmowers with VorteX Airflow System.
Gardens
Omved: New centre for permaculture, biodiversity & community
The greenscape and learning hub, Omved gardens reopens in May, coinciding with the opening of a new centre for permaculture, biodiversity and community.
Products
Stiga autonomous mowers Quiet Mark certified
Manufacturer of garden machinery, Stiga announced that their range of autonomous robot mowers has been officially certified by Quiet Mark.
Gardens
Lawns overlooked in new builds
According to the Turfgrass Growers Association, developers are squeezing budgets to such a degree that lawns in new build developments are ever shrinking.
Book Releases
Products
Alitex launches new aluminium panel based greenhouse
Greenhouse designer-makers Alitex, known for their aluminium Victorian greenhouses, launches new base option, the Wainscot.
Business
US shipment suspensions amid tariff regime
Triggered by new customs rules, DHL announced a suspension of shipments, valued more than $800, bound for the US.
Education
Gardening: Expertise & common mistakes
Survey conducted by the garden tools brand, Stihl, reveals intent to improve gardening skills, as inexperience forms significant barrier to engage in gardening.
Worth a read
A plea for the protection of our surroundings
In a thought provoking article for Scribehound Gardening, Alan Titchmarsh asks why if we are justifiably entitled to public services such as energy is the beauty of our surroundings not part of that birthright?
Business
British Garden Centres acquires Hayes Garden World
Family run, British Garden Centres, has announced the acquisition of Hayes Garden World in the Lake District.
Media
Eden Project hosts BBC Live Lesson on Earth Day
The Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project will be the setting for a BBC Live Lesson airing on Earth Day.
Charity
Dobbies gardening workshops in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK
In support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dobbies Garden Centres are hosting a Grow How event in stores across the UK this May to mark Dementia Action Week (19th-25th May).
Business
Rising costs lead to Shrewsbury Flower Show cancellation
Running since 1875, the Shrewsbury Flower Show announced that this year’s show has been cancelled due to escalating costs.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Ned assists in the design of Monty Don’s garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Monty Don’s handsome golden retriever, Ned, has a key role in the creation of his owner’s RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden.
Business
Sunshine and sales: Strong March performance for garden centres
With favourable weather, overall garden centre sales, excluding catering, were up +23% compared to March 2024, and +43% compared to March 2023.
Regulation
Trade bodies call for urgent action to safeguard horticulture and fresh produce industry
The Horticultural Trades Association, the Fresh Produce Consortium, and British Potato Trade Association urgently call on the Cabinet Office, Treasury and Defra to secure UK’s horticulture and fresh produce industries.
Design
Garden Museum Archive of Garden Design Catalogue is live
The Garden Museum’s Archive of Garden Design, which includes documents by Russell Page, Penelope Hobhouse, Joy Larkom and ecologist Marney Hall, is now live.
Environment
The Carbon Garden at Kew
In July, Kew Gardens will unveil the Carbon Garden showcasing the vital role plants and fungi play in climate change and highlights the urgency of the climate crisis.
