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GCA figures confirm May sales boost
The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade results for May have revealed strong sales at member garden centres during the month, ahead of the government retail sales growth figure and confirming the volume sales increases as reported by GTN Bestsellers...
The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade results for May have revealed strong sales at member garden centres during the month.
Overall sales were up 15.11% in comparison to May 2012 with seeds and bulbs up 38.58%, outdoor plants up 17.71% and hard landscaping up 33.39%.
This compares with the 3.1% retail spending increase for May across the whole retail sector, as published by the Office for National Statistics earlier this week.
Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “May was a good month all round for our member garden centres, with all areas performing well. It was apparent from sales lots of people were out in their gardens planting both hardy nursery stock and bedding plants, as well as seeds.
“Outdoor plants were up 17.71%, garden sundries 20.02%, furniture and barbecues 7.29%, food hall and farm shop 14.52% and catering 15.81%.
“We are thrilled to have had a good May, following a strong April, but unfortunately this still has not allowed our members to recoup losses they saw during the first few months of the year. The overall year to date figures, calculated at the end of May, stand at 2.39% down.”
The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement.
James Ducker, Director of Langlands, which owns Leeds Garden Centre and Shiptonthorpe Garden Centre, both in Yorkshire, said: “May was a fantastic month for our garden centres, with Leeds Garden Centre finishing the month 47% up and Shiptonthorpe Garden Centre 16% up.
“We saw increased footfall in both centres and people were definitely buying in volume and spending more. At our Leeds store seeds and bulbs were up 147% and outdoor plants up 62% while garden furniture and barbecues were up 38% at our centre at Shiptonthorpe.”
The BoT reports produced by the GCA allow member garden centres to compare their trading positions with other centres.
 The Office for National Statistics also revealed that volume sales were up 1.9% year on year for May. GTN Bestsellers' weekly Epos data analysis reported a 37% volume sales increase across weeks 18 to 22, confirming that garden centres have fared much better than other retail sectors.
The discrepancy between the GCA increase for May and the GTN Bestsellers volume increase indicates more, lower priced items being purchased. That could simply be more plants being purchased, at a lower unit cost, as the weather was much better for gardening this May. Is that your experience? Let us know via the comments button below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Sales of wild bird products soaring
Leading suppliers of wild bird care products are stepping up their activity in the marketplace as the latest sales data reveals it has been a lucrative sector so far this year...
Leading suppliers of wild bird care products are stepping up their activity in the marketplace as the latest sales data reveals it has been a lucrative sector so far this year...
We’ve had several requests and comments about wild bird care sales recently with the general consensus being that sales are up.
So we’ve completed some analysis of the GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data and we can reveal that sales of the Top 50 Wild Bird Care products in garden centres that supply data over the past six weeks are up 7.6% on last year and up 11.4% on 2011.So garden centre customers clearly understand that the birds in their gardens still need feeding this year, even as we approach midsummer. And suppliers of wild care products have reacted with increased activity in the marketplace.
Gardman is to reduce prices on more than 50 key wild bird care products for the new season starting in August. The famous Gardman Booster programme is being extended to a further 30 lines with minimum order quantities slashed on more than 40 existing Boosters.
Meanwhile, Solus Garden & Leisure has struck a new exclusive partnership agreement with Lincolnshire-based Marriages Specialist Foods to supply quality sourced wild bird feed for its ChapelWood brand, including Conservation Grade Seed Mixes.
And Nature’s Feast, one of the UK’s leading and most established brands in the wild bird care market, has unveiled a new look for the 2013/2014 season. Parent company Westland Horticulture is putting an extensive PR and advertising campaign behind the Nature’s Feast relaunch this summer.
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
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Solus strike a new deal with Marriages
Solus Garden & Leisure has struck a new exclusive partnership agreement with Lincolnshire-based Marriages Specialist Foods to supply quality sourced wild bird feed for its ChapelWood brand, including Conservation Grade Seed Mixes...
Solus Garden & Leisure has struck a new exclusive partnership agreement with Lincolnshire-based Marriages Specialist Foods to supply quality sourced wild bird feed for its ChapelWood brand, including Conservation Grade Seed Mixes.
ChapelWood is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of wildlife care and is highly respected for its specialist knowledge, innovation and quality products. The partnership with Marriages allows ChapelWood to continue with its core competencies but also enables the brand to improve its credibility and leadership with increasingly important and influential ethical purchasers.
Marriages is the only bird food manufacturer selected by Conservation Grade, which works with farmers and producers to ensure biodiversity and sustainability in farming. The Conservation Grade movement aims to put scientifically-backed, well-located and designed habitats into modern farming, ensuring a significant increase in biodiversity compared to conventional farming methods.
 “Our research and feedback from our customers tells us that consumers are becoming increasingly ethically aware and concerned about biodiversity and the future of the land,” commented Henry Corbett, head of gardening brands at Solus.
“Wild bird products are a key market for ethical purchasers and our new partnership with Marriages and Conservation Grade gives us the perfect combination of a high quality, reliable supplier who ticks all the boxes for this discerning consumer base.”
Marriages dates back to 1824 when its parent company was established by William and Henry Marriage, and it is still run by the 5th and 6th generation of the family.
Despite its long heritage and Quaker values, the company is a leader in hi-tech production and boasts some of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in its sector, with its laboratories frequently cited as centres of excellence.
Marriages wild bird feed is produced at the company’s Driby Top facility in Lincolnshire, with other sites in Essex and Yorkshire.
 Marriages’ agreement with Conservation Grade and partnership with Solus gives a new impetus to the company’s products, explained Sam Marriage, managing director of Marriages (right).
“We’ve long been recognised as a premium quality manufacturer and have always stayed one step ahead of the competition,” he said.
“We have become well known in specialist markets such as organics, and have strong links with sustainable farming, so the association with Conservation Grade was a natural progression for us.
"Working with Solus ensures that our Conservation Grade feed has the best possible route to market and reaches the greatest number of discerning consumers possible.”
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DIY chains give poor gardening advice, claim Which?
Snapshot research carried out by Which? Gardening magazine shows that to get great advice on plants you should go to a garden centre and avoid the UK’s largest DIY chains...
Snapshot research carried out by Which? Gardening magazine shows that to get great advice on plants you should go to a garden centre and avoid the UK’s largest DIY chains.
Secret shoppers from Which? visited garden centre chains and DIY stores posing as inexperienced gardeners. They asked for advice on a diseased rose and wanted to buy another rose to plant in the same spot to replace it.
A spokesperson for Which? said: 'Homebase and B&Q say that a lot of their plant staff are horticulturally trained, but they gave the poorest advice on our visits.
The staff we spoke to generally managed to deal with the simple question on rose blackspot and recommended a suitable chemical treatment. But our secret shoppers were only told about the potential problems with replacing a rose with another rose on four out of 12 visits, and were recommended a suitable solution only once.
"Often the problem is finding the right member of staff – in one Homebase store, the only person who was available to help our shopper was someone from the paint section.
"The Garden Centre Group came out top in our research. In all of our visits the staff listened to the problem carefully and gave very thorough advice. They explained clearly what to do, but also the reasons for doing it."
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Pictures from John Athwal's 60th birthday
Premier Kitchen's MD John Athwal celebrated his 60th birthday at the Marriott Hotel in Grovesnor Square, London. Here's a selection of pictures from the party attended by family, friends and colleagues from the garden trade...
Premier Kitchen's MD John Athwal celebrated his 60th birthday at the Marriott Hotel in Grovesnor Square, London. Here's a selection of pictures from the party attended by family, friends and colleagues from the garden trade...
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Baytree say a fond farewell to plantarea manager Tim
The Baytree family, led by Reinhard Biehler, said a fond farewell to plantarea manager Tim Wayman, who retired last month...
The Baytree family, led by Reinhard Biehler, said a fond farewell to plantarea manager Tim Wayman, who retired last month.
Tim joined Baytree 32 years ago after completing his apprenticeship at Hilliers.
“Reinhard said I could have a three month trial when I started,” said Tim. “You know, he never did come back to me to tell me I’d passed the trial.”
The Biehler family, the Baytree staff and many suppliers turned out to wish Tim a happy retirement.
He was presented with a gold watch and a 30-year-old Antarctic birch tree. Tim will spending some of his retirement tending his own arboretum, where he plans to create a National Collection of hollies.
Pictured: Tim Wayman (centre) with Baytree general manager Nigel Wallis and Reinhard Biehler. Tim’s retirement gift is in the background.
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Garden product sales continue above last year
The GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 volume sales are up 18% on the same week as last year, and are now 10% higher on the year to date. They are even up 9% on the same week from two years ago and now only 5% behind 2011 levels...
The GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 volume sales are up 18% on the same week as last year, and are now 10% higher on the year to date. They are even up 9% on the same week from two years ago and now only 5% behind 2011 levels.
Tree planting has driven two of the main week-on-week sales increases – Tree Ties and Stakes from Gardman. Tree compost also moved up 13 places in the growing media chart. Gardman’s Bamboo Canes have also re-entered the chart.
Orchid care is another area of sales growth – Growth Technology’s Orchid Myst is the highest climber, moving up 31 places to No 14.
Volume sales of garden lighting have dropped, suggesting lower footfall, but there are still 10 lines in Top 50. The Revolution Basket Candle Lantern from Solus is the highest new entry at No 20.
Slugs are a big sales category with five lines in the chart this week – Westland Earth Matters Slug Blocker Granules are a new entry at No 35.
Scotts Levington Tomorite (1-litre) remains the bestselling garden product.
See the full GTN Garden Products Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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Steve Harper becomes Head of Bord na Móna UK
Steve Harper, the former managing director of Vital Earth GB Limited and latterly Business Operations Manager UK at Bord na Móna UK is now to head up all of the Bord na Móna UK (BNM UK) retail business. Steve is pictured above with two Vital Earth-sponsored young designers at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
Steve Harper, the former managing director of Vital Earth GB Limited and latterly Business Operations Manager UK at Bord na Móna UK is now to head up all of the Bord na Móna UK (BNM UK) retail business.
He will report to John Corcoran, Head of Retail Sales at Bord na Móna, Ireland.
“I am really looking forward to taking responsibility for all of BNM UK’s rapidly increasing branded and own brand business in the UK and working with a fantastic existing team to accelerate development and growth even further," said Steve.
"We have two exciting growing media brands in Vital Earth and Growise, together covering off the peat reduction sector, and we will continue developing them into a market leading combination.
"The company is already one of the largest growing media suppliers into the UK and we will use our brand potential, our production capabilities and our distribution strength to increase our profile and position in growing media, while also looking to expand into other sectors.”
Steve will be responsible for all production, sales, marketing, operations and distribution in the UK, building Bord na Móna UK’s products, brands and infrastructure.
He added: “We are developing new products, new storage facilities and new distribution routes to service existing and prospective accounts with high quality peat-free, peat-reduced and peat-based product.
"This follows the success of the company’s first full year in the UK market for branded composts since taking over the sales and marketing resource of Vital Earth in January 2012.”
John Corcoran, Head of Retail Sales at Bord na Móna, Ireland, said, “This is great news for our UK company and for Bord na Móna Ireland, as Steve’s acceptance of the role confirms our absolute commitment to the development of our UK business.
"Bord na Móna UK has great advantages going forward – its ability to maintain supply; its ability to manage the peat reduction journey ethically and commercially through the provision of mixed loads of peat-free and peat-reduced ahead of Government targets; and its ability to create new brands and new products of character and strength.
"Bord Na Móna UK is already enjoying very successful sales in the UK and it has enormous further potential. Steve has been a part of that success for some time now and I am delighted that he is now in the position to take things forward fully.”
Pictured: Steve Harper (centre) with two young garden designers, who won Gold at Chelsea this year with help from Vital Earth sponsorship.
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MorePeople launch new dedicated training website
Specialist recruitment and training business MorePeople have launched a new website for their training business – MorePerformance...
Specialist recruitment and training business MorePeople have launched a new website for their training business – MorePerformance.
This new website has been designed to provide new and existing clients with all the information they need to help them source the right training and development solution for their business.
Launched as a separate service in 2003, MorePerformance specialises in the training and development of people within the fresh produce, horticulture, food, agriculture and garden & leisure industries, with programmes delivered by associates who themselves, have firsthand experience of working within those sectors.
MorePeople Director, Guy Moreton comments: “We all know that traditionally, training is one of the first areas to take a cut during tough economic times – it’s seen as the easy option.
"But we’re delighted that many of our clients understand it’s important not to underestimate the value training can add to an organisation and its future success, and that difficult times, are in fact, a prime opportunity to build upon the skills of the workforce in readiness for an upturn.
"Our training programmes do exactly that – they are cost effective, sector relevant and if desired, tailored specifically to the needs of the business.”
The new website provides information about open workshops, bespoke in-house courses, and the company's ILM approved Leadership Development Programme, with development opportunities available at all levels, from first rung managers, through to senior executives and main board directors.
Clients can explore the benefits of attending a particular workshop, make an enquiry if they would like to know more and then complete the process through the quick and easy on-line booking facility.
For more information visit www.moreperformance.co.uk
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What's happening at Solus?
Judging by the phone calls we've taken in the GTN office this week, one of the big issues concerning the garden trade at the moment is: What is going on at Solus?
Judging by the phone calls we've taken in the GTN office this week, one of the big issues concerning the garden trade at the moment is: What is going on at Solus?
There are rumours abounding that several key managers at the winners of GCA Supplier of the Year for the past two years, Solus, have either resigned or already left the business. GTN Xtra understands that Colin Smart has already "left the business", according to an e-mail auto reply received. At time of writing no other response has been forthcoming from Solus, although a spokesperson did say they were working on a statement, which we can now confirm will be published on Monday 24th June.
So we only have until tomorrow to find out just what is going on at Solus. That will be a relief to the many retailers we've spoken to who are concerned about the future direction and management of one of their key suppliers. If you have a view on the future of Solus, use the comments link or e-mail: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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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 and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.
New for this year, every week we give sales volume comparisons with 2011 as well as 2012 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period. Access is by subscription only. For £120.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here or e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media 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.
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Apologies, we forgot to take photos of what's inside the peep hole of the Poplars Lighting Shed, so we've been back and completed the story.
The Poplars Lighting Shed is part of a shop within a shop concept at Poplars, this one provided by Solar Centre. The display has been built by Solar Centre and will run for an initial 3 month period. "We hope it will be as successful as the Burgon and Ball shop which is now a permanent feature," explained Poplars General manager Alastair Goodhand.
While the peep hole gives customers a great display of the solar lighting strings that are on sale, through clever use of mirror panels covering the shed walls, it's the sales of solar powered security lights that has impressed the Poplars team most. In fact when we visited for the second time, several of the security light lines had sold out and they were awaiting new stocks.
Will this be the first of many "Lighting Sheds" in garden centres?
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Veg sales run at record levels
Veg-2-Gro volume sales are at their highest weekly levels since the launch of GTN Bestsellers for the eighth consecutive week...
Veg-2-Gro volume sales are at their highest weekly levels since the launch of GTN Bestsellers for the eighth consecutive week. Year-to-date sales are now 10% up on last year and only 2.7% down on 2011 volumes.
Running ahead at the top of the chart is Quantil Runner Bean – it was also No 1 this week last year. Meanwhile Gardeners Kitchen Runner Bean White Lady has had a good week, up 19 places to No 4.
It’s surprising there weren’t more 2.4m bamboo canes and Bosmere Sweet Pea and Bean Rings sold – are you missing some linked sales opportunities?
The highest climber this week is Quantil Courgette, jumping an impressive 38 places to No 11. A place above is the highest re-entry in Gardeners Kitchen Cucumber Delta Star. There are six cucumber/courgette lines in the Top 50 plus three squash plants. Marrow Green Bush is a new entry at No 39.
Are you running a veg show later this year? It’s worth considering as it’s a great way of building even more veg sales business for next year.
See the full GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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We’ve now had eight out of the last nine weeks where Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes were up on last year. And all that positive movement means year-to-date volumes are now only 4% below last year. But a word of caution: they are still 20% down on 2011.
As volumes fall from the Bank Holiday peak, only three lines showed increased week-on-week sales.
- The highest climber is Westland West+ Rose, Tree and Shrub Compost, moving up 13 places to No 27. It coincides with increased sales of tree ties and tree stakes.
- The highest re-entry is Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost at No 36.
- Westland Decorative Mini Bark (70 litres) is the only new entry at No 48.
See the full GTN Growing Media Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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 Nothing like a bit of name dropping, especially when you can dropThatcher, Blair, Clinton, Bush, General de Gaulle, Richard Branson and Sheik Mohammed.
Not quite the guest list for the 2013 GIMA Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening but they are sure all to get a mention from the marvellously talented after dinner speaker and host for the evening at The Queens Hotel in Leeds on the 18th July takes to the stage. Gyles Brandreth has come into close contact with them all and is looking forward to the evening when he will also brush with the great and the good from the garden retail supply industry at ‘the party of the year’. He has played Baron Hardup in Cinderella, been the MP for Chester and the Lord Commissioner in the Treasury during the John Major government when he claims to have countersigned the biggest cheque in history with no less than Her Majesty the Queen, so guests at the glittering evening are sure to be in for some great entertainment as Gyles recounts some of the stories from his colourful life. GIMA Director Neil Gow told GTN Xtra just as we were going to publish: “Entries for the Awards are still being counted and catalogued as there had been a huge last minute surge on the closing day. Ticket sales for the event are also going very well and while there are still places available you need to hurry. It's guaranteed to be a great evening and the opportunity for buyers and sellers to mingle together and enjoy some great company” GCA members still have the opportunity to vote for their supplier of the year by clicking the link: http://www.gima.org.uk/PDF/GCASupplieroftheyearForm2013.pdf And those who still want to book tickets to attend can call the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or go on line to: http://www.gima.org.uk/awards_2013.asp?Page_ID=28
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Fermoys Garden Centre in South Devon has announced expansion plans which could create up to 30 jobs.
Bosses at Fermoys, in Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, want to construct a more modern garden centre and significantly enlarge the cafe area.
The current store would be 25% if the plans go ahead.
It would have improved layout for customers and a new car and coach parking area.
Renewable energy technology would also be installed to improve sustainability and lower current carbon emissions.
Fermoys says recent developments have been 'ad-hoc' and the store currently has a disjointed layout.
It is now holding a consultation in store and is asking customers for their views.
It has already started the planning process with Teignbridge Council.
 Alan Murdoch (left), director at Fermoys, said: "We want to improve what we already do.
"Our current customers are vital and we want them to stay with us and come back time after time so it's essential to move with the times.
"One of the biggest parts of the plans is the cafe. We want to double the amount of seating.
"We have the land available so it's important we look forward as the current building and facilities can make trade difficult.
"The start date for works will be determined by the planning process and we'll do the maths about when is best to progress."
Teignbridge Council leader Jeremy Christophers welcomed the news.
He said: "It's a good example of a local firm doing good.
"They do a lot of work with schools and have good intuition as far as what customers want.
"Currently unemployment is at two per cent in Teignbridge, which is low, but any jobs boosts are welcome."
The site has been used for horticulture for more than 25 years.
It started life as a 'pick your own, working fruit farm in the 1970s and is now a large independent garden centre, farm shop and country store.
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Quantil's Mark Clementson will be taking part in the 60-mile Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride to raise money for Chrisitie's in remembrance of friend and colleague Sean Pawley who died last December.
Sean had been in the industry for over 25 years in both retail, as a plant manager for a number of centres in the North-West, and in a sales roll for Webbs and Keith Butters.
If you would like to sponsor Mark visit his fundraising page http:/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/markclementson
New Plant Award entries flood in
Entries are flooding in for the New Plant Awards, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, which take place at the HTA National Plant Show on 26 and 27 June at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry...
Entries are flooding in for the New Plant Awards, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, which take place at the HTA National Plant Show on 26 and 27 June at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.
The awards showcase the best in new plant introductions from UK plant suppliers.
This year’s judges HTA President Caroline Owen from Scotsdales Garden Centre, Gardener and TV broadcaster Christine Walkden, plant breeder Peter Catt, RHS Trials Manager Mark Heath and Head of Horticulture at the Garden Centre Group Tim Clapp will have a challenging task in selecting the best plants from a strong field of entries. HTA Operations Manager Martin Simmons will chair the judging panel.
Companies submitting entries this year include: Earley Ornamentals, Fitzgerald Nurseries, Seoint Nurseries, Kilworth Conifers, Hillier Nurseries, Beekenkamp Plants, Young Plants, Farplants, The Bransford Webb Plant Company, Ball Colegrave, Kernock Park Plants, Wyevale Nurseries, Profit Plant UK, Darby Nursery Stock, New Forest Plants, Eagle Plants, Syngenta FloriPro Services, Boweco, Javado UK, David Austin Roses, Frank Matthews, Channel Island Plants, Fairweathers, John Woods Nurseries, west End Nurseries, New Leaf Plants, Suttons Seeds, New Place Nurseries, Young Plants, Florensis Flowers Seeds UK.
The New Plant Awards cover five categories: hardy nursery stock, herbaceous perennials, annuals, house plants and breeder innovation. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Best in Category awards will be presented, and Best in Category will go forward for Best in Show. Winners will be selected for the quality of plant, suitability for the market and whether it is an improvement on other plants currently available.
Results will be announced and presented by the judging panel on the morning of Tuesday 25 June and all entries, along with the winners, will be displayed in the New Plant Area at the show.
In addition to the judged awards, visitors will also get the opportunity to have their say about which plant should win in the Visitor Vote, sponsored by Floramedia. This result of the Visitor Vote will be announced on Wednesday 26 June at 3pm.
HTA Director General Carol Paris comments "The New Plant Awards continue to attract a high number of entries and provide a great focus for the show. It is hugely encouraging that despite the challenging seasons that the industry has been faced with we still see a plethora of new plants coming onto the market helping to inspire consumers."
To register to attend the HTA National Plant Show visit www.nationalplantshow.co.uk
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Vitax has announced its latest product, Slug Gone, will be taking centre stage on the company’s stand at the Coronation Festival in July. With just over three weeks to go, Vitax will be showcasing Slug Gone along with its other well-known brands – Nippon and the Q4 fertiliser range. The unique event marks the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation and is being hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association. Only 200 Royal Warrant holders have been selected to exhibit at the event. Around 60,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day event, which will take place within the Gardens of Buckingham Palace between the July 11 and 14. Paul Gooding, chairman at Vitax, says: “Vitax is a proud Royal Warrant holder and delighted to be part of the Coronation Festival this summer. “We have given great thought as to which products we would like to show and Slug Gone has to be central to our offering as it is a market-leader, organic and full of natural nutrients. “This event also provides a unique opportunity to meet with customers and talk through our products face-to-face as we do not usually sell direct to the public.” Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to the Households of The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh or The Prince of Wales, and are regarded as hallmarks of quality, excellence and service. Vitax was granted its first Royal Warrant in 1965 for its fertiliser range. For more information about Vitax and its products, visit: www.gardenworld.co.uk
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The owner of Markeaton Garden Centre in Derby has spoken of his anger after more than £2,000 worth of goods were stolen from greenhouses at the site.
David Gormley said about 20 water features and garden statues were taken from the centre, in Markeaton Lane.
Mr Gormley said: "Some are worth £50, some are worth about £200. We've estimated that the total cost is between £2,000 to £3,000.
"The thieves had taken the glass panels out very carefully and also cut through the steel beams that hold the greenhouses in place.
"They had got into that greenhouse and into a second straight through the door. They had bashed the fence down as well.
"They have taken them obviously to sell.
"They are easy to shift, of high value and are relatively light items."
Police have said they are investigating the incident and that anyone with information should call Derbyshire police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Kick start your Christmas trading at Home & Gift
The retailers’ favourite buying show - Home & Gift - is just a few weeks away. Held on July 14-17, this well-loved event will once again occupy the Harrogate International Centre, and grounds of the Cairn and Majestic Hotels...
The retailers’ favourite buying show - Home & Gift - is just a few weeks away. Held on July 14-17, this well-loved event will once again occupy the Harrogate International Centre, and grounds of the Cairn and Majestic Hotels... Over 1,000 exhibitors will congregate in Harrogate to present a seasonal round-up of design-led and every day gifts across homeware, fashion and jewellery, and greetings and stationery.
Exhibitors include: Gisela Graham, Lisbeth Dahl, Portmeirion, Container Group, Widdop Bingham, Joe Davies, Hill Interiors and more, many of which are exclusive to the show this season, such as Alessi, Kaemingk, Max Benjamin, Enesco, Cavallini, Linen House, Heaven Send, Platter Slate, Great Little Crate Company and IC innovations and many more. A number of ranges will enjoy their first ever outing at Harrogate. From the Silver Slate Signature Collection by The Just Slate Company, to Nuzzles by Joe Davies and the No.20 range by Pintail Candles, Home & Gift makes the task of sourcing best-sellers a hassle free experience. Established exhibitors should not to be forgotten either as they continue to attract custom with the obtainment of new brand licenses - Pyramid with Dr Who and Half Moon Bay with Chupa Chups are just such examples! Along with never-seen-before exhibitors and product launches, there will be an engaging new sector – Spotlight, located in Hall G. Accessed via Hall H; this area will present contemporary and design-led talent from across the UK. Highlights include Ohh Deer, White Leaf, Ping Ping Jewellery, Courgette Cards, BEECycle and many more. Spotlight will give buyers the opportunity to tap into previously undiscovered territory, providing a point of difference for their customers when compared with competitors. You can pre-register now at www.homeandgift.co.uk/register
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Staff at a garden centre have been told they must sing to their plants to help them to grow.
Chris Bonnett (above), who has a four-acre nursery in Essex and his own online garden centre GardeningExpress.co.uk, is hoping to find out if plants enjoy being serenaded or if gardeners should stick to the chat.
Gardeners have long suspected talking to plants helps them grow and the approach was even advocated by Prince Charles.
Now Chris is aiming to find out if singing to plants helps too – and is even hoping to discover which type of music they like best.
The plants have been divided into six distinct areas so Chris and his team can monitor which approach works best.
One group of plants will be reared in silence, a second group will be talked to daily, a third group will be sung a selection of classic pop songs by staff, a fourth group will be sang a mix of more recent pop hits and a fifth group will be sang hymns each day.
Finally the sixth group of plants will be sung a selection of opera arias throughout the day.
Chris hopes the findings – which he will evaluate at the end of the summer season – will help gardeners devise an approach which will maximize the growth of their plants once and for all.
Chris said: “It’s long been thought that plants thrive if you talk to them but until now no one has ever tried to measure the benefits of singing to them.
“We thought if we could prove a link and identify which type of songs the plants like best them we could help literally millions of gardeners across the globe to get the most out of their plants.”
Classic songs selected include Yesterday by The Beatles, You’re Beautiful by James Blunt, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.
More recent pop hits include Baby by Justin Bieber, Single Ladies by Beyonce, and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction.
Hymns selected for the experiment include Abide With Me, Jerusalem, All Things Bright and Beautiful and Morning Has Broken.
Opera numbers will include Nessun Dorma, Habanera, and O Mio Babbino Caro and Mozart’s Queen of the Night.
Chris said: “We obviously needed to test a group of plants we were singing to against a group we weren’t singing to but once we started planning it we realised we needed to look at different types of music as well so we could find out which stimulates growth the most.
“It’ll be really interesting to find out if Mozart does the trick more than 1D for example.”
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