Glee’s newest feature – The Green Heart –is filling up fast, says show organisers i2i, who are urging nurseries who want to take part to act quickly to secure space.

 ‘The Green Heart of Glee’, in the Atrium outside the entrances to Glee’s new location in NEC halls 17 – 20, will be home to more than 40 UK growers exhibiting their 2015 ranges and offering show-only deals. It’s believed to be the biggest greenhouse space in the UK.

Neil Gow, Glee’s special project manager, says the response to the ‘Green Heart’ project has far exceeded expectations. “We are down to our last few remaining benches,” he said. “I urge any interested parties to get in touch as soon as possible to ensure that they secure their presence within what is set to be an exciting showcase of plants at Glee.”

David Higginson, sales manager at UK grower Newleaf Plants, said it was a “no-brainer” to be able to get plants in front of key buyers at minimal cost. “We booked our plot straight away,” he added. 

Helen Boers, sales director at Gardeners Kitchen Nurseries, said: “We have always found Glee one of the most successful shows we do because we can get to speak to the business owners and senior managers as well as the plant buyers from right across the country. The Green Heart concept seems just brilliant to us and being able to show off our production in good light conditions to so many key retailers means we did not need to do too much thinking before we booked up. The low cost, with so much done for us by way of benches and signage, will make this a very cost effective event for us.”

Other names confirmed for the ‘Green Heart’ include Kilworth Conifers, Gedney Bulbs, Golden Grove Nurseries, John Woods Nurseries, Lovania Nurseries, Hawkesmill Nurseries, Garden Centre Fresh, Chapel Cottage Plants, Chamberlin Nurseries, Viking Nurseries, Morley Nurseries, Beaver Plants, Whartons Roses and Darby Nurseries.

Peter Burks, general manager of Trelawney Garden Leisure, said plants were a key requirement for the industry’s biggest trade show. “Whilst I also believe it is quite right that each sector has its own show, e.g. plants, furniture, pets etc, the overriding need for all is one major show covering everything. So I think pulling a good selection of growers back to Glee is a great move and it will certainly make it a much more enjoyable show for me as a result.”

i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, said: “Plants are the cornerstone of the garden retail industry, and we want to recognise this by creating an area where UK growers and nurseries can showcase their 2015 ranges, whilst also giving plants unrivalled visibility at the heart of the show.”