Registering your event only takes a few minutes and doing so enables you to request a host of fundraising support tools including branded t-shirts, balloons and collection boxes to ensure that your day (or weekend!) of fundraising goes with a bang, drawing in crowds from all over.
Those looking to tackle the ever-popular Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge – including the newly introduced North Walk - also have dedicated pages for those wishing to take part to register. Registering online provides the organising team with essential information to ensure your safety during the challenge.
Additionally, registering your event – whether it’s joining the Sponsored Walk, holding a cake sale of coffee morning, or tackling a feat of endurance - ensures that the Greenfingers Charity can maintain contact with all its amazing fundraisers and, importantly, keep a running total of monies raised (don’t forget to set up a JustGiving page to help support your efforts). It also enables Greenfingers to give all supporters a shout-out on social media and in the press so don’t shy away from your moment in the spotlight!
So don’t forget, whatever you are doing this March 24th make sure you let the Greenfingers team know.
Find out more
Visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/get-involved/gardenreleaf to find out more about Garden Re-Leaf Day 2023 and to sign-up to one of the organised events or to register your own fundraising activity. Alternatively, email Greenfingers’ new Events & Digital Fundraiser, Craig Field, at craig@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to obtain a 2023 fundraising pack.
Meadow View Stone brings over 25 years’ experience of supplying the widest range of imported and exclusive decorative aggregates, with market leading POS and merchandised displays...
Meadow View Stone brings over 25 years’ experience of supplying the widest range of imported and exclusive decorative aggregates, with market leading POS and merchandised displays.
Inspirational product displays are one of the winning attributes of Meadow View Stones offering and these are available in a multitude of sizes and varieties. Durable and flexible vinyl’s containing aspirational “hero shots” of the various product categories, are used to create an impactful backdrop to in-situ product displays.
These retail displays have been designed to inspire and influence customers buying decisions, increase cross selling opportunities and aid sales by featuring numerous different complementing products, and plants if desired. As a result, stockists have achieved significantly increased sales, by as much as 27%.
Jess Dabell the companies Brand manager states: “Retailers are looking for solutions which will help sell, inspire and influence the customers buying decisions, with the aim to increase basket spend. These creative spaces, achieve both a functional purpose in directing customers to the correct product category, but also more importantly have been proven to increase sales by visually inspiring customers, whilst transforming the look and feel of the centres for retailers."
All the companies POS boards and Vinyl’s are manufactured from a 100% plastic free material, further enforcing the companies’ ambitions to offer more greener, sustainable solutions.
For more information on how to grow sales with our merchandising concepts, speak to your local sales agent or email: jess@meadowviewstone.co.uk
Registration is now open for SOLEX, the biggest three-day event in the outdoor living trade calendar being held in Hall 5, NEC Birmingham, on 10-12 July. Visit https://bit.ly/registerforsolex
Registration is now open for SOLEX, the biggest three-day event in the outdoor living trade calendar being held in Hall 5, NEC Birmingham, on 10-12 July.
This essential ‘Celebration of Summer’ event showcases what’s new and what’s on trend in outdoor living for the Spring/Summer Season 2024.
The Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition is the exclusive event for LOFA (Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association), the UK’s official trade body for the luxury outdoor living sector, whose mission is to promote luxury brands to quality industry buyers. The SOLEX exhibition highlights all the new designs and developments from LOFA members for both the retail and contract markets.
If you haven't visited SOLEX before it is a great place to do business. This relaxed and friendly industry exhibition is where you can establish new relationships and develop existing ones.
Solex has the outdoor retailer in mind with its nine sectors of outdoor living products:
Garden Furniture
Shading
Outdoor Living Accessories
Barbecues
Garden Decoration
Garden Leisure Buildings
Outdoor Heating
Outdoor Health
Outdoor Entertainment
This year Solex is once again partnering with the BBQ Magazine who will be hosting the Loving Outdoor Living area, where you can sample some tasty treats from our BBQ brands. You can immerse yourself in our new product area where you will be able to see brand new and innovative products from our exhibitors. Take a mini health check with Perennial who will be manning a special LOFA branded booth across the 3 days and visit the Landscape Garden provided by the Landscape Show one of our SOLEX partners.
SOLEX attracts quality buyers and visitors from multiple and independent garden centres, high street and department stores, online retailers, DIY Stores, and other industry professionals.
BRANDS ON DISPLAY
4Seasons Outdoor UK
Alexander Rose
Ascalon
BBQ Gourmet
Beefeater
Bramblecrest
Celtic Spa
Charbroil
Charles Taylor
Daro Trading
Extreme Lounging
Firepits UK
Gardeco
Garden Furniture Global
Glencrest
Garden Impressions
Hartman
Hex Living
Innovators International
Kamado Joe
Kettle Interiors
Kettler
Leisure Grow
Lifestyle Appliances
Lifestyle Garden
Mercer Agencies
Minster Stylish Living
Munro Importers
Norfolk Leisure
Outback International
Pacific Lifestyle
Pitt Boss Barbecues
Quest Leisure
Supremo
Tobs
Tramontina
Tripod Home
ATTRACTIONS
Must have outdoor living products
Loving Outdoor Living Area
BBQ Magazine
Perennial Health Check Area
Landscape Garden
New Product Showcase
Don’t miss out on being part of this great event, register today to visit the only exhibition organised by the industry for the industry.
Garden Centre Association members are being reminded to enter any staff members with a keen interest in horticultural visual merchandising into the Glee Talent Store competition by Wednesday of this week...
Garden Centre Association members are being reminded to enter any staff members with a keen interest in horticultural visual merchandising into the Glee Talent Store competition by Wednesday of this week.
Entrants into the competition will take on a short course in visual merchandising, branding and retail, which includes training from industry experts.
Peter Burks, Chief Executive at the GCA, said: “If any of our garden centre managers and owners have a team member with a keen interest in horticultural visual merchandising, we are urging them to enter them into the Glee Talent Store competition, where they will take on a hands-on training day, with the chance to engage with experts from across the industry, including Debbie Flowerday, a Visual Merchandise Consultant who has worked with the likes of Selfridges, Gucci, and John Lewis and Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek, plant expert and leading horticultural influencer.
“Participants will also have the chance to put what they’ve learnt into practice and design their own pop-up store, to be brought to life at Glee 2023.
“It’s the ultimate industry showcase for emerging retailers and is a great opportunity for garden centre staff to learn from the best.”
Glee will take place at the NEC Birmingham from June 27 until 29, 2023.
To apply/nominate, please visit https://bit.ly/3XNko8X. The deadline for entries is February 22, 2023.
Matthew Mein, Event Director at Glee, said: “Visual merchandising is key to effective retailing. It has the power to entice and inspire consumers at the point of sale, with different components appealing to and engaging a diverse mix of shoppers. Recognising this individuality, we wanted to create something that celebrated these differences and encouraged visual merchandisers from across the garden retail sector to get involved. The Glee Talent Store is a great way for these talented and vital team members to celebrate their skills, and we’re incredibly excited about what they’ll be showing us in June.
“We’re also especially hoping that the Glee Talent Store will provide an outlet for younger visual merchandisers to shine. As an industry, we know that there is a deficit of younger workers and hope that this new feature can help to create a career path for the next generation.”
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
Gates Garden Centre has won the award for Rutland & Melton’s Favourite Independent Shop, as well as picking up the Best Garden Centre accolade...
Jack Gates receives the awards from local MP Alicia Kearns.
In January Alicia Kearns, MP Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, opened voting for her annual competition to find Rutland and Melton's favourite independent shop. This year's competition saw seven hundred nominations submitted across 15 categories, and over 19,000 residents voted.
Alicia, said: “We are so lucky to have an incredible number of independent shops across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough villages and this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate these wonderful businesses and their contribution to our local economy. The competition seeks not just to celebrate, but to help raise the profile of our wonderful independent shops!"
It has been announced that Gates Garden Centre not only won Best Garden Centre in the awards, but also the overall winner and is now officially Rutland & Melton’s Favourite Independent Shop.
Jack Gates commented: “A big thank you to Alicia for organising the Favourite Independent Shop Awards and helping raise the profile of this sector. Of course, we’re incredibly proud to have been so successful and it’s a credit to our hard-working team here that we’ve provided a shopping experience and retail environment that our customers have enjoyed and recognised in the Awards.”
Alicia Kearns MP commented: “Huge congratulations to Gates Garden Centre who are the overall winner and winner of Best Garden Centre in Rutland and Melton’s Favourite Independent Shop Awards 2022-3!
With over 1,300 votes this award is so well deserved and the team have done the most amazing job to grow this garden centre into one of the largest in the country! I know that Gates is a firm favourite in households across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough villages.”
The awards were voted for by members of the public. Here are some of the comments made about Gates Garden Centre:
“Friendly staff, great fresh produce, local produce, great service.”
“It's our once a month day out for us. Great food, lots of gift ideas, plants, clothes & shoes, farm shop & now also has Lakeland.”
“Everything you need one place, amazing fresh produce in the farm shop, plenty of concessions from fashion, pets and toys, excellent Christmas and seasonal shopping, plenty of gift ideas and availability and great cafe and restaurant to grab a quick bite to eat or sit down meal.”
“Has a wide variety of beautiful gifts and plants, something for everyone.”
“The most healthy plants, a huge selection to choose from, wonderful home and giftware, the best Christmas department for miles, authentic local food and drink in the farm shop, great restaurant and most important the very best customer service I have ever experienced. We are so lucky to have this gem on our doorstop.”
“Great Christmas displays for the children! Good local produce and has everything to offer for the local community.”
“It's absolutely brilliant. So much to see, great value and nice staff.”
“Fantastic range of home and garden products and great customer service.”
“So much to offer in one space, we love to spend an afternoon there grabbing a coffee, mooching around- especially in the seasonal section which is always amazing especially at Xmas. Then we can pop into the farm shop to get a nice dinner and drinks to take home with us. We often travel an hour to get here because we love it so much.”
“Lovely Christmas display plenty to see. Great restaurant.”
Fran Barnes, CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association, has responded to the Scottish Government’s launch of its consultation on ending the sale of peat in Scotland...
Responding to the Scottish Government’s launch of its consultation on ending the sale of peat in Scotland, Fran Barnes, CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) commented:
“The horticulture sector in Scotland and the rest of the UK supports the move away from peat. We will engage with this consultation on behalf of our members who have already made great strides in transitioning away from the use of peat; we are now at an historic low as a proportion of peat use for the industry (30% in bagged compost at retail and 51.7% in professional use). But trials have seen varying results, and progress won’t always be straightforward. We welcome the Scottish Government’s consultation on the matter, and the opportunity to set out the complexities involved in the use of peat as a growing media.
“In particular we welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to exploring possible exemptions to any ban. We would also emphasise the importance of ensuring legal consistency with the rest of the UK, to avoid internal markets becoming skewed.
“Any government considering legislation to ban peat use should ensure they are ready to support the horticultural sector to develop responsibly-sourced alternatives, which do not jeopardise the sustainability or price of the growing media, nor affect the quality of the crop produced. Facilitating research and development and knowledge exchange on best practice for growing peat-free is an absolutely essential part of this process. We need the Government’s support to ensure the transition away from peat enables Scotland’s horticulture sector to play its vital role in contributing to the country’s net-zero targets, while remaining competitive and sustainable as a business sector.
“As we have done in relation to the upcoming retail sales ban in England, we will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government on this matter and work with our members in Scotland to help them prepare for any potential peat ban.”
The Bransford Webbs Plant Company welcomed over 100 customers to their Worcestershire site this week, for their ‘Plant Retailing: A Sustainable Future’ day, in conjunction with New Leaf Plants...
The Bransford Webbs Plant Company welcomed over 100 customers to their Worcestershire site this week, for their ‘Plant Retailing: A Sustainable Future’ day, in conjunction with New Leaf Plants.
The day saw attendees visit the nursery for a guided tour, talks by Simon Blackhurst on the ‘Transition Away from Peat’, Karl O’Neill on ‘Integrated Crop Management’ and New Leaf Plants on ‘Preparing Climbers for the Season Ahead’, and a mini trolley fair.
During the event Bransford Webbs also promoted their sustainable practices. To bring together these practices in one place, an online publication has been launched – ‘Sustainable Growing at The Bransford Webbs Plant Company’. This can be downloaded from their newly refreshed website, www.bransfordwebbs.co.uk and will be emailed out to current customers over the next few days.
Through the trade zone of the website customers can also access up to date availability lists, the webshop and an online image library.
The sustainability booklet will only be available as a digital copy, making it sustainable, outlining six main areas – Growing Media, Biological Control, Energy, Water, Recycle & Reuse and Our Team.
“The success of these open days highlights the desire from our customers to learn more about the sustainable measures we are taking to grow the plants that we supply,” commented Adrian Marskell, Managing Director. “This is something that affects us all and shows the importance of working together.”
Online registration for the International Festival of Garden, Leisure and Pet, Glee 2023 – taking place at the NEC in late June (27th – 29th) - is now live via www.gleebirmingham.com/visitor-registration. Join the show to see over 400 established and emerging brands, access unrivalled networking opportunities, discover thousands of new products as well as the latest market intelligence and trend-led insight.
Online registration for the International Festival of Garden, Leisure and Pet, Glee 2023 – taking place at the NEC in late June (27th – 29th) - is now live. Join the show to see over 400 established and emerging brands, access unrivalled networking opportunities, discover thousands of new products as well as the latest market intelligence and trend-led insight.
This year’s registration process – accessed via www.gleebirmingham.com/visitor-registration - is slightly different as the Glee team wants to ensure that they send the right information to visitors, to help them to make the most of their visit. All visitors just need to answer a few questions about their business via the online link. These details will then be checked and an email confirming their free digital ticket will arrive within one to two working days.
Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “Glee’s role has always been to facilitate the growth of garden and pet retailing and the 2023 event - strategically positioned at the end of June - is poised to brilliantly fulfil that role, all with a fun, summery festival feel. The event is well placed to enable buyers from across the retail spectrum to meet with exciting new innovators and existing suppliers, source new products and place orders for the latter end of the 2023 season as well as looking ahead to 2024. Whilst onsite at the show, buyers can also glean invaluable information about future trends, pick up advice about all aspects of the business and understand the issues that are shaping our industry today.”
Don’t miss Glee 2023
As the International Festival of Garden, Leisure and Pet, Glee 2023 will connect the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation across three-action packed days. Join the all-new Talent Store to learn more about the power of visual merchandising from the industry’s newest and emerging talent or visit Glee’s Green Heart to source the latest plant varieties.
The relocated Fire, Grill & Chill will be the place to see grills, barbeques and firepits in action, making it the go-to place for leisure buyers to source 2024 ranges. Innovation and ‘the next big thing’ can be seen at Glee’s dedicated New Product Showcase, often the first port of call for buyers who are looking for exciting new ranges.
Elsewhere, Glee will be packed full of added-value content including The Stage, where education will be the order of the day, whilst the industry’s leading buyers and buying teams are celebrated within the Buyers’ Power List.
Find out more
Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation.
To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, which will take place June 27th – 29th at the NEC, please call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
The Greenfingers Charity has expanded its internal team with the appointment of Craig Fields as Events & Digital Fundraiser...
The Greenfingers Charity has expanded its internal team with the appointment of Craig Fields as Events & Digital Fundraiser.
Craig has long been a supporter of Greenfingers and has previously created a promotional video for the charity to help communicate the work that it undertakes each year. Within his new role, Craig will provide support for the charity’s event fundraisers, including key events such as Garden Re-Leaf Day (24th March 2023) and the London Landmarks Half Marathon. As such he will be a regular, friendly presence for those taking part in these events. Craig will introduce new fundraising collateral and will be on hand to answer any questions they might have, to ensure events run smoothly and optimises their full potential.
In addition, Craig will be working alongside Garden Connect to provide valuable support with the website www.greenfingers.org.uk – where recent updates have already improved the user experience.
Talking about his new role, Craig said: “I am so excited to join the Greenfingers team. It’s such a worthwhile cause and I have heard about how passionate and selfless many of the supporters are so I’m keen to learn more and to support these efforts.”
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at the Greenfingers Charity added: “Craig will be a real asset for our team. His enthusiasm and understanding of the work we do will pay dividends, and I know that our eventers will be in safe hands. We look forward to Craig getting stuck in and to making his mark within our organisation.”
Find out more
You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Retail, hospitality and horticultural managers are being invited to apply for three senior vacancies at the new Dobbies Garden Centre in Antrim, which is due to open later this year...
Retail, hospitality and horticultural managers are being invited to apply for three senior vacancies at the new Dobbies Garden Centre in Antrim, which is due to open later this year.
The company, which is the UK’s largest garden centre retailer, has already been recruiting for a general manager for the store and is now looking for an operations manager, horticulture manager and restaurant manager.
The flagship store, which will be one of Dobbies’ biggest to-date, is located at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park. As part of a £10m investment into the shopping destination, the new Dobbies is expected to welcome more than 800k customers each year. The 110,000 sq ft store will create in the region of 150 new and part-time roles, making it one of the biggest employers at The Junction.
Antrim will be Dobbies’ second store in Northern Ireland, following the success of its Lisburn store, and is due to open in Autumn 2023. It will stock plants, houseplants and gardening products; seasonal items; pet range; cookshop, home décor, gifts and toys. There will also be a foodhall, soft play and 400-seater restaurant.
Dobbies is looking for a talented and energetic management team to lead the new store. The horticulture manager will bring expert knowledge of plant care and maintenance, overseeing the horticulture department operation, maximising sales and growth, and creating a customer focussed environment.
The Operations Manager will take the lead in creating a great place to work, bringing operations expertise, commercial awareness and experience in retail operations management.
Applicants for the Restaurant Manager position must have hospitality expertise, with the successful candidate being responsible for the day-to-day operation of the restaurant and kitchen.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies said: “We’re looking for a team to support our general manager who will thrive on the challenge of making this major new store a success. A commitment to excellent customer service and a passion for our sector will be essential in any candidate.”
Johnsons Lawn Seed is urging garden centres to top up with stocks of Tuffgrass, which has been scientifically proven to create dog patch-resistant lawns and is tough enough to stand up to the wear and tear of daily footfall and the UK weather.
The best lawns start with the best grass seed and Tuffgrass has quickly become a top-performing lawn seed product with both consumers and retailers alike, with over a million boxes sold to date. And with the new season approaching, Johnsons Lawn Seed is urging garden centres to top up this favourite which has been scientifically proven to create dog patch-resistant lawns and is tough enough to stand up to the wear and tear of daily footfall and the UK weather.
Increase in dog ownership
Following a bleak couple of years, the garden has emerged as a bright spot with consumers discovering a newfound appreciation of their home and environment. The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) there is estimated a record 35 million pets in the UK in 2022. After the pandemic, there was a pet ownership boom, with 3.2 million households in the UK acquiring a pet and there are now approximately 13 million dogs in the UK.
When a dog uses the lawn as a toilet, it ultimately damages the lawn because urine is high in nitrogen, which has a similar chemical makeup to bleach. Any dog owner will easily recognise the tell-tale yellow patches where areas of dead and dying grass appear. The development of Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance is revolutionary as 168 grass varieties underwent vigorous testing before discovering that tetraploid fine-leaved dwarf Perennial Ryegrass offers superior resistance to dog urine and won’t turn the lawn yellow.
Tuff with 4Turf
Over the course of the year, areas of the lawn will experience heavy footfall through children playing, family entertaining, and everyday traffic. Johnsons Lawn Seed’s innovative 4turf® - also featuring in revolutionary Tuffgrass - is a tried and tested formula that was developed during an extensive period of research by parent company DLF Seeds in Denmark. It revealed that tetraploid perennial ryegrass was the best with a quicker root development in spring and larger root mass increasing the grass strength.
The result is a lawn that has improved colour and hardiness, is tolerant to stress and drought and will also require less maintenance and irrigation during long dry periods. This means a lawn which needs less water, preventing excess water waste and helping consumers live more sustainably. It is also shade tolerant and will germinate even when soil temperatures are as low as 4°C, making Tuffgrass mixes, perfectly suited to the requirements of most garden lawns in the UK.
Lawn solutions
The average UK garden size is 14m x 14m (196m²) with homeowners aged between 25-44’s gardens measuring just 12m x 12m (144m²). Even though gardens are getting smaller, modern homeowners want to make the most of the outdoor space that they have. With Tuffgrass coming in 210gm, 425gm, 1.275kg and 4.25kg cartons, the formulated mixture will cover all sized lawns**. It is also ideal for new lawns, overseeding and banishing urine lawn burn forever.
Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins said: “Customers are regularly return to the trusted Tuffgrass mixture which is formulated from our world-class breeding programme. With great proven scientific credentials, clear messaging, and unrivalled results, it is easy to see why Tuffgrass is Johnsons Lawn Seed’s best-selling, flagship product. Retailers are strongly encouraged to order this popular market leader now as it is a great way to kick-start the season and top-up your stock holding ahead of peak sales. “
With designs to suit outdoor spaces of all styles and sizes, Bramblecrest has launched its latest range of premium garden furniture, just in time for the new season...
With designs to suit outdoor spaces of all styles and sizes, Bramblecrest has launched its latest range of premium garden furniture, just in time for the new season.
With the belief that relaxing outdoors requires the same ease and enjoyment of being indoors, great attention has been paid to the design, comfort and practicality of each sofa, dining, and lounging set. And with the added options of fire pits, complementary scatter cushions and furniture accessories, the collection delivers the complete outdoor living look.
Johnny Sparkes, Head of Product for Bramblecrest says “Our 2023 collection reflects our customers’ growing desire to create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living. The new all-weather fabric and aluminium ranges replicate the textures and finishes of indoor furniture, but with innovative materials that may be left outdoors, all year round.”
AmsterdamNew
Contemporary Amsterdam features a sleek angular design with broad armrests and sumptuous Eco-cushions for all-day lounging
Available as dining, sofa and firepit sets, in a range of size options.
Key features include:
Rust-free, powder-coated lightweight aluminium frame with broad armrests.
Quick-drying and easy to maintain
Season-proof Eco-Fabric, which is hard-wearing, UV resistant and spun using recycled plastic bottles.
Piston adjustable table which one person can easily lower for occasional drinks or raise to dining height.
Protective cover available
Frame colour: Anthracite/ Cushion colour: Eco Slate Grey. For full details and prices of the Amsterdam range see here.
St LuciaNew
St Lucia offers the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living with fully upholstered fabric chairs. Equally at home in a modern glass conservatory just as much as it would be on a terrace, or by the pool.
Available in dining and sofa sets, in a range of size options.
Key features include:
Quick dry, weather-proof outdoor fabric in Storm Grey
Zero cushion storage required
Durable, frost-resistant ceramic glass tabletops
Lightweight, rust-free aluminium frames
Can be left outside all season with minimal maintenance
Protective covers available
Frame colour: Anthracite / Cushion colour: Storm Grey. For full details and prices of the St Lucia range see here.
ZurichNew
Stylish Zurich is all about effortless chic with laid-back lines and a striking, yet relaxed feel.
Available in dining and sofa sets, in a range of size options.
Season-proof Eco-Fabric, which is hard-wearing, UV resistant and spun using recycled plastic bottles.
Can be left outside all season with minimal maintenance (excluding cushions)
Protective covers available
Frame colour: Anthracite/ Cushion colour: Eco Fawn Linen. For full details and prices of the Zurich range see here.
Bergen New
Scandinavian-inspired Bergen boasts a sleek, square shape and cool, dark aluminium frame. Softened by the natural texture of its FSC teak armrests and tabletops, this is a modern classic.
Available in dining and sofa sets in a range of size options.
Key features include:
Piston operated, height-adjustable tables
Lightweight, rust-free aluminium frames
UV-resistant and Season-proof, Eco-cushions made using recycled plastic bottles
Can be left outside all season (excluding cushions) with minimal maintenance
Protective covers available
Frame colour: Anthracite / Cushion colour: Eco Slate Grey. For full details and prices of the Bergen range see here.
Lucca New
Lucca has a distinctive design primed for relaxation. With effortlessly stylish pedestal legs and generously upholstered seats, backs, and armrests, it’s the perfect choice for lazy days lounging in the sunshine.
o Available as an L-shape sofa or a chaise sofa with rectangle coffee table.
o Key features include: o Generously upholstered sofa, back and arm rests
o FSC teak armrests and tabletops
o Lightweight, rust-free aluminium frames
o Season-proof Eco-Fabric, which is hard-wearing, UV resistant and spun using recycled plastic bottles
o Can be left outside all season (excluding cushions) with minimal maintenance
o Protective covers availabl
Frame colour: Anthracite / Cushion colour: Eco Cobble. For full details and prices of the Lucca range see here.
Vienna New
Sleek Vienna is all about urban simplicity with its contemporary floating design, oak-effect frame and contrasting dark cushions. Made for laid-back evenings with cocktails.
o Available as a corner sofa set with a rectangle coffee table.
o Key features include: o Light oak wood-effect frame and coffee table made from lightweight, rust-free aluminium
o Made using recyclable materials
o Season-proof Eco-Fabric, which is hard wearing, UV resistant and spun using recycled plastic bottles
o Can be left outside all season (excluding cushions) with minimal maintenance
o Protective covers available
Frame colour: Anthracite / Cushion colour: Eco Slate Grey. For full details and prices of the Vienna range see here.
Galway-based Hygeia extends organic ‘Nature Safe’ brand with the launch of an indoor plant feed range and new outdoor products to tackle all gardening needs...
Galway-based Hygeia extends organic ‘Nature Safe’ brand with the launch of an indoor plant feed range and new outdoor products to tackle all gardening needs.
Hygeia, which has been manufacturing garden care, agricultural and veterinary products off the West Coast of Ireland for over 80 years, has announced it has extended its popular ‘Nature Safe’ range to include an indoor plant feed range and new outdoor products to tackle all your gardening needs.
Nature Safe, launched in 2019, is a range of natural, organic and sustainable garden care products, including lawn care, plant feeds and natural pest repellants and now in 2023, the launch of its indoor plant feed range to meet the demand for natural options for indoor plants, or rather the houseplant enthusiast.
The latest additions to the range are specifically designed, not only for the garden, but for the home too.
The newly launched Nature Safe indoor plant feed range includes two products, for all your indoor plant care needs:
Nature Safe Indoor Plant Food 250ml £7 for healthy, vibrant and flowering plants
Nature Safe Orchid Feed 250ml £7 for maximum immunity and healthy orchids
Both products come in a 250ml bottle format that you simply pump in to the base of the plant and add water. From a sustainability perspective they pack a punch. The bottles used are made with recycled plastic and the seaweed used in the Nature Safe range is hand harvested along the pristine Connemara coastline. Once harvested the extract is obtained by using the most natural cold press process with no heat or chemicals added.
John Byrne, CEO of Hygeia commented:“Our Nature Safe range is specifically designed to meet growing consumer demand for natural and sustainable garden care products. It makes perfect sense that consumers would want to now bring that same care inside, to use a natural feed for the plants in their homes, on plants that are so closely located to them, their family and their pets. With gardening season now upon us, it’s time to shop those products that are great for your garden (and home!) but that are also kind to nature.”
One of the most prominent ingredients featured in the Nature Safe range and through the new indoor plant feed products is wild Atlantic Seaweed. Hand-harvested on the Connemara shoreline in Galway, which ensures there is complete regrowth every 3 years, making it the most sustainable option for Nature Safe, using nature to nurture nature, enriching the soil and the plants that we grow and eat with seaweed’s natural micronutrients.
All products in the Nature Safe range are plant-based and organic, making them completely safe for children, pets, pollinators and wildlife.
In addition to the launch of the indoor plant range, Nature Safe are introducing three new products to their impressive outdoor product line up, these include:
Once harvested, the seaweed extract is obtained by using the most natural cold press process with no heat or chemicals added giving plants stronger immunity
Nature Safe Rose & Shrub Feed2KG £7 brilliant for blooms and optimum plant growth
Nature Safe Fruit & Veg Feed2KG £7 - Promotes a naturally healthy eco system
Combining seaweed and plant-based nutrients, Nature Safe Fruit & Veg feed can also be used as a pre-planting feed for a naturally healthy eco system for strong, healthy plants.
Nature Safe’s range of products are available at all leading garden centres and homestores nationwide. Learn more at www.hygeia.ie or on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Claire Austin, the award-winning nurserywoman and garden writer, returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time since 2016, celebrating her 40 year career in horticulture and the 40th anniversary of her first visit to the show...
Claire Austin, the award-winning nurserywoman and garden writer, returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time since 2016, celebrating her 40 year career in horticulture and the 40th anniversary of her first visit to the show.
Never one to do things by halves, Claire and her team at Claire Austin Hardy Plants are staging two judged exhibits next to one another in the Great Pavilion (GPF 92 A and 92B) each celebrating the specialisms of her acclaimed plant nursery at White Hopton Farm in the Welsh Marches. One of the 4.5m x 4.5m courtyard gardens will shine a spotlight exclusively on Irises, and the other will showcase hardy perennials and peonies.
Iris Courtyard Garden exhibit
The Iris Courtyard Garden exhibit will be planted with over 50 varieties of bearded irises in a spectacular range of colours from pure white and pale pink to the cerise, blue, purple, yellow orange, brown and deepest black and the striking two-tone varieties.
At the centre of the Iris Courtyard Garden, local farmer-florist Emma Cox of Luna Bloom will create a magnificent urn arrangement using bearded irises and the more delicate iris sibirica varieties as cut flowers. Popular with flower farmers for their flamboyant, ruffled blooms and sword-like foliage, irises make beautiful cut blooms and last well in the vase.
Claire holds the National Collection of Bearded Irises and has successfully grown fields of bearded irises in four different locations and soil conditions during her 40 year career. Claire wants to share how easy they are to grow in a garden setting.
A warm spring permitting, the iris varieties making their Chelsea debut will include:
Iris ‘Executive Order’ bears luxurious, sweetly scented flowers on strong stems. The soft blue-white standards are tightly ruffled and flushed with soft violet. The plush velvet, purple black falls pale along to a fine line along the edges. as the petals curl upwards along the ruffles the paler underside becomes visible.
Iris ‘Confection Perfection’ is a long-flowering variety that has delicately coloured, perfectly shaped blooms. The standards are soft pink and the colour is reflected around the edges of creamy white falls. The petals are lightly ruffled and borne on strong stems.”
Iris 'Edwardian Era' is a flashy little number with tightly ruffled petals that are also laced along the edges. The colour blends from pink-lilac to nearly white in the centre of the falls. Lots of buds carried on strong stems.”
Iris 'Table For Two': The flowers on this handsome plant have velvety dark brown falls with short rivers of white radiating from the yellow beard. The copper standards are heavily flushed with purple from the base upwards.
Exciting new highlights are being announced for the return of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair to Beaulieu, from 28th to 30th April 2023. With tickets are on sale now, whether you’re a keen gardener, experienced plant enthusiast or a budding beginner, inspiration will be in plentiful supply...
Exciting new highlights are being announced for the return of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair to Beaulieu, from 28th to 30th April 2023. With tickets are on sale now, whether you’re a keen gardener, experienced plant enthusiast or a budding beginner, inspiration will be in plentiful supply.
Headline partner, Hillier, will present a stunning walk-through garden inspired by The Secret Garden. Enclosed by high hedges, visitors will step inside to discover a spectacular display of colour co-ordinated plants and shrubs portraying the movement of the sun during a spring day, from the cool whites and purples of daybreak to the fiery reds and oranges of sunset.
As the UK’s biggest tree grower, trees will feature prominently in the Hillier garden with a contemporary area planted with brilliant white trunked Himalayan Birch (Betula ‘Jacquemontii’) amongst a sea of lush green hostas. Wildflowers will surround the entire garden. Visitors feeling inspired to recreate elements of the Hillier garden at home will find plant information throughout the display, advice stations and a large Hillier retail area offering plants and garden accessories. Hillier Gardening Club members will be able to access the alfresco Club Lounge at the Spring Fair.
The shopping doesn’t stop there. New nurseries and plant specialists Alchemy Ferns, Calamazag, Eleplants, Hedgehog Plants, John Cullen and Jurassic Plants will be joining the line-up of more than 150 exhibitors offering quality outdoor and indoor plants, garden tools, kit and accessories. Don’t want to carry your haul of new plants and garden bargains around the show? The Spring Fair’s Shop ‘n’ Drop is the place to leave shopping so you can enjoy your day bag-free, collecting it all when you head home.
Visitors to the Spring Fair will find imaginative design and planting ideas at every turn. Award-winning designer Paul Stone’s showcase garden, Theatre of Greens, will be packed with veg and edible plants and features an accompanying programme of daily talks. Hosted by Chris Bavin, the talks area will feature ‘grow your own’ gurus including Garden Organic’s Head of Horticulture and former Blue Peter gardener, Chris Collins, fungi experts The Caley Brothers, veterans from the National Vegetable Society and more to be announced. New Forest based garden design firm, The Landscape Service, will present the calming Nordic Retreat, a large Showcase Garden featuring spaces to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. An array of compact 9m2 Beautiful Borders will offer inspiration for small gardens and challenging spaces with the theme of ‘My Garden Escape’, and on a micro scale, organic gardening charity, Garden Organic, will present a 1m x 1m design inspired by bugs, birds and biodiversity, featuring a veg plot, composting system and high-rise bug hotel.
Horticultural students from Kingston Maurward, Merrist Wood and Cannington Campus (Bridgewater and Taunton College) will create budget-friendly gardens, under the expert eye of mentor Cherry Carmen, the award-winning garden designer whose accolades include a Gold Award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
Spring Fair visitors can book added extras for their day out, like the ever-popular Plant Expert Tours of Beaulieu’s Victorian walled gardens with Lucy Chamberlain, Saul Walker and Beaulieu Head Gardener, Kelvin Yapp; Floral Crown workshops with tutors from the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies’ (NAFAS) Hampshire group; and Oyster Mushroom Growing workshops with the Caley Brothers.
The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage features special guests, Frances Tophill (Friday), Arit Anderson (Saturday) and Adam Frost (Sunday), who will be joining the Magazine’s editors to share practical advice about ‘what to do now’ in your garden.
For visitors looking for a bite to eat, there will be delicious food and drink to be enjoyed at the BBC Good Food Market and a variety of artisan producers and street food vendors, with live music at the Bandstand.
Rachel Poletti-Gadd, Portfolio Director - Gardening Division at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World events, said: “This will be our third Spring Fair and we can’t wait to be back at beautiful Beaulieu, surrounded by gorgeous plants. Whether you’ve got a bare patch of grass, a mature garden or a window box, our inspiring events for hands-on gardeners are packed with advice, inspiration and take-home ideas, plus you’ll find some well-known faces sharing their experience, expertise and probably a visitor selfie or two! Of course, a good day out isn’t complete without something tasty to eat and drink so a visit to the BBC Good Food Market and street food vendors is a must. With so much to offer gardening fans and first-time gardeners alike, including all of Beaulieu’s wonderful attractions, this really is the perfect spring day out.”
Visitors to the Spring Fair can enjoy a full day out as tickets include access to Beaulieu’s stunning grounds, gardens and attractions, including Palace House, the National Motor Museum, the Monorail, and Little Beaulieu adventure play area.
Rachael Goldstraw, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Beaulieu Enterprises, said: “We always look forward to the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair and to sharing our own wonderful gardens with green-fingered fans from far and wide. Spring is the perfect time of year to make garden plans for the warmer months and we can’t wait to see what the incredible designers, landscapers, growers and exhibitors involved will be inspiring us with.”
Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu are on sale now. Advance tickets from £15, concessions £14, children £8.50, under 5s free. Find out more and buy your tickets at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/bbc-gardeners-world-fair-spring.
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
Colin Wetherley-Mein, GIMA Membership Ambassador, has decided to officially call it a day and retire from GIMA...
Colin Wetherley-Mein, GIMA Membership Ambassador, has decided to officially call it a day and retire from GIMA, the leading garden retail supplier organisation.
Colin has been a familiar face within the garden retail industry for 48 years, during his time having worked for Tufflink, Hurn Bros., and more recently, Vitax, where Colin spent 27 years. During this time Colin also played an integral role on the GIMA Council, eventually becoming President in 2015.
Following his first retirement from Vitax in 2017 Colin wanted to keep supporting the industry he loves by working closely with the team at GIMA through his role as GIMA Membership Ambassador; a role originally created specifically with Colin in mind. During his time with the association, Colin has been a fantastic support to so many GIMA members starting out in the sector, providing invaluable advice and information about how to succeed.
Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said ‘Colin has been a great support to our members and also to me personally during my time at GIMA. There is no question that we’ll miss his energy and enthusiasm for our industry. I know that everyone who Colin has worked with over the years will want to wish him a very long, happy and heathy retirement.’
Although Colin is retiring from GIMA, we may still see him around from time to time as he continues his work as Greenfingers Charity Trustee. He also hopes to spend more time on his other passion as a cricket umpire.
Find out more
For further information about GIMA and its wide range of member benefits, or if you would like to be part of the GIMA team, please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk
LOFA has announced the addition of two experienced professionals – Steve Millington and Chris Newman – as Vice Chairman and Council Member, respectively...
LOFA has announced the addition of two experienced professionals – Steve Millington and Chris Newman – as Vice Chairman and Council Member, respectively.
Steve. Sales Director at Tom Chambers, has been in the industry for 30 years. He will be instrumental in steering a successful future course for LOFA alongside existing Chairman Pravin Patel.
Similarly, 4 Seasons Outdoor UK Ltd Managing Director Chris Newman, looks forward with enthusiasm to contributing his expertise towards helping and supporting members during this new chapter at LOFA.
Garden Centre Association members unable to attend the organisation's recent annual conference are now able to view presentations from its inspectors on its website...
Garden Centre Association members unable to attend the organisation's recent annual conference are now able to view presentations from its inspectors on its website.
The presentations made by Alyson Haywood, Phil McCann, Colin Farquhar and Gordon Emslie are available to view via www.gca.org.uk.
Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “Our annual conference is always extremely informative for our members, so any that are unfortunately unable to attend miss out on lots of helpful advice and insights.
“As our Inspectors’ presentations are so informative, we have made them available to view via the news section on our website www.gca.org.uk. Members will be able to download them and catch up on what they missed and still take some of the advice away to use in the everyday running of their garden centres.”
Colin talked to conference attendees about best practice through the eyes of a customer. His presentation included examples of member garden centres that are doing things right.
Alyson Haywood spoke to attendees about houseplants and indoor and outdoor living with some more examples from member garden centres that she had spotted while out and about visiting them.
These included centres promoting the importance of bees, the health benefits of plants and how indoor plants can be used.
She also talked about greener clothing and advised centres to tell their green story wherever possible.
Gaining customers loyalty and improving the environment were covered by Inspector Phil McCann. Gordon Emslie talked about support and the importance of promoting businesses in the community nearby.
Peter added: “Also, during the conference, our Inspectors presented their findings as part of our Christmas Competition. Judging began on November 1 and finished on November 30, 2022 and highlights included The Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s own Christmas video, which racked up more than 120,000 views with no paid ads or sponsorship.
“Another social media champion was Pugh’s Garden Village. They used social media to achieve their Christmas marketing success and won our Worrall Cup award.
“The presentation also included our Inspectors’ key take-aways from the judging process and lots of examples of these, as well as member The Gardens Group’s, Louise Burks with her presentation on moving Christmas into a more sustainable direction. These are also available to download via www.gca.org.uk. We’re all about sharing best practice and helping all our members get the most from being part of our organisation. We’re a friendly and helpful organisation and our members like to support each other as best they can.”
Fordingbridge installed a bespoke staggered taper trellis canopy at Notcutts Cranleigh, designed to enhance customer experience outside of their garden centre building, sheltering customers and products, whilst allowing full use of the business space whatever the weather...
Fordingbridge installed a bespoke staggered taper trellis canopy at Notcutts Cranleigh, designed to enhance customer experience outside of their garden centre building, sheltering customers and products, whilst allowing full use of the business space whatever the weather.
Big on scale and simple on design; this canopy blurs the line between inside and the outdoors introducing customers to open areas of the garden centre which may otherwise be missed due to the weather.
This striking structure allows for plant displays performing at their best, regardless of the time of year, thanks to Fordingbridge’s bespoke fabric roofing; Opal 60. With this sheeting, natural light can flood the canopy whilst its waterproof properties can keep the rain at bay, rejuvenating customer interest and creating a signature to the outdoor retail spaces of Notcutts Cranleigh.
Contact Fordingbridge’s Technical Sales team today to arrange complimentary site visit to your Garden Centre – info@fordingbridge.co.uk, or alternatively call us on 01243 554455.
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...
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 newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
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.
Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.
GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.
Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.
Click on the links below to see The Greatest Christmas Awards judges photo tours of the 17 Gold Award winning garden centres at Christmas 2022:
Altons - The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team, Barton Grange - The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team & The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team, Blue Diamond Newbridge - The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team, Gates - The Greatest Gardening Gifts Sales Team, Gouldings Santa Experience - The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team, Groves Bridport - The Greatest Christmas Community Event Team, Klondyke High Legh - The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team, Little Dobbies Richmond - The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team, Longacres Bagshot - The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team, Meadowcroft - The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team, Pengelly - The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team, Pugh's Radyr - The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team, Pugh's Wenvoe - The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team, Rosebourne Aldermaston - The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team, Rosebourne Weyhill - The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team, The Old Railway Line - The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video, Woodlands Ash - The Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering Team
Click on the links below to see The Greatest Christmas Awards judges photo tours of the 17 Gold Award winning garden centres at Christmas 2022:
Altons - The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team, Barton Grange - The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team & The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team, Blue Diamond Newbridge - The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team, Gates - The Greatest Gardening Gifts Sales Team, Gouldings Santa Experience - The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team, Groves Bridport - The Greatest Christmas Community Event Team, Klondyke High Legh - The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team, Little Dobbies Richmond - The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team, Longacres Bagshot - The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team, Meadowcroft - The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team, Pengelly - The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team, Pugh's Radyr - The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team, Pugh's Wenvoe - The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team, Rosebourne Aldermaston - The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team, Rosebourne Weyhill - The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team, The Old Railway Line - The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video, Woodlands Ash - The Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering Team
Registering your event only takes a few minutes and doing so enables you to request a host of fundraising support tools including branded t-shirts, balloons and collection boxes to ensure that your day (or weekend!) of fundraising goes with a bang, drawing in crowds from all over.
Matthew Mein, Event Director at Glee, said: “Visual merchandising is key to effective retailing. It has the power to entice and inspire consumers at the point of sale, with different components appealing to and engaging a diverse mix of shoppers. Recognising this individuality, we wanted to create something that celebrated these differences and encouraged visual merchandisers from across the garden retail sector to get involved. The Glee Talent Store is a great way for these talented and vital team members to celebrate their skills, and we’re incredibly excited about what they’ll be showing us in June.
Responding to the Scottish Government’s launch of its consultation on ending the sale of peat in Scotland, Fran Barnes, CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) commented:
The Greenfingers Charity has expanded its internal team with the appointment of Craig Fields as Events & Digital Fundraiser.
