Marking 20 years of the Garden Press Event, more than 380 members of the media and the garden press - a record-breaking number - gathered at the Business Design Centre in London today (17 February) to connect with environmental horticulture businesses.
Organised by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and GIMA, this one-day, must-attend event featured more than 90 exhibitors, industry speakers, as well as demonstrations and announcements from gardening brands and businesses. Closing off the day was the presentation of the award winners: Best New Product and the Bob Maker Best Stand Award.
Best New Product Award
Voted for by visitors on the day, the coveted Best New Product Award was won by Fothergill’s Seeds with Oh Sow Simple Self-Watering Grow Kits; the all-in-one kits designed to make growing herbs easy, fun and rewarding.
Charlotte Gorringe from Fothergill’s Seeds said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our new product, which is about to hit the shelves. It’s a self-watering grow kit, otherwise known as a mason jar, and is simple for new and existing gardeners to grow on their windowsills. We’ve had such a wonderful reaction from everyone at the Garden Press Event today, including journalists and influencers. We’re really proud of the team as it shows how we’re moving forward and trying to make gardening accessible for everyone.”
The Garden Press Event has served as a springboard for numerous successful companies and products over the last two decades. This year’s anniversary event received the largest number of entries for the New Product Awards - 81 in total.
Bob Maker Best Stand Award
In recognition of exhibitors’ efforts to make their stands interesting and informative for visitors, a special presentation was given to the best overall stand, named after Bob Maker, who was involved with the inaugural event.
For the second-year running, the winner of the Bob Maker Best Stand Award was HSK Exotic Gardens. Exotic plant specialists HSK Exotic Gardens displayed their new Jurassic garden, the first in a range of themed gardens. The judges described the stand as inviting, aspirational, and instantly attention-grabbing; a space that didn’t just showcase plants but transported visitors into an experience.
Roisin Wilson from HSK Exotic Gardens, said: “We’re so excited and beyond proud to win for the second-year running. I’m really pleased for the whole team who put this together. So many people have commented on it today, particularly the gorgeous seats and table which we made from dead tree ferns.”
