The garden industry has been saddened by the news of the death of former GIMA President Peter Field, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday 11th January at the age of 81. 

Peter remained a passionate gardener until the end. He had recently moved to a new home in Yapton, West Sussex, and was enthusiastically making plans for the garden design (not afraid to use his 20-plus years as an industry stalwart for a cheeky discount on tools and plants). 

Peter came to the garden industry late in his career, and having dipped his toe in the water with sales roles for other companies, he formed his own Garden Innovations Ltd in 1996. 

Having established a successful range of products, he threw himself into the role of representing fellow suppliers and manufacturers. He was a Director of GIMA from 1999 to 2013, where he made many friends, and was a voice for the small business (his arrival for committee meetings in his white van, was a familiar sight, at the Birmingham offices). He was deeply honoured to serve as GIMA President in 2008/2009.

Peter was also a champion of the Greenfingers charity to which he devoted a lot of his time and energy.  From its early days he helped organise the sale of obsolete industry stock to benefit the cause, as well as creating ‘Greenfingers’ versions of his own products. He was a Trustee for many years, retiring as voluntary treasurer in 2018. He tried to be as hands-on as he could, visiting many of the children’s hospices where Greenfingers had helped create gardens. 

Age and ill-health prevented him from doing more, but it was a mark of his level of commitment that he was invited and accepted, to become an Honorary Member of the charity.

He leaves Mary his wife of 45 years and two sons, Duncan and Gregory.

For information about Peter's funeral please contact greg.field@garden-innovations.co.uk

The teams at GIMA and the Greenfingers Charity are sad to learn of the passing of Peter Field, a man whose passion and dedication helped to shape both organisations.

Founder of the Garden Innovations brand, Peter was a highly recognised face within the garden retail sector. This was further cemented when he joined the GIMA Council in 1999, staying in place until 2013, as well as becoming GIMA President in 2007/2008.

Peter’s passion for gardening also saw him play an integral role in the growth of the Greenfingers Charity. The early days of the charity saw Peter fundraise by selling obsolete stock, and in latter years he was a Trustee and voluntary treasurer, retiring from the role just six years ago.

With so many from GIMA and Greenfingers having known Peter and worked alongside him, the news of his passing has seen many share their thoughts on the man they knew.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall: “Peter was a great supporter of GIMA, serving time as a GIMA Council member and went on to be our President in 2007/2008.   As a fellow Council member at that time, I had the privilege of seeing first-hand how this true inventor and entrepreneur shared his passion for our industry, and he leaves a legacy that is far reaching.  The whole team at GIMA would like to extend their condolences to Peter’s family at this sad time. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.”

Richard Jackson, Founder President of Greenfingers Charity: “I was so saddened to hear that Peter has passed away. He was a wonderful man, so kind and generous, and he was a tireless ambassador for Greenfingers as well as the gardening Industry. Peter supported Greenfingers with great gusto from the very start of the Charity and he championed it tirelessly through some very challenging times.  He was a joy to be with and we will greatly miss him.”

Sue Allen, Chair of the Greenfingers Charity: “As the current Chairman of the Greenfingers Charity I must express our sadness at losing a dedicated and inspiring supporter who played such an important role in the development of our charity.  On a personal level and having worked with Peter on the Board for many years I can genuinely say it was always a delight meeting the many challenges we experienced with such a positive and forward-thinking man whose passion for gardening and his belief in what could be achieved shone through. We must give our thanks for Peter’s love and support of Greenfingers and offer our sincere condolences to his family.”

Neil Gow, ex-GIMA Director, in role during Peter’s tenure as GIMA President: “Peter was a true old school gentleman of the industry. He was absolutely determined to always do things the right way and was a constant support, guiding hand and listening ear during my time as GIMA Director. I will forever be grateful for this time, advice and laughter. My deepest condolences to his family at this terrible time.”

Hozelock’s Chris Ramsden, current GIMA Council member: “I was very sad to learn of Peter’s passing.  I knew Peter for many years especially during his time as a member of the GIMA Council. He was a lovely man, always a true gentleman and highly respected by all. I admired him for ‘going it alone’ and for making a success of his own business.  I know a great many people in the industry will miss him, including myself, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.“   

Sipcam’s Nigel Thompson, a fellow GIMA Council member and ex-GIMA President: “What I remember the best and also the most about Peter was his sheer determination and commitment – there was a time he faced a lot of difficulty, but he never ever gave up and always (literally!) showed up. Those values and attributes say a lot and mean a lot.”

Jackie Eades, Head of UK at Dymak, and ex-GIMA Council member: “Peter was such a lovely gentleman, always had time to help and mentor.  He was a great inspiration and support when I joined GIMA council and will be sadly missed.  My thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Spencer Goodall, ex-GIMA Council member: “Peter was a gent and great company! He was always ready to offer advice or help if he could.”

Find out more

Any businesses interested in joining GIMA are invited to contact the GIMA team on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk. Full details regarding GIMA’s multiple member benefits can be found at www.gima.org.uk

Sipcam Home & Garden, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the home, pet, and garden care markets, has announced the appointment of Ian Renshaw as Area Sales Manager. 

Supported by Sipcam Oxon, an international specialist in crop protection, Sipcam Home & Garden has an unrivalled network from which to utilise innovative technology and expertise to serve retail partners in the UK market. 

Bringing unique home and garden solutions to the gardening and pet market, the growing team offers the flexibility and character of a small business from the security of a large group. With a continuous focus on innovation across product categories, recent new product launches for brands such as ecofective, SPOT-ON and Patio Blast will now be backed with new sales resource and valuable experience that Ian Renshaw offers.

Ian brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the industry, making him a valuable addition to the Sipcam Home & Garden team. Ian has a vast career in the garden, gift and horticultural sector and is a well-known, well-liked face in the industry. He has worked with several leading businesses such as Stewart/Keter, Panacea and Keith Newmark. Ian has a proven track record delivering excellent customer service and sales growth for retailers in these roles, and working independently as a sales agent.

Nigel Thompson, Head of Sales and Marketing at Sipcam Home & Garden said: “I have worked with Ian on two previous occasions and am delighted he is joining this exciting adventure here at Sipcam Home & Garden. Customers really trust and respect Ian immensely, so this coupled with his hard work ethic will, I am sure, mean Ian will be a great success. Our customers are in safe hands with Ian. We are delighted to have him here.” 

Ian will be responsible for selling the entire Sipcam brand portfolio, which now also includes the FITO & GET OFF brands, recently acquired by Sipcam Oxon. Sipcam Home & Garden provide quality assured, cost-effective solutions to help deal with the common problems and tasks in and around the home and garden. 

If you are a garden or pet retailer talk to the Sipcam team today at enquiries@sipcamhg.co.uk about how their unique home, pet, and garden solutions can grow your sales!

Having been trading successfully for 15 years Waspinator has been acquired by Super Ninja, a Dutch company specialising in sustainable pest control products. The two businesses will operate as one under the new name of Super Ninja/Waspinator UK Ltd.

The synergy between the two businesses make for a perfect combination of sustainable pest control products.

Super Ninja’s flagship product is the Super Ninja Fruit Fly Trap which is now the world’s number one bestselling product for getting rid of Fruit Flies. Our traps are used in both domestic and commercial locations, controlling Fruit Flies that are now the most common pest in UK environments with over 60% of gardeners reporting them as a nuisance.

Along with their Fruit Fly Traps Super Ninja also offer products to sustainably control: Plant Flies(Fungus Gnats), Clothes Moths and Silver Fish.

Waspinator will continue to be the leading UK product, acting as a scarecrow for wasps with No Chemicals, No Maintenance, No Mess and No Dead Wasps.

Stock of both products will be warehoused and dispatched from a location in the UK.

Andy Strachan, a veteran of the home, garden and pet industry, has announced his retirement after 37 years of service.

Andy began his career working for Erin Marketing and Richard Grimmer during the late 1980’s, where he would go on to sell compost, barbecues, hanging baskets, furniture, and more.

With the founding of LeisureGrow in 1999 (which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year), Andy was instrumental in the rapid growth of the business through his unwavering dedication to his customers and an unparalleled expertise for the industry.

His commitment to excellence is evident in every customer interaction, fostering trust and long-term relationships, as well as inspiring a positive and collaborative spirit between his colleagues.

Andy plans to spend his retirement between Marlow next to the rolling Chiltern hills, and with his daughter and family in Morzine on the border of France and Switzerland.

Richard Grimmer, Chairman of LeisureGrow Products LTD, said: “Andy’s retirement is a well-deserved rest to a lifetime of service. While we are all sad to see him leave, he will always be part of the LeisureGrow family.”

A leading garden furniture supplier has warned that the industry faces massive problems if urgent action isn’t taken soon.

Jack Whiteley, Chairman of Katie Blake, claims that outdoor furniture suppliers to garden centres are experiencing the most difficult time ever.

“At Solex in July last year we all came away feeling good about 2024, buyers were looking forward to the new season and we and they were very happy. At Katie Blake having sourced and designed a whole selection of new products we were excited for 2024. Unfortunately, due to poor weather, the economy, the Government, and a myriad of other reasons the stock they all expected to sell before the end of the season didn’t sell and is currently sitting in warehouses across the country. 

“Now it’s January 2024 and the centres have still not placed orders for the coming season, that’s a huge mistake! The consumer will still want to buy garden furniture and we wonder how long that 2023 stock is going to last and how quickly the centres can replace it. Most Far East factories have been struggling as sales of outdoor furniture worldwide have been down and most of the factories laid off their staff to survive. That means that production is going to be much slower than it was remembering that many of the products require highly skilled workers and new untrained ones, without the necessary skills, will make production a lot slower. Add to this in the middle of February, only four weeks away, Chinese New Year which includes the other Far East countries such as Vietnam, take four weeks holiday celebrating New Year.

“Workers who are migrant go a long way home to be with their families, this has gone on for years. So, if orders are not placed now it’s going to be impossible for anyone to get supplied until way into April and May and definitely after Easter.

“Right now, we have a problem with shipping due to the Houti Pirates closing the Suez Canal and everything is going via the Cape of Good Hope adding two weeks minimum to the shipping time. It’s about 6 weeks now, normally four, so given there are no orders in the pipeline it’s going to be a long time before you are going to see any Garden Furniture. Sure, we have massive stocks in the Far East and here, but it’s never going to be everything you want. if we are lucky and can get a ship, which are becoming difficult to get as the lovely shipping lines have reduced the number of ships to force prices up, it’s going to be a long wait. 

“So, garden centres are going to have to do something quickly otherwise the Internet traders will take even more business than they do now. Don’t allow that to happen ensure you have stock to sell and get your orders placed now. It’s a high margin sale with lots of profit so make sure you’re not left behind which at the moment seems to us that’s the case.”

GIMA has confirmed that its annual awards ceremony – one of the most anticipated nights of the year – will take place on November 7th at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales.

This new winter scheduling reflects the changes occurring within both the gardening season and the exhibition calendar. With many brands choosing to debut new products later in the season, the new November date is a celebratory end to what is hoped to be another thriving year for garden retail.

Commenting on the new timing of the 2024 GIMA Awards, GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “The timing of the GIMA Awards Gala Dinner has been knocked back by a fortnight from the previously published date to reflect the recent changes announced by Glee.  We feel that our new November date is also the perfect time to herald the close of the season and celebrate our members’ success, and I am sure our attendees will support this move ahead of this year’s edition of the GIMA Awards.”

Entry to the GIMA Awards 2024 will open in March, with brands afforded nine weeks to complete their entry, with the end of May marking the closing date. From here, it will be the judges’ job to decide the winners, with the judging day returning to Warwick Racecourse on July 9th and 10th. 

GIMA key dates for your diary

While the GIMA Awards might be the glittering jewel in its events calendar, several in-person key dates throughout the year also draw the crowds. From fundraising to networking and the value of education, GIMA’s wider calendar of events is not to be missed. Key dates for your diary include:

• February 20th - Garden Press Event, Business Design Centre, London 
• March 14th – GIMA Day Conference, Horticulture House, Chilton, Oxon
• May 10th - GIMA AGM (virtual)
• June 6th – GIMA Golf Day, Belton Woods, Grantham
• July 9th/10th – GIMA Awards Judging, Warwick Racecourse
• November 7th – GIMA Awards Gala Dinner, Celtic Manor Resort

In addition to the above, GIMA have a full schedule of virtual webinars and workshops to keep members updated and informed on key business and industry topics.  Visit the GIMA events page for a comprehensive list of events. 

Find out more

For further information regarding the GIMA Awards 2024, including sponsorship opportunities and the association’s complete diary of events, please get in touch with the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) releases its comprehensive market update report for December 2023 and the full-year state of trade review. Access and participation in gardening statistics are also included this month, using the results of our Annual Consumer Survey to provide unique industry insights.

As reported throughout 2023, the horticultural sector faced record-breaking weather extremes, from the driest February in 30 years to the hottest June on record. December continued the trend, with mean temperatures and rainfall more than two times higher than in December 2022. Yet, garden centres showcased remarkable resilience, finishing the year with sales up by +2% compared to the previous calendar year.

Despite the delayed start to the gardening season in 2023, with garden/gardening categories finishing -1% down on 2022, notable exceptions included bedding plants, which saw a surge of 12% and catering and food/farm shop sales maintained strong growth, finishing at an impressive +23%.

Focusing on the December state of trade, overall Garden Centre sales were up +2% compared to 2022, with a significant +12% on indoor plants. Catering sales were also up +21% versus December 2022, counteracting weaker Christmas sales (-7%) likely impacted by the current economic climate and still witnessing the effects of COVID-19, which likely altered product replacement cycles on categories like lights, decorations, and artificial trees. ​ Garden centres may also face competition from discount retailers on these products, which may have held a greater share during the current tough economic climate. However, it is worth noting that real Christmas trees were +7% in November 2023 versus November 2022, suggesting trees were purchased early.

Fran Barnes, CEO of the HTA, said: "In a year marked by extraordinary weather events, the horticultural sector adapted to the challenges to maintain positive growth. The dedication of our retailer members and the continued support from customers have been instrumental in navigating the unpredictable landscape.

“The year-end review reveals a nuanced performance across categories. While garden/gardening sales saw a modest decline of -1%, catering sales surged by +23%, indicating a shifting consumer focus. Christmas sales, influenced by economic factors and evolving consumer behaviour, experienced a slight dip of -7%, with notable variations in subcategories.

“Despite lingering uncertainties, consumer confidence showed an overall pattern of improvement throughout 2023 despite remaining in historically negative territory, ending the year 20 points higher than December 2022. 

“As we begin 2024 with consumers less pessimistic about their finances, businesses will likely continue planning for extreme weather events more regularly and looking at ways to maintain profit margins amidst pressures on wage bills, shipping costs and interest rates.”

Supplementing this month’s report are some insights from the HTA's annual consumer tracking survey on access to and participation in gardening. In the December 2023 consumer survey, over 9 in 10 UK adults reported having access to some outdoor space for gardening. Most people (78%) have their own private garden, which has remained stable over the last few years. The number of people without access to a garden has also remained stable. However, with the increased cost of living causing higher rents and mortgages, owning your own home may become more unaffordable for younger generations, which could significantly impact the gardening market.

Fran Barnes suggests: "As we look to the future, businesses will explore products and positioning that cater to the evolving needs of renters and homeowners alike. With around 13% of individuals having small gardening spaces, portable solutions and low-cost ideas for these consumers present exciting opportunities for innovation."

For more detailed insights and analysis, including access to the gardening survey results and year-end review, HTA members can log in to the website.

Catering once again dished up the best figures in the Garden Centre Association’s December 2023 Barometer of Trade (BoT) report with outdoor plants and houseplants also doing well.

Up 18.18%, it was the top performing category recorded by GCA member garden centres last month, excluding the miscellaneous section. It was closely followed by outdoor plants at +17.71%.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO explains: “On my visits to garden centres in December it was clear our members were very busy and this has been confirmed with an excellent trading result to finish the year.

“The figures show a year-to-date variance of +2.93% and that nine of the GCA’s 13 categories recorded by member garden centres saw an uplift during the month.

“Once again food is leading the way, with both catering and the food hall/farm shop categories doing well, the latter up 10.76%, making it the third best performing category last month.”

The next category that did well in December, when compared to the same month in 2022, was houseplants at +7.22%, followed by gifts +5.44%, then hard landscaping +4.86%, garden sundries +1.82% and Christmas +1.48%.

Peter adds: “It’s great to see hardy plants and houseplants nicely on the up, as well as the two main festive categories, Christmas and gifts in a positive position. It’s also always nice to see an encouraging figure for the year as a whole.”

According to December’s BoT results, sales of clothing were down slightly to -1.77%, pets and aquatics at -1.89%, seeds and bulbs at -5.96% and furniture & BBQs -16.92%.

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Now available to order from British garden equipment manufacturer Webb, is the new cordless garden machinery Webb Eco range of garden machinery with long-lasting interchangeable advanced 20v Lithium-ion technology, for a more sustainable and versatile gardening experience.

Now available from British garden equipment manufacturer Webb, is the new cordless garden machinery Webb Eco range of garden machinery with long-lasting interchangeable advanced 20v Lithium-ion technology, for a more sustainable and versatile gardening experience.

Designed for optimal performance with a super-fast battery recharge, the new Web Eco cordless garden machinery range provides an eco-friendly 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. Furthermore, as all tools within the range have been designed to be used with the same, easily interchangeable 20v battery, valuable savings can be achieved in running costs.

Featuring a cutting-edge range of lawnmowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, pruners, tillers and garden blowers, the innovative new Webb Eco range incorporates Lithium-ion batteries which hold their charge and don’t degrade in storage, which is an important consideration for choosing garden tools which may not be used daily.

Lightweight and durable, all products in the Web Eco range can be easily stored in a garage or a garden shed, ready to use with minimum effort.

With no emissions and lower running and maintenance costs than petrol equivalents and no power cables to contend with, the new Webb Eco range gives you the freedom to complete a range of garden chores easily and effortlessly.

To discover more on the Webb Eco range and to purchase direct at trade pricing, go to www.handys.co.uk

Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds has appointed a new CEO with global brand building experience.

Michael Yates was formerly Chief Operating Officer at the Ceuta Group, a leading provider of end-to-end commercial outsourcing services for health and wellness companies and also previously held Managing Director/Senior Vice President positions for Procter & Gamble, the US headquartered, multinational branded consumer goods corporation, in Hong Kong, China, South Africa, Germany, Ukraine and the UK.

With 25+ years of international experience he brings an unrivalled understanding of building successful brands in today’s complex global marketplace and aims to capitalise on Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Limited’s strong reputation and customer loyalty to drive the future growth of the business.

He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead a talented, experienced and dedicated team that is amongst the most knowledgeable and respected in the gardening and horticulture sector. I am excited by the enormous potential of the business and look forward to steering it through the next stage of its growth and development both in the UK and globally.”

Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Limited was founded in in 1978 in Newmarket where it still has its headquarters. It also has subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand, where it has grown to be the market leader. The group sells its brands through over 5,000 outlets worldwide, including both national and independent retailers, direct-to-consumer platforms and e-commerce sites. Strategic distributor relationships extend the group’s international reach into other markets.

The business employs more than 220 people and generates annual revenues in excess of £40 million.

Yates added: “During the Covid pandemic, record numbers of people got into their gardens and experienced the health and wellness benefits of being outside in the natural environment. At Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds, our mission is to bring the joy of gardening to both experienced and novice gardeners. Whilst many of our brands have been enjoyed and trusted by gardeners for over 100 years, we are also keen to ensure we move with the times and communicate with existing and new customers in creative and meaningful ways.

“It is an exciting time to be joining such a well-loved business and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our brands with new and innovative products. I firmly believe we can both grow the category as well as increase our share of this £multi-billion global market.”

Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Limited – and a number of other related businesses within the Chelsea Group of Companies which Yates will also lead - has been wholly owned by the family of funds within Harwood Capital Management Limited since August 2023 (‘Harwood’). Harwood is a leading investor in SMEs and lower-mid market companies across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Jerry Wilson, Partner at Harwood Private Capital, said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Michael’s undoubted calibre to be the new CEO and have every confidence that he will lead the dedicated team to further growth and global success. I also want to pay tribute to the work of Trevor Parker, a highly experienced specialist adviser to private equity backed firms, who did a sterling job as an interim leader, which allowed us the time to conduct a thorough and extensive search for the individual who could take on the CEO role on a permanent basis.

“Harwood is a long term, considerate investor committed to supporting our portfolio companies to realise their full potential and we are confident that with this appointment Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds will do just that.”

Teams at two West Yorkshire garden centres are celebrating after their themed Christmas parties raised over £2,000 for their charity of the year.

The Grass Hoppers team at Tong and Tingley Garden Centres hosted two ‘Grinchmas' playtime parties in their Grass Hoppers soft play centres as part of their fundraising campaign for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The parties included play time, a meet and greet with the Grinch and his elves, access to the disco room, food and a toy of the child's choice.

"We're really pleased that the contribution of these unique party sessions raise our fundraising total to £16,860 of our target of £19,000 for the year," said Caroline Ellis, Group Play Manager.

"Thank you to RMS Toys, Padgetts Toys, Potts Bakery and Atlantic Workwear for their generous donations that meant that we had more money to donate to Yorkshire Air Ambulance."
 

Tong and Tingley Garden Centres are members of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family that also owns the former Stephen H Smith's Garden Centres in Otley and Bingley.

Through a series of fund-raising events and collection boxes at the tills, Yorkshire Garden Centres hope to raise funds for the independent charity that relies solely on the donations of individuals and organisations to provide its lifesaving rapid response emergency service to five million people throughout Yorkshire.

British brand RocketGro has been shortlisted for the Environmental & Sustainability Award at the prestigious Somerset Business Awards 2024.

The announcement is a great way to kick-off what is already set to be an exciting year for the homegrown business. The theme of this award also strikes at the very core of RocketGro’s ethos as a game-changing peat-free, sustainable business.

As organisations become increasingly aware of their environmental responsibilities, the Environmental & Sustainability Award aims to recognise those companies or individuals in Somerset that demonstrate a positive and long-term impact on the environment within their business.

Judges for the category will be looking for evidence that shows how entrants have improved environmental performance, implemented an efficient use of resources, or supported sustainable development/environmentally-friendly schemes.

RocketGro boasts an impressive 24-strong portfolio of premium peat-free growing products, including its flagship Magic Mulch, best-selling Fruit & Veg Compost, Seed & Cutting Compost, and Multi-Purpose with added John Innes.

Just last year, the famous River Cottage brought RocketGro on board as its exclusive compost supplier, praising the Somerset manufacturer’s products for their performance, long-lasting fertility powered by microbes, and local, sustainable production, which includes powering thousands of homes via an on-site biogas plant.

All RocketGro products are chemical free, 100% organic approved, British grown, sourced and manufactured, and are the by-product of renewable energy production. Packaging is also 100% recyclable.

Managing Director, Toby Thomas said: “We are so proud of our business and what we have achieved in just a few short years. RocketGro is the most eco-friendly compost producer at scale in the UK today and this recognition from the panel of judges at the Somerset Business Awards adds further weight to the good work we are doing to produce quality peat-free compost and growing media products in a 100% sustainable way, leaving an almost carbon neutral footprint. In fact, business-wide carbon neutrality for RocketGro should be achieved this year, which is no mean feat for an emerging business.”

The winner of the category will be announced at the Somerset Business Awards in March during a black-tie celebration – the largest event of its kind across the county – at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare.

Find out more

If you want to learn more about RocketGro or are keen to discuss adding its product portfolio into your 2024 offering, please contact Toby Thomas (hello@rocketgro.co.uk /07936 928 981) or Andy Abraham (andy@rocketgro.co.uk / 07446 937902). View the full range and discover more about the RocketGro story at www.rocketgro.co.uk

David Austin has joined forces with iconic British pottery brand, Emma Bridgewater to design a mug honouring its joyful Bring Me Sunshine (Ausernie) English rose. The partnership supports the National Garden Scheme charity that sees a £5 donation being made with each mug sold.

Chosen because of its mood-boosting apricot and golden yellow colouring that translates beautifully onto pottery, the Bring Me Sunshine Half-Pint mug is an exclusive creation that celebrates great British craftsmanship and the country’s many glorious gardens.

It will be available to purchase directly from Emma Bridgewater, David Austin Roses or as part of David Austin’s new gift box that comes with the mug, a National Garden Scheme A5 notebook and a voucher for any David Austin rose, with Emma Bridgewater directly donating £5 to the National Garden Scheme for every mug sold.

Additionally, David Austin has announced another first for the same charitable cause. In a one-weekend-only event on 15th and 16th June 2024, it will open the gate to the private gardens of Mr Austin Senior’s red brick farmhouse home in Shropshire. The ticketed event will see £10,000 of proceeds donated to the National Garden Scheme with tickets available here.

“As huge admirers of Emma Bridgewater’s work, we’re thrilled to not only see one of our most popular roses adorned onto the mugs but also dovetail our efforts, to support a charity that we each value greatly,” said David Austin.

With over 3,500 mesmerising gardens across the UK, the National Garden Scheme welcomes garden enthusiasts into the most special and lovingly tended private gardens and raises funds for vital health charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie and Parkinson’s UK with over £3.4 million donated in 2023 alone.

“I believe that David named this rose for his late father,” said Emma Bridgewater.  “My Dad died in December 2023, and he too loved Morecambe and Wise, which I regularly watched with him as a child. They were anarchic in a gentle way but I didn’t appreciate the subtleties, instead I remember loving it when my father relaxed and laughed with Eric and Ernie, without needing to follow or comprehend all that they were up to.   

“And so I empathise with the impulse that prompted David to name this glorious golden rose after a song which is forever associated for him and for so many of us with the sound of happy fathers, laughing.”

GTN December 2023 - January 2024 - Sustainability Directory Issue with 36 pages of sustainability news, features, ideas and directory listings plus much more.

• Handing over the GCA baton. GTN Interviews Tammy Woodhouse.
• Get ready for Glee in September 2024
• Finalists and voted for contenders in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards
• GTN’s Sustainability Directory 2024
• The last bag of Miracle-Gro peat compost
• Sustainability News
• Responsible Sourcing Scheme update
• GIMA Awards Sustainability Champions
• GCA Westland Rising Stars Sustainability projects for 2023
• Ecoveritas and EPR compliance
• LifestyleGarden makes a world of difference
• Sustainable feeding from Westland Peckish
• A more sustainable supply of houseplants from Horti House
• Timber displays the full potential
• Strengthening natural defences with Waspinator and SuperNinja
• GTN’s sustainability Directory listings for 2024
• Embracing sustainability - LOFA Column
• Environmental milestones - HTA Column
• Spring Fair Preview

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

The Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) has launched its inaugural Accelerator Programme, designed to empower and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the horticulture industry. 

YPHA invites interested individuals and organisations to express interest in becoming either headline partners or delegate sponsors in this groundbreaking initiative.

The Accelerator Programme, set to be unveiled at the prestigious Garden Press Event, aims to provide young professionals in horticulture with often overlooked skills, resources, and mentorship to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. The programme will foster innovation, collaboration, and lateral thinking, aligning with YPHA's commitment to nurturing talent and driving positive change within the horticultural community.

Opportunities for Partnership:

Headline Partner: YPHA is actively seeking a headline partner to collaborate closely in shaping and promoting the Accelerator Programme. As the face of this transformative initiative, the headline partner will enjoy prominent brand visibility, exclusive networking opportunities, and a chance to make a lasting impact on the future of horticulture.

Delegate Sponsor: YPHA welcomes organisations interested in supporting the development of individual delegates through sponsorship. Delegate sponsors will contribute to the success of the Accelerator Programme by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and other valuable resources. This is a unique chance for businesses to invest in emerging talent while enhancing their corporate social responsibility efforts.

Expressions of Interest:

Interested parties are invited to reach out to YPHA to express their interest in supporting the Accelerator Programme. Opportunities for partnership are limited, and YPHA encourages early engagement to secure a role as a headline partner or delegate sponsor.

For more information contact:

Natalie Porter- YPHA Founder and Co-President

hello@ypha.org.uk

The Keukenhof flower exhibition will open its doors on 21 March 2024. Preparations for the opening are in full swing behind the scenes and the schedule for all the flower shows and events has been substantiated.

The 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park and this spring Keukenhof once again looks forward to welcoming visitors from the Netherlands and abroad.

It's going to be an exceptional year as Keukenhof will be celebrating its 75th anniversary with a festive season including an anniversary exhibition and other activities.

Keukenhof will have a stand providing information on the coming season from 24 to 26 January 2024 at the Fitur | IFEMA Madrid. Please come and visit us at our stand: Travel Trade Holland Stand; Hall 4; 4C10A.

Fleuroselect has presented its latest Gold Medal winners! During last year's annual trial, these breeding breakthroughs obtained an outstanding score in innovation, beauty and garden performance, and convinced our judges to award the coveted Gold Medal. Keep an eye on these winners!

Coreopsis tinctoria
Corusco Cream-Red
Van Hemert & Co.

Looking for a distinctive, early-flowering plant to style your garden? Coreopsis Corusco Cream-Red from Van Hemert & Co is a true must-have for your garden. Showing many cream with burgundy flowers, this innovative dwarf variety is a very welcome addition to the existing Coreopsis range. Corusco Cream-Red is low-maintenance, attracts bees and butterflies and is drought tolerant. This new winner with striking colour combination and compact plant shape can be enjoyed as of early spring throughout summer.

A Gold Medal winner symbolizes a breakthrough in breeding. Our judges praised the unique, eye-catching colour combination and the early flowering habit. This brand-new Coreopsis is not only suited for direct sowing, but also for easy production of young plants in pots and containers. Corusco Cream-Red, a striking and sustainable addition for the spring garden.

Corusco Cream-Red is suited for both professional production and home gardening. Growers will appreciate this seed-raised Coreopsis for its cost-effective and sustainable production process as it can be grown in small pot sizes at low temperatures. Retail will marvel over its sparkling colour combination which will surely stand out on the benches. Corusco Cream-Red not only performs well in containers on the patio, but also looks spectacular in beds and fields. Home gardeners will be amazed by this Coreopsis tinctoria that brings colour to the garden early in the season, attracts pollinators and needs little water. 

Lobelia erinus F1
Masterpiece Blue with Eye
Benary

Looking for a striking summer performer which is easily produced? Masterpiece Blue with Eye from Benary is the first F1 Lobelia from seed on the market that can truly keep up with vegetative F1 hybrids in terms of performance. This Lobelia flowers very early with larger, striking blue flowers with a white eye and displays a well-formed, mounding plant habit. Masterpiece Blue with Eye truly stands out thanks to its excellent heat tolerance in summer and impressive field performance. This winner not only looks at its best in beds and fields, but is also very suitable for pot and container production.

A Gold Medal winner stands for a breakthrough in breeding and Masterpiece Blue with Eye absolutely fits the bill. The jury praised the luminous and eye-catching innovative colour and was impressed by the early flowering and strong garden performance. The flexibility of seeds in terms of sowing combined with the outstanding performance of cutting-raised varieties and intense blue large flowers is a true breeding achievement indeed.

Growers will appreciate the flexibility in ordering compared to cuttings, fast delivery and attractive price of this seed-raised Lobelia. Sowing is easy thanks to the availability of pelleted seeds. With a short crop time of only 12-14 weeks and a very early flowering habit, Masterpiece Blue with Eye enables a maximal growing capacity in the greenhouse. The compact plants are easy to ship and save space on the trolley. Retail appreciates the larger flowers in the key colour, over the pot and container sizes. Consumers will love this variety because of the excellent heat tolerance, impressive summer performance regardless of the weather conditions and versatile use in beds, pots and mixed containers. 

Greeningup, a global provider of greening solutions for architects and urban landscapers, has joined as Sapphire Sponsor for the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2024.

Organised by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and founding partner FloraCulture International (FCI), the IGOTY Awards celebrate the best of the best in ornamentals production. The awards comprise five categories: Finished Plants & Trees, Young Plants, Cut Flowers & Bulbs, Sustainability, and Young International Grower of the Year.

Greeningup is sponsoring the Young Plants category of the awards. This category recognises best practice and innovation in cuttings, plugs, liners, seedlings, etc., which are sold for growing on. Specialising in living green modular walls, Greeningup utilises quality plants to produce walls that both look beautiful and offer solutions to climate issues.

Michelle Gray, Head of Operations at Greeningup, said: “Greeningup Limited is absolutely thrilled to present the prestigious Young Plants Award at the highly anticipated International Grower of the Year Awards. With a bold and undeniable commitment to the promotion of sustainable practices, we are honoured to recognise the exceptional individuals and organisations who excel in nurturing and cultivating young plants. This award is a testament to the innovative approaches, unwavering dedication, and passion for greener landscapes that these deserving winners embody. As we gather to celebrate the remarkable achievements in the horticultural industry, we proudly support and applaud those who pave the way for a flourishing and sustainable future.”

The winners will be announced at the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards Ceremony on 23rd January 2024 at IPM Essen, Germany. Prior to the ceremony, AIPH will host a seminar titled ‘Seeds of Success’ which features keynote speaker Ynzo van Zanten and a panel of past IGOTY winners.

Tickets for ‘Seeds of Success’ and the Awards Ceremony cost only €75 (incl. VAT) per person. Groups of five tickets are available for the discounted price of €300 and groups of ten for €600. To secure your place, visit the AIPH Website.

DIY and garden tools brand, Einhell has joined BHETA. Founded in Germany in 1964 and established in the UK in 1999, the company is widely promoted to consumers and is well known for its interchangeable battery system capable of supporting a wide range of vital power tools.

The UK arm of Einhell is based on Merseyside and covers the UK and Eire. All Einhell products come with a two-year guarantee backed by a comprehensive after sales service with spare parts and accessories available 24 hours.

Lee Martin, BHETA’s sector manager for DIY and garden, said: “Einhell is a well-known consumer brand with a proactive promotional programme and big ambitions in the UK market. BHETA welcomes its expertise in the consumer-facing DIY market.”

For more information about BHETA and the retailer networking, market data, lobbying and business support opportunities it offers, contact Lee on PHONE NUMBER or view the website at www.bheta.co.uk.

Notcutts have announced the appointment of Jane Gray as their new Marketing and Customer Experience Director. Jane previously held the position of Marketing Manager at Notcutts and, with this appointment, steps up to join the company’s Executive Leadership Team.

Prior to joining Notcutts in 2018, Jane worked with a number of other organisations in marketing, PR and commercial positions. These included roles working as Marketing and Publicity Director for Warner Bros. on brands such as the television show ‘Friends’ and film franchise ‘Harry Potter’; and as Marketing Executive for Suffolk Marine Safety developing digital and non-digital sales and marketing strategies. Jane has also previously set up and run a luxury retail florist in Suffolk.

Commenting on her appointment, Gray said: “I’m delighted to take up this new role and lead this next important phase of Notcutts marketing and customer experience strategy. The Notcutts brand is one I’ve worked with for some time now and I’m looking forward to leading its onward development and the new opportunities ahead. As a family-owned business, Notcutts has wonderful values and a culture that I’m so pleased to be a part of.”

“This is a particularly exciting time for the business with new, wider marketing opportunities presented through our new CRM system. Notcutts made the switch to a predominantly digital marketing focus in 2020 and our investment in this new CRM platform will support both a greater understanding of customer buying patterns and more targeted customer experiences,” said Gray. “We also intend to push on further with our strategy of widening our reach to new audiences through social media platforms and online communities.” she added.

Commenting on this new appointment, Nick Burrows, CEO, said: “Jane brings a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to this role, and I am delighted to have been able to make this internal appointment. Personal and professional development of our colleagues is an important part of our company culture at Notcutts and Jane was nominated for and is a current participate on the Alitus Executive Programme for senior leaders in Suffolk as a result. I look forward to the positive impact and strategic vision Jane will bring to the future development of our marketing and customer experience strategy.”

Above: Sarah Squire, Chairman, Squire’s Garden Centres (centre), with colleagues. 

Squire’s Garden Centres has launched a new community gardening  programme, ‘Love Where You Live’, which provides a £5,000 fund to support the valuable work of  projects within communities close to its centres.

The initiative will seek to assist up to seven community gardening projects in local areas that exist to educate, grow  produce or provide  health and wellbeing benefits through horticulture.  Applications are invited from projects, initiatives or organisations that bring communities together through their work.  The awards will give financial support and practical advice so initiatives can make a significant step forward - or become a reality - within the communities they serve.

The £5,000 fund will be split into seven awards made up of three £1,000 awards and four awards of £500.   Projects selected will be confirmed mid-March and scheduled to run throughout spring and summer, culminating at the end of July 2024.  Awards made will be in the form of Squire’s vouchers so recipients can choose plants, tools and other gardening supplies according to their own needs. Projects will be selected from those close to Squire’s 16 garden centres, so colleagues can offer appropriate support.

To be considered, projects must be within a 10-mile radius of a Squire’s Garden Centre and be able to demonstrate a clear benefit to the wider community. Greater weight will be given to projects that are  accessible to anyone in the local area, but spaces benefiting a group with particular needs may be considered. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the project will be well maintained beyond the award period.  Interested organisations are invited to make applications via Squire’s website until 29 February 2024.  

Above: Squire’s ‘Love Where You Live’ community-based gardening programme. 

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: “Supporting the communities we serve has always been at the heart of our business.  Squire’s is about bringing plants and people together and our new award programme ‘Love Where You Live’, will celebrate this. 

“Being outside and gardening have long been a source of benefit to mental and physical wellbeing. There has certainly been an increase in communities coming together in recent years through horticulture as it provides a positive platform for good. We are confident our ‘Love Where You Live’ programme will deliver much-needed assistance to local projects.

“These awards continue our support of our communities and will work alongside our long standing and successful ‘Charity of the Year’ programme, which sees each of our 16 centres working with one local charity for the duration of a year. In collaboration, our garden centre teams and their nominated charities work together raising funds through a series of initiatives ranging from raffles, collection boxes, charity events as well as through physical challenges like climbing Snowdon or a charity run. Over the years our teams have raised some fantastic amounts for their chosen charities, given back to the community, had lots of fun and importantly, forged some long-standing relationships with our charity partners and the community.”

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has compiled a list of plants to correspond with Pantone Color Institute’s Colour of the Year 2024.

 ‘Peach Fuzz’ was the colour selected for the 25th year of the programme, which the Institute believes conjures an image and feeling of “our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”

For gardeners planning to use this signature colour there is no shortage of peachy tones and textures to be found in horticulture, whether in the delicate petals of spring favourites such as Narcissus ‘Waldorf Astoria’, or the late summer beauty of Dahlia ‘Labyrinth’, or even indoors on a flowering cactus.

‘Peach Fuzz’ was found to be a match for colour 26D in the RHS Colour Chart – the tool for documenting plant colour worldwide. Curators of the RHS Herbarium have matched Pantone Peach Fuzz to a list of plants which can be grown in a range of spaces, big and small. Gardeners can experience the warmth and joy of ‘Peach Fuzz’ simply by introducing a few of these top ten matches into their gardens and homes:

1. Chrysanthemum 'Salmon Enbee Wedding': a half-hardy perennial that grows to 1m in height, with divided foliage and sprays of single flowers whose rays are yellowish-pink tinged with light coral pink, and creamy-yellow on reverse.

2. Dahlia ‘Labyrinth’: a tuberous-rooted perennial with dark green foliage. Its large, flamboyant flowers, up to 20cm across, have peachy petals, gently curled and twisted to reveal the darker pink undersides, and are produced from mid-summer to the first frost.

3. Kniphofia ‘Toffee Nosed’: Ideal for sunny banks and borders these exotic looking hardy perennials have slender leaves and ivory flowers turning a light toffee brown at the tips. Flowers between June and September and grows up to 100cm.

4. Lilium rosthornii: a Chinese lily, with soft golden-orange blooms, which has only become available in recent years. Easily and readily grown in light- or part-shade in a humus-rich soil.

5. Narcissus ‘Waldorf Astoria’: A double daffodil with large flowers in mid spring. These have three rows of broad, white petals, interspersed with shorter, pinky-orange corona segments. Enjoys full sun or partial shade in a moist but well-drained position.

6. Potentilla fruticosa 'Daydawn': A spreading, bushy deciduous shrub to 80cm tall, with small, pinnate leaves and saucer-shaped pale yellow flowers tinged yellow and pink, from early summer to early autumn

7. Rebutia 'Apricot Ice': a hybrid rebutia cactus, comprising barrel-shaped stems with soft, hair-like spines, and large, star-shaped orange blooms, which fade to apricot-pink. Easy to grow and makes a great beginner’s houseplant.

8. Rhododendron 'Hanger's Flame': a dazzling and lightly scented variety of the much loved shrub, with orange flowers that feature a slightly more golden tint on the upper lobes. Flowers in May and June.

10. Rosa JOIE DE VIVRE ('Korflociol'): A small shrub reaching about 60cm in height. It flowers repeatedly through the summer and autumn. The scented blooms are double and rosette in form with a peachy pink and cream colour. Needs a moist but well-drained position in full sun.
11. Verbascum 'Tropic Sun': A tall perennial – reaches up to 1.5m - developing from a rosette of large leaves. The flowers are yellow flushed with peachy-orange with a red eye.

For more information about the RHS herbarium and plants detailed above visit www.rhs.org.uk

Retailers who sell pond plants are being advised to stop selling plants named as Gunnera manicata because of the likelihood that many plants under that name are the result of crossing with G.tinctoria, which is banned from sale.

Under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 G. tinctoria cannot be sold. A recent research paper published by the Royal Horticultural Society asserts that all G.manicata in trade is either the cross between G.manicata and G.tinctoria, or misidentified G. tinctoria. Defra has confirmed that these hybrid plants should therefore not be sold. OATA’s advice also therefore covers Gunnera × cryptica which is the name of the hybrid plant.

“Our advice to retailers is to not stock or sell any giant Gunnera species because, unless their suppliers can prove provenance, it may be a hybrid species,” said OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“Defra has informed us that the cross of G. manicata and G. tinctoria is banned from sale because hybrids of a parent that is banned, in this case G. tinctoria, are also banned under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. Although legally, G. manicata can still be sold, we advise it is removed from sale because it is highly unlikely to be pure and it is very difficult to accurately identify young plants.

“We are currently working with DEFRA to understand the invasive potential of the cross and whether trade restrictions are justified.”

OATA recommends the following Gunnera species are not sold:

• G. tinctoria (old name G. chilensis)
• G. × cryptica
• G. manicata (old name G. brasiliensis)

It is important to check the plants you are selling are correctly labelled and match the species sold.

OATA is also aware that there continue to be sales of Gunnera tinctoria – which is illegal to sell. If these are spotted they should be reported using OATA’s online reporting tool on its website. https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/report-a-problem/ 

The latest paper on the topic can be found: An investigation of large-leaved Gunnera L. (Gunneraceae) grown outside in Britain and Ireland | Sibbaldia: the International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture (rbge.org.uk)

The latest paper on the topic can be found: An investigation of large-leaved Gunnera L. (Gunneraceae) grown outside in Britain and Ireland | Sibbaldia: the International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture (rbge.org.uk)

Read the previous RHS paper here and another published on Plos One here.

Following on from the success HydriaLife received at the GIMA Awards in late 2023, we are proud to launch our new 2024 product range. See these for yourselves and meet us at the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair from 14th - 17th January (stand H152, Queens Suite).

Our award-winning Hydria water feature kit breathed new life into water features in 2023. This rechargeable, remote-controlled kit turns any pot into a mesmerising water feature in minutes, adding the restful sound of flowing water into your home or garden with its peaceful ambiance.

Enhanced by unique interchangeable fountain heads, captivating built-in LED lights, and a wide range of accessories, it offers a tailored water display experience. In addition, we are excited to announce the launch of our new range of Hydria add-ons, designed to further customise and enhance your water feature experience. These innovative additions, alongside our existing products, showcase our commitment to continual improvement and customer satisfaction.

At the forefront of our 2024 lineup is the Hydria 2-in-1 Fountain, a comprehensive retail solution. Priced at £199, this package combines the award-winning base kit with a stylish porcelain planter (available in black or white), a luxurious Bronze Mosaic, and two gorgeous fountain heads – the Mindfulness Pebbles and Bronze Tiered Cascade. This ready-to-go water feature is elegant and adaptable, ready to enrich any space.

Hydria Life transcends mere décor, guiding towards a more peaceful, beautiful living environment.

Our exhibit at The Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair is a prime opportunity for industry professionals to discover how we seamlessly integrate technology with aesthetic beauty.

Join us to explore our range, including the latest Hydria add-ons, and experience the allure of the Hydria 2-in-1 Fountain. Dive into the world of Hydria Life – where tranquility and elegance are effortlessly yours.

Discover more at www.hydrialife.com.

HydriaLife is sponsoring Kate Ebbens' running challenge for Greenfingers.

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

Last week, the judges for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards all met up to start the process of deciding the winners of this year’s awards that will be announced and presented on The Spring Fair Retail Inspirations Stage, in Hall 2 of the NEC, at 5:00pm on Monday 5^th February 2024.

The process of deciding the winners is proving to be even more challenging this year as the Christmas retailing standards and exceptional examples of garden centre teamwork that have been seen by the judges have been even greater than ever this year. 

Another two days of judging meetings are now planned to complete the review of over 100 garden centre visits made during November and December covering nominated stores from Inverness to Weymouth and from Suffolk to Caernarvon.

“It’s great to see so much good stuff going on, hear about passionate teams and continually see creative ideas converted into commercial realities,” commented the judges.

In addition to the 14 award categories that relate to the judges visits, garden centre customers were also able to vote for their “Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team.”  Votes closed on the 21^st December with a record 18,919 votes being made across 333 garden centres, proving just how great garden centres really are during the Christmas period.

If you join us at The Spring Fair Retail Inspiration Stage, in Hall 2 of the NEC, on Monday 5^th February at 5:00pm you’ll get the chance to meet the garden centre teams who are the winners of this years Gold, Silver and Bronze Greatest Christmas Awards.  It’s a real gathering of Christmas greatness!

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are sponsored by: AMES, Garden Radio, Glee, Kaemingk, MorePeople, Noma, PATS, Smart Garden Products, Solex, Stars for Europe and Woodmansterne.

For more information contact GTN’s editor, Trevor Pfeiffer; trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or visit www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Our team of judges have now completed the task of visiting the 100 garden centres who were nominated for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2023.  And our sponsors have been lining up prizes of stock or hotel accommodation for the category winners.

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2023

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
• The Greatest Christmas Tree and Outdoor Plant Team
• The Greatest Christmas BBQ and Outdoor Leisure Team – The Solex Sizzle
• The Greatest Christmas Wild Bird Care & Pet Team
• The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team
• The Greatest Christmas Community Event
• The Greatest Festive Gardening Gifts Team
• The Greatest Festive Retail Food Hall Team
• The Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering Team
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
• The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team
• The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

*The Group Garden Centre awards are for centres that are part of groups with 5 or more centres

Judging visits will take place during November and December with the winners being announced on The Stage at Spring Fair on Monday 5^th February 2024.

As well as the kudos and fame from winning a Greatest Christmas award, our Gold winners in each category will win prizes including stock, services or hotel accommodation from our sponsors, which at time of going to press include:

• AMES
• Garden Radio
• Glee 2024
• Kaemingk
• LeisureGrow - NOMA
• PATS 2024
• Smart Garden Products – Three Kings
• Solex 2024
• Stars for Europe
• Woodmansterne

Watch out for details of the prizes on offer in issues of GTN Xtra: www.gardentradenews.co.uk and in the next issue of GTN.

What the judges will be looking for when they visit:

As GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards firstly recognise the amazing teamwork involved in garden centre Christmas retailing excellence we asked our judges what specific things they will be looking for in each Christmas Awards category this year:

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
  • Christmas theming of the displays, link sales and plants as Christmas presents 
• The Greatest Christmas Tree and Outdoor Plant Team
  • Extending the Christmas experience out into the Planteria, not only making the sale of cut trees fun and different but what is being done to promote link sales to trees as well as plants as presents. 
• The Greatest Christmas BBQ and Outdoor Leisure Team – The Solex Sizzle
  • Effort (and success) being put to inspiring  sales of BBQ’s, firepits, furniture, arbours and leisure items normally associated with summer rather than Christmas
• The Greatest Christmas Wild Bird Care & Pet Team
  • From a gondola end of Christmas pet treats to a whole department dedicated to wild bird care or pets of all shapes and sizes. The festive feeling generated by the team, from their attitude for sales to their inspirational displays.  Who has been bold enough to include a pet or wild bird care display in the main Christmas area?
• The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team
  • On and off centre Christmas marketing activity: advertising, p.o.s. video, social media, influencer promotions. We are looking for originality, execution and sucess.
• The Greatest Christmas Community Event
  • A one off ‘launch’ or an ongoing feature – for example a zoo, woodland walk, colouring competition, cookery demonstration or a charity fundraiser that engages the community and extends the Christmas experience.
• The Greatest Festive Gardening Gifts Team
  • This is all about creating sales at this time of year through inspirational use/display/promotion of regular gardening tools and sundries items in a festive setting /department which are capturing sales to both new annd experienced gardeners.
• The Greatest Festive Retail Food Hall Team
  • Food Hall, Farm Shop or just a department in the retail area. Looking for seasonal lines, offers and services to build unit sales as well as dressing of the area. What is special to your Garden Centre offer over other food retailers?
• The Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering Team
  • What have you done to make your restaurant or coffee shop a part of the Christmas experience? Looking for dressing of the seating area, servery, menu, special offers, link sales, promotions and of course, Festive staff!
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
  • Simply a Christmas promotional video that creates garden centre visits and sales.
• The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team
  • What have the team done this season to create a really memorable and enjoyable experience.
• The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • For all of the overall team awards the judges are looking for happy, festive garden centre teams who can keep their Christmas retailing standards at their best throughout the Christmas sales period. 

By popular demand we have brought back Customer Voting for The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas teams, after all it is what customers think that is most important. See the details here

The first Greatest Christmas Awards Team visit the judges carried out this year was at British Garden Centres Woodthorpe, back in August.  See our gallery of pictures below: