Regulation
Extra border checks cancelled ahead of UK-EU deal
The government announced the suspension of extra border checks on plant goods from Ireland ahead of the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU.
Collaboration
Collective bloom: Five visions in tulips
Arit Anderson, Anna Potter, Shane Connolly, Arthur Parkinson, and Kim Murray have collaborated with Sarah Raven to create tulip collections for autumn planting.
Business
Thrive Street 2025: Mary Portas calls on small businesses to shape the future of UK retail
Retail expert, Mary Portas is seeking innovative small businesses to take part in an initiative championing the vitality and diversity of Britain’s independent retail sector.
Business
July heat sparks growth in garden centre sales
With the warm July temperatures, averaging 16.8°C, garden centres experienced steady growth with overall revenues up +4% compared to July 2024 and July 2023.
Business
Water Matters: HTA pushes for long term resilience plan
The prolonged hot and dry weather has severely affected the horticultural industry, underscoring the urgent need for long-term water resilience measures, beyond short-term crisis interventions like flood and drought relief.
Tourism
Bath celebrates 250 Years of Jane Austen through flowers
Inspired by Jane Austen’s life and letters, Bath has filled its streets with literary-themed flower displays and installations.
Media
Google versus gardening: Will big tech clip the roots of original content?
Never, has ‘read the small print’ been more appropriate in today’s exponential whirlwind of algorithms and implementation of artificial intelligence functionalities used by Big Tech.
Dids Macdonald OBE, FRSA
Business
Hestercombe estate goes into administration
The historic, 50 acre Somerset based, Grade I listed Hestercombe House & Garden has fallen into administration.
Economy
Bank of England cuts interests rates to 4% amid rising unemployment
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4%, the lowest level in more than two years.
Awards
Cultivating excellence: Record Entries for 2025 HTA Grower of the Year Awards
The HTA has received the highest number of entries for this year’s Grower of the Year Awards, which recognise excellence in UK nursery production.
Economy
UK retail footfall stumbles again
Data from the British Retail consortium showed disappointing shopping footfall across the UK, decreasing by 0.4% in July (YoY), up from -1.8% in June.
Education
A year to grow: The Adam Greathead Horticultural Award
The application process for the 2025 programme, which offers a unique opportunity for aspiring horticulturists to work with John Massey and Fergus Garrett for a year, is now open.
Gardens
Sold down the plot: Allotments at risk?
Last weekend’s news reported a concerning story that the Deputy Prime Minister granted councils the authority to sell allotments to finance spending.
Charity
Bumblebee charity issues urgent plea for support
Amidst an unprecedented crisis for bumblebees, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust faces substantial financial constraints, impeding the provision of essential support for the pollinators.
Media
Google’s new AI Mode: No links, no credit
Google’s search engine overhaul and AI overviews will fundamentally change how users interact on searches, posing a major threat to (content rich) websites reliant on organic search traffic.
People
British Garden Centres appoints Amy Stubbs, as Managing Director
British Garden Centres announced the appointment of eldest daughter, Amy Stubbs, as Managing Director alongside her father, Charles Stubbs and uncle, Robert.
People
Population of England and Wales increased to 61.8mn, says ONS
Latest ONS dat indicated that the population of England and Wales continued to grow in the year to mid-2024, reaching 61,806,682 people.
Regulation
Gardener arrested for ‘knife’ possession
Armed police arrested a gardener returning from his Manchester allotment on account of his gardening tools, which were mistaken for weapons.
Charity
HRH The Princess Royal opened Horatio’s Garden Sheffield & East
Designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, the charity’s eight garden at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield has opened.
Media
Uncovering nature’s silent giants: The Secret Life of Trees
Broadcasting this Friday, 25th July at 9pm on Channel 5, the new series follows the incredible lives of trees – from tiny seeds, to magnificent giants and into old age.
