In This Issue
Christmas Lunch at the Dorchester with Jim Carter in aid of Greenfingers, last remaining places available
Thousands of customers are voting for The Greatest at Christmas - some even by post!
More photos from the GIMA Awards 2025
2025 GIMA Awards winners crowned as GARDENA clinches Sword of Excellence
Festive Productions announces exclusive UK distribution agreement with Christmas Inspirations
Make any garden beautiful with Altico’s new GardenScape Aggregates
Flourish by Fito® – beautiful houseplants made easy
Help your customers keep winter birds well fed with tips from Honeyfield’s
Holt Garden Centre implements WinRetail system
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s New Christmas Video ‘A Christmas Star’ Captures Hearts and Festive Magic
British Garden Centres launches festive TV advert
Charity and community set to thrive with Vitax’s support
HTA welcomes UK Trade Commissioner with EU partners during International Trade Week
New Webb Eco X-Series delivers 40V cordless power
RECOUP launches Rstuff to inspire action on reuse, repair and recycling
Scoop announces ‘Whimsical’ as its Autumn/Winter ’26 theme
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Haskins appoints new Chief Financial Officer
Voting now open to GCA garden centres for Associate Member of the Year 2025
spoga+gafa presents conceptual further developments
Revealed: the UK’s online plant industry market leaders
STIGA becomes official groundskeeping partner of England’s RFU
Member of Google’s leadership team to speak at GCA Conference
Southport win RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals Competition 2025
The best of last week's
Change of direction from Trans-Continental
Westland appoints new Technical Director
Gold accreditation for Notcutts as a ‘Best Employer’
Handy drives sustainability with solar hybrid system
RocketGro increases pallet storage space by 550% ahead of 2026
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 - Judges visit to Blue Diamond Blackdown
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 - Judges visit to Ransoms, Jersey
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 - Judges visit to Summerhill Garden Centre
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2025 GIMA Awards winners crowned as GARDENA clinches Sword of Excellence

GIMA has announced the winners of the prestigious 2025 GIMA Awards which was held earlier tonight at the stunning Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. This evening’s ceremony recognised the finest innovations, outstanding performances, and remarkable contributions that have been made within the garden retail sector by a host of dedicated and passionate suppliers and manufacturers.

 

GIMA AWARDS 2025 – THE WINNERS

Sword of Excellence 

Winner: GARDENA UK – Gardena AquaBloom L

 

Gardenex Export Achievement Award 

Winner: Smart Garden Products Ltd

In recognition for exceptional European investment and Growth, specifically within France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Finalists: Phoenox Textiles, Pelsis Doff

 

GCA Supplier of the Year – Small to Medium Business

Winner: Meadow View Stone

Finalist: MAD Ltd

 

GCA Supplier of the Year – Large Business

Winner: Woodlodge Products

Finalists: Smart Garden Products, Westland Horticulture

 

Sustainability Award

Winner: Elho – Green Basics Composter 200L

 

Best Point of Sale Material

Winner: Meadow View Stone – Aggregates and Paving POS with Augmented Reality

Weather‑proof steel sample trays with real chipping swatches sit alongside a high‑res lifestyle image—letting customers see, touch, and envision products in their own gardens for faster, more confident buying. QR codes unlock augmented‑reality visualisations in customers’ immediate surroundings or home environments, while ‘premium washed’ and ‘100% recycled bag’ icons appeal to quality and sustainability‑driven gardeners.         

 

Finalists: Elho – Green Basics Composter Promo Kit; Solar Centre – New Mushroom Display; Westland Horticulture – Peckish All in One Display; GARDENA UK – Dual Hose Box POS

 

Point of Sale Sustainability Category Champion

 

Winner: Elho – Green Basics Composter Promo Kit 

Eye-catching design with bold visuals and clear messaging. ‘Re-use your waste’ and ‘100% recycled & recyclable’ instantly communicates the product’s purpose and eco-values. Integrated QR code invites shoppers to discover more, linking them to deeper product insights and informative videos on the Elho website.

 

Best Multi-Media Marketing Campaign

     

Winner: Elho – Smart Pebble Multi-Channel Marketing Campaign

A visually rich, insight-driven launch presentation introduced the Smart Pebble across all channels, highlighting its AI-powered features and consumer relevance through quantitative research. The campaign spanned digital and physical touchpoints—featuring in-store POS displays, influencer-led social media, and a compelling educational video to demystify smart plant care.

 

Finalists: Meadow View Stone – Augmented Reality Customer Visualiser;  Evergreen Garden Care – Bringing Gardens to Life campaign; Fandango Fire Tools – Kindling Cracker™ Carefully Curated Use Generated Content Campaign; Webb Garden Power – Create Your Perfect Garden 

 

Associate of the Year

             

Winner: Hornby George PR 

Finalists: CM Ventures, Wright Obara , MorePeople , Aspin 

 

Garden Care

 

Winner: Vitax – Vitax Dahlia Feed      

The perfect balance of tailored nutrients to help gardeners to achieve outstanding displays of dahlias. Clear, concise packaging gives gardeners the confidence they are buying the right feed for these hugely popular, on-trend plants.    

Finalists:

Empathy by PlantWorks Ltd - Empathy Bioactive Compost Improver

Evergreen Garden Care (UK) Ltd - New Miracle-Gro Lawn Care Range     

Westland Horticulture - Westland Premium Pine Bark        

Westland Horticulture - Westland Mini Bale 25L compost range

 

Garden Care Sustainability Category Champion                

Winner:  PlantWorks Ltd– Empathy Bioactive Compost Improver 

Enriched with rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria for stronger roots, vibrant growth, and more flowers and fruit. Backed by three years of trial data in peat-free compost, it is eco-friendly and effective treating three 50L compost bags and comes in recyclable, weather-resistant packaging.                

 

Growing Planting Equipment & Sundries

                  

Winner: GARDENA UK – Growing P E S Gardena AquaBloom L

The solar-powered AquaBloom L keeps up to 30 plants thriving without the need of an outside tap or power source. The system uses intuitive Micro-Drip technology which not only saves a substantial amount of water, but also encourages healthy plant growth, as it waters directly at the roots, where plants need it most. The system uses patented ‘Quick&Easy’ connection technology for easy five-step instalment and can be adjusted at any time.              

 

Finalists:

Westland Horticulture - Flopro Cobra Expanding Hose 15m/25m                

Elho - Green Basics Composter 200L              

GARDENA UK - AquaPrecise 

GARDENA UK - Dual Hose Box 25m                  

                                                       

Growing, Planting, Equipment & Sundries Sustainability Category Champion

Winner: Elho    – Green Basics Composter 200L 

Transforms kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost with ease—ideal for eco-conscious gardeners of all levels. Thoughtfully designed with a 200L capacity, ventilation slots, and a hinged lid for optimal airflow and composting efficiency. Lightweight, durable, and made from 100% recycled plastic—perfect for small gardens, patios, and urban spaces.         

 

Garden Tools, Machinery & Implements

              

Winner: GARDENA UK – Gardena StarCut pro L set

StarCut Pro L Set, Bypass Cut, Telescopic Pruning Lopper with Saw and Adapter

Ultra-light and ergonomic, the easy-to-use StarCut tree pruning lopper that can cut branches up to 6m high. The enclosed pulling mechanism prevents any tangling while pruning. High quality power-coated blades that ensure a clean, healthy cut. The cutting head is tiltable so it can cut branches in awkward areas easily. The integrated hook allows you to take down cut branches safely to the ground.                  

 

Finalists:

Burgon & Ball - BoronGreen® RHS-endorsed gardening tools         

Westland Horticulture - The Kent & Stowe Capability Digging Spade         

Spear & Jackson UK Ltd - Kew Gardens Collection 6" Folding Garden Saw            

GARDENA UK - Gardena PremiumCut Pro Secateurs Set 

 

Garden Tools Sustainability Category Champion               

Winner: Burgon & Ball – BoronGreen® RHS-endorsed gardening tools 

Boron steel is stronger, tougher and more durable than high-carbon steel. BoronGreen boron steel delivers gardening tools with performance above and beyond that of a like-for-like tool in carbon steel. With steel made from 80% recycled materials, it’s believed BoronGreen’s steel marks a first in UK tools: a unique combination of boron steel performance with more sustainable sourcing. Each tool has a 25-year guarantee.

 

Outdoor Leisure

     

Winner: Woodlodge Products Ltd – Eco Cushions

Using fabric made from recycled water bottles, the label of each water repellent cushion specifics the number of 500ml plastic bottles recycled to make the product.

 

Finalists:

Woodlodge Products Ltd - Costa Rica 4 Seat Round Dining Set & Emperor Parasol        

Homefire - Homefire Coffee Briquettes         

Eco Fuego - El Campo Fire Pit               

Maze - Deluxe Linear Outdoor Kitchen           

                                                      

Outdoor Leisure Sustainability Category Champion 

Winner: Woodlodge Products Ltd – Eco Cushions                  

 

Plants, Seeds & Bulbs

           

Winner: Mr Fothergill's Seeds – DT Brown Vegetable Seeds Range              

A compact range of 120 herbs and vegetable seeds across two display stands aimed at cooking enthusiasts to celebrate and promote home-grown veg for freshness and the best flavour. Each packet design incorporates an image of the mature vegetable and a culinary image of the veg in use.             

 

Finalists:             

Mr Fothergill's Seeds Ltd - Johnsons Cut Flower Seed Range          

Johnsons Lawn Seed - Nature’s Lawn             

 

Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Sustainability Champion                 

Winner: Johnsons Lawn Seed – Nature’s Lawn         

Combines UK native perennial wildflowers with lawn grasses to attract and sustain pollinators like butterflies and bumblebees, enhancing lawn ecology. Nature’s Lawn thrives without the need for fertilisers or selective weedkillers and mowing can be tailored to suit each lawn owner's preferences. Once established, it provides a rich habitat for pollinators, attracting them for up to six months each year and is still useable as a lawn. We produce our own native wildflower seed. 

 

Garden Landscaping

         

Winner: Keter UK Ltd – Keter Potting Shed   

More than just a storage solution: a dedicated workspace and vibrant creative hub for all your hobbies.         Hybrid roof design, featuring a translucent section that brings in natural sunlight and an opaque section to protect plants and tools from unpredictable weather. Five user-friendly windows that open for ventilation plus two fixed corner windows, for a bright and airy environment. 

 

Finalists:

Meadow View Stone  - Flexi Fix Edging 

Meadow View Stone - Porcelain Stepping Stones  Versatile Shapes

Altico Garden Products Ltd - British Nature Stepping Stones          

Altico Garden Products Ltd - British Wildlife Stepping Stones        

 

Garden Landscaping Sustainability Category Champion 

Winner: Keter UK Ltd  – Keter Potting Shed                   

 

Garden Clothing & Gifts

Winner: Primeur – Bree Merryn Doormat Collection              

The Bree Merryn Doormat Collection combines exceptional artistry with everyday functionality, transforming a practical home essential into a beautiful, giftable piece. A collaboration between Primeur and renowned Yorkshire wildlife artist Bree Merryn, this exclusive range brings fine art to your doorstep.          

 

Finalists:

E P BARRUS - Dragonfly Garden & Gifting Range     

Burgon & Ball - Burgon & Ball Collector Hand Tools               

LBC (ULTRALIGHT) BOOTS - ULTRALIGHT Olive Chelsea Boots    

Deco-Pak- Pebble Kind             

 

Garden Clothing & Gifts Sustainability Category Champion

Winner: Primeur – Mighty Mats Eco Doormat Collection 

The Mighty Mats Eco Doormat Collection is a stylish, sustainable range designed to deliver high performance and long-lasting value.  Each mat has been made from recycled materials, offering a solution for consumers who want to maintain a functional home while supporting sustainability.

 

Pet Care, Aquatics & Wild Bird Care

           

Winner: Reveal HoldCo UK – FeatherSnap Smart, Solar Powered Bird Feeder    

Smart solar powered feeder that utilises a 4MP camera powered by a removable lithium-ion battery to capture photographs and video footage directly to a user friendly, intuitive mobile app on your device.   

 

Finalists:

Smart Garden Products Ltd - Titan 4-Way Garden Hanger                 

Westland Horticulture - Peckish Woodland Feast Multi Feeder    

SealStop - SealStop valve       

CJ Wildlife - Penn 2-in-1 Bird Feeder

 

Pet, Wild Bird & Aquatic Sustainability Category Champion

Winner: SealStop – SealStop valve 

SealStop is an automatic water shut-off device that attaches to hosepipes to fill buckets, containers, or troughs. It stops the flow when the water reaches the top, preventing overflow. Saves water and time by eliminating waste, mess, and the need to monitor filling making it ideal for gardeners, growers, home use and anyone using large containers. Made in the UK, supporting local manufacturing and sustainability while delivering a durable, reliable solution.                                 

 

Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation

Winner: Altico Garden Products – Whirlpool Water Feature

Innovative centrepiece featuring a vortex whirlpool effect enhanced by integrated LED lighting, delivering a striking visual impact unlike traditional water features. Elegant detailing embossed with tropical leaf patterns in calming grey-green tones with white accents offer a refined, contemporary aesthetic.      

 

Finalists:

Treadstone Products - Orchard Garden Sculptures               

Smart Garden Products Ltd - Galaxy Festoon Firefly String Lights                

LV Bespoke - Glass & Steel Garden Feature Stakes Collection      

Smart Garden Products Ltd - Firefly DécorCan        

Altico Garden Products Ltd - Courtyard Water Feature       

 

Garden Décor Sustainability Category Champion 

Winner: L V Bespoke – Glass & Steel Garden Feature Stakes Collection                  

Create interest year-round with a collection of glass and steel combined products, made in UK. Encourage all ages to embrace gardening by utilising our photography ball finish.Long-life product range made from UK steel components and hand finished in Norfolk. 

 

Decorative Pots & Planters

                  

Winner: Woodlodge Products – Liberty          .

Lightweight pots with a high-end glazed ceramic effect – ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Made from 100% recycled materials and fully recyclable after use, including eco-conscious packaging. Available in 10 stylish colours and three versatile sizes, offering both aesthetic appeal and affordability.  

 

Finalists:

Keter UK Ltd - Keter Signature Planters and Elevated Bed Family                  

Primeur LTD - Garden Central Value Planters             

Strata Products - Amalfi Planters       

Keter UK Ltd - Keter Tetra Pak Medium Planter          

 

Decorative Pots & Planters Sustainability Category Champion

Woodlodge Products – Liberty

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