The sunshine of Saturday 8^th March saw the two newest members of the growing British Garden Centre empire open. Gloucester Garden Centre and Hieghley Gate near Morpeth, both had their official launches yesterday.

284 miles and 4 ½ hour drive apart, Garden Trade News attended both launches. Queues of customer were already forming at Gloucester Garden Centre by 8.00am on Saturday morning, 2 hours before the opening with the official ribbon cutting by TV gardener, David Domoney.

David was joined by members of the BGC Family including Lyn who has worked at the site for 35 years and Ian who has seen 28 years service. Both have been there through the management of the centre by Jardinerie, Blooms, Wyevale and Dobbies and along with Mandy and colleagues in the completely refurbished Gardeners Retreat restaurant all agreed that joining the British Garden Centres Family is the best yet. Ian added that it is 20 years ago this weekend since he was involved in the ribbon cutting at the centre when the new Blooms development was completed.

Staff from nearby Brockworth Garden Centre, which became part of the BGC family back in 2018 when Wyevale first started reducing the size of their estate were down to help colleagues with the opening, and many of the staff, kept on from Dobbies days have been up for training, Amber the till supervisor said.

Many staff have been TUPE’d over from Dobbies, and have been working flat out over the past five weeks since the lease was agreed with the landlord to get the centre ready for this weekend. “Building display stands, merchandising stock, painting restaurant walls, screwing legs on our lovely new furniture and learning how to work our fantastic new carvery servery are all tasks we have willing taken on these past few weeks. It is just lovely to have a company that cares about the business, the staff and customers after the last few years we have had”.

Matthew Urbanowicz, the Centre Manager, said “it is great to have my centre back and be building my team again. Life got very tough with Dobbies, and we knew things were not going the right way. It was very unsettling for the team and we lost a few, but the effort and energy they have all put in over recent weeks has been fantastic, I am so proud. What we have all pulled together and achieved in the past five weeks is amazing.”

Suppliers have been busy too, with many new stands and lots of product flowing in. Keen offers and powerful merchandising is very much the form, and good introductory offers will soon see gaps on shelves and dump bins needing restocking. Strong sales were evident, customers queuing to get in and queuing to get out through the tills with trollies loaded with plants, compost and everything gardening.

Concessions, many also retained on site from the previous management, some new and others expanding too. The Works joined in the opening ceremony, Cotton Traders, Tiger Buildings were all looking forward optimistically to levels of trade and the Crazy Golf concession was already doing great trade.

Customers were also happy, one told GTN Xtra “we moved from Thornbury near Bristol, where we used to have a super garden centre that went seriously downhill when they were taken over, so when we moved to the south side of Gloucester we were recommended by our new neighbours to go up to Brockworth that British Garden Centres had recently taken over. It was lovely, and the staff were all so helpful, so when we heard a couple of weeks ago that the same family were going to running this one we were very happy. It saves us a 10 mile journey up the road and we have a lovely café too which was the only thing we did miss at Brockworth!”

Another customer said: “I have been a professional gardener all my working life, what I have seen so far is wonderful and I wish the Family all the luck in the world.”

See our photo tour of Gloucester Garden Centre below

Thousands of customers queued in the Morpeth sunshine on Saturday morning in anticipation of the official re-opening of Heighley Gate Garden Centre after a six-week turnaround from an empty vacated Dobbies site into a buzzing, colourful, well stocked garden centre by the British Garden Centres Family.

TV Gardening superstar Adam Frost carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming the customers into the centre before spending time chatting with them and presenting a talk in the planteria.

British Garden Centres MD, Charles Stubbs arrived just as the centre opened, having travelled up from Havant where he had been helping with the preparations there for next weeks opening on the South coast.

Charles told GTN Xtra: “I’m so proud of the BGC team for the efforts they have put in to open these centres, so well, so quickly.  I’ve probably run out of favours with suppliers, they have all been so helpful in supplying stock and plants plus helping with merchandising.”

“Thank you to all BGC Team Family members who have helped from across the North region.  This is a special opportunity for us to further develop this amazing 40 acre site.”

The help across the area was evident in the re-design of the restaurant where the Heighley Gate Team were at Gosforth three weeks ago helping their re-design and then came back to complete their own. 

Customers were amazed at the range of products now stocked and the choice.  “The scones are the best ever” said one very happy visitor.

By 11:00am the tills were ring with trolleys full of plants and products.  Marshalling the queue and chatting with customers was Amy Stubbs keeping the queue moving as fast as possible.  Although at one point the queue stretched back to the other side of the centre, everyone was happy, getting their 10% discount of the day and eating the opening cup cakes the tea were constantly offering to them.

As we left the centre at 1:00pm, Charles was busy collecting trolleys from the car park.  “I told them they would need more trolleys!”

Prosper Garden Centre Buying Group is delighted to announce that Henry Street Garden Centre has joined its network of award-winning centres. This strategic move aligns with Prosper’s ongoing growth plan, which focuses on strengthening its membership with family-owned independent garden centres.

Terry Head, Stewarts Retail & Marketing Director and Chairman of Prosper, commented: “At our annual strategic meeting, we identified independent, family-owned garden centres that align with our values and bring valuable experience to the group. Henry Street Garden Centre is a perfect fit, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration and excellence in the industry.”

“Now, with ten independent, family-owned businesses working together, our collective strength is more important than ever. In these challenging economic times and at the beginning of a crucial season, seeing our members unite to share knowledge, enhance efficiencies, and grow together is inspiring. We are excited about the opportunities that the addition of Henry Street will bring to the group.”

Alan Goold, one of the Henry Street Business Partners, says: “We are very pleased to become part of the Prosper Group. As a family-run business for over 100 years, we have weathered and benefited from the ever-changing horticultural industry, and we feel this is the right next step in an ever more competitive market.  We look forward to working in cooperation with a group of like-minded businesses to help benefit both our customers and suppliers going forward.”

The addition of Henry Street Garden Centre marks another milestone for Prosper Buying Group, which continues to champion excellence, innovation, and shared success within the horticultural retail sector.

Contrary to recent reports in the media of the decline of UK garden centres, leading specialist garden centre and horticultural chartered surveyor Simon Quinton Smith explains why he believes the future of garden centres is actually looking rosy.

“There has been some recent media speculation that garden centres are increasingly under threat of closure. This is just not true.

As the industry knows, Dobbies have closed some of their garden centres, and they have also gone to some of their landlords on their leasehold garden centres, to renegotiate the rents downwards.

In many cases, the landlords have refused to renegotiate the rents and in these situations other garden centres, including Squires, British Garden Centre Group and Blue Diamond have moved into these garden centres, with the knowledge that with their form of retailing, they can make good profits.

Garden centres, like many UK businesses, are under pressure due to falling volumes, and increased costs still accruing with rises in minimum wage, Employer’s National Insurance Contribution plus the increase in rates payable.

However, Britain is a nation of gardeners and although the percentage of plants sold as part of the total turnover has dropped over the years, the total amount of plants sold has not.

The reason for the drop is due to the success of other departments, particularly catering, farm shops and Christmas.   Additionally with customers coming into garden centres to view big ticket products, such as garden furniture and barbeques, and then buying online.

The weather also plays an important factor in turnover and profitability, particularly due to the increase in the amount of rain that we have been receiving at normally busy times of the year, Spring and Autumn.

There is a global community of garden centre owners, who meet every year in a different part of the world, last year in Canada, this year South Africa, and next year Germany, and it is from these trips and meetings that new ideas are learnt.  As I understand it the idea of Pet Cafés, Cappuccinos and Puppuccinos, came when a British garden centre owner saw one in Australia.

Garden centres continue to innovate, who else does Christmas quite so well?  Who has restaurants with 150 – 300 covers, often frequented a number of times a week by loyal customers?

Garden centres are not just about plants and garden sundries. There are pets, aquatics, hot tubs, country and chic clothing, farm shops and food halls. There is always a reason to go to a garden centre, whether or not you have a garden, and in this regard houseplants, which have long been a staple in Europe, have now received a resurgence in this country following Covid.

Garden centres are not just retail places, they are entertainment with children’s play centres, craft centres, gardening workshops, nature trails, and breakfast with Santa.   Anyone out there who is concerned about the future of garden centres, please don’t worry, they are here to stay.”

Leading plant pot innovator, elho, has announced a strategic expansion of its UK sales force, reinforcing its commitment to growth and market development across the country.

The newly appointed sales professionals will play a vital role in enhancing elho’s presence within the industry, fostering strong customer relationships, and furthering the company’s strategic partnerships, all while driving revenue and market share.

In the Southeast, elho welcomes James Worby as area sales agent. With an extensive background and over 14 years as a sales representative for gardening brands like EP Barrus, Garland and Rosewood Pet Products, James brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Supporting him in the region are Ollie Bedborough, Sam Bear, and Kevin Goodchild, who will assist in delivering elho’s growth plans.

The Southwest region will be overseen by Andy Harding, who rejoins the company as an agent following a previous role as an area account manager. With previous industry experience gained at Gardman and WHM Pet Group, Andy is well-equipped to drive sales and engagement for the sustainable plant pot innovator. Supporting him in this goal is Araminta Baylis, who will collaborate closely to enhance client relations and meet elho’s upcoming targets.

In Oxfordshire and Berkshire, Andy Mold steps into the role of independent sales agent. With over 40 years of experience in the sector, Andy brings deep industry knowledge and expertise to his position.

This expansion underlines elho’s ongoing investment in its people and partners, reinforcing its dedication to help its customers nationwide increase centre footfall and drive sales.

The new agents will join with elho’s existing knowledgeable team, including area managers Jonathon Holden and Shaun Wixey, and account managers Chris Buck, Adam Last and Louise Hoskins. Barry Scott continues to lead in Scotland while Ivan Ogborn executes the elho strategy for the Irish market. Nationally, the team will work collaboratively to nurture client relationships and further the offering of elho across the country.

David Nicholson, UK & ROW sales manager for elho, commented: “We’re thrilled to introduce the latest members to the UK sales team and extend a warm welcome into the elho family. With an extensive yet diverse array of backgrounds, proven accomplishments in sales and customer service, and vast industry experience, I have no doubt the new team will be a hugely beneficial asset to elho and our partners across the country.

“Our product portfolio is always expanding to give retailers a wide selection of sustainable and stylish options, I am certain that our team’s expertise and passion will continue to nurture these key accounts while helping them drive sales.”

To further elho’s commitment to its customers, the company has introduced a dedicated telephone number to allow direct access to its UK customer relations team lead, Valeria Arias. Stockists with queries or requiring information can contact Valeria on 01202 160750.

Offering a wide range of indoor and outdoor innovations, elho products are available in major garden centres and retail chains across the country including Dobbies and Tillington & Prosper buying group members.

All elho products are made from 100 percent recycled materials using renewable energy, including that generated by elho’s own wind turbine located at its headquarters in Tilburg, Holland.

To find out more about elho visit www.elho.com

The Horticultural Trades Association and the Royal Horticultural Society hosted a successful peat-free growing workshop at Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire. This event is part of a broader series aimed at supporting growers through the transition to peat-free practices.

The day featured hands-on demonstrations from the HTA’s Horticulture Technical Manager, Wayne Brough, and the RHS's Raghavendra Prasad, a respected Post-Doctoral Fellow, with talks from Charles Carr, Head of Hillier Nurseries, and Geoff Caesar, Business Development Director at Allensmore Nurseries. Attendees also enjoyed an informative tour of Hillier Nurseries with the team, which has a highly regarded reputation as a leading data-driven grower, with time for conversations and questions.

Wayne Brough, Horticulture Technical Manager, HTA, said: “Today's workshop has delivered advice and insights for our members with the practical objective to assist in the commercial adoption of peat-free growing. I hope many members can develop their ongoing on-site growing media management plans while maintaining quality and optimising their crops.”

Dr Raghavendra Prasad, Peat-free Fellow at the RHS… “The event once again showed that grower-to-grower knowledge sharing is essential for a successful and sustainable peat-free transition. One of the key takeaways is the importance of data collection at a nursery level and an understanding of the tools and equipment that can be deployed to capture this information. Used alongside growers' own expertise, it can drive better decision making, optimising results and driving efficiency in resource use, such as for water and nutrients.”

The HTA and RHS are committed to supporting growers with ongoing resources and workshops focused on sustainable growing practices. HTA Members can access in-depth reports on previous technical workshops on the HTA website. For more details on the RHS workshops, please visit the RHS Peat-Free Workshops Page.

Blue Diamond has announced the acquisition of two Dobbies Garden Centres – Harlestone Heath and Huntingdon – a move that will push the company’s turnover to over £400 million, an industry first, no other garden centre group has achieved this milestone and therefore cementing its leadership in the garden centre industry.

Both Harlestone Heath and Huntingdon will undergo major refurbishment work, including a complete overhaul of their layouts and new shopfitting. These transformations will position them as go-to garden centre destinations, with Harlestone Heath expected to reopen at the end of March, while Huntingdon will follow at the beginning of April.  The opening of these two centres will also create new opportunities for local job seekers.  For more information about the Blue Diamond experience, visit bluediamond.gg.

Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond, shared, “Harlestone Heath and Huntingdon both offer great potential, and we’re pleased to bring our unique retail experience to these locations. With our vision for their transformation, we look forward to delivering a newly enhanced shopping experience that will resonate with our customers.”

Blue Diamond also looks forward to further growth, with an additional acquisition planned for 10th March, when the Aylesbury site (formerly known as World’s End) will join the Blue Diamond family.

As 2025 gets fully underway, the team at the Greenfingers Charity are celebrating as work continues apace at four of its current garden projects – Acorns Children Hospice, Hope House, Chestnut Tree and Bluebell Wood.

Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall

The garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall started last week (10th February), marking another significant milestone in the charity’s mission to create inspiring outdoor spaces for life-limited children and their families.

This new garden has been designed by VaRa Garden Design, a talented design team known for their previous work creating a Greenfingers garden at Rainbows House in Loughborough. The team’s combined expertise in creating safe, engaging and tranquil outdoor spaces will ensure that this new garden provides a fun space and much needed comfort, respite, and joy for the children and their loved ones that call Acorns ‘home’.

Making VaRa’s vision a reality are the teams from Pleydell Smithyman, a specialist design and business consultancy, who have provided their support and expertise and Paul Taylor Landscapes who, as the appointed landscaping contractor began work this month to transform the garden, bringing their wealth of experience and craftsmanship to the project.

Hope House Children’s Hospice, Oswestry

In further exciting news, Greenfingers Charity has also confirmed the appointment of Landstruction as the landscaping contractor for its Gathering Heart Garden at Hope House Children’s Hospice in Oswestry.

Landstruction previously worked on the much- loved Greenfingers Garden at Claire House in The Wirral, will now apply their expertise to this latest project to bring CW Studios design to life. Work on this exciting new outdoor space is due to start in March 2025.

Chestnut Tree Hospice, Arundel

At Chestnut Tree Hospice in Arundel, a new kitchen garden is set to be created, designed by the renowned Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer. This garden will produce fresh food for the hospice kitchen, will be a place for children to learn about growing and a place for parents to talk. The build will be carried out by Baylis Landscape Contractors Ltd, who were previously responsible for the beautiful garden at Demelza Hospice.

Sittingbourne. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, with funding generously provided by Roger Head.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Sheffield

At Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield a beautiful new outdoor space – the Together Garden - is set to transform the area outside one of the hospice’s bereavement suites. Designed by talented landscape designers, Phil Hirst and Joanne Charlton, the garden will offer a peaceful and comforting environment for families lasting memories.

Supporting the project will be the recently appointed Jus Landscapes & Exteriors, with hard landscaping set to begin in April.

Thanks to generous sponsorship, the garden will debut at The RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse in July. Following the show, the plants along with some other elements will be carefully relocated to the new hospice garden, ensuring its lasting beauty and significance.

Coming up: new projects for 2026

• At Naomi House in Winchester, Greenfingers is embarking on an ambitious project to transform its outdoor space into a therapeutic haven. The hospice has requested the creation of sensory areas, points of interest, seating spaces, and shaded zones. With a south-facing garden that is visible from the children’s bedrooms, the aim is to design a space that brings comfort, tranquillity, and a connection to nature, offering a peaceful environment for both children and their families.
• At Haven House in Woodford Green, Phase 2 of the Woodland Walk is now being planned. This phase will focus on creating a Memory Tree and a covered seating area, which will provide a serene space for bereaved families and those facing the most difficult stages of their hospice journey to take time to reflect and remember.
• At Dougie Mac in Stoke-on-Trent, Greenfingers will also be redesigning and rebuilding its Woodland Walk to enhance accessibility for all visitors, regardless of mobility. The new design will include sheltered areas to allow the garden to be used in all weather conditions, ensuring the hospice can maximise its outdoor space throughout the year. This redesign aims to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where families can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, offering support and respite during challenging times.

Neil Sewell, Operations Director at Greenfingers Charity said: “The support from the garden designers and landscapers we are working with, as well as Pleydell Smithyman, is invaluable, and we cannot wait to see how these beautiful gardens will take shape over the coming months. With each project we undertake, we see first-hand the positive impact Greenfingers Gardens have on children’s lives, bringing smiles and precious moments to families during difficult times.”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications said: “We are thrilled to be moving forward with these incredible projects. We know that gardens play a crucial role in the well-being of children and families in hospices, providing a place of peace, reflection, enjoyment and so much more.

"These projects form part of the charity’s ongoing commitment to designing and building therapeutic gardens in hospices across the UK, ensuring that children with life-limiting conditions along with their families and carers have access to outdoor spaces tailored to their needs. Over the last 25 years, Greenfingers Charity has created almost 70 hospice gardens, each providing a unique haven for the entire hospice community."

Find out more

To learn more about the work of the Greenfingers Charity please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Steve Millington, the Chairman of LOFA, made a visit to Acorns Hospice in Walsall this week. During his visit, he handed Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers and Toby Mobberley, Volunteers Manager at the hospice, a cheque for £6,500. 

These funds will enable VaRa Garden Design and Paul Taylor Landscapes to bring The Centred Garden project to fruition at Acorns Children's Hospice. They plan to completely transform the central area by incorporating interesting plantings, play and sensory equipment for the enjoyment of children and their families, and colorful shades outside each bedroom suite, among other enhancements.

LOFA takes great pride in supporting Greenfingers and the wonderful work they do in creating enchanting gardens for children in hospices.

AutoPot has announced that its wide range of our automatic plant watering systems has attained Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Endorsed status.

We at AutoPot are immensely proud that the RHS identified with our ethos when considering our systems for their prestigious recognition. For us, the words of Cathy Snow, RHS Licensing Manager, represent a validation of our central focus on horticultural sustainability and accessibility. 

“These systems are not only good for the environment but cost-saving and highly efficient – big pluses for both gardeners and the RHS. They also support making gardening accessible to all, whether in a greenhouse or on a patio, balcony or allotment. All of which adds up to a wonderful growing and sustainability story that we are delighted to support.”

Connecting with established and aspiring gardeners has always been a priority for AutoPot. As a producer of power-free, zero-waste irrigation systems, we have long been keen to communicate the ecological and lifestyle benefits of our approach to plant care. Having an endorsement from such a trusted, go-to authority as the RHS will help us immeasurably in achieving these aims.

Our staff and our family of growers have done a superb job of conveying the potential of our watering systems in a clear yet evocative way. In many ways the RHS’ recognition is also an endorsement of their skill and dedication. For that we’d like to offer our profuse thanks.

This partnership aims to leverage AutoPot's expertise in sustainable gardening solutions, in turn supporting and enhancing the RHS’s own aims, such as promoting water conservation, sustainable practices, and greater opportunities to get growing for gardeners.

The products are available now at a wide range of outlets. AutoPot has a network of around 40 garden centres of mixed sizes across the UK. It also partners wholesalers operating out of multiple countries throughout Europe and worldwide.

The RHS logo and endorsement will be highlighted on packaging, online and on PoS material over the coming months, when demand from gardeners starts to ramp up ahead of the spring planting period.

Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming applications for Dobbies Community Gardens, offering local schools, charities and community groups across the country the opportunity to receive support for their green spaces.

The garden centre is inviting groups to get in touch with information about the indoor or outdoor green space they are looking to transform, restore or start, and what they would be looking to do with Dobbies’ support. 

Dobbies is passionate about giving back to the community, and in the last year has supported more than 350 local groups through its local initiatives.

Successful groups will get the garden centre’s help through product, tools and plant donations to help bring this community space to life and keep it blooming throughout the year. Dobbies’ Green Team will also offer volunteer hours to support each project.

Dobbies’ Operations Director, Nick Anderson, is encouraging groups across the country to apply. He said: “There are so many fantastic local groups near our stores and Dobbies Community Gardens gives us the opportunity to give something back. 

“We want to hear from all types of groups, whether it’s a school looking to build a sensory garden, a charity group trying to expand their fruit and vegetable growing project or a community group looking to rejuvenate an unused space.

“Our store colleagues are looking forward to hearing from local groups who would benefit from their support this year. We’re always looking to inspire the next generation of gardeners or offer a helping hand to those groups looking to freshen up their communal garden areas.”

Laura Joyce from Newtongrange Community Garden, which aims to help local community members who might be suffering from food poverty and give those experiencing social isolation a place to come together, received support last year and strongly encourages anyone who has a green project to get involved.

She said: “The support from Dobbies last year was invaluable to our community garden. With the product donations and gardening expertise we’ve managed to expand the garden with accessible beds, making it an inclusive space for anyone looking to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. The application process couldn’t have been easier, and it’s given us the boost we needed.”

Applications are now open. Those entering must be within 20 miles of a Dobbies’ store.

All nominated projects will be invited along to their local store for the free-to-attend Grow How session on Saturday 3 May, 10:30am, where one winning project per store will be announced.

To find out more information about Dobbies Community Gardens and to fill out an application form, visit Dobbies Community Gardens | Dobbies Garden Centres

A leading Italian manufacturer's eco-friendly plant pots and troughs available to garden retailers and growers through an exclusive UK distribution deal.

Anglo Eastern Trading has partnered with Euro3plast, a leading Italian manufacturer known for its innovation and sustainability, to supply its Greener range across the UK from 1st April.

This launch brings a new eco-friendly solution to the UK’s garden retail sector, responding to the growing demand for sustainable gardening products among retailers and consumers alike.

The Greener range is designed for environmentally conscious gardeners, crafted from 100% recycled plastics to reduce waste while maintaining the high quality and durability that retailers and customers expect. With sustainability playing an increasing role in purchasing decisions, these products align perfectly with modern gardening trends.

Well established as a trusted supplier to growers, this move into garden retail marks an exciting new chapter for Anglo Eastern Trading. By securing exclusive UK distribution for Euro3plast’s Greener range, the company is committed to supporting the industry’s sustainability goals while providing retailers and growers with innovative and in-demand products.

Richard Cox, General Manager of Anglo Eastern Trading, commented: "Sustainability is no longer a niche trend—it’s a core part of customer decision-making. By launching the Greener range in the UK, we’re helping retailers offer innovative, high-quality, and eco-friendly gardening solutions. We’re excited to introduce this range and support the industry in moving towards a greener future."

The UK's gardening industry is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainability. Recent data indicates that 36% of UK residents now cultivate their own herbs, fruits, or vegetables*, reflecting a broader trend towards eco-conscious living.

Additionally, 87% of gardeners express a desire to attract more wildlife*, leading to the adoption of environmentally friendly gardening practices.

The Greener range aligns perfectly with the modern-day consumer, whose purchasing decisions are increasingly influenced by a product's sustainability credentials.

By bringing the Greener range to the UK, Anglo Eastern Trading is giving retailers the opportunity to meet these evolving customer needs with a premium, sustainable alternative to traditional gardening containers without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Retailers will be able to explore the Greener range in person at key trade events throughout the year, including HTA Plant Show – 18th & 19th June (Stand 318), Four Oaks 2nd & 3rd September and GLEE 16-18th September

For more information on the Greener range and how to stock it, contact Anglo Eastern Trading, call 01772 673865 or email sales@angloeasterntrading.co.uk.

Haddonstone, the UK’s leading manufacturer of premium garden and architectural cast stonework, celebrates the lasting legacy of five of its original outdoor designs.

Founded in 1971, the Northamptonshire brand initially sold just seven products. Each design was lovingly handcrafted by founder Bob Barrow, working out of his modest garage.

Fast forward to today, and five of these designs remain bestsellers in the range - an impressive feat given Haddonstone celebrates its 55th anniversary next year!

Haddonstone’s commitment to producing beautiful, durable, and handcrafted cast stone products has ensured these designs not only withstand the test of time but continue to enhance gardens year after year. 

The company’s success is a testament to the vision of its founder and the dedication of the talented craftsmen who continue to bring these pieces to life.

Bob's son, David Barrow has assumed the role of Managing Director and says: “We are incredibly proud of the legacy these original designs have created. These products are symbols of the quality and craftsmanship that have defined Haddonstone for over five decades. It’s a privilege to see them continue to be loved and admired by our clients even to this day.” 

Haddonstone Plaited Basket, Elizabethan Jardiniere, Regency Urn (pictured on Regency Pedestal) and Straight 51" Seat.

Five iconic designs that have stood the test of time

Plaited Basket

A classic favourite for small gardens, balconies, traditional terraces and patios. Perfect for creating small floral displays.

Elizabethan Jardiniere

This impressive jardinière is just right for large plants and gardens. Ideal when positioned as a pair either side of a doorway.

French Urn

A replica of a French Renaissance urn, this popular planter boasts attractive entwined vine and acanthus leafing.

Regency Urn

Reflecting early nineteenth century architecture, this urn is a popular design in the Regency style.

Straight 51” Seat

A timeless cast stone seat design complete with eye-catching scrolled supports featuring grapes and vines. 

Explore the full collection at haddonstone.com or visit Haddonstone's Show Gardens.  

British garden equipment manufacturer Webb has been presented with Best Buy status by BBC Gardeners’ World magazine for its Webb Eco Mini Pruner.

Reviewed independently by a team of experts, the Best Buy award is part of the BBC Gardeners’ World ‘On Test’ feature.  Its recent test of mini chainsaws involved rating four key areas: ease of use, comfort, performance and value for money.  Marks out of five are awarded to produce a final score.

Put to the test with a range of models, BBC Gardeners’ World rated the Webb Eco WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw trimmer one of its best budget mini chainsaws, scoring it 4.6/5 for its performance and overall value for money.  Kay Maguire, Reviews Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine said: “What we like the best is that you get a very capable saw for less than £100, so we’ve awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for a budget mini chainsaw.”

Joining other ‘Best Buy’ awarded products from Webb, the Webb Eco Mini Pruner features a generous 15 cm long bar and an inbuilt chain to avoid dangerous overrun. For added ease of use, the 20 Volt tool comes with a 2.0 Ah battery and slimline charger that promises up to 40 minutes of cutting per charge. The trial describes the mini chainsaw as an affordable and capable saw for pruning tree limbs and processing firewood.

Featured in the printed issue of BBC Gardeners’ World, Best Buys are also featured online at GardenersWorld.com and promoted on social media, in prominent site placements and newsletters for increased coverage.  BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine has been the UK’s best-loved gardening title for over 30 years, with the website considered the go-to online destination for gardeners and plant lovers, now reaching more than 30 million users per year.

Mark Moseley, Webb Sales & Marketing Director, comments on this latest achievement: "Receiving positive feedback from independent reviewers is always a great validation of our brands and when it comes from such a well-respected title as Gardeners’ World it has genuine value. It reinforces the trust that retailers have in choosing to stock our products, knowing they are reliable and of high quality. For consumers, they have added confidence in Best Buy products.  As a next step, the Best Buy logo will be added to our packaging, and retailers can look forward to receiving stickers to display next to the product in their stores."

Designed for optimal performance with a super-fast battery recharge, the Webb Eco cordless pruning trimmer provides a convenient and cost-efficient alternative to traditional petrol options. Quiet to use and cordless in design, the new range offers complete freedom with no power cables to get in the way or hold you up.

To discover more about the Webb Eco range and to purchase directly, please go to www.webbgardenpower.co.uk

Plant health and biosecurity were top of the agenda as the Horticultural Trades Association hosted the ‘Protecting Our Plant Supply Chain and Your Business’ seminar, a collaborative event bringing together subject experts with horticulture retailers across the UK.

Held in partnership with Defra and APHA, the seminar aimed to highlight the collective responsibility businesses share in safeguarding the integrity of the plant supply chain, equipping delegates with the latest updates.

Pippa Greenwood, Horticulture Manager at the HTA, said: “As the trade body representing all parts of the horticultural supply chain from seeds and young plant production, right through to the horticultural retail and amenity sectors, biosecurity is key to the HTA and its members.  We want to ensure that all our members are given up-to-date information and advice, which is just part of what today’s event achieved. We’re a nation that loves plants and gardening, but what we all want and need is healthy plants, and for that, a biosecure supply chain is fundamental.”

HTA Chief Executive Fran Barnes welcomed attendees and set the scene for a packed programme of expert-led sessions. Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, got the event underway as she outlined the critical need for robust biosecurity measures to protect our environment and bolster the UK’s trade capabilities.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence said: “Protecting the nation’s biosecurity is critical to preserving our natural environment and safeguarding our trades and imports.

“We all have a part to play in maintaining our plant health status and opportunities to share knowledge and discuss current threats and issues, provide improved collaboration and security across the sector.”

The seminar programme delved into the pressing threats facing the horticulture sector. Duncan Allen from Defra outlined the latest high-risk pests and emerging challenges, arming retailers with the knowledge necessary to remain alert to any threat and subsequent actions to support businesses. APHA’s Derek McCann and Ed Birchall followed with a thorough overview of plant passporting, surveillance, and interception processes to help businesses know how to maintain compliance in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

A panel discussion moderated by the HTA’s Pippa Greenwood focused on certification schemes, with insights from industry experts like Malcolm Catlin (Plant Healthy), Wayne Brough (OHAS), and Geoff Caesar (Allensmore Nurseries) with practical takeaways for members committed to strengthening their practices.

In the afternoon, the HTA’s Dave Denny, APHA’s Lucy Carson-Taylor and Forest Research’s Emma Hinton discussed innovative strategies to boost consumer awareness around plant health. Defra’s Robert Worth introduced the Plant Health Information Service, while APHA’s Lydia Andrews explained the intricacies of importing and trading endangered plants under CITES regulations—information critical for every retailer in attendance.

The event concluded with an in-depth panel discussion on the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), particularly in the context of plant health. The panel was chaired by Boyd Douglas-Davies and featured representatives from Defra, APHA, and the HTA.

Frank P Matthews, New Leaf Plants and The Branford Webbs Plant Company welcomed customers from as far away as North Scotland and Kent to their ‘Roots to Retail’ open event last week at Evesham Football Club and New Leaf Plants. 

The two-day event included an entertaining Plantarea Masterclass by Guest Speaker, Boyd Douglas – Davies along with talks from Frank P Matthews on ‘Maximising Tree Sales’ and ‘Myth Busting Peat Free’, from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company. The HTA also launched their exciting Plant Retail Success Program at the event. 

The morning talks were followed by an inspiring visit to New Leaf Plants Production Facility and a mini trolley fair, allowing on the day orders to be made. 

“It was wonderful to welcome so many customers to this year’s event”, commented David Chilvers, Sales and Marketing Director, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company. “The level of interaction between nurseries and garden centres was really encouraging as the retailers begin to gear up for the season ahead”.

Flymo has announced the expansion of its cordless range including the new Flymo 36V UltraMow Duo.

The new Flymo cordless range expansions are easy to use and make maintaining your green space convenient and easy. All RRP are kits, sold with the battery and charger.

Flymo 36V UltraMow Duo 460 4.0ah Kit - RRP £499.99

Embodying convenience and ease, the innovative design of the new Flymo 36V UltraMow Duo 460 uses double the blades and half the effort. Created for larger gardens with a maximum cutting range of 46cm. Installed with an added PowerBoost function, thick and dense grass is no match for this mower. Battery efficiency is maximised to allow users to cut the entire lawn on one charge. 

18V Cordless EasiSaw 250 Kit - RRP £239.99

The new 18V Cordless EasiSaw 250 can slice through branches and firewood alike. The automatic chain lubrication system reduces friction and extends the life of the saw. The cordless EasiSaw removes any concern of cut wires, and the convenient hand grips make the saw easy to use. 

Flymo 18V EasiBlowVac Kit - RRP £229.99

Tired of storms ruining your green space? The new Flymo 18V EasiBlowVac will remove leaves and tidy the garden effortlessly. With a quick mode change option for users to switch between vacuum and blow function, clearing up unwanted foliage is hassle-free.

Flymo 18V SimpliTrim 250 Kit - RRP £99.99

The last step to a tidy garden is to trim the borders of your lawn. The new Flymo 18V SimpliTrim 250 is just 2.1kg, making it lightweight and transportable around gardens of any size. This 2 in 1 trimmer can be switched to edging by simply using the button on the handle and rotating the cutting head. The adjustable front handle reduces any strain that it takes to trim borders and edges. 

Flymo 18V UltraTrim 300 Kit - RRP £189.99

The Flymo 18V UltraTrim 300 can tackle dense and overgrown lawn edges with the added PowerBoost function. The heavy duty 2mm line makes this trimmer durable while delivering consistent and clean cut results. The integrated plant guard protects any flowers from being affected by the trimmer, so that lawn borders can be maintained with ease. The automatic battery and line indicator help you trim your grass to a high quality without the hassle. 

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Grass Gains, the innovative lawncare brand transforming the UK gardening retail market, has announced the appointment of Steve Harper as its new Managing Director, effective April 1st, 2025. 

Harper, formerly CEO of Southern Trident and Chair of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, brings a wealth of industry experience and a strong track record of delivering sustainable growth and innovation.

With a distinguished career in the horticultural sector, Harper has been a leading voice in responsible sourcing, sustainable gardening, and driving new product development. His leadership at Southern Trident saw the company establish itself as a major player in the peat-free growing media market, and his work with the Responsible Sourcing Scheme has been instrumental in shaping sustainable practices across the industry.

Steve Harper expressed his enthusiasm for joining Grass Gains: “I am incredibly excited to be joining Grass Gains at such a pivotal moment for the business. The team is bringing a fresh, whole new approach to lawncare that resonates with modern UK gardeners who want effective, sustainable solutions. I look forward to working with the team to build on their success, grow the brand, and continue to make a real impact in the market.”

Grass Gains has quickly established itself as a disruptor in the lawncare sector, offering innovative solutions tailored to today’s environmentally conscious gardeners. With Harper at the helm, the company is poised for strong growth, reinforcing its position as a market leader.

Rob Landymore Co-Founder of Grass Gains, welcomed Steve’s appointment: “Having Steve on board is a huge step forward for Grass Gains. His experience, industry insight, and passion for sustainable innovation will be invaluable as we continue to expand.”

Henri Lansbury Co-Founder of Grass Gains, added: “We are looking forward to an exciting period of growth and development, and Steve’s leadership will be crucial in driving the business forward over the coming months and years.”

Neil Barwise-Carr, former Head of People and Culture at Yorkshire Garden Centres, has been promoted to the position of Director of People and Culture to lead a team of 573 people across seven sites.  

YGC Chairman, David Stanhope, said: " Neil has been with the business for six years and, in that time, he has made a considerable contribution to the group. He joined when we had just the one site at Tong and quickly made his mark by launching all of our values, reward and recognition, inductions and appraisals. Neil then oversaw the recruitment of our team at our second site at Tingley, followed by the integration of the teams at Stephen H Smith, Dean's and latterly Dobbies Pennine as we acquired new businesses.

"We hope that Neil's promotion and appointment to the board continues to demonstrate our commitment to our team. Neil's voice at our board table will be a vital one, and he is there to champion our people."

Mr Barwise-Carr said: "After 22 years in the HR / People and Culture profession, I am proud and humbled to be promoted to Director of People & Culture at Yorkshire Garden Centres. 

"I've always worked hard to make a difference in every role, doing the often-invisible work that really drives change, growth, and engagement and shapes a business. I have grown the People and Culture function at YGC along with my fantastic team, who are an integral part of my success. I'm looking forward to having a voice on the board and shaping the future of our amazing teams at all seven sites."

The People and Culture Team has recently been announced as finalists in two categories of the British HR Awards, which celebrate organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class people experience.

The Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres, Dean's York and Scarborough and the former Dobbies Pennine site at Shelley near Huddersfield.

Entries are now open for The RECOUP Awards 2025, recognising outstanding achievements in plastics resource efficiency and recycling, contributing towards a more circular plastics value chain. 

With new categories added for 2025, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the innovative and inspiring projects and initiatives that have helped to drive the industry forward and lead to a more sustainable future.

The awards are FREE to enter with entries welcome from all relevant organisations and individuals looking to be recognised for their work and initiatives under the following award categories: 

• Plastics Industry Champion 
• Plastics Circularity Project of the Year
• Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology
• Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use
• Recycled Plastic Product of the Year

To find out more about the awards categories and apply for the awards, please visit the RECOUP website https://www.recoup.org/recoup-awards-2025/ and complete the entry form by the 27 June 2025 deadline. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact RECOUP at enquiry@recoup.org . The winners will be announced at The RECOUP Awards Ceremony and Networking Dinner on Wednesday 24 September, at the Holiday Inn Peterborough – West. Spaces for the dinner are limited with tickets already on sale through the RECOUP website https://www.recoup.org/recoup-awards-2025/.

The RECOUP Awards Ceremony and Networking Dinner is followed by The RECOUP Conference on Thursday 25 September with sponsors including WRAP and Ecosurety. Registrations are now open for the day-long event, once again being held at Kingsgate Conference Centre, Peterborough.  Attracting hundreds of delegates each year The RECOUP Conference draws together stakeholders, NGOs, Local and National Government bodies and organisations from across the plastics and wider sustainability value chain, to network, share best practice, and get the latest updates from the plastics value chain.

Attendance remains FREE to members, with early-bird discounts available to non-members for a limited time only. To book your ticket for The RECOUP Conference please visit the RECOUP website, https://www.recoup.org/news-events/the-recoup-conference-2025/.

Sponsorship packages are still available for both the awards and conference, offering organisations an invaluable opportunity to showcase their products and services in front of the most influential people in the plastics resource and recycling value chain. For more information about sponsorship packages, contact RECOUP Events and Membership Manager, Rebecca Davis, rebecca.davis@RECOUP.org

The week of 15 to 23 March is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of spring for just £1 at Royal Horticultural Society Gardens thanks to this year’s National Lottery Open Week.

Open Week is the National Lottery’s annual celebration of players. It is a way for National Lottery funded venues to say thank you for the £30 million raised for good causes every week by offering free entry, discounts and exclusive deals at attractions across the UK.

During National Lottery Open Week, visitors to the any of the spectacular RHS gardens – RHS Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, RHS Harlow Carr in Yorkshire, RHS Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and RHS Wisley in Surrey – who present a digital or physical National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win game will pay just £1 admission per person for up to four people.

And it couldn’t be a better time to visit – spring at RHS Gardens is a very special time. There are pockets of vibrant colour, from bright blue pushkinias to luscious yellow daffodils. Some early star magnolias and cherries can also delight visitors in early Spring.

Young visitors can enjoy the interactive Guess How Much I Love You™ trail in all five gardens, bouncing, hopping and stretching their arms wide like Little Nutbrown Hare, while exploring colours, textures and shapes and learning about nature, growing and the changing seasons.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has supported the RHS Gardens in many important ways, including free gardening activities and events in local communities. The restoration of the historic laboratory at RHS Wisley and the creation of a centre for horticultural science and learning were also made possible via a grant from the Fund.

For more information on the RHS’ National Lottery Open Week, please visit the website.

Warm, sunny days have been ordered as the countdown begins to this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair. This annual celebration of seasonal gardening, growing, food and drink returns to Beaulieu, the New Forest home of the National Motor Museum, from 2-4 May 2025. Keen gardeners, aspiring good-lifers, food lovers and holidaymakers alike flock to Beaulieu in their thousands for garden inspiration and ideas to take home, new plants, tasty food and drink, and a great day out.

There’s a bumper crop of new surprises to mark the popular event’s fifth anniversary. Headline sponsor Hillier’s large, woodland-themed feature garden takes centre stage and is sure to inspire. A colourful herbaceous display sets the scene, with stepping stones leading through soft pastel planting to a sun-drenched gravel garden and stream. Moving into cool shade, the garden transitions into a woodland display with tall tree ferns, deep greenery and mature trees. The Hillier Experience offers plant information a-plenty, 1:1 advice pods, a large shop and new plant launches. Charles Carr, Hillier’s Head of Wholesale Nurseries, will be sharing expert plant advice at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage and Subscriber Club Lounge.

The BBC Gardeners’ World campaign for 2025 is Make a Metre Matter. Supported by BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World TV series, the Magazine, events and digital platforms, Make a Metre Matter encourages gardeners to transform a metre of outdoor space to support wildlife, biodiversity and edible plants. Multi award-winning garden designer, Pip Probert, from BBC 2 Your Garden Made Perfect will create an exciting collection of metres for the Spring Fair, all designed to inspire visitors to make their own small but meaningful changes for the good of the planet. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine launches Make a Metre Matter in March, featuring creative ideas for planet-friendly metres in its spring and summer editions. Gardeners across the UK are invited to join the campaign by creating their own special metres and sharing their designs. A selection will feature in a special edition of BBC Gardeners’ World on 13 June, recorded at BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC Birmingham.

New for 2025 is The Spring Table, an eye-catching space for seasonal food, drink and tablescaping inspiration, hosted by BBC food broadcaster, Chris Bavin. Luke Holder, chef director at the New Forest’s five-star Lime Wood Hotel will be sharing delicious, no-cook dishes. Mixologists from The Pig will be preparing plant-based tipples at ‘make and taste’ cocktail masterclasses. Mushroom-growing experts, Lorraine and Jodie Caley from Caley Brothers, will be showing how to make pickled mushrooms for a delicious addition to antipasti platters or charcuterie boards. Floral designer, Jordan Weston (The Bearded Botanist), will be introducing the elegant art of Ikebana flower arranging. Pre-book an exclusive seat or drop by to watch and learn.

Carol Klein will make her Spring Fair debut this year. The BBC Gardeners’ World presenter will be live at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage on Saturday and Sunday, sharing seasonal gardening advice and chatting about the Make a Metre Matter campaign with the Magazine’s editors. Adam Frost will be Friday’s guest presenter and Arit Anderson joins the fun on Saturday. Adam Frost, Carol Klein and Spring Fair Plant Expert, Lucy Chamberlain, will be signing copies of their books each day.

There’s more garden gossip to be had at the exciting new ‘In Conversation With’ Stage sponsored by egg, Cracking Energy, hosted by garden podcaster and writer, Adam Kirtland (@viewfromthepottingbench). This informal, drop-in stage features a daily programme of relaxed chats with acclaimed horticulturalists and gardening personalities. Guests including August Bernstein (The Raymond Blanc Gardening School), Jason Williams (Cloud Gardener UK) and Kelly-Jane Leach (@dirtygardgarden.with.kimenhoe) who will be discussing life in and out of the garden. The ‘In Conversation With’ Stage is surrounded by the Spring Fair’s inspiring show gardens, plants and specialist nurseries.  

For visitors wanting to get hands-on, learn something new or develop their skills, there’s a packed daily programme of hands-on workshops. New additions this year are Willow weaving workshops and Forging demonstrations with Dingle Forge, plus the ever-popular Spring Bouquet Floristry with award-winning flower farmer, Kim O’Brien (@garden.with.kim) and Mushroom Growing Masterclasses with Caley Brothers. All workshops are bookable. Spring floristry fans will also find free, daily tablescaping demonstrations at Beaulieu’s Palace House.

This year’s new Arena highlights are the New Forest Tractor and Engine Club’s collection of vintage Land Rovers, tractors and mini steam engines, and the Beaulieu-based Countryside Education Trust, celebrating its 50th anniversary with coppicing workshops and some four-legged friends. For younger visitors, there are daily falconry displays on the Palace House lawn, and the Little Beaulieu adventure playground, Monorail Skytrain and woodland walks to explore.

With its impressive Showcase Gardens, College Gardens and Beautiful Borders, the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair is bursting with achievable ideas for outdoor spaces big and small. The Showcase Gardens include The Lighthouse Community Garden designed by Poole-based Matt Evans from The Garden Room Living & Landscape Design Studio, in association with Elliots. This coastal garden represents Lighthouse Poole, a multi arts venue that nurtures the creative arts and culture. The garden features a symbolic lighthouse, an important pillar of the local community, acting as a guiding light through good times and bad. Salisbury-based designer David Long’s creation, From Darkness to Daylight, portrays a journey of imposter syndrome, from self-doubt to being ‘good enough’.

In an extended College Gardens competition, students from Capel Manor, Kingston Maurward, Merrist Wood and Plumpton Colleges, mentored by award-winning garden designer Cherry Carmen, will create budget-friendly gardens inspired by the theme of ‘Nature’s Art within the Garden’. If you’re keen to give your own garden a makeover but don’t know where to start, theAssociation of Professional Landscapers’ Landscaping and Design Drop-In Clinic offers expert garden design advice.

Throughout the weekend, Spring Fair Plant Experts Lucy Chamberlain, Saul Walker, Bob Sweet and Beaulieu Head Gardener, Kelvin Yapp, will be hosting guided tours of Beaulieu’s Victorian Walled Kitchen Gardens and Ornamental Gardens (bookable). There are drop-in tours of the Abbey Cloisters Herb Garden with the Beaulieu garden team too.

The Spring Fair’s Beautiful Borders competition features a collection of mini show gardens by local garden designers, charities and community groups. The competition is designed to spark ideas for small gardens and tricky spaces, with every entry packed with clever design features, colour and planting. This year’s creative theme is ‘Cultivating Connections’, inspired by the power of garden spaces, no matter how small, to foster meaningful connections of all kinds.

The Living Well Garden by Totton-based Kate Pomeroy for the charity Diabetes UK explores how thoughtful design can cultivate health, balance, and vitality for managing diabetes. Flori’s Garden by Becky Hall from Norwich-based Bumble Bee Gardening is a place of calm and connection for three-year-old Florence, who lives with severe neurodevelopmental difficulties, and her family. The Time Together Garden by Headley Dad, Jonny Coller and eight-year-old son, Inigo, from Floreat Garden Design, represents the unique ability of gardens to bring different generations of a family together and forge strong bonds across ages. There are further Borders by Minstead Trust, a New Forest charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, and Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey.

Don’t forget your shopping list! There are plants a-plenty at every turn with over 30 specialist plant nurseries and growers to browse and buy from, plus more than 100 retailers selling high-quality garden accessories, furniture, tools, equipment and garden décor. For hands-free plant shopping, volunteers from Maggie’s Cancer Care in Southampton will be hosting a Plant Crèche and Wheelbarrow Porter Service. Donations welcome!  

Packed with seasonal flavours, the Good Food Market brings together a wide array of artisan food and drink producers offering tempting treats to taste, buy and take home, street food vendors and live bandstand entertainment. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscribers and Hillier Gardening Club members can enjoy the exclusive Club Lounge, featuring daily talks by the Magazine’s editors with special guests, a Hillier 1:1 plant advice pod, refreshments and additional seating. Access is subject to capacity, with seating available on a first come, first served basis. There’s an additional VIP Lounge for VIP Extra ticket holders.

Lucy Tremlett, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World events, said: “Beaulieu is a wonderful location and we’re really looking forward to celebrating the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair’s fifth birthday there in May. Visitors can look forward to exciting new highlights along with the impressive Hillier Experience and much-loved Showcase Gardens, College Gardens and Beautiful Borders. We’re mad about gardening and growing, and it gives us real joy to see visitors laden with plants for their exciting spring and summer gardening projects. With its beautiful backdrop, inspiring gardens, expert advice, fun workshops and more, we’ve got everything you need for a great spring day out – not forgetting great food, drink and live music too!”

Rachael Goldstraw, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Beaulieu Enterprises, said: “What a pleasure to be welcoming the wonderful BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair and its green-fingered visitors back to Beaulieu for this very special year. From non-gardeners and beginners to experienced experts, there’s always a real buzz with so much to see, do, buy and take home, plus all of Beaulieu’s many attractions to enjoy too. So come along and admire the gardens, soak up the atmosphere and spend the day with us!”

Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2025 are on sale now at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com. Prices are from £17.00 and include access to Beaulieu’s extensive grounds, gardens and attractions, like the National Motor Museum and Palace House. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome in the outdoor areas.

New and beginner gardeners are the focus for the Royal Horticultural Society’s National Gardening Week 2025, which this year takes place from 28 April to 4 May.

The RHS’ annual celebration of all-things gardening, which highlights the many benefits of a gardening lifestyle for people of all ages, is focused this year on inviting the gardening-curious, first-time and new gardeners to create and maintain their unique green spaces with individuality, confidence and success.

There are around 30 million gardeners in the UK including both regular gardeners and those who garden from time-to-time, with new gardeners getting their hands in the soil every day.

RHS National Gardening Week 2025 activities will include the ultimate guide for beginner gardeners, tips, ‘How To’ videos and easy gardening challenges to help keen gardeners to develop a lifelong love of gardening.

RHS Director General Clare Matterson says, “Creating your first outdoor garden or starting out as an indoor ‘plant parent’ can be daunting. This National Gardening Week, the RHS is throwing its support behind new and curious gardeners as they embark on their journey. Every day during National Gardening Week, we’ll be offering practical tips on how to get started and how to succeed. People get a deep feeling of accomplishment when they grow a plant. We want all gardeners – and their gardens! – to flourish from the very beginning.”

When it comes to gardening, everyone has an individual style, a unique lifestyle and different needs, and this can be reflected in your garden. The RHS wants to help first timers create a garden that works for them and their personal space.

“Some people travel a lot for work and need low maintenance plants. Some people have dreams to live in an indoor plant jungle but have very little natural light in their house. Some just want a fabulous Zoom backdrop when they are working from home. We are here for all these people and more,” Clare Matterson added.

For more information, please visit National Gardening Week | RHS / RHS.

Shinfield Garden Centre, now under British Garden Centres' ownership, reopened this weekend, with many shoppers visiting to see the changes and the new store. The refurbished centre and restaurant were busy with customers early on, with queues of people snaking around the car park wanting to shop for their gardens, cementing the site as a valuable addition to the local community.

Shinfield Garden Centre in Hyde End Road, Reading, has reopened after being acquired by the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group. Celebrity gardener David Domoney and Labour MP Yuan Yang from the Earley and Woodley constituency officially cut the ribbon to open the store, which was soon full of eager gardeners and families waiting to explore and see the changes.   David also gave a standing room only talk on the ideal plants for spring, as well as providing garden inspiration that visitors could take home and implement in their outdoor space.

The new store offers plants, sundries, garden accessories, homeware, gifts, and the Fern Living outdoor furniture range, which is exclusive to British Garden Centres. On hand are friendly staff to provide advice and inspiration to make sure your outdoor space is the best in the Thames Valley.

The opening weekend also saw hundreds of eager shoppers sign up for the Family Card, which will see them receive exclusive offers and invites to exclusive events throughout the year.

The centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users, has plenty of free parking, and even offers a home delivery service for larger items. Shinfield Garden Centre is also dog-friendly, with many bringing their four-legged friends along, too.

Emily Bartholomew from British Garden Centres said, “We’re thrilled to join the Shinfield community and were so happy to see the local residents come out in force to the reopening of the much loved store. We aim to make our site not just a garden centre but a local destination. Whether seeking plant advice, browsing garden furniture, or enjoying a cup of tea, we hope you’ll love what we have done with the store.”

Photo credits: Paul King and BGC

Dr D.G.Hessayon, who died in January aged 96, will go down in history as the most successful gardening author of all time, despite never having appeared on TV or done a book signing.

His ‘Expert’ series of more than 25 paperback titles, the first of which, ‘Be Your Own Gardening Expert’, appeared in 1959, accrued sales of more than 50 million copies(in 17 different translations) until they finally went out of print in 2014, casualties of the internet era.

The Doc, as his colleagues knew him, first rubbed shoulders with the garden industry when he joined Pan Britannica Industries (PBI) as chief chemist in 1955. He talked his employers (manufacturers of a host of top-selling products such as BabyBio plant foods and Toprose) into funding a new gardening guide on the understanding that if it flopped, he would repay them. Thanks to its down-to-earth no-nonsense, hands-on style, an emphasis on concise easy to follow text and detailed line drawings, it was a runaway success. When further successful titles followed, PBI were only too happy to assume the role of publisher, by which time he had climbed through the ranks from technical manager to manging director (and later, chairman from 1972 until his retirement in 1993).

He chose a deliberately old fashioned look for every ‘Expert’ book, each laid out to his own designs, arguing that substance was way more important than coffee-table style. His target readers were people who primarily needed their gardening problems solved.

On his retirement, Transworld took over as publishers, curating a series acknowledged as the UK’s best selling series of books of the 1990s. They estimated that one in three households owned an ‘Expert’ book.

The Doc’s achievements were widely recognised in both the book publishing and gardening worlds. In 1993 the RHS awarded him the Veitch Memorial Medal for his outstanding contribution to horticulture and he received the first Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Book Awards. The Garden Writers’ Guild handed him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He was appointed OBE in the 2007 New Year Honours.

Among his few personal appearances was a visit to a Garden Centre Association annual conference dinner during his 80s. His one and only book signing was at his local garden centre – an experience he later said he hated.

Despite his somewhat reclusive lifestyle, particularly after the death of his American wife Joan (a novelist) in 2001, the Doc was a keen self-publicist, sending out preview copies of each new title to journalists signed ‘Best wishes – Dave’. I can thus count myself  among the owners of a greeting from a remarkable, enigmatic and influential figure in the history of our industry.

Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre has commenced works that will see the transformation and modernisation of its indoor retail area. The project marks the third phase of redevelopment at Notcutts Woodbridge, creating a modern destination for customers to browse, shop and dine.

It follows on from two recent phases of development at the garden centre which have included a stylish restaurant and a new outdoor plants canopy area.

This phase of redevelopment will include a newly built front entrance and retail space, alongside a complete refit and reconfiguration of the current indoor area with new lighting, flooring and customer walkways throughout.

Once complete, Notcutts Woodbridge will increase its indoor retail space by 205 square metres and will offer a wider selection of clothing brands, homeware, gifts, furniture and houseplants. A new pet care area will also be introduced, stocking a range of pet food and supplies.

Since 2019, Notcutts Woodbridge has launched a spacious restaurant with alfresco dining terrace, a restored nature walk, inspirational show garden, outdoor plant canopies, and a welcoming new entrance area from the car park. The latest project demonstrates Notcutts’ commitment to investing in its original garden centre site – one of the first purpose-built garden centres of its kind in the UK, opened by Charles Notcutt in 1958.

Andrew Ingleton, Property Director at Notcutts, is overseeing the redevelopment project in partnership with local building contractor Dash Developments.

Andrew said: “Woodbridge has always been at the heart of Notcutts. While the garden centre has evolved many times over the years, we are keen to continue enhancing the experience for visitors today and for future generations.

“We are excited to embark on this next chapter of redevelopment, which will completely transform the indoor retail area. Once complete, customers can enjoy a more spacious and modern experience with beautiful displays, greater product choice, and easier accessibility throughout.”

Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman and Great-Granddaughter of Notcutts’ founder Roger Crompton Notcutt, said: “Our project in Woodbridge illustrates our commitment to diversifying our retail offer and investing in our original garden centre site, while maintaining our passion for plants and gardening at our core. We look forward to unveiling the transformation and sharing our vibrant indoor retail area with visitors in the year ahead.”

The redevelopment will be a year-long project, completed in gradual stages to minimise the impact on customers. The garden centre will remain open as usual throughout.

The project will also incorporate various energy-saving and sustainability initiatives including wall, floor and roof insulation and a new roof designed to support solar panels in the future.

Founded in Woodbridge in 1897, Notcutts operates 19 garden centres nationwide. For more information, visit www.notcutts.co.uk.

In order to ensure that everyone can fully immerse themselves in the SOLEX Exhibition the organisers have secured Special Hotel Rates for Exhibitors & Visitors who wish to attend the exhibition and stay overnight on Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th or Wednesday 9th July.

For the exclusive price of £100 per room, per night, including breakfast, exhibitors and visitors can take advantage of this offer and enjoy a comfortable stay while attending the exhibition.

Don't miss out! Follow the link to book your stay at The Moxy, Crowne Plaza, The Genting and The Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport   BOOK NOW

N.B. Hotel rooms are subject to availability. Offer only available from 1- 31 March 2025.

SOLEX Exhibition 8-10 July 2025 NEC, Birmingham

#hotels #exhibtion #online #offer #deal #solex #solexexhibtion #outdoorliving

It’s officially the wild bird fledging period in the UK and these delicate young birds have special feeding needs. Honeyfield’s resident wild bird expert Simon Smethurst, who is head of sales at Honeyfield’s, is here to help. He has put together some tips and advice for retailers to share with customers, to help their precious garden fledglings thrive. 

“Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest but still rely on their parents for food, said Simon. They require a diet rich in protein and fats to support their rapid growth, feather development, and increased activity as they learn to fly and forage.

“Feeding them is a delicate yet rewarding task. It gives you the opportunity to open dialogue with your customers to guide them on the best choices, to make their gardens as fledgling friendly as possible.”

Simon has written the following top tips for retailers to share with their customers:

• In the wild, parent birds provide fledglings with insects, larvae, and other protein-rich foods, but human intervention can help when natural food sources are scarce or when supplementing bird populations in their garden.
• Suet blocks and pellets are excellent options for supporting fledglings. Made from fat and enriched with seeds, fruits, and insects, suet provides concentrated energy that fledglings need to fuel their development and maintain body warmth.
• Mealworms are a highly attractive and nutritious source of protein that mimics the insect’s fledglings naturally consume.
• By providing supplementary foods, you not only help fledglings survive but also encourage biodiversity and provide birdwatching opportunities.
• Place suet blocks, pellets, and mealworms in easily accessible feeders or on flat surfaces near sheltered areas where fledglings can safely eat.
• To ensure the safety of fledglings, avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as bread or processed items.
• Ensure a consistent supply of fresh water for drinking and bathing.
• Remember that cats are a danger to fledglings and birds’ nests. If possible, try to keep your cat inside until the fledglings have finished feeding and left the garden. It’s best to do this until the birds have moved on.

“By understanding and addressing the nutritional needs of fledgling birds, you can play a vital role in supporting their transition to independence while fostering a thriving local bird community.” said Simon. 

Honeyfield’s suet blocks and suet pellets are premium, energy-rich feeds designed to support wild birds, especially during demanding periods like nesting and fledging. Packed with essential nutrients, they provide long-lasting energy, helping birds thrive. Easy to use and highly palatable, they will attract a variety of species to your garden.

By choosing Honeyfields, you actively contribute to the health and vitality of local bird populations, fostering a vibrant natural environment all year round.

The range is competitively priced for consumers to be able to feed the best, while retailers can benefit from good margin structures and introductory stocking incentives.

To find out more about the Honeyfield’s range visit: https://www.honeyfieldswildbird.co.uk/

GTN February 2025. GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Special issue: Christmas Greatness Awarded at Spring Fair, Retailing at its best – GCA Conference Awards, Forging ahead with UK Firepits, Christmas through the eyes of a Greatest Awards judge, Greatest Christmas Award Winners including: Birkacre, Gates, Brigg, Cook’s, Munro’s, Coolings, Monkton Elm, Pugh’s, Alton, Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Newquay, Harrogate, Webbs, Ruxley Manor, Polhill, Studley, Perrywood, Baytree, Notcutts Solihull, Wolesely Bridge, Albrighton, Glendoick, Garsons, Castle Gardens, Wentworth, Old Railway Line, Arcadia, Newbridge, Gouldings, Poundbury, Bents, Rivendell, Sanders and many more, Moments of Christmas Brilliance, 10 years at Greenfingers for Linda Petrons, New Plants Galore at IPM Essen, Politics doesn’t matter – EHG Column, Focus for 2025 – HTA Column, Adapting to changing climates – LOFA Column, A year of reset and growth? – GIMA Column.