News
GCA BoT figures for October show an ‘excellent month’
O
ctober’s Garden Centre Association (GCA) Barometer
of Trade (BoT) reveals an ‘impressive increase’ of +10.71% when compared to October 2024. From the 13 categories recorded by member garden centres, 10 were positive, when compared to the same month in 2024, with clothing once again leading at +17.69% and Christmas at +16.12%. Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive
Scotland’s horticulture sector sets out £5b green economy vision
explains: “Another excellent month for our members with an impressive increase of +10.71% recorded when compared to October 2024. However, it’s fair to say our figures are slightly improved by the huge increase in sales at the newly rebuilt Perrywood Garden Centre at Sudbury. “Despite it being the third dullest October on record, with more rain than last year too, customers were out in good numbers and spending across all
departments again. The significant increase in Christmas sales gives a very hopeful feel to the six weeks ahead and with the year-to-date increase being a healthy +8.51% the full year is looking good.”
Catering came in next at +13.12%, followed by garden sundries at +11.2% and food hall/ farm shop at +10.82%. The gifts category recorded an
upturn of +8.87%, with outdoor plants next at +7.1%, pets & aquatics was also up at +6.79% and seeds & bulbs at +4.94%. Those categories that recorded
negatively, when likened with October 2024, where houseplants with -4.74% and hard landscaping at -5.98%. In last position was furniture & BBQs at -7.6%. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
Wyevale Nurseries celebrates 95th anniversary W
L-R: Stan Green, Carolyn Spray (Pentland Plants), Katie Neen
T
he Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) recently
launched its Scotish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto at Pentland Plants near Edinburgh. If the Scotish government adopts the practical recommendations, it could unlock a £5.1 billion opportunity for Scotland’s economy by 2030. The environmental horticulture
sector, which includes retailers, growers, manufacturers, wholesalers, landscapers and garden designers, already supports nearly 60,000 jobs and contributes £2.6 billion to Scotland’s GDP. The manifesto demonstrates that, with the right policies in place, this economic contribution could almost double by 2030. Rising operational costs are creating an increasingly challenging environment for HTA members, the majority of whom are family-run small SMEs.
yevale Nurseries in Hereford has formally unveiled
its 95th anniversary logo and launched the celebration of its deep-rooted horticultural heritage this month (October 2025). The award-winning, leading commercial grower was established in 1930 by Harry Williamson, who was an innovative grower and began the business by cultivating roses and selling them by mail order. Heather Williamson, Harry’s
Hillier Trees and The Tree Musketeers team up to plant trees
granddaughter and Wyevale Nurseries’ Chairman, explains: “It’s such an hour to have been part of the fabric of British horticulture for 95 years. As one of the UK’s largest and most established growers of plants for garden centres and the amenity market including hedging and transplant stock, our legacy is
nurseries, supplying high quality trees to the landscaping industry, local authorities, and private estates. Combining traditional
H
www.gardencentreupdate.com
illier Trees and Te Tree Musketeers have launched a new
collaboration dedicated to planting, protecting, and promoting trees in urban communities. With over 160 years of
horticultural experience, Hillier is one of the UK’s leading tree
knowledge with cutting edge research, Hillier grows trees that thrive in a variety of environments, making it a natural partner for a grassroots organisation committed to bringing more trees into local communities. The Tree Musketeers are a community led nursery based on the Hackney Marshes. They involve residents and volunteers in growing, planting, and maintaining trees, often in places where they might not otherwise be planted. Working closely with tree officers, park staff, local community groups, and volunteers, the group ensures that trees not only get planted but are nurtured long term.
built on a deep understanding of the land, the landscape sector and garden centre industry, and the evolving needs of our customers.” Wyevale Nurseries is a family- run business that is a leading wholesale supplier of British sown and grown trees and plants. To celebrate its milestone year, it has officially launched its 95th anniversary logo, which will be used this and next year, and is working towards marking its birthday more fully in 2026, with bigger plans being made for its 100th year in 2030.
Durstons urges retailers to get ahead of the peat ban
W
ith industry frustration mounting over
continued uncertainty surrounding the peat ban, Durstons is urging retailers to get ahead of the curve with peat-free compost now. The Government’s recent
reference to legislating against peat sales in its Carbon Budget & Growth Delivery Plan was met with disappointment from the trade. While the written commitment to a ban was welcomed, the open-ended timeframe of “when Parliamentary time allows” has done little to reassure an industry that’s been in limbo for years.
GCU Winter 2025
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