In This Issue
Kelkay's Easy Fountain picking up on latest trends
Take a look at Westland's 'Lawn Man' TV ad
March sales hit a six-year high
Bedding Geraniums are the top-selling plant
Oh dear... it's GCA Inspectorexit II...
Vitax appoints new sales manager
£12m homes plan for former Dobbies garden centre
Aylings Garden Centre re-opens with original name
Zest 4 Leisure staff complete Manchester Marathon
Mayor opens Castle Gardens’ 30th anniversary celebrations
Communities get chance to win a Chelsea show garden
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Growing media sales continue to grow
Lawn care product sales take a boost
Cucumbers top Veg-2-Gro chart
Retailers urged to highlight benefits of feeding plants
Westland appoint new lawncare boffin
Japanese maples are HTA's Plant of the Moment
TV presenter and Johnsons of Whixley team up for RHS Cardiff Garden
Gardman's daffodil campaign aims to raise over £200,000 for Marie Curie
Lobbying success - plant nursery grounds to be exempt for business rates
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
London Coffee Festival serves cupfuls of inspiration
GCA Best Garden Centre Restaurant 2017 - Fron Goch or Squires Shepperton?
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Kelkay's Easy Fountain picking up on latest trends


Kelkay’s Easy Fountains have been updated and extended for 2017 to respond to changing customer demand...

Kelkay’s Easy Fountains have been updated and extended for 2017 to respond to changing customer demand...



The business review on which Antony Harker embarked in 2016 extended across the whole business including water features which represents a significant opportunity for growth.

That’s what drove the team at Kelkay to update and redesign the brand, the packaging and the point of sale resulting in a strong new marketing campaign. A full range review led to the launch of almost 50 new fountains taking the total range to 85 with price points from £69.99 up to £2,499.99 making it the most comprehensive and up to date range of water features on the market.

Picking up on a classical theme, the new modern range includes Italianate and Greek design to grace the most contemporary garden space. There’s a total of 18 new modern designs including amusing floating tap designs and features that include spinning glass balls and coloured LEDs.

Extended range of rock and wood effect features have all been designed to appeal to gardeners seeking a natural look and theme to their garden design.

The traditional collection focuses on brick, stone and terracotta effect features which have long been best sellers in the water features category.

Kelkay have also responded to sales trends and changes in consumers resulting in the development of a range of highly distinctive novelty themed water features. The new range features otters which have proven particularly popular, and also the charming range of miniature village scenes, all of which also feature LEDs.

 

Pictured: Greek Columns RRP £799.99 (top); Classic Urn RRP £199.99 (above left); Waterfall Dancer RRP £299.99 (above right).

Finally, frogs, fish, turtles, cranes and even a crocodile are included in the completely new range of pond ‘spitters’ which are specially designed pond water ornaments that create a stream that splashes directly into a garden pond.

Some of the historical best sellers from the range have also been added to, enlarged and improved to create higher price points and large impressive features for the
larger garden.


“We’re responding to feedback from consumers and trends in garden design to ensure that our range of water features remains the best available to UK independent retailers.” said Richard Pyrah, Sales Director. “Additionally, we’ve had a real hard look at the most effective way to package and display this category and developed improved packaging and easier to manage merchandising. Retailers can select just best sellers, or a complete range from the entry level right up to very large fountains. We can now supply the full range.”

“I’m confident that this range development and the new packaging and point of sale will cement our position as the leading supplier of water features in the UK” said Richard.

To find out more about Kelkay’s range of Easy Fountains go to www.kelkay.com  or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call 01405 869333.



Above: Easy Fountain display in Tong Garden Centre.
Take a look at Westland's 'Lawn Man' TV ad


Westland has significantly upped its TV spend, as early indications show SafeLawn is set to storm ahead of the competition this spring. The advert, featuring CGI created ‘Lawn Man’, will air on screens from Wednesday 12th April...



If the embedded link above doesn't work on your device click the image below:



Westland has significantly upped its TV spend, as early indications show Westland SafeLawn is set to storm ahead of the competition this spring.

The news comes following an unprecedented sell-in to retailers, who have pledged support for child and pet-safe product, now pride of place at the front of stores.

The advert, featuring CGI created ‘Lawn Man’, will air on screens in April and will run alongside a large-scale digital and social campaign designed to generate maximum interest among parents and pet-lovers.

The campaign will drive consumers’ in-store over April and May, including the key Bank Holiday weekends.

‘Lawn Man’ is a lawn which has come to life! He puts up with a lot. Kids and pets tearing around, ball games and harsh weather conditions.

It will be on a TV screen near you from Wednesday next week:

  • Emmerdale  – on ITV1 across all active regions at 19:15 on 12th April
  • The Book Thief (Film) – on Channel 4 at 19:40 on 15th April
  • Five Gold Rings (Quiz with Phillip Scofield) – ITV1 19:45 on 16th April
  • The Blacklist: Redemption  – on Sky1 at 21:11 on 12th April
  • Xpose – TV3 in ROI  20:14 14th April
  • Doctor in the House – Be3 in ROI 18:15 16th April


In the advert he is worn and tired. He longs to be loved. To be brought to life and to be part of the family again. Enter Westland SafeLawn. After just one application, he comes to life, revived and ready to play! LawnMan will show parents and pet owners they can get a thick, green lawn that’s 100% natural and safe for children and pets.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland said: “Early indications show Westland SafeLawn is already out-selling existing lawncare products and the feedback we’re getting from garden retailers is that it’s worth committing to.

“It’s a product which has launched an entirely new category, however its very conception is based on solid insight proving there’s an appetite for it within the marketplace. Therefore, we’ve decided to be bold with this product and up the TV spend considerably to allow it to make a real impact as we come into peak season.”

March sales hit a six-year high


GTN Bestsellers' All Sales Volume total for March is a record for the past six years, up 2% on last year and 6% better than the average for the month over the previous six years.



GTN Bestsellers EPOS data analysis shows that total sales volumes dipped year on year for the last week of March. It was the second week of Easter last year after all.

Gardening and plant sales, as seen by our charts, all increased however, so the drop in all sales volumes can be accounted for by missing Easter specific sales which are still to come in April.

The final All Sales Volume total for March is a record for the past six years, up 2% on last year and 6% better than the average for the month over the previous six years.

March 2017 couldn’t match the volumes sold in 2011 though.  That year we had a rocking start to the season and Easter was late in April.

At present 2011 sets the GTN Bestsellers benchmark for highest first half year sales volumes – will 2017 follow in the same direction?

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
  • Garden Products - up 11%
  • Veg-2-Gro - up 36%
  • Growing Media - up 25%
  • All Items Index - down 3%
All plants volume change week on week - up 34.2%

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


 
Bedding Geraniums are the top-selling plant
As bedding Geraniums (genus Pelargonium) become more widely available they have been snapped up straight away, leading to a sales increase of over 150% which makes them our most popular plant for the first time this year...
As bedding Geraniums (genus Pelargonium) become more widely available they have been snapped up straight away, leading to a sales increase of over 150% which makes them our most popular plant for the first time this year.
  • Clematis put on a growth spurt to be the highest climber, up 20 places to No 20.
  • Fuchsia sales doubled to move up to No 12.
  • Early Lupin sales show plenty of promise for this genus this year.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Oh dear... it's GCA Inspectorexit II...





Brexit was followed by GCA Inspectorexit in 2016 – and now, after the triggering of Article 50, we have Inspectorexit II as one of the three new inspectors has had to pull out for this year...
 

It’s a dog’s life, ain’t it? Your faithful Newshound is used to it, naturally, but spare a thought for all those dear garden centre friends currently experiencing the agonies (and possibly ecstasies) of the annual standards inspection that all members of the Garden Centre Association must go through. Any time between now and early June, they can expect an inspector to call…and unannounced, too! Off the lead, kind of…

Personally speaking, as your Hound always does, it struck me that the GCA’s inspectorate – the body of men and women tasked with putting the scores on the doors – was a tad unlucky when, shortly after 24 June 2016, the day the country voted for Brexit, it lost three quarters of its workforce as three of its four inspectors announced their resignations. Inspectorexit, we called it. Some might have said, as Lady Bracknell remarked to Mr Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, that to lose one is a misfortune, but to lose three looks like carelessness. Not us, however. Inspectors come, inspectors go, leaving only the DNA on their clipboards as evidence, and that’s the way of the world…



But then, nine months later, when Premier May reminded us, by triggering Article 50, that Brexit is actually going to happen, lo and behold the GCA temporarily loses another inspector. Perfect timing. Inspectorexit II…not triggered by Article 51 but by the news that new man Hedley Triggs (pictured left above) had to pull out of judging the Midlands and Wales & West regions this spring because he has to have an operation. Please join your Hound in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Hound hears that one of last year’s retirees, Andy Campbell (below left), has stepped into the breach to cover Wales & West in Hedley’s absence. And another of the vanishing trio of 2016, Alyson Heywood (below second left), is back to cover Midlands. She and Hedley were once colleagues at Wyevale.

All we need now is for Ian Boardman, the third Inspectorexiteer, to announce his return “for old time’s sake” and we’re neatly back to Square One.

Meanwhile, woof woof! I’m exiting…until next time.

Vitax appoints new sales manager

Vitax has appointed Mark Butler as its new sales manager to help drive future sales and expand into new markets. Mark, who has almost 30 years’ industry experience, will be working alongside existing sales manager Colin Wetherley-Mein, who will be stepping down from his UK-wide role later this year to concentrate on Vitax’s key national accounts.



Pictured (left to right): Daniel Wilkinson - Vitax's managing director, Mark Butler - Vitax's new sales manager and Colin Wetherley-Mein - Vitax sales manager.




Vitax has appointed Mark Butler as its new sales manager to help drive future sales and expand into new markets.

Mark, who has almost 30 years’ industry experience, will be working alongside existing sales manager Colin Wetherley-Mein, who will be stepping down from his UK-wide role later this year to concentrate on Vitax’s key national accounts.

Mark joins Vitax from Town & Country where he has spent the past three years as national sales manager. Prior to joining the fashion retail brand, Mark spent eight years at Solus and 18 years at Sinclairs working his way up from sales rep to key account manager.

The appointment of a second sales manager is a first for Vitax, but essential to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and the existing sales team as Daniel Wilkinson, Vitax’s managing director, explains: “The success of Vitax is embedded in its sales team.  Our customers trust not just our products, but also the relationship it has with its sales representative and the company.

“Colin has worked for Vitax for over 25 years and is well-respected by all.  To ensure continuity and prepare for Colin’s change of role, we needed to appoint an individual that not only knew the industry, but also knew our customers too.  Mark’s experience speaks for itself and we are delighted to have him on board.

“Mark already has a great reputation and a wealth of sales experience.  For the next six months he will be working alongside Colin with the expectation that come September he will take full responsibility for the sales team.”

In addition to working with customers and managing the sales team, Mark will also be responsible for streamlining the existing sales system and overseeing the installation of a new online ordering system.

“It is an exciting time to join Vitax as it is has ambitious plans to grow its product range and is already investing in its online presence in preparation for that growth,” says Mark, Vitax’s new sales manager.

“Over the next six months I will be working with the reps to pinpoint areas for growth and supporting Colin as he hands over the management of the sales team so he can focus on other areas of the business.”

Colin and Mark already have a great working relationship having spent the past three years on the GIMA Council together.

Pictured (left to right): Daniel Wilkinson - Vitax's managing director, Mark Butler - Vitax's new sales manager and Colin Wetherley-Mein - Vitax sales manager.

 
£12m homes plan for former Dobbies garden centre
Plans have been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for a new £12 million residential development on the site of a former Dobbies garden centre at Ardencaple, Helensburgh, which could see 76 new homes built in the town...


Plans have been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for a new £12 million residential development on the site of a former Dobbies garden centre at Ardencaple, Helensburgh, which could see 76 new homes built in the town.

The company’s development proposals include a range of properties, from two-bedroom terraced houses up to five-bedroom detached homes.

As well as private sale homes, the application includes 25% affordable homes and improvements to the footpath between the site and Gareloch Road.

Doug Law, Persimmon Homes West Scotland’s managing director, said: “Prior to the submission of our application we carried out a comprehensive consultation involving the local community, the community council and Architecture and Design Helensburgh.

“We are committed to building high quality homes that not only address the needs of the local market but are also appeal to buyers keen to stay in sought after locations that are within easy reach of local amenities and transport links.”

Helensburgh MP Brendan O’Hara said he would welcome a “sensitive” plan for the site.

He said: “Any new development must be for high-quality, sympathetic and attractive housing that meets a broad range of needs.”

Persimmon originally proposed building 85 homes on a site earmarked in the local development plan for up to 60 properties.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, area chair, said: “This has been a vacant site since the sad departure of Dobbies several years ago and it will be good to have a mix of homes on this site for local families.”

Pictured: Artist's impression of the proposed site entrance.
Aylings Garden Centre re-opens with original name


Aylings Garden Centre on the A272 in West Sussex has re-opened the with new owners bringing back its original name...



Aylings Garden Centre on the A272 in West Sussex has re-opened the with new owners bringing back its original name.

Priscilla Ayling, who lives in Midhurst, cut the ribbon to officially reopen the garden centre in front of a large crowd of well wishers.

The centre was founded by her grandfather Henry in 1934 and later run by her father George, uncle Wilfred and her brother Anthony before it was sold in 1999 to Chris Adam.

But it fell on hard times when it was sold in 2015 to Eco Warrior Resorts who changed the name and tried to redevelop the site.

The new owners bought the company from liquidators. They are a group of six Italian life long friends and business partners.

Priscilla said: “I am absolutely thrilled the garden centre has reopened with such lovely new owners.”

Commercial director Michele Gaudelli said: “The feedback was great from all our customers who seemed thrilled to see Aylings return.

“We will use the feedback to evolve the garden centre ensuring we have what our customers are looking for.

He added: “We hope we can continue to do them proud and they enjoy their visits to Aylings Garden Centre.”


Zest 4 Leisure staff complete Manchester Marathon


Zest 4 Leisure has raised thousands of pounds after completing the Manchester Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK. Managing Director Steve Morgan ran the 26-mile route with 24 other Zest employees and together they raised over £9,000.



Zest 4 Leisure has raised thousands of pounds after completing the Manchester Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Managing Director Steve Morgan ran the 26-mile route with 24 other Zest employees from various departments including sales, warehousing, marketing, IT and HR as well as suppliers and raised over £9,000.

Steve said: “As a company Zest is committed to employee fitness and long-term well-being as well as supporting the community and raising money for charity.  I am so proud of all of our staff who took part not only on the day but also who helped in the lead up to the marathon.

“It has been a huge challenge and we all had very sore legs the day after, but knowing we are able to raise money for such a good cause makes it all worthwhile.

“The team has been humbled by the generosity of our customers, suppliers and friends, because without them this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Louise Aubrey, Cancer Research UK’s Senior Local Fundraising Manager said: “Staff at Zest 4 Leisure put in lots of preparation and training for the marathon and we are extremely grateful that the company chose Cancer Research UK as its charity for 2017. 

"We can’t thank the team of runners enough for their support and it is great to hear that all 25 of them managed to finish the marathon.”

Andrew Baker, Financial Director at P&A (parent company of Zest 4 Leisure) and marathon runner, said: “We were delighted to be able to arrange training sessions at the warehouse at 7am twice a week with a personal trainer to help everyone focus on the goal.

“Seeing the team in the crowd cheering us on with their flags really gave us all a massive boost.  It was tough to say the least, but we are so glad that we were all able to complete it together and it’s just great to see the hard work and training pay off on the day.”  

If anyone would like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/P-A-Group-and-Zest4Leisure
Mayor opens Castle Gardens’ 30th anniversary celebrations
The Mayor of Sherborne, Councillor David Birley, officially opened Castle Gardens’ 30th anniversary celebrations with a cake cutting ceremony, which was attended by customers old and new, local businesses and friends of the garden centre...



The May issue of GTN has a full interview with Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, pictured above second from the right.



The Mayor of Sherborne, Councillor David Birley, officially opened Castle Gardens’ 30th anniversary celebrations with a cake cutting ceremony, which was attended by customers old and new, local businesses and friends of the garden centre.

Following a toast, where Councillor David Birley congratulated the Sherborne-based garden centre, which is part of The Gardens Group, on reaching such a milestone, as well acknowledging its continued commitment and work with charity initiatives and the local community, the cake was cut to declare the 14 days of celebrations open.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains: “It was such an honour to have so many familiar faces joining us to raise a glass for our 30th anniversary.

"When Louise and I arrived in 1987, it was a bitterly cold winter and we had our work cut out to clear the site, uncovering all sorts from fallen cold frames, greenhouse bases and even whole buildings covered in ivy.

"When the doors opened for the first time on 1 April 1987 we had just one till, and now 30 years on, we have a wonderful team of over 60 staff at Castle Gardens alone.

"We’re extremely proud of everything we have achieved and are looking forward to seeing what the next 30 years has in store.”

With plans for tree planting at schools and other sites across the community, charity fundraising initiatives and special offers at Castle Gardens over the next fortnight, the celebrations have only just begun.

On Friday Sharandys Birds of Prey returned to Castle Gardens with a selection of birds including an Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Malaysian Wood Owl and American Kestrel.

Picture caption (L-R): The Mayor of Sherborne, Councillor David Birley, Louise Burks, director of The Gardens Group, Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, and Brian King, manager of Castle Gardens, cutting the birthday cake at Castle Gardens.
Communities get chance to win a Chelsea show garden



Gardening-minded communities across the UK have been given the chance to win a show garden from this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show...

Left: Cody Dock being 'greened up' by the RHS in 2015

Gardening-minded communities across the UK have been given the chance to win a show garden from this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The nationwide scheme, launched on BBC’s The One Show last weekl (Monday 3 April), is open to communities anywhere in Britain, giving communities the opportunity to show how they would go about greening up a local public open space.

The scheme will see the plants and other elements of the RHS Greening Grey Britain Garden (see design drawing, below), designed by Nigel Dunnett, live on in the winning community on a plot of up to 250 sq.m. Schools, hospitals, hospices, gardening groups, allotments, medical centres and resident groups can all apply.



The initiative is part of the RHS’ Greening Grey Britain Campaign to turn grey, unloved spaces into green, planted up places, for the nation’s health, happiness and environmental conservation.

The judges – award-winning designer Nigel Dunnett, The One Show presenter Christine Walkden and RHS chief horticulturist Guy Barter, will be looking for imagination and zest for making a difference by planting up a garden to benefit residents, the general environment and local wildlife.

Guy said: “We want to see how this garden will bring people together to build and maintain a fabulous planting for the benefit of all. We would like maximum inclusivity so submissions should show how they will involve as many people as possible.

“If you live in an urban neighbourhood, a community group might want to turn an area of closely mown grass into a garden that will provide more resources for wildlife. Or Parents may come together to make an area of a school’s grounds into a garden – there are numerous opportunities.”

Nigel added: “Gardens, nature, plants and horticulture have never been needed more in our towns and cities to meet the overwhelming challenges of climate-change and increasing urbanization. Indeed, garden spaces are no longer a decorative ‘nice-to-have’, but are a core and essential element in the toolkit to create healthy cities and liveable places.

“The RHS Greening Grey Britain Garden demonstrates and celebrates the multiple benefits of plants and gardens in even the smallest of areas. It’s fantastic that this Garden will live on after RHS Chelsea to benefit a community.  We want to help make the winning plot an important and appreciated part of the local environment.”

A contractor will prepare the site for the garden to be relocated after the end of RHS Chelsea Flower Show in early June. Nigel, Guy and a team from the RHS will garden with local residents to create the new community garden.

To enter click here or email here .

 

 
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox...



with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
 
Growing media sales continue to grow
Growing Media sales in garden centres continue to grow at a pace, far outstripping all other sales...
Growing Media sales in garden centres continue to grow at a pace, far outstripping all other sales.

This week’s all time March week high means total sales volumes for the month were 25% up on last year. That’s a heck of a lot of gardening going on!

This week’s highlights were:
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost (50 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 21 places to No 13.
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost (20 litres) was the highest re-entry at No 41.
  • Westland Gro-Sure Ericaceous Compost (25 litres also returned.
  • Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes (56 litres) stays on the top spot.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Lawn care product sales take a boost
Lawn care activity is a big winner this week with product sales in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 up by 72% on last week...
The great gardening weather during the last week of March saw sales volumes for Garden Products reach a new record for any March week in the past four years.

Lawn care activity is a big winner this week with sales in the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 up by 72% on last week.
  • Scotts Evergreen Fast Grass 15 sq m +33% Extra Free was the highest new entry.
  • Gardman Hanging Basket Coco Liner was the highest re-entry.
  • Scotts Miracle Gro Ericaceous Liquid Plant Food was the highest climber.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Cucumbers top Veg-2-Gro chart
Cucumbers top the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart for the first time this year...
Cucumbers top the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart for the first time this year but tomato plants lead the way overall in popularity, accounting for 45% of all Top 50 volumes from 20 lines.

There is clearly a desire to get a head start growing under glass for early crops this year.

The main highlights this week were:
  • Quantil Cucumber F1 8cm jumped 29 places to take over the top spot.
  • Quantil Tomato Sungold 8cm was the highest climber, jumping 33 places to No 11.
  • Quantil Courgette 8cm was the highest re-entry at No 4.

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

 
Retailers urged to highlight benefits of feeding plants
This Easter the team at SBM Life Science is encouraging retailers to help consumers get great results by highlighting the benefits of feeding...
Easter is the perfect moment to plant pots and hanging baskets for vibrant blooms throughout the spring and summer.  

To get the rewarding results they are hoping for, consumers need to remember to feed their plants.  A little regular feeding will encourage strong, healthy roots, lush greenery and vibrant blooms.  

The team at SBM Life Science is encouraging retailers to help consumers get great results by highlighting the benefits of feeding. “The potting compost in the container has the nutrients plants need for the first few weeks but once it is exhausted, watering alone is not enough for colourful, long-lasting blooms.  

“Within our Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® ranges we have a solution for every type of gardener, whether they are happy to feed regularly or would prefer to keep things nice and simple with a slow release fertiliser.”

New this season is Phostrogen® Slow Release Plant Food & Moisture Control.   A 2-in-1 product, it feeds and waters plants, helping them produce big, vibrant blooms.  Containing water storing crystals, it absorbs 400 times its own weight in water, reducing the need for watering by 75%.  Lasting up to six months, it releases the water and feed as the plants need, saving gardeners time and energy.  

   

It’s incredibly easy to use; just mix Phostrogen® Slow Release Plant Food & Moisture Control in with the compost as you pot-up your containers and hanging baskets.

Baby Bio® Pour & Feed is ideal for indoor and conservatory plants, as well as outdoor plants in pots, containers and hanging baskets.  It encourages vibrant blooms and bigger, greener leaves and it is enriched with seaweed.  

Quick and easy to use, just pour the mixture directly around the plants.  

With added seaweed extract, Baby Bio® Outdoor Flowers & Shrubs is a unique boosted plant food, which helps plants produce up to 70% more flowers compared to being unfed.

It’s great value: the 750ml bottle of concentrate makes up to 75 litres.

Phostrogen® Patio Plant Food is ideal for planters, pots, tubs and hanging baskets.  With a great nutritional balance, it encourages vibrant colours and bountiful blooms all summer long.

Baby Bio® and Phostrogen® are a registered trademarks of SBM Développement.
 
Westland appoint new lawncare boffin
Stuart Staples has joined Westland as head of technical for lawns, to lead a full programme of product development for 2018 and beyond...

Stuart Staples has joined Westland as head of technical for lawns, to lead its innovation push.

Stuart will have a key leadership role in Westland’s expanding technical team alongside Mark Hamill, who will head up the growing media technical function. Stuart will focus on lawncare and lawn seed development, building on the success of recent product additions such as Westland SafeLawn and Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed. He will be tasked to drive product innovation, channel developments and geographical reach.

Stuart has more than 20 years’ experience in the lawn and fertiliser sectors and has a strong track record of bringing innovative products to market for both the horticultural, amenity and agricultural market sectors. His previous work includes consumer-focused development as well as technical advisory roles at a range of high profile sporting venues, including leading football clubs across Europe and Ryder Cup golf courses.

He said: “I am looking forward to working for a forward thinking company that has a track record of introducing differentiated products to meet consumer needs. In particular, one that is championing innovation and sustainability, creating value for both retailers and the end user.”

Keith Nicholson, marketing manager, said the appointment would expand Westland’s strong and experienced technical team to continue driving the lawn category forward.

“Following successful introductions of SafeLawn and Gro-Sure Smart Seed, we believe this category is still ripe for growth,” he added. “Stuart will be working on a number of exciting new developments that are already in our NPD pipeline for 2018 and delivering the long term product strategy for the Westland lawn division.”

 
Japanese maples are HTA's Plant of the Moment
Japanese maples are the HTA’s ‘Plant of the Moment’ for April...

Japanese maples are the HTA’s ‘Plant of the Moment’ for April.

A good choice of tree for a compact or courtyard garden, they will brighten a shaded corner or elegantly overhang a pool or water feature.

|Although many are commonly called Japanese maples, their parents could be derived from several different species including Acer japonicum, Acer palmatum, Acer shirasawanum or others. Among them are some extremely slow-growing forms, with trees remaining a small, manageable size without the need for regular pruning. Their natural shape and growing habit make them an ideal choice growing in large patio pots.

Leaf shapes, sizes and colours vary immensely. Many have a broad palm shape, often divided and dissected into the most delicate and intricate forms. Colours range from deep greens to yellow, gold, purple or even variegated patterns.

Japanese maples start to put on a show as soon as foliage unfurls in spring and continue until their autumn transformation into shades of gold and bronze before leaf fall.

Top varieties include

  • Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’
  • Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’  
  • Acer palmatum ‘Sango-Kaku’
  • Golden Shirasawanum maple  (Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’) (pictured)

Top tips to pass on at the information desk

1. Choose a sheltered site where trees are protected from late spring frosts, cold winds and scorching summer sun.

2. Maples prefer well-drained soil containing plenty of compost to lock in moisture and ensure the ground never dries out.

3. Spread a deep mulch of leaf-mould, compost or shredded bark over the soil around maples to retain moisture and reduce annual weed growth.

Japanese maples should not be smothered by neighbouring plants, so always give them space to flourish. Planting partners for an oriental look include ferns, hostas, bamboo, azaleas and camellias.
 
TV presenter and Johnsons of Whixley team up for RHS Cardiff Garden
Johnsons of Whixley will supply plants to Channel 4 presenter Chris Myers’ RHS Show Cardiff garden, which this year celebrates the story of ‘Bloudeuwedd’...


Johnsons of Whixley will supply plants to Channel 4 presenter Chris Myers’ RHS Show Cardiff garden, which this year celebrates the story of ‘Bloudeuwedd’.

The garden, which is open between 7 and 9 April at the RHS Show Cardiff, will feature more than £1,000 worth of ferns, ivy, blackthorn and oak, which has been provided by Johnsons, one of the largest commercial nursery businesses in Europe.

Chris is a guest blogger on the Johnsons website and his relationship with the business stretches back almost ten years.
He is best known as the presenter of Channel 4’s Wild Things programme, for his RHS Gold Award Winning Show Gardens, and as an ‘off grid’ gardener in the wilds of the Yorkshire Dales.

Chris’s RHS Show Cardiff Garden for 2017 is named ‘Blodeuwedd’, and inspired by the legend of the Welsh mythological character of the same name.

Chris’s woodland and water garden incorporates elements of the couple’s fateful story.

He explains: “The story of Blodeuwedd is truly magical. According to the myth, Blodeuwedd was a woman created from flowers, and the wife of the hero Lleu. While her husband was away, Blodeuwedd fell in love with a neighbour and together they hatched a plan to kill Lleu while he bathed.

“But Lleu thwarted death, and transformed into an eagle to flee, before returning to human form. As punishment, Lleu turned Blodeuwedd into a tawny owl and she was banished to live a solitary life in the woods. Different elements of this magical story are represented in the garden. A thatched canopy above a bath marks the scene of the attempted murder, blossom and wild flowers bloom along the banks of the river represent Lleu’s life, while the sculpture of an owl looks on.”

Graham Richardson, Managing Director at Johnsons of Whixley said: “We feel extremely privileged to be a part of this wonderful project, supplying plants to help bring a fantastic myth to life in such a creative way. We have an excellent relationship with Chris and jumped at the chance to collaborate with him on this latest project.”

The RHS Show Cardiff has been held in the parklands of Cardiff Castle since 2005.
 
Gardman's daffodil campaign aims to raise over £200,000 for Marie Curie
Gardman has been raising money for Marie Curie with its three branded bird feeding products...
Every March, millions of people across the UK show their support to Marie Curie by giving a donation to wear a daffodil pin. The monies raised help fund crucial hours of nursing care for people living with any terminal illness, so families can make the most of the precious time they have left together.

Gardman, the UK's leading garden products and wild bird care supplier; has also been raising money for the charity with its three Marie Curie branded bird feeding products that launched in January 2017.

Gardman is pledging to donate 50p for every sale of its cast-iron Daffodil Bird Feeder and up to £1.50 for sales of its Wild Bird Seed Blend to the Marie Curie charity.

Hundreds of garden centres across the UK have joined forces with Gardman to support the fundraising effort with eye-catching retail displays of the stunning Daffodil Bird Feeder and engaging social media campaigns helping sales soar and products to sell out within weeks.

The Cast Iron Daffodil Bird Feeder retails at £6.99 and is sold alongside Marie Curie branded premium Wild Bird Seed Blend, ideal for garden lovers and for those who love to feed birds. The feeder is suitable for all year round feeding with universal appeal to a variety of different birds. The Wild Bird Seed Blend retails at £4.99 (1.8kg pack) and £14.99 (12.55kg pack).

The money raised through the sale of the #GardmanDaffodil will allow Marie Curie to help more people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.

Last year, Marie Curie cared for and supported over 50,000 people affected by terminal illness across the UK.

Gardman’s Marketing Director, Gavin White, visited Marie Curie’s West Midlands hospice in Solihull last to see first-hand how the money Gardman and the UK population are raising will help the patients and their families.

“It was amazing to see this hospice and the care it provides to the patients”, Gavin commented. “The amount of volunteers they have is phenomenal, particularly in the gardens, where over 20 volunteers work on making these areas into serene havens where patients and families can go to enjoy time together.”

As well as their donations to Marie Curie through the sale of daffodil bird feeders and bird feed, Gardman donated 150 daffodil feeders to all nine Marie Curie hospices around the country, so they could add a touch of spring colour to their gardens, and introduce the joy of bird feeding into their daily routine.

Gardman also donated a bird care feeding kit to the charity’s West Midlands hospice – which included a mix of daffodil bird feeders, bird feed, bird baths and nest boxes for all the staff, patients and their families to enjoy.

Gavin said: “The hospices were thrilled with these surprise deliveries, particularly the volunteer gardeners, who willfully spend their time designing and maintaining the beautiful gardens.”

Barbara Barker, who’s been a volunteer gardener for Marie Curie at their West Midlands Hospice for the past 25 years commented, “We believe that the patients, their families and friends benefit greatly from our special garden which gives them a peaceful and different environment in which to spend time with their loved ones.

"It provides a private place for visitors to take a few minutes to reflect or relax before returning to their friend or family.  It also benefits the nurses, staff, bereavement counsellors and the Chaplain to have a quiet space for intimate conversations.

"We get amazing feedback on how the gardens have helped them and thanks to Gardman's bird feeding products; we will hopefully attract more birds to the gardens and subsequently bring further joy to everyone here at the Hospice.”

Gardman Daffodil Bird Feeders are on sale in garden centres across the country, with 50p from each sale being donated to the charity.

A list of stockists and more information about the campaign can be found at www.gardmandaffodil.co.uk.
 
Lobbying success - plant nursery grounds to be exempt for business rates
The HTA is delighted by the recent Government policy that land and buildings at plant nursery grounds should benefit from the agricultural exemption for business rates...
The Horticultural Trades Association is delighted by the recent Government policy that land and buildings at plant nursery grounds should benefit from the agricultural exemption for business rates.

The NFU, with the backing of the HTA, its expert ratings advisors Turner Morum LLP, and the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable fought hard for this exemption to be reaffirmed allowing growers the security to invest into the future.

The Government has agreed to use the next legislative opportunity to make sure all plant nursery grounds continue to have an agricultural exemption from business rates. Their intention is to amend the Local Government Finance Act which is currently going through parliament.

Raoul Curtis-Machin, HTA Director of Horticulture, says, “Many of our grower member businesses were facing business rate charges for the first time this year, where they had previously been exempt under an agricultural classification. In some cases this could have amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds, which could have put some members out of business. The HTA, working with the NFU and the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group, has been lobbying government for this not happen and has now received a Ministerial Statement that our efforts have worked. This is great news for growers who feared that being brought into the rates system would make their businesses unviable.”

On Thursday 30 March, Marcus Jones, MP and minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government, made the following announcement:

"Since at least 1928, plant nursery grounds have been treated by the Valuation Office Agency as exempt from business rates as part of the general exemption for agriculture. However, following a recent Court of Appeal decision, the Valuation Office Agency has started to bring into business rates buildings at nursery grounds including structures such as poly-tunnels.

The exemption for agricultural properties is an important part of the rating system. It ensures that large areas of agricultural land and buildings are not liable to a property tax which could have a significant impact on the cost of farming. I can confirm to the House that the Government’s policy is that land and buildings at plant nursery grounds should benefit from the agricultural exemption for business rates.

Therefore, we intend at the soonest opportunity to amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to ensure both agricultural land and buildings at plant nursery grounds are exempt from business rates. This will return the law to align with the practice followed by the Valuation Office Agency before the decision in the Court of Appeal."

The wording of the amendment has yet to be revealed and the timescale for the implementation of the changes remains unclear, however, the minister’s reassurance serves as confirmation that growers will be protected.
 
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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £195.00 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 Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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 delivered via the post for only £195.00.

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 receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering

London Coffee Festival serves cupfuls of inspiration


Espresso Martinis, plant based milk alternatives, coconut crisps, bespoke coffee branding, bamboo coffee cups, a new barista range from Matthew Algie spotted at The London Coffee Festival.  Plus street food ideas from Spitalfields Market...





Espresso Martini's were the drink of choice for VIP visitors to The London Coffee Festival this weekend.

This trade and consumer event is the place to go for coffee, and tea, inspiration.  It's packed from the start of the day with trade visitors and then opens to the public for the evenings and the weekend.  Coffee really is big business if this Festival is anything to go by.  There are so many coffee barista machines on show, so many different coffee roasters, coffee masters and latte art competitions plus plenty of music and of course coffee.

Below are a few of the things spotted by GTN Xtra that may be of interest to our GTN Food Xtra readers.  If you'd like to attend the festival as a VIP geust next year with GTN, drop an e-mail to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk and we'll add you to the list of people we can invite next April.

Plant-based milk alternatives



Alpro were one of many Plant based milk alternatives showing at the Festival.  The Almond Latte sampled by GTN Xtra was really smooth and tasty.  Their For Professionals range is thicker than the range we can buy in supermarkets which makes it ideal to serve in coffee shops.  You can request a free sample and a bespoke barista plant based toolkit by e-mailing graham.kelly@alpro.com.  or visit alpro.com/for-professionals 

Allen Reeder, a London based wholesale dairy supplier also had a range of Plenish Organic Dairy-Free M*lks.  www.allanreederltd.co.uk

Re-useable coffee cups



ecoffee cup already sell their bamboo fibre cups with William Morris designs into some garden centre gift departments.  But what about selling re-useable cups in your coffee shops too?  ecoffeecup@toshworld.com



Keep cup had some great glass re-usable cups which could be branded to your garden centre or coffee shop name.

https://uk.keepcup.com/branded-keepcups


Bespoke sourcing, roasting and packing



Lincoln and York, info@lincolnandyork.com, offer bespoke sourcing, roasting and packing.  So if you sell enough coffee or grouped together with other centres you could create your very own brand of coffee.

Coconut Crisps


Looking for a new altenative for childrens snacks?  These lightly salted coconut curls certainly tasted good and could well be a garden centre winner, especially where there are monkey bars for children to play on...  zack@apesnacks.com or www.apesnacks.com


Seeking perfection



A name that's already well know in graden centre coffee lounges, Matthew Algie were at the Festival showing a new range of Synesso Barista Machines which deliver much greater consistency in delivery leading to better service, much less waste and less delays.  ben.minter@matthewalgie.com

Matthew Algie also supply pop-up coffee shops and carts so if you're thinking of adding an extra coffee sales point around your centre or out in the planteria this summer they may be worth a call.

Tips and Training



If you're just starting out on the coffee shop experience or you want some tips on how to make your coffee shop a more vital part of the memorable experience of a visit to your centre you could ask The Coffeepreneurs Andrew and Claire Bowen for help and advice.  Their book The Daily Grind is an Amazon Bestseller and they offer answers covering start up, expansion, profit maximisation, getting customers and selling your business.  You can book a free, no obligation call or Skype session via: www.cafesuccesshub.com/booking

And finally, the area around The London Coffee Festival is a haven of restaurants and coffee shops including a wide array of Street Food in Spitalfields Market.  Enjoy our photos at the end of the gallery below:








GCA Best Garden Centre Restaurant 2017 - Fron Goch or Squires Shepperton?

Who actually won the GCA Best Garden Centre Restaurant for 2017?  Was it Fron Goch or Squires Shepperton...



While GTN Xtra's Newshound was sniffing around trying to find out the details of who would be stepping in to help out while new inspector Hedley Triggs is unable to inspect this season he spotted a change in the list of GCA winners for 2017.

At conference in January, Squires Shepperton (below) were presented with the award for the Best Garden Centre Restaurant but that award is now listed as being won by Fron Goch on the GCA website.  Indeed on the Fron Gioch website there is a picture of them being presented with the award by GCA Chairman Julian WInfield.



As this issue of GTN Xtra went to press Newshound hadn't receieved any comment back from the GCA or Fron Goch.  Hopefully he will be able to sniff that out in time for next weeks edition. Give that dog a bone...
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