Regulation
Spring Statement 2025: Key points
During her Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the plans for the UK economy in the House of Commons.
Business
Hillier nurseries now 100% peat-free
Hillier has announced a major milestone by transitioning all its nurseries to 100% peat-free operations.
Plants
David Austin to launch new rose at RHS Chelsea
To be revealed on Press Day at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the new David Austin rose has been over a decade in the making.
Regulation
HTA outlines actions for effective biosecurity measures and border to Parliamentary Committee
The Horticultural Trades Association gave oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee as part of its inquiry into border biosecurity.
Awards
Recipients of the 2025 RHS People Awards
BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson and daffodil breeder, Ron Scamp were amongst the 19 recipients honoured at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s People Awards.
Education
Sixteen Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships granted for 2025
Supporting the development of students studying horticulture, the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation granted 16 scholarships for 2025 season.
Business
Huw Richards and Gardena search for Britain’s best plot
In support of the National Allotment Society, Gardena has launched the Top of the Plots competition, open for entries in May.
Marketing
Dobbies launch long-term brand platform
UK garden centre retailer, Dobbies launched new creative platform, ‘This Is Garden Living’, to help drive year-round footfall.
Business
February was a difficult month for garden centres, says GCA
February’s Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade revealed an overall year-to-date growth variance in garden centres sales of 1.53%
Business
Mixed February performance for garden centres
The latest Market Update by the HTA for February 2025 shows mixed performance for UK garden centres with sales down 1% compared to February 2024.
Design
Industry launches sustainable design tool, elemental
Launching today, the free-to-use web-based app, elemental enables garden and landscape designers to assess and minimise environmental impacts, transforming sustainable design in the industry.
Regulation
Industry calls on government to pause Plant Health fees hike
The British Potato Trade Association, the Fresh Produce Consortium and the Horticultural Trades Association urge the government to review the ill-timed fee hikes.
Awards
Henchman Topiary Awards 2025 open for submissions
Following the success of the 2025 inaugural awards, the Henchman Topiary Awards competition is set to return this spring.
Business
Blue Diamond appointed plant supplier to Alan Titchmarsh’s new gardening channel
Garden centre chain, Blue Diamond are the plant suppliers for the new Alan Titchmarsh YouTube Channel, which is set to launch in April 2025.
Regulation
The Gardens Trust campaigns to oppose removal statutory consultee status
Following the Government’s announcement that the Gardens’ Trust will no longer be a statutory consultee within the English planning system, the Trust is fighting back.
Regulation
Simpler Recycling legislation
On Global Recycling Day, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) celebrates the industry’s progress towards greater recyclability but stresses the importance of implementation of the Simpler Recycling scheme.
Economy
OECD cuts growth forecasts
Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement next week, the OECD has downgraded the UK’s growth prospects.
Business
Spring Forecast: HTA calls for decisive government action
Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast, the Horticultural Trades Association calls for decisive action to support the environmental horticulture sector.
Careers
Additional sponsorship support for the YPHA
The Young People in Horticulture Association has announced the support of five additional sponsors for 2025-2026 period.
Tourism
First Scottish Gardens Tourism Conference
Hosted by Discover Scottish Gardens, the inaugural Scottish Gardens Tourism Conference takes place this week, aimed to encourage collaboration across the industry.
