In This Issue
Dobbies Garden Centres announces the acquisition of 31 centres from Wyevale - strengthening its position as the UK’s leading garden centre operator
So what 31 Wyevale centres have been sold to Dobbies?
£194m generated from Wyevale sales so far, but who will be the buyers of the remaining 90?
Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of six more garden centres...four to Hilliers and two to Otter
Haskins in multi-million pound finance deal with HSBC UK
Mother's Day gets March 2019 sales volumes up to average
Garden Re-Leaf Day total on track for £70k
Plants are the star performers for Mother's Day
SafeLawn campaign to drive lawncare success
Haskins Snowhill trades from temporary building
SOLEX will be packed full of freshest designs from 60 LOFA members
Evergreen Garden Care's £3.5m campaign on TV now
Garden Birdwatch reveals mixed news for Britain's birds
Student grower's joy after winning £2k scholarship award
Hillier to blend contemporary and traditional design for RHS Chelsea 2019
Hillier announces new plants to be launched at Chelsea
Garden Centre Photo Tour - Forest Lodge
Bents raises £26k for Warrington hospice
See latest new plants under one roof in the Netherlands
Squires offer free soil testing service
Nursery steps up UK sales drive with young plants push
Garden Centre Photo Tour - Hillier Botley
Category Manager for Horticulture
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Thanksgiving service for Mike Dunnett
New garden centre thanks customers for support
Garden products up by 37% for March
Gardening is Good for You: May themes
Growing Media volumes up 8% on 2017
Emily joins Wyevale Nurseries as HR Manager
Sipcam adds ferric phosphate slug killer ahead of metaldehyde ban
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Veg-2-Gro sales volumes bounce back to normal
Wyevale Nurseries to propagate award-winning pyracantha
Bird Care down 31% vs 2017 for March
'Army' of RHS gardeners has huge benefit for the environment and wellbeing says new survey
The best of last week's
Best Mothers Day Ever? And what about March?
APAC to build new centre next door to Wyevale at Leicester
Cherry Lane creates 18 jobs at former Wyevale Barnett Hill
Notcutts celebrates success at annual conference
Hillier welcomes Adam Dunnett to its board of directors
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Category Manager for Horticulture
 

Van Hage has an exciting job opportunity within our family-owned company...

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Dobbies Garden Centres announces the acquisition of 31 centres from Wyevale - strengthening its position as the UK’s leading garden centre operator

 

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced today that it has agreed to acquire a further 31 centres from Wyevale Garden Centres. The acquisition increases the Dobbies estate to 69 centres, taking annual sales to over £300m and making it the largest garden centre operator in the UK.  The store portfolio is highly complementary to Dobbies’ existing estate.  Completion will be phased across May and June 2019...


 

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced today that it has agreed to acquire a further 31 centres from Wyevale Garden Centres.

 

The acquisition increases the Dobbies estate to 69 centres, taking annual sales to over £300m and making it the largest garden centre operator in the UK.  The store portfolio is highly complementary to Dobbies’ existing estate.  Completion will be phased across May and June 2019.

 

Graeme Jenkins, Dobbies CEO, said: “We are very pleased to have agreed this acquisition from Wyevale and we look forward to welcoming our new customers, as well as 1,400 new team members to Dobbies as we drive the growth of the business and deliver against our Strategic Plan.”

 

Andrew Bracey, Dobbies Chairman, said: “We are delighted to have now acquired a total of 37 garden centres from Wyevale.  Since acquiring Dobbies in 2016 we have doubled it in size, expanded Dobbies’ national footprint and strengthened our position as the UK’s leading garden centre operator. All of this will benefit Dobbies’ customers with broader ranges, national coverage, a leading online offer and great prices.”

 

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of Wyevale Garden Centres said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of these centres to Dobbies and look forward to working closely with the Dobbies team as part of the transition. I’d like to thank all of our colleagues at these great centres and wish them well for what I’m confident will be a bright future with Dobbies.”

 

So what 31 Wyevale centres have been sold to Dobbies?

 

The sale of 31 Wyevale centres to Dobbies Garden Centres for an undisclosed sum is the third transaction with Dobbies following the sale of five centres, plus a single site sale, both in October 2018...


 

The sale of 31 Wyevale centres to Dobbies Garden Centres for an undisclosed sum is the third transaction with Dobbies following the sale of five centres, plus a single site sale, both in October 2018.

 

The centres include: Altrincham, Andover, Beaconsfield, Brighton, Bury St Edmunds, Cadnam, Findern, Galton, Gosforth, Hare Hatch, Harlestone Heath, Havant, Hungerford, Keston, Leicester Rowena, Lelant, Marple, Moreton Park, Northampton, Pennine, Poppleton, Royston, Rugby, Shenstone, Stratford upon Avon, Stockton, Swansea, Swindon, Telford, Thornbury and World's End.

 

The centres will continue to trade as WGC over the coming weeks with completion of the sales phased from late May through to the end of June.

 

Following the sale to Dobbies, WGC remains a top three garden centre operator in the UK with 60 centres and a further four centres that are operating under licence. The announcement comes as WGC reports strong trading in the first quarter of 2019 with sales up 26% year on year, profitability significantly improved and high levels of liquidity. 

 

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of WGC, said “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of a portfolio of our centres to Dobbies Garden Centres. We would like to thank all of our garden centre colleagues for their contribution to Wyevale Garden Centres and wish them well for the next stage of their growth and development with Dobbies. I am delighted with our strong start to the year and am excited about trading for the rest of the main gardening season. Meanwhile, we also continue to evaluate a wide range of options as part of our ongoing sale process.”

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We are very pleased to have agreed this acquisition and look forward to welcoming our new customers along with 1,400 new members to our team.”

 

Separately, WGC today also confirms the commencement of a collective consultation process with all colleagues at its Syon Park Customer Support Centre (“CSC”). This process is required due to the potential reduction of at least 20 roles at the CSC and commences with the nomination and appointment of employee representatives before a 45 day collective consultation can begin.   

 

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of WGC, said “I appreciate the commencement of a collective consultation process is unsettling for our CSC colleagues. We are committed to keeping all our colleagues informed as the consultation process progresses and any potential impacts are clarified.”

 

Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor managing the sale process on behalf of WGC, have run a two-phase process that has achieved considerable interest from a wide variety of buyers. The opportunity to run one, a small group or a portfolio of garden centres has ignited interest within the sector and beyond, and there are still opportunities to acquire strongly located well-performing centres.

£194m generated from Wyevale sales so far, but who will be the buyers of the remaining 90?

Last Friday's announcement of centre sales to Hilliers and Otter Nurseries has taken the value of sold Wyevale Garden Centres to £194.05m, using the "Offers Based on" price as listed by Christie & Co, since Terra Firma put all 145 centres up for sale in July 2018.  With Crowland closing later this month there are now 90 centres still to sell that total a potential £254.6m using the "Offers Based on" price.  But which centre will go to which buyer...

 

 


Last Friday's announcement of centre sales to Hilliers and Otter Nurseries has taken the value of sold Wyevale Garden Centres to £194.05m, using the "Offers Based on" price as listed by Christie & Co, since Terra Firma put all 145 centres up for sale in July 2018.

 

Dobbies top the list of spenders so far at £67.85m and Blue Diamond are the second highest spender at £36.6m.  Sales to developers have raised £35.5m, of which four centres are still trading as Wyevale Garden Centres under licence.  Here's our list of the Top 10 buyers by "Offers Based on" value:

 

1  Dobbies £67,850,000
2  Blue Diamond £36,600,000
3  Developers £35,300,000
4  Hilliers £8,300,000
5  English Salvage £8,000,000
6  British Garden Centres £7,950,000
7  Rochmills Group £6,500,000
8  Otter Nurseries £5,900,000
9  Tates of Sussex £5,200,000
10 In-Excess £4,600,000

 

With Crowland closing later this month there are now 90 centres still to sell that total a potential £254.6m using the "Offers Based on" price.  As we reported last week rumours abound about how many more centres Dobbies may be interested in buying and we believe negotiations are ongoing with many other potential purchasers.  

 

If you've got a spare few minutes this weekend, here is the list of centres still to be sold so you can join in the speculation as to which centre will be sold and to whom.

 

Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of six more garden centres...four to Hilliers and two to Otter

 

Wyevale Garden Centres has today announced two transactions for a total of six centres to garden centre groups Hillier Nurseries Limited and Otter Nurseries Limited. The four centres: Cheddar, Dorking, Marlow, Lechlade will be sold to Hillier Nurseries Limited. The two centres: Jack’s Patch and Taunton will be sold to Otter Nurseries Limited. The deals are expected to complete during June and July.


 

Wyevale Garden Centres has today announced two transactions for a total of six centres to garden centre groups Hillier Nurseries Limited and Otter Nurseries Limited.

 

The four centres: Cheddar, Dorking, Marlow, Lechlade will be sold to Hillier Nurseries Limited. The two centres: Jack’s Patch and Taunton will be sold to Otter Nurseries Limited.

 

The deals are expected to complete during June and July.

 

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of WGC, said: “We are pleased to announce the sale of a further six centres to garden centre operators. The colleagues at these centres have played a key role in the success of their centres and I’d like to thank them for their continued passion and expertise, and wish them well for the future with their new owners. Meanwhile, we continue to evaluate a wide range of options as part of our ongoing sale process.”

 

Chris Francis, Retail and Wholesale Director of Hillier, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of four new garden centres joining the Hillier family business, growing the group to 16 garden centres serving customers across the South of England. The Hillier team look forward to working with our new colleagues and getting to know the local gardening communities, inspiring them with our great quality products and wide range of home-grown plants, all backed by renowned Hillier expertise.”

 

Jacqui Taylor, Managing Director of Otter Garden Centres, said: “As an independent, family run group of five garden centres in the South West of England, we are pleased to welcome Taunton Garden centre and Jack’s Patch Garden Centre to the team. We have three plant growing nurseries and look forward to expanding their plant growing production, supplying these two additional garden centres with their own home-grown plants.”

 

Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor managing the sale process on behalf of WGC, have run a two-phase process that has achieved considerable interest from a wide variety of buyers. The opportunity to run one, a small group or a portfolio of garden centres has ignited interest within the sector and beyond and there are still opportunities to acquire strongly located and well performing centres.

Haskins in multi-million pound finance deal with HSBC UK

 

Haskins Garden Centres has used part of a new £21.5 million finance facility from HSBC UK to undergo a complete redevelopment of one of its four sites – Snowhill in West Sussex...


 

Haskins Garden Centres has used part of a new £21.5 million finance facility from HSBC UK to undergo a complete redevelopment of one of its four sites.

 

Haskins has used £14 million of the package to re-build its Snowhill garden centre in West Sussex. The new site will include a 127,000 sq. ft. purpose-built retail shop and outdoor garden centre, a 440-seat self-service restaurant and car parking for 346 cars.

 

The new garden centre, which is due to open in February 2020 ahead of the busy spring season, will turnover more than £9 million per annum and result in the creation of an additional 60 jobs for the local economy.

 

The remaining £7.5 million from HSBC UK will be used to refinance its existing debt facilities.

 

Julian Winfield, CEO at Haskins Garden Centres, said:

 

“We were impressed by HSBC UK’s interest and understanding of our business, particularly by the local HSBC relationship team, led by Matt Phillips and Ben Hyslop who have a wealth of specialist horticultural and corporate experience. As a long-standing business, we look to make long-standing relationships with our partners, so we look forward to working with the wider team as we acquire new sites when the right locations become available.”

 

Anthony Reed, HSBC UK’s Head of Corporate Banking for Hampshire & Dorset added:

 

“We’re delighted to be working with such a well-established and successful business – and one that’s had a presence in our region for 137 years. With ambitions for a fifth and sixth site, our local team of finance specialists are well-placed to continue supporting Haskins with its exciting growth plans.”

 

The company has retained its existing, experienced horticultural, retail and catering team through the opening of a large temporary garden centre on the site while the redevelopment takes place.

 

Once the redevelopment is complete at the 8.3-acre site, customers will benefit from a consolidated garden centre, with all goods and services located in one contemporary high-quality building.

 

Haskins Garden Centres, which originated as plant nursery, is currently chaired by fourth-generation Haskins family member, Warren Haskins, who took over the business in 1969 at the age of 20. Not long after, Warren opened his first retail shop which was soon to become the well-respected garden centre business it is today.

 

A time-lapse video of the development is available here: https://www.haskins.co.uk/snowhill-redevelopment/

Mother's Day gets March 2019 sales volumes up to average

 

A Mother's Day weekend and last week of March that was way ahead of recent years and only just behind the records set in 2011 meant the month closed at 40% up on 2018 for total sales and matched the average for March over the past 9 years...


 

A Mother's Day weekend and last week of March that was way ahead of recent years and only just behind the records set in 2011 meant the month closed at 40% up on 2018 for total sales and matched the average for March over the past 9 years.

 

Encouragingly the biggest volume gains were for plants and growing media which bode well for continued gardening activity as the summer progresses.

 

Garden centres we’ve visited this week have also reported good levels of furniture sales which may be another great indicator of people planning to spend more time in their garden this year. 

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 13

  • Garden Products Top 50 – up 86%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 89%
  • Wild Bird Care Top 50 – down 25%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 145%
  • All Plants index – up 89%
  • All Items index – up 64%

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Garden Re-Leaf Day total on track for £70k

Funds raised for the Greenfingers Charity on last month’s Garden Re-Leaf Day could reach £70,000, the charity has estimated...

 

Above: David Carey of Mr Fothergill's Seeds leads a group on the Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk through the Buckinghamshire countryside.


Funds raised for the Greenfingers Charity on last month’s Garden Re-Leaf Day could reach £70,000, the charity has estimated.

 

More than £50,000 has already been pledged, with the Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk contributing at least £12,000.

 

More than 120 walkers from garden retailers, suppliers and manufacturers – along with teams from outside the garden industry – walked a sponsored 5-,10- or 20-mile circuit through scenic Buckinghamshire countryside. Starting and ending at World’s End Garden Centre in Wendover for the second year running, participants included teams from Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, Vitax, Hozelock, Great British Cards, Elho, GIMA, HTA, DAC Ltd, Taylors Bulbs, Poplars Garden Centre, DLF Trifolium, Glee, Teleflex, Hornby Whitefoot PR and Kew Green Hotels.

 

This year also saw the second Garden Re-Leaf Cycle Challenge, in which 29 intrepid bike enthusiasts took on an endurance test of 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles, with Steve Burden, one of the industry’s most popular photographers (pictured, with John Little of Poplars), first across the line.

 

FUNdraising Days

  • Across the country, garden centres, suppliers and friends of Greenfingers came together to create a vibrant day of FUNdraising.
  • Haskins and Thurrock Garden Centre both held special raffles, whilst Ayletts staged a Goodwill Coffee Morning in its Dahlia Coffee House, where visitors enjoyed a hot drink and fun tombola to win prizes. CW Groves Nurseries also held a coffee morning, plus a Gardeners Question Time-style session.
  • There were Curry & Quiz Nights at the Old Railway Line and Poplars garden centres  and more quizzes at Paradise Park, Altons and  Perrywood garden centres.
  • Whitehall Garden Centres donated £1 from the sale of every hot drink and cupcake sold in the restaurant on the day, with a donation of £1 for every planter also sold. A 50p donation from every coffee or tea sold was pledged by the team at Klondyke and Strikes Garden Centre.
  • Blue Diamond confirmed that £5 from the sale of every Fryers ‘Friend’ rose – the Greenfingers Charity Rose - would be donated on the day, with £1 donated thereafter.
  • Over at Coolings Nurseries, a behind-the scenes nursery tour took place, with donations from plant sales winging their way to Greenfingers.
  • The team at the Garden Store-Hillview Garden Centres went ‘green’ for the day, whilst Longacres held a sponsored Static Cyclotron at its Bagshot centre.
  • On Saturday that week, the team at Rowan Garden Centre took inspiration from the Garden Re-Leaf walk and donned their walking boots for a fundraising walk.
  • Squires Garden Centres kept the momentum going with its Create and Grow Mother’s Day Planting Weekend (29th – 31st March), with donations from the event going straight to the Greenfingers charity. Another centre making the most of the spring rush will be Sunshine Garden Centre, which will be running special Muddy Boots Gang Children’s activities throughout March. Each session costs £5, with all money raised being donated to Greenfingers.

Supplier support

  • STIHL held a Garden Re-Leaf barbeque and car wash on April 2, whilst Rolawn hosted various events on the day, including a ‘Mucky Dip’ and cake sale.
  • Mr Fothergill’s smashed its £10,000 target with a range of activities including the Garden Re-Leaf Cycle Challenge, and an in-house static bike ride that saw the team stack up 167 miles between them. Other activities included a bake sale and the ‘mushy pea challenge’.
  • The QVC family also continued its support throughout the Garden Re-Leaf weekend, with a £1.50 donation from every plant or product sold during a special Garden Re-Leaf/ Greenfingers show. Presented by Richard Jackson and Simon Biagi, the weekend of programming attracts thousands of viewers, and more importantly, buyers.
  • Finally, teams from Norton Park Hotel will be holding a summer fete in the hotel grounds on May 27, with all donations going to the Greenfingers Charity. Elsewhere the amazingly supportive team from Kew Green Hotel’s Holiday Inn Chester South site, donned their walking boots to walk to the summit of Mount Snowdon, which stands at an impressive 1,085m.

Greenfingers’ head of fundraising and communications Linda Petrons said: “I cannot thank people enough for their ongoing support and dedication to making Garden Re-Leaf Day such a continued success. Early indications show that we are on track to raise in excess of £70,000 – a truly incredible achievement. I am endlessly touched by the generosity, creativity and selflessness that so many demonstrate, both on Garden Re-Leaf Day, and throughout the year. Every penny makes a huge difference to those that use Greenfingers funded-gardens, so on behalf of them, and my team, the biggest possible thank you.”

Plants are the star performers for Mother's Day

A bumper Mother's Day weekend pushed March plant sales to be 34% up year to date on 2018 and most importantly up 4.7% on the first three months of 2017...


A bumper Mother's Day weekend pushed March plant sales to be 34% up year to date on 2018 and most importantly up 4.7% on the first three months of 2017. 

 

With planterias full of colour a few weekends of good weather in April will cheer all in the run up to Easter.

 

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
SafeLawn campaign to drive lawncare success

The continued success and popularity of SafeLawn sees Westland’s Lawnman returning to TV for the third year running as part of an extensive campaign to promote SafeLawn and drive the lawncare sector...


 

The continued success and popularity of SafeLawn sees Westland’s Lawnman returning to TV for the third year running as part of an extensive campaign to promote SafeLawn and drive the lawncare sector.

 

Since its launch just two years ago, SafeLawn has become a firmly established product in the lawncare sector, with retailers benefiting from the results and growth - something which is anticipated to continue this year following the impact of the television advertising campaign.

 

The SafeLawn adverts are part of a £1.5 million campaign that will air on TV, including  on on-demand services. They will run from 17th April through to the 27th May to make sure that custom opportunities from Easter and the two May bank holidays are maximised for retailers.

 

SafeLawn is a unique, organic fertiliser made from natural ingredients, so parents and pet owners minds’ can be put at rest knowing that it is safe to use around children and pets. It nourishes and its formula guarantees a green, lush and thick lawn, with healthy grass from root to tip!

 

Marloes Rots, Brand Manager for Westland Horticulture, commented: “SafeLawn has been incredibly successful since its launch and we are expecting this to continue this year, particularly following last year’s drought and damaged lawns across the country. Westland is dedicated to driving the lawncare sector and committed to supporting retailers by increasing demand. This is why we have invested in this advertising campaign to cover such a key sales period. ”

 

For information about lawncare products from Westland visit www.gardenhealth.com.

Haskins Snowhill trades from temporary building

Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre at Copthorne near Crawley has moved into its temporary building while the rest of the site is redeveloped over the next year...

 


Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre at Copthorne near Crawley has moved into its temporary building while the rest of the site is redeveloped over the next year...

 

Phase One of the project, now completed, includes:

  • The temporary building
  • Half of new car park plus new entrance
  • New landscaping and tree

The main centre is due to re-open for business in spring 2020. In the meantime, Haskins will continue to trade in its temporary building.

 

Haskins worked with Barnwood Construction to install the temporary building while work gets under way on the new permanent facility. The temporary centre covers an indoor retail space of 1,575sq.m. and boasts a significant outdoor plant area (900sq.m.) as well as a 180-seat café.

Phase Two includes:

  • Demolishing the old building
  • A starting on the new garden centre

The new Snowhill will boast a retail space of 11,813 sq.m, including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant, with space for 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio and parking for 346 cars.

 

Haskins CE Julian Winfield says the temporary centre has already been met with positive feedback from customers. “Doing the construction in two phases like this has undoubtedly added time and cost to the project, but we believe that there are enormous benefits to our approach. We are retaining our Snowhill centre staff, so they will be ready and trained to work in the new centre. Another added bonus is that customers can join us on this journey – we’re so pleased that they’re keen to see what’s coming next.”

 

Haskins acquired Snowhill in 2002 with ambitions to develop it to the same standards and format as its other three centres and to upgrade the restaurant offer. When the new centre re-opens, up to 70 new jobs will be created.

 

Julian added: “Once the Snowhill redevelopment is finished, we will have four purpose-built garden centres, which puts Haskins in a unique position. Most leading garden centre groups have centres of varying shapes and sizes, but having four similar sites helps us alleviate the complexities of management.”

 
SOLEX will be packed full of freshest designs from 60 LOFA members

SOLEX will be opening its doors to the most influential buyers from within the garden industry on 9th July 2019.  It will be packed full of the freshest designs from 60 LOFA members, with the full A-Z and everything in between that the outdoor and leisure industry has to offer...


SOLEX will be opening its doors to the most influential buyers from within the garden industry on 9th July 2019.  It will be packed full of the freshest designs from 60 LOFA members, with the full A-Z and everything in between that the outdoor and leisure industry has to offer.

 

The SOLEX exhibition is all under one roof, and in one hall, so you won’t have to walk for miles and miles to find the most inspirational and innovative products for the 2020 season. In fact it is a great place to do business, this relaxed and friendly exhibition is where you can establish new relationships and develop existing ones. So, whether you are a garden centre, a retail outlet, department store or multiple retailer, SOLEX has everything you could possibly want or need. 

 

SOLEX has two new features this year, a brand-new product area for Barbecues and Firepits and another one for Outdoor Living which provides a sneak-peak at the new trends for 2020.

 

There is also a contemporary new SOLEX lounge,  a great place to relax, chill out and unwind, serving refreshments to all visitors throughout the three show days, it’s a place to take the weight off your feet and re-charge your batteries, literally, as there will be charging points for all devices!  There will also be secluded areas for those all-important business meetings or to check your Twitter feed!

 

"Last year we attracted 1860 visitors over the three days the most popular days being Tuesday and Wednesday, 1332 of these visitors were pre-registered, 1594 of these were unique visitors and 266 re visited from previous years," said Gina Hinde.

 

"What is really exciting is that SOLEX is growing year on year!  We forecast an increase of over 10% in floor space and have already exceeded 2018 space which is brilliant news , plus (drum role) we have 6 brand new exhibitors who are taking a total of 635sqm of space, final numbers aren’t in yet but we know that the event is going to be bigger and better than 2018, which is extremely positive for the future of SOLEX."

 

www.lofa.co.uk

Evergreen Garden Care's £3.5m campaign on TV now

 

With warmer weather on the horizon and the first signs of Spring making an appearance in gardens, Evergreen Garden Care’s latest £3.5 million TV advertising and multimedia marketing campaign is designed to communicate the key messages and product benefits of the company’s most tried and trusted brands to millions of consumers across the country...


 

With warmer weather on the horizon and the first signs of Spring making an appearance in gardens, Evergreen Garden Care’s latest £3.5 million TV advertising and multimedia marketing campaign is designed to communicate the key messages and product benefits of the company’s most tried and trusted brands to millions of consumers across the country.

 

The TV campaign supports Evergreen Garden Care’s powerhouse brands, Miracle-Gro® and Roundup® and will run from late March until the middle of June. The key messaging that runs across all four adverts is that with the help of these well-known brands you can unlock the love of the garden by creating a green oasis for all to enjoy whatever the occasion.

 

The TV schedule includes a wide mix of TV channels including ITV, Channel 4 and various Sky channels. The ads will run between popular programmes such as Emmerdale, Jonathan Ross and The Voice and key sporting events such as Formula One, The Euro Qualifiers and some Premier League matches.

 

The TV advertising is part of Evergreen Garden Care’s multi-platform consumer campaign for 2019, which includes PR, print, social media, video on demand, SEO, PPC and engaging in-store POS and displays all focused on converting consumer interest into sales.

 

Ann-Marie O’Riordan, Marketing Director UK and Ireland, Evergreen Garden Care, commented: “Following the success of previous TV campaigns, we are once again investing in our core brands to enable retailers to take advantage of increased sales, particularly over the Easter break and May Bank holidays.

 

'All the creative will focus on the end benefit of our product range. This category has been too focused on the functional product benefits and we need to improve our connections with our consumers, who are motivated by creating their beautiful green oasis, to share wonderful moments in the garden with their loved ones.

 

'With the high level of investment in this year’s campaign, which focuses on both our established powerhouse brands such as Miracle-Gro® and Roundup® and our most recent innovations, we will continue to drive footfall into our retailers and convert consumer interest and awareness into more sales for them.”

 

 

The hero products featured in the TV adverts are the new Roundup Speed Ultra non-glyphosate weedkiller, Roundup for Lawns, Miracle-Gro® Evergreen® 4in1 Complete Lawn Treatment and Miracle-Gro® Liquid Plant Food with added natural growth stimulant, Humifirst. The lawn treatment adverts will run from end of March until 31st April, whilst the plant food adverts will run from 15th April to 27th May and Roundup® from 15th April until 16th June.

 

To support the consumer media campaign Evergreen Garden Care’s www.Lovethegarden.com consumer advice website will also be re-launched at the end of April with improved content and product advice to help consumers select the correct product and to use it with confidence.

 

With a busy spring ahead and to take full advantage of the opportunity to sell more products thanks to Evergreen Garden Care’s consumer campaign contact your local sales representative now.

 

For more information visit www.lovethegarden.com.

Garden Birdwatch reveals mixed news for Britain's birds
Wild bird department managers will find useful facts and figures here

The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a mixed picture for the UK’s garden birdlife with 15 of the top 20 species returning fewer sightings in gardens across the country than in 2018.

 

 


The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed a mixed picture for the UK’s garden birdlife with 15 of the top 20 species returning fewer sightings in gardens across the country than in 2018.

 

Now in its 40th year, the Big Garden Birdwatch is a chance for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden helping the RSPB build up a picture of how they are doing. This year, almost half a million people across the country took part counting an impressive 7.5 million birds.

 

The event, held over the last weekend in January, revealed the house sparrow held on to its number one spot whilst there was a decrease in garden sightings of wrens and long-tailed tits, two of the smallest species to visit our gardens. Long-tailed tits decreased by more than 27% and wrens by 17% in 2019 after being counted in particularly large number in 2018. Populations of both species may have been affected by last year’s ‘Beast from the East’ as small birds are more susceptible to spells of cold weather. But it’s too early to say if this is a one year blip or the beginning of a trend.

 

Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979. By 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979, it came in at 20th in the rankings this year.

 

Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “Over its long lifetime, the survey has shown the increasing good fortunes of birds such as the goldfinch and wood pigeon and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling. But there appears to be good news for one of these birds. While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 56% (1979–2019), in the most recent decade (2009-2019) numbers appear to have increased by 10%. Giving us hope that at least a partial recovery may be happening. This year’s survey also highlighted a rise in the number of sightings of redwings and fieldfares on last year’s figures.

 

The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings at the most commonly seen garden birds with more than 1.2 million recorded sightings throughout the weekend. Starling held down the second spot once more, with the blue tit moving up one spot to round off the top three.

 

Throughout the first half of the spring term the nation’s school children took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in school grounds saw close to 60,000 school children spend an hour in nature counting the birds. Blackbird was the most numerous species seen with an average of 8 per school; and was seen in 89% of all schools that took part.

 

Martin Harper, the RSPB’s Director of Conservation said “Our garden birds should be a part of our everyday life. For many people they provide our only connection to the natural world and bring enormous joy. To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden doesn’t only help us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, but people who take part feel better.”

 

To highlight the crisis that nature is facing and the loss of over 40 million wild birds from the UK in just half a century, the RSPB is releasing a specially-created track of birdsong titled ‘Let Nature Sing’. The single contains some of the most recognisable birdsongs that we used to enjoy, but that are on their way to disappearing forever.  A compilation of beautiful sound recordings of birds with powerful conservation stories including the cuckoo, curlew, nightingale, crane and turtle dove who form part of the dawn chorus choir.

 

The charity is calling on the public to download, stream and share the single (available 5thApril) and help get birdsong into the charts for the first time, spreading the word that people across the UK are passionate about nature’s recovery. 

 

Martin Harper continued, “Birds are such iconic parts of human culture but many of us no longer have the time or opportunity to enjoy them. The time we spend in nature, just watching and listening, can have huge benefits to our wellbeing, especially in these stressful times. The RSPB wants to help more people reconnect with their wilder sides and is bringing birdsong back into people’s busy lives by releasing a soothing track of pure unadulterated bird song. We hope that by understanding what we have lost that we inspire others to take part in the recovery. Without nature our lives are so less complete.”

 

The track is designed to help reconnect the nation with nature, helping people find a moment to relax and promote a feeling of tranquillity, as birdsong has been shown to aid mental health and promote feelings of wellbeing.

 

For a full round-up of all the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results and to see which birds were visiting gardens where your centre is, click here.  

 
Student grower's joy after winning £2k scholarship award

Student grower Kobus Stander has won a £2,000 South West Growers Show (SWGS) sponsored scholarship...


Student grower Kobus Stander has won a £2,000 South West Growers Show (SWGS) sponsored scholarship

 

Part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season, this award supports commercial and production horticulture by spotting and encouraging talent that is passionate about the industry.

 

Originally from South Africa, Kobus is completing a BSc Horticulture at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) at the Edinburgh campus while working at Pentland Plants Ltd in Midlothian.

 

Kobus applied to study in Edinburgh from South Africa solely because of his commitment to horticulture. Kobus possesses a passion for growing and improving his plant knowledge and has a core belief that plants can be used for ecological repair of landscapes and cityscapes. He hopes to work for a business that specialises in breeding programmes on a commercial scale.

 

As an international student, Kobus is subject to high tuition fees. He said: “Winning this SWGS Sponsored Scholarship brought a huge amount of joy and relief, giving me the chance to focus more on my studies and the satisfaction it brings. Now I can better devote my time furthering my horticultural knowledge, not having to worry as much about my international study fees.”

 

Supporting Kobus’ application, the SWGS Sponsored Scholarship Committee, adds: “Kobus is highly motivated and determined to develop his skills and improve his opportunities for employment in horticulture. His enthusiasm has already seen him win an RHS Gold Medal at Gardening Scotland for his Pop-Up garden. We fully support his pathway into horticulture and in doing so we have chosen to increase our award for this year to £2,000.”

 

The horticultural industry can look forward to welcoming more bright students to the trade with the backing of DCF through its scholarship season. Scholarships worth £13,500 have been awarded to 10 students with interests that include research, sustainability, crop management, breeding, horticultural therapy and commercial wholesale.

Hillier to blend contemporary and traditional design for RHS Chelsea 2019

Hillier Nurseries, the most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting again this year and can now reveal the design of the 2019 garden...


Hillier Nurseries, the most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting again this year and can now reveal the design of the 2019 garden.

 

‘The Stihl Hillier Garden’ blends together contemporary and traditional themes in this year’s design. The central element of the garden, alongside the thousands of beautiful quality plants, will be a striking water feature that will bring a feeling of calm and elegance to the garden.

 

The garden will be sponsored by the world-famous power tool manufacturer, STIHL. This is the second year Hillier and STIHL have partnered together for RHS Chelsea Flower Show, following the gold-medal winning ‘Stihl Inspiration’ by Hillier in 2018. 

 

Hillier holds the record for the most consecutive Chelsea gold medals and hopes the 2019 show will see it receiving its 74th.

 

This year, Lilly Gomm has joined the Hillier team as designer, making her RHS Chelsea Flower Show design debut and she will be mentored by Sarah Eberle, Chelsea’s most decorated designer. Lilly’s passion for gardening started at a young age and, having studied architecture at the University of Brighton prior to her move into horticulture, she combines a love of plants with an interest in materials and hard landscaping. Lilly already has a string of medals under her belt, including a silver-gilt at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018.

 

Lilly said: “I feel incredibly privileged to be designing the Chelsea exhibit for Hillier this year. Their ethos towards encouraging future generations in the industry is admirable and something I am personally grateful for. I was keen to create a design which is vibrant and interactive yet remained contemporary and I feel we have achieved this and more. With the knowledge and experience of Sarah Eberle as my mentor, alongside a confident team, I know we are going to showcase something beautiful for the visitors of the show.”

 

With a fresh approach, Lilly has drawn upon a modern form set against planting that contains esteemed Hillier classics. Serene white borders transition to vibrant pinks and oranges, moving to hues of purple. Plant combinations are presented to provide inspiration for use in people’s home gardens. Along with the planting, central to the design is the eye-catching water feature, which is easily viewed from all angles of the garden.

 

Commenting on her design, Lilly added: “I wanted the vibrancy of the garden to change as you moved around it and having the water features definitely plays a part in this. Combining both traditional and contemporary can be a fine balance, but we have made sure the two are seamless. The presentation of a wide variety of Hillier hardy perennials, shrubs and trees, including brand new varieties and classics, is of course a vital part of this.”

 

After three successful gold-medal winning years designing the Chelsea garden for Hillier, Sarah Eberle has taken on a mentoring role with new designer Lilly.

 

Sarah said: “It is an honour to once again be involved in the Hillier RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit. It is fabulous that Hillier is so supportive of young people in our industry and I relish working as a mentor to a new talented young designer.”

 

George Hillier, who is one of the fifth generation of Hillier family members to be involved in the business and is Director of Property, added: “A huge amount of time and effort goes into every Chelsea exhibit – it doesn’t seem that long ago that we were celebrating our last garden, but the amazing thing is that the team is already well underway with plans for 2019. We are delighted that Lilly Gomm is designing this year, mentored by the incredibly talented Sarah Eberle. At Hillier, inspiring future generations of gardeners is a mission that is close to our heart, so to see this sharing of knowledge in action with our Chelsea design is really gratifying.”   

 

Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing for STIHL GB, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the prestigious Hillier garden for a second consecutive year and are excited to see Lilly’s debut Chelsea design come to life. The Hillier trees and planting schemes look set to be even more stunning this year, and the water feature will make a fabulous centrepiece that we’re sure will be a big draw for visitors. STIHL GB is delighted, once again, to be part of one of the must-see exhibits at the show.”

 

Having exhibited plants and trees at Chelsea for over 100 years and maintained the record for consecutive gold medals, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an exciting event on the Hillier calendar. The show is the platform from which the company launches many of its new plant varieties, showcasing the vast variety of plants grown on its nurseries and demonstrates a continuing passion and commitment to horticulture.

 

Retail and Wholesale Director, Chris Francis, told GTN Xtra that they have been having great success selling "Chelsea" plants on the back of the garden exhibit.  "The sales of "Chelsea" trolleys of plants to centres have grown significantly over the past three years and in our own centres we make sure there are "Chelsea Garden" displays from the moment the TV coverage starts.  Those sales and all the intangible marketing benefits make Chelsea a really profitable project for Hilliers."

 

Three new plants will be launched by Hilliers at Chelsea 2019:  Wigelia "Piccobella Rosa", Isoplexis Isabelliana "Bella" and Cordyline "Pink Star."  See pictures and more detail in the gallery below.

 

For more information, please visit www.hillier.co.uk/chelsea or follow @HillierGarden on Twitter.

Hillier announces new plants to be launched at Chelsea

 

Making their debut at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 are three new plant varieties introduced by Hillier Nurseries, including Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’, which produces more than 500 glorious deep-pink flowers between May and October. 


Making their debut at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 are three new plant varieties introduced by Hillier Nurseries. Each brings vibrant colour to ‘The Stihl Hillier Garden’, which is designed by Lilly Gomm and sponsored for the second year running by the world-famous garden tool manufacturer, STIHL.

 

The three new introductions are Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’, Isoplexis isabelliana ‘Bella’ and Cordyline ‘Pink Star’, all of which add colour to any garden and require minimal maintenance. These new plants have been sourced by the Hillier research and development team, which has a wealth of horticultural experience and expertise. 

 

George Hillier, a member of the fifth generation of the family in the business and director of property, says: “Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’ and Cordyline ‘Pink Star’ are absolutely stunning and these, allied with the orange hue of the Isoplexis ‘Bella’, create an inspirational pallete of contemporary new colours for gardens in 2019.”

 

 

Weigela ‘Picobella Rosa’ will produce more than 500 glorious deep-pink flowers between May and October.  Its prolific and long flowering period make it a particular favourite with bees.   This stunning plant will remain naturally compact, eventually reaching 50-60cm high and 100cm wide, ideal for small spaces.   It requires little maintenance but does need well-drained soil.  It is a tough plant surviving to -25°C, so can be grown throughout the UK. This will be available exclusively through Hillier Nurseries this summer.

 

 

Isoplexis ‘Bella’ is a beautiful new cottage garden variety that produces an abundance of golden apricot coloured flowers on spikes from July to October and will flower from its first year. The wealth of flowers also makes it an ideal plant to encourage wildlife into the garden.  I. ‘Bella’ is an unusually compact and bushy variety of Canary Island Foxglove, therefore suitable for growing in pots and containers as well as beds and mixed borders.  It is being introduced through an exciting new collaboration between Hillier Nurseries and Suttons.  This joint venture will ensure that this wonderful new variety is made available to the widest range of gardeners through multiple sales channels.

 

 

Complementing these two stunning plants is the third introduction from Hillier, Cordyline ‘Pink Star’.  This innovative plant has strikingly vibrant pink leaves giving it a bold, almost tropical look.   It is ideal for mixed containers or borders and is a strong growing plant. This is a low-maintenance plant that is proven to be quite resistant to diseases such as leaf spot, which can affect the genus, and is drought tolerant. Hillier Nurseries is the first to introduce this striking new plant to the UK market.

George Hillier comments: “My favourite part of Chelsea is unveiling our plants and new varieties and watching visitors come to find them in the garden.  There is so much anticipation each year about the announcement of the garden design and the new plants.”

See our photo tour here

 
Bents raises £26k for Warrington hospice

Bents Garden & Home presented a cheque for £26,204 to St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington, its 2018 charity of the year...


Bents Garden & Home presented a cheque for £26,204 to St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington, its 2018 charity of the year.

 

The funds will help the community facility to continue providing high quality care for adults living with a terminal or life limiting illness.

 

Rachel Ingham, St Rocco’s fundraising manager, who visited Bents to accept the donation, said:  “It has been wonderful to work with Bents and they have been amazingly supportive, raising a fabulous amount in so many ways to help us continue to care for our patients and families.

 

Activities and challenges included cycling from Holyhead to Cardiff, entering an all-ladies team in a Dragon Boat Race and welcoming therapists to the centre to help raise awareness.

 

Rachel was joined for the occasion by representatives from Once Upon a Smile, Bents 2019 charity of the year. Founded in 2011 by actors Daniel Jillings and Danny Miller, the charity provides emotional and practical support to bereaved families in the Greater Manchester region with opportunities for children to understand and express their emotions in a fun and safe environment.

 

MD Matthew Bent thanked customers and colleagues who had helped to make the fund-raising campaign a success.  “We are now looking forward to working with Once Upon a Smile, another fantastic cause and one which we are keen to do just as well for in 2019.”

 

Once Upon a Smile recently moved to a new dedicated bereavement hub in Old Trafford.

 

Pictured: Back row, left to right:  Rachel Ingham, Kathy Oakes, Jackie Rogers all from St Rocco's Hospice with Matthew Bent, Nicola Henshaw from St Roccos and Kelly Willison and Daniel Jillings from Once Upon a Smile. Front row: Angela Griffiths from Once Upon a Smile

See latest new plants under one roof in the Netherlands

More than 30 companies are to take part in the second edition of Garden Trials and Trade in the Netherlands this summer...

 


More than 30 companies are to take part in the second edition of Garden Trials and Trade in the Netherlands this summer (Plantarium building, Hazerswoude-Dorp, 11-13 June 2019).

 

Garden Trials and Trade is a breeders’ showcase for the latest woody plants and perennials. Breeders and specialist licensing agents will exhibit their most recent innovations, offering professional growers a unique opportunity to see them in full bloom in the middle of the gardening season.

 

 

Participants will include companies from the Greenport Boskoop region and other parts of the Netherlands, plus companies from Germany, France, Switzerland and the US.

 

Layout The fair will look ‘green and transparent’, with 1.8m hedges acting as partitions between the stands. Exhibitors and their customers will be able to meet in the centrally located Green Café.

 

Novelty showcase Novelties will be judged by a professional judging committee from the Koninklijke Vereniging voor Boskoopse Culturen (The Royal Society for Boskoop Cultures). The best novelty will be announced on Tuesday morning. All the entries will be on display near the entrance.

 

More information The website  will regularly be updated with new information from participants and organisers. Entry is free for trade visitors with a promotional ticket and/or through digital pre-registration.

 
Squires offer free soil testing service

Squire’s Garden Centres have launched a free soil testing service. Customers are invited to bring in a small handful of garden soil in a container to be tested for pH level...


Squire’s Garden Centres have launched a free soil testing service...

 

Customers are invited to bring in a small handful of garden soil in a container to be tested for pH level. Advice about which plants should do well in their type of soil will be offered - alkaline soil for lilacs, poppies and peonies, for example, and camellias, rhododendron or azaleas in acidic soil.

 

Squire’s chairman Sarah Squire said: “We really want our customers to get the most out of their gardens and enjoy great results. One of the best ways to do this is to plant varieties that thrive in the soil you have. Therefore, we have launched our free soil testing service to make it easy to establish your soil type and plant accordingly. This also gives our customers the opportunity to talk to our plant experts and discuss how to improve their soil, and determine the best plants for their garden.”

 

Pictured: Mary Benzing (assistant plant manager at Squire’s Badshot Lea) demonstrates the free soil testing service.

Nursery steps up UK sales drive with young plants push

Pistoia-based Innocenti  & Mangoni is stepping up its sales drive in the UK following major investment in production facilities for young plants.

 

Pictured: Marco Innocenti with Young Plant Display at IPM Essen 2019.


Pistoia-based Innocenti  & Mangoni is stepping up its sales drive in the UK following major investment in production facilities for young plants.

 

Since 2016, the nursery has been producing a range of a young plants in 9 cm, 10 x 12 cm, and 13 cm pots.

 

It embraces traditional varieties and numerous novelties, made possible through the acquisition of dozens of plant breeding licences from the International breeder sector, including Breederplants, Genesis, Plantipp, Sapho and Vip For Plants.

 

They are currently producing more than 80 patented varieties, having enhanced their growing techniques to ensure high quality plants are available for the spring 2019 season.

 

The substantial renovation programme in their production facilities. has imnvolved the construction of new greenhouses and shadehouses.

 

A major presence is planned for the Four Oaks trade show (3-4 September) were they will promote 'Young Plants' as an extension to their established specimen plants and trees.

 

For more information, visit the website

 

 

See our photo tour here

 
Category Manager for Horticulture

Van Hage has an exciting job opportunity within our family-owned company...


Van Hage has an exciting job opportunity within our family-owned company. We value our employees and are committed to their development whilst also growing our business. We have ambitious plans so it’s a great time to be joining us.

 

We are currently seeking a Category Manager for Horticulture, who will play a vital role in group purchasing, achieving a strong stimulus for sales growth.

 

Key points

 

• Sourcing innovative product ranges and identifying key trends in the market place

• To target and improve on sales and margin trends in line with industry and best practice

• To analyse sales, reacting to information and taking appropriate action

• To support and influence the creation of inspirational displays at each site

 

Must haves

 

• • Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills

• • Excellent negotiating skills able to respond quickly to trends

• • Have a good relationship with suppliers to secure the best possible products & terms

• • Able to optimise sales and profitability through store layout and design

• • Happy to travel across the UK and abroad as required

 

Please send your CV with a covering letter to: Liz Whale - liz.whale@vanhage.co.uk

 
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Thanksgiving service for Mike Dunnett

A thanksgiving service in memory of nursery pioneer Mike Dunnett, the former MD of Blakedown Nurseries, who died last month, takes place on Tuesday 16 April at 1.30pm at St Peters Church, Martley, Worcestershire (following a private family service at Wyre Forest Crematorium)...


A thanksgiving service in memory of nursery pioneer Mike Dunnett, the former MD of Blakedown Nurseries, who died last month, takes place on Tuesday 16 April at 1.30pm at St Peters Church, Martley, Worcestershire (following a private family service at Wyre Forest Crematorium).

 

Family flowers only have been requested, but donations will be taken for St Richards Hospice and the industry’s Greenfingers charity.

 

A wake will be held at The Talbot Hotel, Knightwick, Worcestershire. Dress code – “whatever you are comfortable in”.

 
New garden centre thanks customers for support

Owners of a new Hartlepool garden centre say they have been overwhelmed by the support from the town since opening their doors....


Owners of a new Hartlepool garden centre say they have been overwhelmed by the support from the town since opening their doors.

 

Clair Fiddler and Monique Nijboer have opened Bloomin Al’s, which is located at the former Sweet P’s garden centre.

 

To read the full story click here

 
Garden products up by 37% for March

Although garden product sales increased by 37% on last year for the month our graph of Top 50 Garden Products Bestsellers sales volumes shows an ongoing trend of decreasing sales during March...


 

Although garden product sales increased by 37% on last year for the month our graph of Top 50 Garden Products Bestsellers sales volumes shows an ongoing trend of decreasing sales during March. 

 

Further analysis is required to see if this is garden decoration sales that have declined or core gardening products such as feeds or to see whether it is just that garden product sales have moved back to April and may when people are spending more time in their gardens.

 

Highlights were:

  • Garden lighthing provides the highest re-enttry and new entry of the week. Smart’s Solar Crystal Nickel Stake Light comes back in at No 12 and their Eureka! Firefly Lantern Large is a new entry at No 46.
  • SBM’s Phostrogen Soluble Plant Food 80 Watering Can Size makes a welcome return to the Top 50 at No 40.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite, 1L + 30% Free, stays at No 1.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Berberis darwinii
Berberis darwinii
Gardening is Good for You: May themes

The HTA’s ‘Gardening is Good for You!’ campaign, supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers, is designed to demonstrate that gardening and growing fruit, herbs, crops and cut flowers are beneficial to health and wellbeing in many ways...

 

 


The HTA’s ‘Gardening is Good for You!’ campaign, supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers, is designed to demonstrate that gardening and growing fruit, herbs, crops and cut flowers are beneficial to health and wellbeing in many ways.

 

Points to promote: Perhaps gardening and growing your own could reduce the million prescriptions for anti-depressants issued every week. Picking your own fruit and crops can give you a harvesting high! Researchers have found that seeing, smelling and picking fruits and berries can release dopamine from the brain’s reward centre, resulting in a feeling of mild euphoria and wellbeing.

 

Eat the rainbow with colourful crops Colourful and nutritious fruit, veg and salads with which customers can create their own kitchen garden could include:

  • RED: Tomatoes, Red Onions, Rhubarb Chard, Sweet Peppers, Chillis, Strawberries, Rhubarb.
  • ORANGE: Carrots, Squash, Pumpkin.
  • YELLOW: Golden Courgettes and Tomatoes, Sweetcorn, Yellow Beans and Sweet Peppers.
  • GREEN: Asparagus, Spinach, Peas, Beans, Mangetout, Rocket, Lettuce and salad leaves, Kale, Romanesco, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cucumber, Pak Choi.
  • BLUE: Blueberries.
  • PURPLE: Beetroot, Broccoli, Aubergine, Purple Beans, Purple Asparagus, Red Cabbage, Radish, Kohl Rabi, Plums
  • WHITE: Cauliflower, Celery, Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Shallots, Spring Onions, Potatoes, Parsnips, Celeriac, Turnip.

 

Plants of the moment: summer displays & crops Flowering plants to display now for immediate colour include:

  • Nemesia, Poppy varieties, Pinks (Dianthus), Polemonium, and shrubs including Berberis darwinii (AGM), choisya, ceanothus, weigela, lilac and many viburnum.

 

For further information click here  

 

Image © Adam Pasco Media

 
Growing Media volumes up 8% on 2017

Top 50 Growing Media sales for March finished 80% up on 2018’s Beast from the East inspired low to be the second highest March volume over the past six years...


 

Top 50 Growing Media sales for March finished 80% up on 2018’s Beast from the East inspired low to be the second highest March volume over the past six years.  

 

Only March 2017 delivered higher sales, however after the good sales in February this year the year to date at the end of the first quarter shows Growing Media Bestsellers volumes at 8.2% up on 2017. 

 

That’s a lot of extra growing activity going on that we should be able to benefit from later in the year!

 

Highlights were:

  • Westland New Horizon All Plant Compost, 50 litres, increased sales by 180% to re-enter at No 34, joining the 60 litre pack which increased sales by 80% and jumped to No 15.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Multipurpose + John Innes 56 litres continues at No 1.
  • Westland Tomato Planter, 60 litres, is the highest re-entry at No 25.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Emily joins Wyevale Nurseries as HR Manager

Emily Wright from Martley on the Worcestershire-Herefordshire boarder has joined one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries as its HR Manager...


Emily Wright from Martley on the Worcestershire-Herefordshire boarder has joined one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries as its HR Manager.

 

In her role at Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, Emily will manage and develop successful HR strategies that help the company to achieve its goals.

 

Thirty-five-year-old Emily, who previously worked as an Engagement Manager for the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) group, said: “I am thrilled to have joined the team at Wyevale Nurseries.

 

“Before making the decision to move from London to Martley, I worked in the financial industry. I have experience working as a Senior Level Executive Assistant for RBS. This role involved supporting senior management and line managers across a broad scope of HR employee relation issues. More latterly, my role at the RBS Group included delivering on reward and recognition projects, as well as wellbeing incentives.

 

“Within my new role at Wyevale Nurseries, I’m lucky to have the support of some very experienced and skilled managers, who really care about their staff and are keen to ensure everyone can meet their full potential.

 

“I will also be taking on the overall responsibility for training within Wyevale Nurseries and working closely with line managers to ensure that we meet our statutory requirements.”

 

Emily graduated from Manchester University in 2005 with a 2.1 in Economics and Social Anthropology. More recently she undertook her CIPD in Human Resource Management.

 

In her spare time, the mum-of-two enjoys horse riding and running. She has completed several marathons including London, Paris and Berlin.

 

Andy Johnson, Managing Director of Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We’re delighted to have Emily join our team. She has settled in extremely well and brings with her experience within large global organisations.”

 
Sipcam adds ferric phosphate slug killer ahead of metaldehyde ban

Sipcam has added a ferric phosphate-based slug killer to its Ecofective range following the imminent ban on metaldehyde slug pellets this summer...


Sipcam has added a ferric phosphate-based slug killer to its Ecofective range following the imminent ban on metaldehyde slug pellets this summer.

 

Ecofective Ferrimax Slug Killer, supplied in a new recycled container, is approved for organic gardening and can be applied on bare ground outdoors, in greenhouses and under permanent or temporary covers. It  should be applied thinly and evenly on the soil surface around and between plants. Once slugs have consumed the bait, they stop feeding and move away from the area.

SRPs are £3.99 for 250g and £6.99 for 650g.

 

Sipcam already offer ecofective  Slug Defence  natural non-toxic granules that provide a physical barrier around flowers and veg plants. The long-lasting, pesticide-free granules dry quickly, remaining effective after rain or watering, unlike clay repellents, which can degrade after exposure to moisture.

SRPs: £5.99 for 2L or £11.99 for 5L.

 
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Veg-2-Gro sales volumes bounce back to normal

Veg-2-Gro sales have bounced back to “normal” levels this March – up 109% on March 2018 and only 5% below levels for March 2017...


 

Veg-2-Gro sales have bounced back to “normal” levels this March – up 109% on March 2018 and only 5% below levels for March 2017. 

 

That bodes well for continued high levels of gardening activity during he rest of the year as customers bring their crops to harvest. 

 

What bounce back offers have you put in place to make sure they come back to you for plant supports and plant feed?

 

Highlights were:

  • Young tomato plants continue to fly through the tills with 12 of the GTN Top 15 Veg 2 Gro lines being tomato plants.  Will demand outstrip supply before the next crop comes on stream?

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Wyevale Nurseries to propagate award-winning pyracantha

Wyevale Nurseries has been granted the sale and propagation licence for award-winning Pyracantha ‘Red Star’...


Wyevale Nurseries has been granted the sale and propagation licence for award-winning Pyracantha ‘Red Star’.

 

‘Red Star’, bred by Van der Sar Longlife Plants in the Netherlands and licensed by Plantipp, earned the Innovation Award in the woody plants category at IPM ESSEN in January.

 

Kyle Ross, production manager at the containers division, said: “It’s such a stunning plant with year-round interest. It produces an abundance of glossy, vivid red berries and they can remain on the plant through Christmas and into February.

 

“The longevity of the berries has prompted the novel idea of using this Pyracantha as a house plant, particularly over the festive period – bringing its seasonally topical colours inside.”

 

The plant has fewer thorns than standard Pyracantha, making it far easier to handle.

Wyevale Nurseries will be growing ‘Red Star’ in a three-litre pot and will have a trial quantity available next summer (2020), with a full promotional quantity the following year.

 

“We’re so happy to be working with a selection of breeders and building new relationships so we can support plant innovation,” Kyle added.

 
Bird Care down 31% vs 2017 for March

It was a good week for Wild Bird Care sales compared to the last week of March 2018 but this didn’t help sales recover for the month which were 13% down on 2018 and 31% down on 2017...


 

It was a good week for Wild Bird Care sales compared to the last week of March 2018 but this didn’t help sales recover for the month which were 13% down on 2018 and 31% down on 2017. 

 

March 2017 didn’t have the severe weather we saw in 2018 so that comparison is a concern for this sector of garden centre sales. 

 

Highlights were:

  • Highest re-entry in the GTN Bestsellers Chart during Mothers Day was the Gardman Seed Feeder Premium Flip Top, presumably deemed an ideal gift line!
  • Westland Peckish Complete 2kg saw the biggest percentage sales increase to re-enter at No 35.
  • Gardman Suet Feast Triple Pack climbed 26 places up the chart to No 23.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

'Army' of RHS gardeners has huge benefit for the environment and wellbeing says new survey

A new survey has revealed the extent of RHS members’ gardening activities and their benefit to the environment, health and wellbeing...


The RHS is expanding its Greening Grey Britain campaign to Greening Great Britain to promote that growing more plants in any setting is vital for the environment and our health and wellbeing.

 

A new survey has revealed the extent of RHS members’ gardening activities and the broadened campaign, which still encompasses the importance of greening the grey, better recognises the significant impact they are making by adding some 22 million plants to their gardens each year and the wider work of the charity.

 

The area of new plants grown by RHS members last year is the size of 350 football pitches. Within the 22 million plants, at least 157,270 trees were introduced, creating the equivalent of 98 hectares of forest.

 

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, says:  “We know most of our members are active gardeners, but these figures are stunning and exceeded our expectations with the amount, and diversity, of plants they are adding each year.  This is immensely positive for wildlife, the environment and numerous other benefits, including cooling local areas in summer, flood protection, air quality improvement, noise reduction and wellbeing benefits.”

 

Some 77% of members chose plants for bees, with 44% also saying they selected plants for other pollinators.  Only 15% of members didn’t choose any plants with wildlife in mind.

 

Thousands of Bloom volunteers also continually enhance established community gardens.  RHS Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood Groups plant 176,006 trees, 966,065 shrubs and 10,606 bulbs per year. The RHS is likewise bringing more horticultural highlights to the RHS’s four gardens and is currently creating a whole new garden at Bridgewater in Salford.

 

Visitors to RHS Gardens last year bought just under a million garden plants including trees, shrubs, herbaceous roses and alpines, on top of this they purchased over one million bulbs and over 110,000 packets of seeds.

 

Sue added: “Without the plants our gardeners grow we would have fewer insects, wildlife, bees, beauty and benefits to the environment.

 

“We would have less nature, seasonality and colour in our front and back gardens; and if we didn’t have our ‘army of gardeners’ we wouldn’t have the rich and beautiful diversity we are so famed for and so good at maintaining.

 

“Through Greening Great Britain with all our amazing supporters we’ll continue to champion why gardening and growing more plants matters.”

 

The survey found that 96% of members believe in the health benefits of gardening and 95% view that gardening is beneficial to the environment.

 

The RHS’s 500,000 Members are also happy to share their gardening knowledge, with nearly 80% having helped family or friends with gardening needs.

 

Since the RHS launched its’ Greening Grey Britain Campaign in 2015, the Greening Grey Britain Report has been raised in The London Assembly, the charity held a Front Garden Summit in 2016 where policymakers, developers, planners and landscapers discussed solutions to start making a difference and 128 grants have been giving to communities to turn grey spaces green.  The RHS hosted a conference at Tatton Park Flower Show in 2018 to highlight the importance of greening urban spaces and its last three gardens from RHS Chelsea Flower Show have all transformed grey spaces to green after the show.

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Best Mothers Day Ever? And what about March?

GTN Bestsellers analysis shows Mothers Day 2019 coming up just short of the previous record for 2011 in terms of volume sales and March up by 40% on last year.  But how did that translate to turnovers?  Were records smashed across the country?  


After a very busy weekend the GTN team have just completed the top line volume sales analysis for GTN Bestsellers and for "items sold" Mothers Day Week 2019 was the best for the past 8 years but didn't quite manage to beat the record of Mothers Day 2011.

 

As that is for "items sold" it's quite possible that in revenue terms 2019 is a new record. So we asked garden centres how their turnover figures compared to last year and previous Mothers Days.

 

GTN Bestsellers analysis for March shows the month to be up by 40% on last year, but 9% down on 2017. How does that compare to revenue trading?  Here are the responses we received today...

 

Alan Roper – Blue Diamond:

“After a week of great gardening weather Mothers Day provided an early turbo boost to sales.

 

“Sales for the group excluding the new centres were up 95% year on year for the week and up 41% vs 2017.  The new ex-Wyevale stores were up 128% year on year for the week.  Star performers were plants and gardening with sales at Newbridge up by 185% on last year.

 

“However, we must not get too excited over one week there is plenty of time to go.”

 

Chris Francis – Hillier Garden Centres

“Last week was the largest ever March sales week for Hillier with the Saturday being the largest ever single days sales for our garden centres. Even higher than any day in May 2018 which had 2 record weeks.

 

“Our restaurants had their largest ever single day on Sunday and the largest ever week.

 

“March ended +50.4% on last year and +7% on March 2017 and our current financial year (from 1st Sept 18) is running at +17.2% on last year.”

 

David Little – Poplars

“We smashed our best Mother’s day week record. We smashed our record March. We smashed our best non-Easter trading day in March ever. We have had a record start to the year - first 3 months are best ever.

 

“March was 53% up on 2018 and 26% up on 2017.

 

“Our Mothers Day week comparisons are: 177% up on last year and 41% up on 2017.”

 

Mark Cleary – The Old Railway Line

“March was certainly a lot better than last year, overall sales were up 44.8% for the month with Houseplants 32.4% up and Outdoor plants up 113.7% being the big winners. Compared to March 2017 we are 14.6% up on that month so all in all an excellent start to Spring and let’s hope the momentum keeps going. 

 

“Due to changing our EPOS system we don't have any data for 2011 but 2019 has been the best March since our recent records started in 2012.”

 

Adam Wigglesworth – Aylett Nurseries

“Perfect Saturday weather after a good lead in resulted in excellent trade both weekend days. Delighted that March 2019 turned out so well, exceeding 2017 by a fraction, but its early days!

 

“Let’s see what April, May and June bring ...last year’s May will be difficult to match.”

 

Simon Bourne – Perrywood

“We're just about recovered! At Tiptree Saturday was awesome, we knew it would be busy but the volume took us a bit by surprise. Saturday was

  • Best ever Saturday of Mothers day weekend
  • Second best day ever. Only £430 behind May Bank Holiday last year
  • Most number of transactions in a day

“March was our best ever, up 48% on last year, up 2% on 2017.

 

“Mother's Day in 2011 was Sunday 3rd April and it was my Dad's 60th birthday. We had booked a nice restaurant and I remember that the champagne flowed that evening after an amazing weekend. Our business has changed a lot since then though so you can't really compare the two years.

 

“All of the above are based on the garden centre only and do not include the restaurant which has had an incredible few months. A year ago we felt that we were massively over trading but since then we have put on as much as 20% in the busiest months. I'm not sure quite how they do it!

 

“At Sudbury the coffee shop is now open with a new 90 seat restaurant just in time for Mothers Day. Sales were really good and the numbers were possibly (I have no hard evidence) 50% higher than their previous record.

 

“Onwards and upwards!”

 

Mike Burks – The Gardens Group

“It was a very busy last 2 weeks in March taking us 55% up on last year and, more significantly, 12% above 2017 for the month. Saturday 30th was a record day for March with excellent hardy plant and garden furniture sales. The furniture, I think, is a knock-on effect form last summer with customers enjoying the recent warmth and assuming that the summer will be just as good this time round.

 

“April 2018 was poor until the last week and it'll be important that we keep the momentum of the year so far going because it will be very difficult to match May and June 2018.

 

Gerald Ingram – Planters and Garden King

“Planters Tamworth had a record Mothering Sunday weekend. We beat the Saturday 2011 by £5,000 and the Sunday by £3,000. 

 

“In the month of March Planters was up 47.7%, Bretby up 64.22% and Garden King up 92%.”

 

Matthew Bent – Bents

“This year was easily our best ever Mother's Day - see comparison below which goes back to 2009.

 

“Our March figures were 17.9% up on last year and 5.6% up on 2017.”

 

Martin Cowell – Cowells Garden Centre

“We had a great week leading up to Mother's Day.  The weather was kind and the stock was looking amazing. The team pulled all the stops out as we has a few staff shortages with some away on holiday.

  • MARCH 2019/2017 +9%
  • MARCH 2019/2018 +66%
  • YTD 2019/2017 +19%
  • YTD 2019/2018 +56%

“We are very pleased with our current trading figures, with most of the increases over last year on

1. Outdoor plants +82%

2. Bedding plants +84%

3. Gardening sundries +32%

4. Compost +87%

5. Houseplants +34%

6. Terracotta/Stoneware +97%

 

Julian Winfield – Haskins

“We have had a great weekend, all the stars came into line – Weekend, Weather, Late Mothering Sunday.  Excluding Snow Hill, which is being knocked down, all our centres had record days in the centre and restaurant.  Gardening did well, houseplants and gifts did well, I have often found that gardening can suffer during the Mothers Day weekend but not this year!

 

“For March overall we are level with 2017 and +38% up on last year.

 

“A reasonable start but our challenge this year will be May, when we are up against the best May we have had for many years.”

 

Charlie Groves – Groves Bridport

“This last weekend was by quite a long way a record breaker for us. Saturday was our busiest every day for the company.  Even taking Ivy House sales off as this wasn't open last year, the Saturday before mother's day was our busiest day ever.  The Saturday was the busiest day yet in Ivy House Kitchen then that record was beaten again on Mother's Day itself.

 

“March 2019 has been great.   Taking catering out of the equation we were 53% up compared to last year and 24% up compared to last year.  If we include catering we are 66% up on 2018 and 34% up on 2017.”

 

James Ducker – Langlands

“We had a brilliant week.  All three centres were really busy and up on last year.  Houseplants and outdoor planted containers sold particularly well.  There was a great buzz with lots of people about and lots of gardening happening.”

 

Justin Williams – Fron Goch

“It's been a very busy two weeks here. Mothering Sunday week was the best one to date.

 

“March is 41% up on last year and 29.7% on 2017, that excludes catering.

 

“Mothering Sunday catering smashed last year's previous record by 25%. Great start to season.”

 

And a spokesperson from Dobbies told us:

"Spring trading to date has been very encouraging and we enjoyed record trading for Mother's Day, with new plant and gifting ranges performing particularly strongly."

 

If you'd like to add your Mothers Day and March trading comments please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk and we'll update the story during the week.  Have a great April!

 

 
APAC to build new centre next door to Wyevale at Leicester

Wyevale’s Rowena garden centre at Leicester is to get a potential new competitor right next door after APAC Group unveiled plans for a retail floristry centre on an adjacent site. Pictured: Leicester Rowena Garden Centre.

 

 


Wyevale’s Rowena garden centre at Leicester is to get a potential new competitor right next door after APAC Group unveiled plans for a retail floristry centre on an adjacent site.

 

APAC, well known to the garden centre industry as a supplier of florist sundries, recently completed the construction of a £9m distribution centre on another part of the site, clearing the way for a start on the new project, which has had planning permission since 2015.

 

 

The new 37,000 sq.ft ‘factory shop’ style centre will cover retail sales of horticultural and garden products (with plants sold only from trolleys) as well as crafts, homewares, giftwares plus seasonal and party items, and will have a cafeteria and children’s soft play area. It is scheduled for completion by Christmas.

 

APAC, originally founded as a packaging company but now operator of 15 cash-and-carry outlets around the UK offering 11,000 product lines, is a major wholesaler to supermarkets and major garden centres.

 

MD Roger MacKay says the new project is a concept the company has wanted to trial for a number of years and will become the group’s flagship centre. He has been quoted as saying it will offer “products at the right price” and “considerably less than Wyevale is selling them for”.

 
Cherry Lane creates 18 jobs at former Wyevale Barnett Hill

QD subsidiary Cherry Lane is to create 18 new jobs at the Clent garden centre in Worcestershire it has acquired from Wyevale and which is now trading as Barnett Hill by Cherry Lane...


QD subsidiary Cherry Lane is to create 18 new jobs at the Clent garden centre in Worcestershire it has acquired from Wyevale and which is now trading as Barnett Hill by Cherry Lane.

 

The 34 existing staff have been retained at the site, where the plants offered will include many from the group’s nurseries in Worcester (David’s, bought last year), Beverley and Lowestoft.

 

The garden centre’s indoor and outdoor play areas remain open as normal as does the restaurant.

 

Cherry Lane promises to "deliver the great value and quality, which the brand is renowned for, across all departments including garden furniture, pet care and wild bird feed".

QD Group CE Nick Rubins said the acquisition was another great landmark for Cherry Lane. “We are a family-run business and this is a major purchase for our group. We are very pleased to welcome the team from Wyevale and are looking forward to sharing with shoppers our great value, excellent quality and ever-changing spectacular seasonal deals."

 

The site is Cherry Lane’s thirteenth garden centre, making it the UK’s eighth biggest garden centre group.

 
Notcutts celebrates success at annual conference

Family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts Garden Centres, has hosted its annual conference and awards dinner to celebrate the success of colleagues and teams across its 18 garden centres nationwide.


Family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts Garden Centres, has hosted its annual conference and awards dinner to celebrate the success of colleagues and teams across its 18 garden centres nationwide. The conference in Maldon, Essex, recognised individual and business achievements over the past 12 months, with awards presented to outstanding team members who have gone the extra mile.

 

Notcutts Booker Garden Centre won the award for Best Customer Service. Pictured (L-R): Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman; Paul Knott from award sponsor Smart Garden & Briers; David Carey from award sponsor Mr. Fothergill’s; Stuart Blight, General Manager at Notcutts Booker; Carlton Martin, Customer Care Manager; Dafydd Lewis, Brand & Digital Director; and Andrew Notcutt.

 

Awards were presented to Notcutts colleagues for achievements across the business, including ‘Best Garden Centre Performance’, ‘Best Restaurant Performance’, ‘Planteria Excellence’ and ‘Best Customer Service’.

 

‘Frontline Hero’ awards were also presented to individuals who demonstrate excellence and go above and beyond to help customers and their team. Special long-service awards were presented to colleagues who have worked at Notcutts for 25 years.

 

Planteria (inc Houseplants) won the award for Best Category Performance. Pictured (L-R): Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman; Graham Walker, Trading and Operations Director; James Mitchell from award sponsor Westland; Bronnie Foreman, Buying Associate; Colin Dale, Plants and Gardening Category Head; Calvin Meek, Plants and Gardening Merchandiser; Stuart Andrews, Plant Buyer; John McDowell from award sponsor Westland; and Andrew Notcutt.

 

The Notcutts annual conference was sponsored by leading industry names; Bidfood, Briers, Esprit UK, Evergreen Garden Care, Gleeds, Hozelock, Kettler, McBains, Mr. Fothergill’s, Pelican, Porters, Sensormatic by Johnson Controls, Smart Garden, Stanley Bragg and Westland.

 

Nick Burrows, Chief Executive at Notcutts Garden Centres, said: “Our annual conference is always a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the past year, to recognise our achievements and to celebrate the outstanding work of our colleagues across the country. Thank you to our sponsors for joining our celebration, and congratulations to all of our award winners.”

 

Notcutts Norwich Garden Centre won the award for Best Restaurant Performance. Pictured (L-R): Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman; Kevin Boyle, Food and Beverage Director; Celso Moura-Miranda, Food & Beverage Manager at Notcutts Norwich; Taz Hussain from award sponsor Bidfood; and Andrew Notcutt.

 

 

 

Hillier welcomes Adam Dunnett to its board of directors

Hillier Nurseries has announced the appointment of Adam Dunnett to its board of directors. He will also continue in his role as amenity sales director...


Hillier Nurseries has announced the appointment of Adam Dunnett to its board of directors. He will also continue in his role as amenity sales director.

Chairman of Hillier, Robert Hillier, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to the board; he brings with him a wealth of industry experience. Our top-quality trees have always been a huge part of Hillier business and our amenity team continues to go from strength to strength. We are delighted to have more representation at board level and are excited for the future.”

Adam joined Hillier in 2018. As amenity sales director, he leads the sales team and helps drive tree sales across all key customer market sectors, promoting Hillier Trees as the leading supplier of high quality, UK grown semi-mature trees.

Horticulture is a passion that runs in Adam’s family — his father was managing director of Blakedown Nurseries for over 40 years. His own career started with an apprenticeship at the tree and shrub grower Ellis Brothers Nurseries then, after college, to Webbs Of Wychbold where he held a number of roles, culminating in running the wholesale division for more than 10 years. A move into retail followed, as plant buyer for both Blooms Garden Centres and then Wyevale Garden Centres. His last position before joining Hillier was with Wyevale Nurseries as its sales and marketing director.   

“Hillier is a business I’ve admired for more than 30 years, either as a competitor or customer,” said Adam. “I feel honoured to now be part of the board of this wonderful family business, who have been part of horticulture for over 150 years. The team I’ve joined are full of experience and more importantly have massive enthusiasm to continue driving the business forward. As one of the few UK growers of semi-mature trees, we have a very exciting future ahead of us.” 

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...


Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2016 as well as 2017 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here


Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro chart for this week are here

 

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.