Business
Thames Water brings in hosepipe ban
The water firm has announced the introduction of a hosepipe ban across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire.
Charity
National Trust to cut workforce by 550 jobs
Increased labour costs from raised employer national insurance and minimum wage have resulted in the National Trust cutting at least 550 jobs in efforts to save £26m.
Careers
New bursary launched to support horticultural talent
The Horticultural Trades Association launches new £1,500 bursary for the winner of the Young Grower Under 35 award – part of the HTA Grower of the Year Awards 2025.
Economy
UK economy contracts again in May
Despite government growth push, the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, following a drop of 0.3% in April.
HTA
HTA attends Business with Europe Summer Reception
The Horticultural Trades Association has supported the Business with Europe summer reception event, held at the Onion Garden in London.
Design
Dutch Landscapes Team wins Prize for Creation at the 2025 International Garden Festival
Will Dutch and team at Dutch Landscapes has been awarded the Prize for Creation at the 2025 International Garden Festival at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Environment
First hosepipe ban in Yorkshire
Effective on Friday, Yorkshire will be the first UK county to implement water usage restrictions due to the prolonged period of dry weather.
Environment
Severn Trent urges customers to help save water
Following the dramatic drop in rainfall during record hot weather, Severn Trent Water urges Staffordshire customers to save water as reservoir level fall.
Awards
Winners 2025 Henchman Topiary Awards
The Henchman Topiary Awards recognise exceptional skill, creativity, and passion in the art of shaping and maintaining remarkable living sculptures.
Business
There may be beautiful bulb fields, but there are rose fields too…
Home to millions of roses, the Wharton Garden Roses fields offer not only an incredible visual spectacle but also an insight into the extensive work involved in producing roses for the market.
Regulation
New round of capital grants for sustainable farming practices & environmental improvement
Defra’s £150m in capital funds cover a wide range of on-farm projects, such as tree planting, flood prevention and water filtration to help farmer profitability and the environment.
Plants
Gertrude Jekyll® Named World’s Favourite Rose 2025
The World Federation of Rose Societies has named Rosa Gertrude Jekyll® (Ausbord) as the 2025 World’s Favourite Rose.
Awards
Honest Communications named Specialist PR Consultancy of the Year
Public Relations Agency, Honest Communications has been named Specialist PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR Excellence Awards 2025 for its expertise and experience in the home and garden sector.
Regulation
Phased introduction of worker’s rights legislation pushed back to 2027
The Department for Business and Trade confirmed that some of the more contentious measures would not come in for at least two years.
Business
GIMA launches new ‘Meet the Associate’ event
Similar to their ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, the Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association unveils their new networking initiative.
Business
Easton Walled Gardens launch Griffin of Easton Artists’ Materials
Combining art and heritage, Easton Walled Gardens announced the launch of a new artists’ materials shop, serving the East Midlands.
Charity
Serge Hill Project Summer Auction
First, online summer auction opens in aid of the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health.
Awards
Design Duo win top awards at 2025 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Designed by Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews, the Subaru Cocoon won Best Show Garden, Best Construction and RHS Environmental Innovation Award at this year’s show.
People
Michael Perry becomes the HTA’s new ambassador
As the new HTA’s Ambassador, Michael Perry will be taking a closer look at what the association does for its members in the horticultural sector.
Business
ShopKind retail campaign in Scotland
An annual event, the ShopKind campaign supports the promotion of courteous and respectful behaviour in shops and to raise awareness of the growing problem of abuse and violence towards shop workers.
