• Garden Products - up 13%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 17%
• Growing Media - up 19%
• All Items Index - up 2%

Re-investment in its garden centres is paying off for the family-owned Notcutts group.

Chairman Nicky Dulieu 9below), announcing a 6.3% increase in sales and 20% rise in operating profits for the year to February 2016, expressed satisfaction with the group’s refurbishment strategy.

Capital expenditure of £10m in the past two years includes the recent refurbishment of Woodford Park in Cheshire and Wheatcroft garden centre in Nottingham – part of the five-year plan to invest £45m into its 18 garden centres and drive sales to £100m-plus

“Our newly developed centres continue to prove really popular with our customers and this has reinforced our strategy to redevelop our garden centres over the next five years,” she said.

Sales reached £67.8m last year, but gross margin fell from 50% to 48%, reflecting a decision to drive sales volumes, improve cash margin and sell older stock through more quickly.

Operating profit increased from £1.08m £1.29m, but pre-tax profits halved to £3.1m from £6.8m, due to the sale of a subsidiary the previous year.

The sale of non-core assets in order to focus on developing the garden centres yielded an exceptional gain of £2.6m from the sale of a warehouse and farmland, following a gain of £4.6m for a similar sale the year before.

Notcutts employs the equivalent of 707 full time staff.

A 34-year-old man was rescued by fire crews at Wyevale’s Windlesham Garden Centre in Surrey after falling and getting stuck between two shipping containers.

The man was believed to have fallen about two metres from the top of a container in Chertsey Tool Hire concession at the centre. He was reported to have ended up “upside down” and “almost horizontal” above some signs stored between the containers.

It took local fire and rescue service crews from Camberley 20 minutes to get him out and move him onto a spinal support stretcher before being taken to hospital for assessment.

The ten candidates who have who have made it through to the final masterclass of the Rising Stars training programme were announced this week.

Rising Stars, organised by Westland Horticulture and the Garden Centre Association, was set up in 2009 with the aim of developing the best new talent in the garden centre industry.

Pictured right: Sophie Liebthal of Coolings, winner of the 2015 Rising Stars challenge, presenting at the GCA Conference.

Of 33 hopefuls who entered the programme in February, the following have been chosen to attend the next stage, the third and final masterclass, which will be held in October:

Daniel Holden (Barton Grange), Bethan Wylie (Bents), Kathryn Crouch (Haskins West End), James Ruston (Klondyke Daleside), Rob Frith (Klondyke Holland Arms),  Hana Parker (Monkton Elm), Rupert Sleight (Squires Cobham), Sam Jones (Squires West Horsley), John Bradley (Stewarts), Saskia Logan (Sunshine)

Following October’s masterclass, five finalists will be chosen to present on stage at the annual GCA Conference at St Andrews in Scotland next January.

The Rising Stars year-long course, facilitated by training consultant Ian Boardman of IBBIS, helps candidates understand the importance of merchandising, develop ideas to implement at their own garden centres and how to measure results.

Burgon & Ball, the UK’s longest-established manufacturer of garden tools and accessories, has been encouraging young garden design talent with support for Lilly Gomm, a finalist in the RHS Young Designer competition at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The Sheffield-based manufacturer supplied a range of tools and equipment for use during the construction of the garden, as well as props and accessories that were used to ‘dress’ the finished garden to create the perfect look.

The RHS Young Designer competition, now in its eighth year, was created to give young designers the opportunity to showcase their work at a high profile horticultural event and really kick-start their careers. Previous Tatton alumni have gone on to design gardens at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including Hugo Bugg (2010 winner) and Sam Ovens (2014 winner).

This year three finalists were selected to design a show garden based on the theme of Health, Happiness and Horticulture. The garden that Lilly created using Burgon & Ball tools was entitled ‘A Space to Ruminate’, an area designed to draw visitors into the garden through the use of a stepped wooden pergola and reclaimed scaffolding path.

The garden, though compact and typical of the space which many people have available, consisted of several distinct areas. The main garden led onto a kitchen garden containing seasonal produce, and a third area that trailed with hops, housing a day bed for relaxation and privacy.

Lilly says: “I’m so grateful for the support from Burgon & Ball: it felt like Christmas when the tools arrived! It made the build of my show garden a lot easier, as the team had exactly the right tools for the job at every stage. Trying to get established in a career in garden design is far from straightforward, and it’s great that a company like Burgon & Ball is helping young people like myself.”

Lilly’s garden was awarded a Silver Gilt medal, and the whole experience will doubtless prove a hugely valuable one, as she goes on to develop her career as a garden designer. Although the garden may have missed out on first place in the competition, gardening broadcaster and personality Monty Don declared on the BBC’s show coverage that it was his ‘favourite garden in the whole show’, which is certainly a major achievement for a first show garden.

To keep up to date with Lilly’s career, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/LillyGomm.

Pictured: Tools from Burgon & Ball were used by RHS Young Designer finalist Lilly Gomm to create her Silver Gilt-winning garden at RHS Tatton Park.

Versatile ornamental grasses are the HTA’s ‘Plants of the Moment’ for August.

From dainty Blue Fescue to majestic Miscanthus, ornamental grasses provide qualities unmatched by many hardy perennials. Their presence develops through the seasons as bright and colourful foliage is joined by graceful flower heads that last well into winter.

Encourage customers with large borders grasses to plant them in bold groups or striking drifts; but many perform well in large patio pots, positioned where their individual shape and arching form can be fully appreciated. Popular grasses for pots include compact Blue Fescue Grass and Slender Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’, or taller varieties of Miscanthus such as the Zebra Grass (Miscanthus ‘Zebrinus’).

Taller grasses also add movement to otherwise static displays, swaying in a summer breeze to add interest and catch the eye. Growing to around 2m, the bold form of Golden Oats (Stipa gigantea) is a real showstopper. Or if space allows, a statuesque clump of Pampas Grass can put on a show of feathery plumes right into winter.

Large individuals have a real presence, taking pride of place in beds and borders, while colourful planting combinations can be created with flowering perennials like Black-eyed Susan, Coneflowers (Echinacea) and Ice Plants (sedum).

TOP FOUR ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

· Festuca

· Pennisetum

· Miscanthus

· Stipa

Planning and planting tips for your information leaflets

· Be generous and plant grasses in drifts or bold groups rather than as lonely individuals.

·  Grasses grow well in patio pots, but make sure tall varieties are planted in large, heavy pots to prevent them blowing over in strong winds.

· Line terracotta pots with plastic from old compost bags to help conserve moisture.

· The tops of some perennial, like miscanthus, die over winter. Promptly cut away all old growth to avoid damaging new shoots that start emerging in early spring.

Other popular ornamental grasses include Slender Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’ (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’), Arundo donax, Cortaderia (Pampas Grass), Imperata, Millium,

Planting partners for ornamental grasses include, Achillea, Astrantia, Bergamot (Monarda didyma), Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia,  Centaurea,  Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’, Herb Fennel.

For garden shed fanatics, the ShedFest feature at last weekend’s CarFest North in Cheshire, the annual festival curated by Radio 2 star Chris Evans, was one of the highlights of the show.

Forest supplied 15 of their 6x4 apex overlap sheds for teams of families to decorate in their own styles, bringing to life ideas that had been submitted before the event and shortlisted by the festival’s organisers. 

The finalists were announced by Strictly Come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe and Joanna Clifton - and the winner, Oscar’s Survival Shack, was announced on stage by Chris Evans himself.

• You will have experience of working in Garden Centres, ideally within a high volume, large format centre or retail store, although we are open to talking to candidates from any horticultural background.
• You will be able to recognise sales trends in detail from reports and use this information to improve sales performance and the profitability of the department through replenishment and merchandising.
• You will be meticulous to the detail in terms of product placement, standards, presentation, visual elevation and overall look and feel.
• You will have good numeracy, literacy and computer skills.
• You will be organised, methodical and pay excellent attention to detail.
• You will have a proven track record in managing and developing a team.

• You will have experience of working in a Plantarea, ideally at management level.
• You will be able to monitor sales performance and the profitability of the department, buy and merchandising accordingly.
• You will have a great eye for detail in terms of, standards, presentation and visual merchandising.
• You will have a proven track record in managing and developing a team.

To apply for this role click here

• Driving sales and maximising profit in order to consistently meet your KPIs.
• You will deliver exceptional standards of customer service.
• You will identify trends in sales and profit opportunities and you will translate these into sound retail action points.
• You will be at the helm leading, developing and motivating your team with a clear focus on driving exceptional performance and managing all controllable costs.
• You will ensure high standards of stock management and control are constantly maintained.
• And you will carry out daily floor walks of every department.
• You will understand and be able to easily connect with their AB1 customer demographic with an ability to ensure that retail standards and service levels constantly exceed their expectations.

• Gardman Solar Marker Light Stainless Steel is the highest climber, jumping 34 places to No 13.
• Gardman Stainless Steel Ribbed Marker Light  is the highest re-entry at No 28.
• The highest new entry is Smart Solar Martello Stainless Steel Bollard Light at No 43.Kaemingk LED Glass Jar with Candle is also a newcomer to the chart.
• Meanwhile, Scotts Levington Tomorite has taken over the No 1 spot.

• The highest climber was Quantil Purple Sprouting Broccoli Strips, which rose 35 places to No 13.
• The highest re-entry was Quantil Brussel Sprout Strips at No 9.
• Farplants Mint Lime was the highest new entry at No 23.
• The top three places have been grabbed by Taylors Autumn Planting Seed Potatoes - Maris Peer, Duke of York and Charlotte.

From drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and a gardening manual owned by Henry VIII, to a metre-high clock in the form of a vase of flowers, a new exhibition exploring the garden in art opened in Edinburgh on Friday.

‘Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden’ (at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, until 26 February 2017) brings together more than 75 paintings, drawings, books, and decorative arts from the Royal Collection, a number of which have not been exhibited in Scotland before. From spectacular images of epic royal landscapes to jewel-like manuscripts and delicate botanical studies, it includes works by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt van Rijn.

Shown in Scotland for the first time, a copy of the Ruralia Commoda, the world's first gardening manual, acquired by Henry VIII after the death in 1543 of its previous owner, Richard Rawson, the King's chaplain and advisor on his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, is on display. It was written in Latin between 1304 and 1309 by Petrus de Crescentiis, a wealthy lawyer from Bologna in Italy, and was the only publication of its kind during Henry VIII's reign.

Also displayed for the first time in Scotland is a book of verse by the Edinburgh-born artist Esther Inglis, illustrated with watercolour paintings of native species of flower, such as the thistle and buttercup. It was one of four works created by Inglis for the young Henry, Prince of Wales (the eldest son of James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark, who was brought up in Edinburgh) and is believed to have been presented as a New Year's gift in 1607.

A highlight of the exhibition is the magnificent Sunflower Clock, c.1752, produced in the 18th century by the Vincennes porcelain factory. The clock is made up of delicate porcelain flowers that surround a dial made from brass shavings to imitate the centre of a sunflower, a symbol of the Sun King, Louis XIV. A Sèvres porcelain pot-pourri gondole, 1757–8, for growing bulbs, acquired by George IV when Prince of Wales, was once displayed in the dining room of Carlton House, the Prince's London residence.

Painting Paradise includes works on paper that chart the rise of botanical art. Leonardo da Vinci's pen-and-ink drawing of Job's tears, c.1510, shows the artist's desire to understand the structure and growth of plants as part of his wider interest in examining the scientific forces underpinning the whole of nature. Six delicate works by Alexander Marshal, c.1650-82, represent the phenomenon of the florilegium, a celebration of the plants in a particular collection or garden. Marshal's work is the only surviving paintedflorilegium from 17th-century England.

In the Victorian period, the garden was often used as the backdrop for portraits of the Royal Family. A painting by Franz Xaver Winterhalter from 1850 shows Queen Victoria nursing her third son, Prince Arthur, on the Pavilion Terrace at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. The composition echoes the traditional image of the Madonna and Child in a garden, while the setting reflects the latest fashions in horticulture. It includes an Agave americana, a succulent from Mexico, which was among the many rare species collected by botanists and introduced into Victorian domestic gardens.

Also explored in the exhibition is the theme of the 'sacred garden'. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, 1615, is one of a series of 'Paradise landscapes' by the Flemish artist Jan Brueghel the Elder. The exquisite painting by Rembrandt van Rijn of Christ and St Mary Magdalene at the Tomb, 1638, depicts the New Testament story of Mary Magdalene mistaking the resurrected Christ for a gardener.

Scotts Miracle-Gro has spent €136 million on a 75% stake in Nertherlands-based hydroponics equipment supplier Gavita.

The acquisition will help Scotts subsidiary Hawthorne Gardening to develop its hydroponics offer, run by Chris Hagedorn, son of the company’s CEO and partly driven by the US trend towards legalisation of marijuana.

Gavita makes lighting and related hydroponics equipment.

Marketing consultancy Maryanne Stokes Limited has acquired online trader Luca Designs.

Trading for the past 10 years as Luca’s Garden, the consumer-facing garden giftware company combines online sales with offline trading at consumer shows. The business will operate from Maryanne Stokes’s Somereset base, possibly from next week.

“We will continue to work with the existing suppliers that have supported Luca to date, but we will be looking to expand our product range ready for the spring," Ms Stokes said.

Luca’s Garden trades garden giftware, furniture, a small home collection and seasonal lines such as Christmas.

The previous owners are to retire.

• 8-page special on the GIMA Awards - all the winners and pictures.
• Smart Garden Products' Eureka! moment.
• Generation Game spotlight on Squire's Garden Centres.
• Reviews of SOLEX and the HTA National Plant Show.
• Insight into what makes a great plant retailing team.
• Preview of PATS Telford - the UK's No.1 pet trade exhibition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Independent coffee roaster Matthew Algie will once again be exhibiting at Lunch! – the food-to-go industry trade show (21 – 22 September at Business Design Centre, London).

Matthew Algie is a well-established coffee shop authority, supplying coffee, machines, training and industry insight to thousands of operator, including many garden centres, across the UK and Ireland.

The Matthew Algie stand (M110) will host an espresso bar with the opportunity to sample coffees from each of the core ranges – Espresso, Triple Certified, Freshly Roasted and Hand Roasted. Visitors will be shown how a team of well-trained staff, using the right beans and equipment, can quickly and efficiently produce some of the very best tasting coffees to satisfy the food-to-go market.

Following the launch of the Autumn/Winter Espresso Warehouse catalogue, a variety of products for food-to-go operators will be available to sample, including an expanded selection of gluten-free snacks and additions to popular ranges. In time for Halloween, the catalogue also features delicious spooky offerings – skeleton gingerbread and Spiced Pumpkin Da Vinci syrup (for increasingly popular Spiced Pumpkin Latte).

Meanwhile, visitors can sample the new winter drinks menu with 11 recipes to choose from, like Honeycomb Mocha and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

Matthew Algie will also be making the most of their London Coffee School, which is just a few steps away from the exhibition stand within the Business Design Centre. From developing winter drinks menus to getting to grips with latte art, mini-training sessions will be held throughout the show. Staff will also be on hand to talk about everything from coffee trends and menu development to selecting the right machine and getting the most from staff training.