As of 31st August 2025, ScanCom UK Ltd and LifestyleGarden UK will cease trading and close.

In a statement, the company announced:

“Firstly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support and confidence in the LifestyleGarden brand. In recent years, it’s fair to say that the Outdoor Living market, like many other industries, has faced numerous challenges due to the state of the economy. We hope that we have alleviated some of these pressures by offering local support, smaller quantity distribution, and a flexible, varied range.

“As we all know, running a business—especially one that ships and stores goods—presents challenges. We at ScanCom are no different, and as a result, we’ve been in consultation over recent months, analysing our business model and performance. After much careful consideration, ScanCom has made the very difficult decision to close the LifestyleGarden distribution centre in the United Kingdom to ensure the long-term success of the broader ScanCom operations. Additionally, we will be closing the LifestyleGarden UK showroom.

“Of course, these closures will impact our dedicated team members, some of whom have been with ScanCom UK Ltd and the LifestyleGarden UK team for over 20 years. We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of them for their years of service and unwavering commitment to ScanCom and to you, our valued customer.

“As of 31st August 2025, ScanCom UK Ltd and LifestyleGarden UK will cease trading and close.

“Please rest assured that all committed orders will be fulfilled as planned. ScanCom International will continue focusing on mixed container orders shipped directly from Vietnam to customers in the United Kingdom. If you would like to explore mixed container options, please contact your representative, who will connect you with a member of our sales team.

“After 31st August 2025, please direct inquiries related to after-sales to aftersalesuk@scancom.net, where a team member will be happy to assist you. In the meantime, please feel free to continue reaching out to us in the usual manner, and if you have any short-term concerns, the UK team will be happy to support you.

“We wish you continued success and happiness.”

Dobbies Garden Centre in Brighton has had a major refurbishment unveiling its biggest ever gardening range; a new coffee shop and outdoor seating area; new outdoor furniture, clothing and toy ranges, all in a new store layout.

The refurbishment at Brighton is the first in Dobbies’ extensive programme of investment across the store estate. The plans, developed in collaboration with the store teams, are focused on delivering the best possible customer experience for each store. To deliver this, the plans include improving the fabric of the stores, freeing up space for larger and new ranges and making it easier for customers to shop.

Dobbies has worked closely with new and existing suppliers and partners to increase the plants and gardening ranges and displays, as well as the outdoor furniture ranges. There are new outdoor toy ranges, and the home, gift and spa ranges have increased by 20%. Building on the success of having Regatta in the store, Klass Clothing and Weird Fish have been added to the fashion offering.

A new 56-seater coffee shop has been created for customers looking for light refreshments, alongside the existing 100-seater restaurant. There’s also a new landscaped outdoor seating area, where up to 60 people can enjoy the stunning views.

General Manager, Jason Cowell, said: “We’re really proud of the refurbished store. There are lots of great new facilities and we’ve had really positive feedback so far. We have our biggest ever gardening range, which has been hit with our customers, and the front of the store has also been transformed to create a warm welcome.”

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re really pleased with the changes we have made at our Brighton centre. Early indications from the improvements we’ve made are positive. Investing in the fabric of the store, creating a new coffee shop and new outdoor seating area, as well as expanding and developing the ranges, has all been worked through with our local customer front of mind. Thanks to everyone who has supported this project and we look forward to sharing news of our next refurbished store.”

Picture gallery from the store opening below...

One year ago the UK implemented significant changes to border checks under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), causing immediate and ongoing disruption for environmental horticultural businesses importing vital plants and plant materials. A year on, the Horticultural Trades Association is repeating its urgent call for action, stating that the shift from checks at nurseries and growers to bottlenecks at under-resourced border control points continues to inflict severe damage on the industry both in terms of costs as well as biosecurity risks in their supply chains.

The HTA highlights that this unnecessary overnight change has created persistent chaos in the supply chain. Businesses report alarming increases in haulage costs, with some seeing rises of over 25%. The uncertainty and difficulty of navigating UK border operations have led to international suppliers ceasing trade with the UK horticulture sector altogether. Over the past year, trading has been fraught with issues, including loss of stock due to handling damages at borders, frequent communication failures preventing businesses from getting clear updates on their goods, and significant cost hikes, including ‘Brexit fees’ from suppliers and hauliers.

UK environmental horticulture relies heavily on international trade, with imported plants and plant material being absolutely vital to the industry’s supply chain and underpinning the domestic production sector. These goods are categorised as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and subject to specific trading requirements. 79% of UK nurseries and growers depend on plant product imports, with 99% originating from the EU. Overall, 90% of HTA growers and garden centre members regularly import plant products.

The HTA has repeatedly presented the government with clear, constructive proposals to alleviate these pressures. On this anniversary, the trade body reiterates its calls for urgent action, including:

• Taking immediate action to improve communication channels and trading systems access, including broader access to the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) and the publication of transparent, real-time data on border movements and checks.
• Removing barriers for businesses trying to access the Control Point (CP) system, which allows checks to happen on-site.
• Recognising BCPs limitations for handling plants and trees and facilitating access to alternative arrangements such as Authorised Officer Status (AOS) and flexible 'Place of Destination' (POD+) systems for eligible businesses.
• Improving pest and disease testing capability and biosecurity measures at the border.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented: “While the HTA fully backs the ambition for resetting the UK’s relationship with the EU and delivering a comprehensive SPS agreement inclusive of plant health, we cannot afford to wait for this to resolve the immediate problems at our border. We need action here and now. We have set out our asks frequently, clearly, and constructively over the past year. We remain dismayed that the expertise required to implement this complex system effectively seems to be either disbanded or severely under-resourced.

“The changes introduced a year ago, shifting checks away from our members, many of them experts in the health of plants and wanting to be fully in control of their supply chains, have resulted in an overnight operational nightmare. It has and continues to be all pain, with no tangible gain for biosecurity or efficiency. We receive daily reports of delays, damage and distress for SMEs, who work day in and day out to manage leaps in costs, variable weather and not knowing when their goods will arrive.

The HTA continues to explore every route to find solutions to the issues and work collaboratively to sustain supply chains in the near term whilst we support work for a longer-term resolution on EU-UK trading issues.”

Resolva, the trusted and effective solution for garden weeds from Westland Horticulture, returns to TV screens for a 14^th year of high-profile media presence from the 5^th of May 2025. 

The creative taps into the frustration gardeners feel around persistent weeds, positioning Resolva as the fast, no-fuss solution that helps gardeners take back control. With an early spell of warm spring weather already drawing people into their gardens and visiting garden centres, the stage is perfectly set for increased demand.

The 2025 campaign represents a significant media investment, targeting ABC1 adults aged 45+ through a powerful mix of traditional and digital TV channels. Shoppers will see Resolva during primetime viewing on ITV1, Channel 4, Sky, and Amazon Prime, including hit shows like Clarkson’s Farm. For the first time, the campaign extends to BVOD (Broadcaster Video On Demand) with Sky and Channel 4, offering precise targeting of garden-interested consumers. 

Christine Myers, Brand Manager, for Resolva, commented: “Year after year, our investment in TV keeps Resolva front-of-mind with consumers when weeds become a problem. It’s a trusted brand with a proven track record, delivering superior performance from spot treatments to large-scale applications. Our retail partners will benefit not only from the strong brand awareness, but also the increased category participation our continued media presence drives during the peak gardening season.” 

In common with all Westland products, the Resolva range can be ordered 24/7 via Westland Live, and frequent top-ups are easy as part of a Westland weekly delivery. 

Raglan Garden Centre has announced the sad passing of Jean Davies, beloved wife of Martin, co-owner of the centre. Jean was a devoted mother to Sarah and Alex, and a cherished grandmother to three.

Jean passed away peacefully after a short illness and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all the staff and customers of the centre.

A commemorative service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held on 12th May at 12.30pm at St. Cadoc’s Church, Raglan, Monmouthshire.

The family are sincerely grateful for the kind words and support received during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Cancer Research UK:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/in-memory-of-cora-jean-davies

The UK’s largest family-run group, British Garden Centres, is thrilled to annual its return to BBC Gardeners’ World Live for the fourth consecutive year as the Live Theatre sponsor. The event, an annual staple in the gardeners' calendar, takes place at the Birmingham NEC from June 12th to 15th, and promises a fun celebration of all things horticulture, innovative garden design, and expert advice.

Renowned for its Show Gardens, Beautiful Borders, Floral Marquee, and Plant Village, BBC Gardeners’ World Live is a must-visit event. British Garden Centres is proudly sponsoring the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre. Enjoy inspiring talks from top gardening experts, hosted by BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editors and Nicki Chapman, in a pre-booked seat. The line-up includes Monty Don, Adam Frost, Nick Bailey, Frances Tophill, Sue Bailey, and Rachel de Thame, making the Theatre a must-visit for gardening enthusiasts seeking ideas or answers.

This year, the British Garden Centres team will be joined by Michael Perry, AKA Mr Plant Geek, and garden designer Pip Probert.  Fresh from a Gold Medal win at Harrogate Spring Flower Show, British Garden Centres will once again be providing plants for Pip’s garden at the show.

The Show Gardens, APL Avenue and Beautiful Borders aim to inspire amateur gardeners with ideas that are both achievable and aspirational and can be taken away to try out at home. Visitors can expect a variety of styles and budgets, making it easy to find inspiration to 'get the look' from the show.

British Garden Centres will also have a stand next door to the main stage showcasing plants, sundries and garden furniture with special show promotions and offers, making it a one-stop shop for all green-thumbed visitors.

Your ticket offers more than just Gardeners World Live—it includes entry to the BBC Good Food Show Summer, where you can enjoy live entertainment, cooking demos by top chefs, hands-on workshops, and tastings.

James Ducker, Events Manager at British Garden Centres, said: “We are thrilled to be extending our support to BBC Gardeners' World Live for the third year in a row. As proud Theatre sponsors, we will be located next to the Live Theatre. With a host of engaging sessions and expert speakers, it promises to be an informative and entertaining experience for all attendees. We look forward to being a part of this wonderful event, showcasing our plants and garden offerings and contributing towards the growth of the gardening community.”

The Royal Horticultural Society Licensing team is celebrating its best-ever showing at the Brand & Lifestyle LicensingAwards (B&LLAs), with a record number of nominations – 12 in nine categories – and an unprecedented three category wins in the 2025 B&LLAs including, for the second time, the prestigious Best Licensed Heritage or Institution Brand award.

The event, held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday the 24^th of April, began in thrilling style for the UK’s favourite gardening charity as Jack Hendy, RHS Licensing Development Executive, rounded off his first two years in the business with the B&LLAs Rising Star Award, which recognises and rewards excellence among young professionals new to the brand licensing sector.

The celebrations continued with the announcement that West Design Products, a family-owned manufacturer, distributor and innovator of quality art, craft, stationery, toy and education products, had triumphed in the Best Brand Licensed Gifting Product Or Range for its Adult Arts & Crafts Range. It was a first for West Design – but also for the RHS: this is its first licence for art and craft products.

This wonderful range of embroidery kits and cross-stitch kits, scrapbooks, sketchbooks, and painting-by-numbers sets for a wide age and skill range stood out for its quality but also its design: the colourful and uplifting imagery used in both the packaging and the products themselves takes its inspiration from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art.

And then of course, the RHS made it three awards on the day by winning the highly competitive Best Licensed Heritage or Institution Brand award, open to museum, gallery, heritage, charity or visitor attraction brands, which the RHS formerly scooped in 2017.

To triumph here was especially impressive for the RHS team as, like the RHS itself, every one of the nominees in this category was a household name with a long and distinguished history.

And the RHS was the centre of attention in another way, thanks to support from multiple licensees who helped to create the wonderful table centrepieces at the Awards lunch. The centrepieces included an orchid and a selection of licensed RHS products from nominees Burgon & Ball, Willsow and Freckleface Home Fragrance, as well as other valued licensing partners including Cottage Delight, Drew Brady & Co (SOCKSHOP), Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, The Somerset Toiletry Company and Woodlodge Products. One lucky attendee on each table took a centrepiece home.

These awards have capped an excellent 2024 for the RHS Licensing campaign, which in recent years has grown its licensing programme, opened doors to new retailers, collaborated with well-known brands as well as small craft and family-run brands, supported UK industry and expanded the number of countries it reaches. It has done all this, moreover, while introducing some substantial changes in sourcing and sustainability practices.

But it’s an important win for another reason. The RHS does not have a big licensing team, but the team always works hard and punches above its weight, today managing more than 54 licensees, seeking out new partners and ensuring that licensees and licensed products are aligned with RHS objectives.

As Cathy Snow Licensing Manger RHS says: “We never forget that we support and reflect the values of the UK’s favourite gardening charity.”

She continues: “The B&LLAs are always a highlight of our licensing year, and what a super day it was! Seeing Jack recognised for all his hard work, celebrating the first-ever win for West Design and then joining the team on stage to receive the Best Heritage or Institution Brand award for the second time was a career highlight for me and unforgettable for all of us. We were thrilled to secure 12 nominations with our licensing partners across nine categories but to win an unprecedented three awards was simply astonishing.”

Around 30 people attended a public discussion at Castle Gardens, which is part of The Gardens Group, to learn about plans to introduce a Men’s Shed in Sherborne. Opened by The Mayor of Sherborne, Councillor Robin Legg, the meeting resulted in many individuals coming forward to help form the project’s steering committee.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, delivered a potted history of how the space was previously used by The Green Shed, which provided a workshop for adults with dementia and learning difficulties, before Men’s Shed UK ambassador, Patrick Abrahams, demonstrated the positive impact that Men’s Sheds have in local communities. Sharing success stories from other Men’s Sheds, such as Frome Shed, which he set up in 2014, and how they can create a welcoming environment for adults to come together to make, repair and repurpose, Patrick also gave practical advice on setting up and running a Shed.

Attendees were then invited to share their thoughts and ideas on how a Men’s Shed could be implemented in Sherborne, followed by a tour of the intended space. Over the next few months, those that have shown an interest in setting up a steering committee will be contacted to assign roles, such as a treasurer, secretary and manager, with the hope of officially launching the Sherborne Green Shed this summer.

Guy Patterson, Councillor from Sherborne Town Council, is inviting anyone who would like to be considered  for a role on the steering committee to email him at guy.patterson@sherborne-tc.gov.uk.

Picture caption: (L-R) Guy Patterson, Councillor from Sherborne Town Council, Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, and Men’s Shed UK ambassador, Patrick Abrahams, outside The Green Shed at Castle Gardens in Sherborne.

Hozelock has launched its new Wellbeing Hub —a free dedicated online space designed to highlight the positive impact gardening can have on both mental and physical health.

Now live on the Hozelock website, the Wellbeing Hub is a devoted space offering expert advice, practical guides, and inspiration on mindful gardening, relaxation, and creating a personal outdoor sanctuary. It features a variety of content, including step-by-step guides, garden-to-table recipes, and access to external support resources, making it a valuable tool for gardeners of all experience levels.

As part of this initiative, Hozelock is also collaborating with Thrive, the UK’s gardening-for-health charity. Thrive has been helping people improve their physical, mental, and social wellbeing through therapeutic gardening for over 40 years. This partnership will see Hozelock supporting Thrive’s work, including promoting their new Cultivating Wellbeing app—a digital tool designed to help people use gardening to enhance their mental and physical health.

Additionally, Hozelock will be donating watering systems to Thrive gardens across the UK, ensuring those who benefit from therapeutic gardening have the tools they need to nurture their green spaces.

Alina Gordon, Marketing and Communications Executive at Hozelock, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the Wellbeing Hub and partner with Thrive to highlight the positive impact gardening can have on our everyday lives. Gardening isn’t just about maintaining outdoor spaces—it’s about creating a sense of calm, connection, and purpose. By sharing practical resources and supporting Thrive’s incredible work, we hope to encourage more people to discover the joys and benefits of gardening.”

Commenting on the partnership, Ben Thomas, CEO at Thrive, said: “Gardening is such a rewarding way to improve health and happiness, showing positive effects on both our mental and physical health - we see this every day in our Thrive gardens.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Hozelock to support their Wellbeing Hub and share some of the therapeutic gardening activities from our new cultivating wellbeing app. We hope that together we can help people to experience the benefits of time spent in nature.”

The Wellbeing Hub is now live and can be explored at:

https://www.hozelock.com/wellbeing-hub/

Grass Gains has announced that its flagship Premium Lawn Feed has been selected as a finalist in the Garden Care Product of the Year category at the 2025 DIY Week Awards, one of the UK’s most respected accolades in the home and garden retail sector.

Developed by lawn care professionals and Premiership League groundsmen, the Grass Gains range has rapidly earned a reputation for performance, innovation and consumer appeal. The Premium Lawn Feed was formulated to address a common frustration among gardeners, products that deliver short bursts of green but fail to maintain lasting results. Grass Gains Premium Lawn Feed offers season-long performance, releasing nutrients gradually to promote a deep green, healthy lawn without repeated applications.

“The goal from day one by the founders has been to make professional-level results accessible to everyday lawn lovers,” said Steve Harper, Managing Director at Grass Gains. “To be shortlisted in a category that celebrates true garden care innovation is a huge milestone and validation of the work the team has put into this product.”

In addition to its powerful formulation, the success of the Premium Lawn Feed has also been driven by smart and striking merchandising. The brand’s custom-designed Free-Standing Display Unit (FSDU) has helped independent retailers showcase the product with real impact, featuring bold, educational visuals and a compact footprint that works in stores of all sizes. This off-shelf presence has contributed to strong sell-through rates, turning browsers into buyers by clearly communicating the product’s benefits in seconds.

Grass Gains continues to make its mark as one of the most exciting new names in the UK lawn care market, combining eco-aware formulations, consumer-friendly packaging, and genuine product innovation. With a growing base of retailers and a loyal following online, the brand is on a clear upward trajectory, and the Premium Lawn Feed is just the beginning.

Grass Gains would like to thank the judges of the DIY Week Awards for recognising the potential of this product and for celebrating innovation in the garden care category.

EGO Power+ is adding not one, but two robotic lawnmowers to its portfolio of battery-powered outdoor power equipment.

EGO’s first robotic tools, the RM4000E and the RM2000E can automate mowing for lawns up to 4000m2 and 2000m2 respectively, meaning users can now sit back and let the mower do the leg work.

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO comments: “Re-defining the way that our customers can care for their lawns, our GPS-supported boundary wire robotic mowers use three pivoting blades to deliver a 24cm cutting width, combined with some innovative mowing features, they offer outstanding cutting performance.”

The EGO robotic mowers are part of a select few boundary wire machines on the market to provide systematic mowing, which delivers a more efficient working practice. The systematic mowing feature enables the mower to cut grass systematically in parallel tracks, providing the most efficient coverage, especially in complex lawn layouts.  Likewise, the smart GPS navigation promotes even coverage and reduces wear on the lawn around the charging station. RM2000E and RM4000E are capable of navigating gradients of up to 50%, in challenging and complex spaces.

Users benefit from a choice of simple control settings, with the schedule and mowing settings of both mowers easily adjusted by an intuitive 3.5-inch colour touchscreen display. Also fully connected, the mowers can also be optimised for remote control using the EGO Connect App. Adding the mower to the app offers full live status visibility of the mower via a cellular data connection – meaning the mower is always accessible, wherever you are in the world.

Andrew continues: “By using the EGO Connect app, users can see a map of their lawn, the mower’s live location and details of what areas have been covered so far. And for enhanced usability, the remote-control function in the app enables users to tell the robot mower to drive, park, pause or schedule its work time. Other features, such as changing the LED colour, weather features and software updates enable users to customise their mower and keep it up to date.”

The robot mowers also incorporate advanced sensing and monitoring capabilities, rain, lift and tilt sensors to protect the user, lawn and machine during operation; and GPS tracking to provide advanced warning and traceability in the event of theft.

The RM4000E retails at £2099 and the RM2000E retails at £1699.

For more information visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/robotic-mowers

We are currently seeking a Supervisor for our Garden Sundries department; working five days a week to include Saturday. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with retail experience in Garden Sundries. The role includes the purchasing of selected product ranges including Christmas Lights along side the department manager.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining the department standards
• Driving sales and profitability
• Regular reporting against targets
• Managing stock rotation and control
• Placing orders across product ranges
• Exploring new product lines and ranges
• Maintaining the appearance of visual displays and department housekeeping
• Delivering an exceptional level of customer service at all times

About you:

• Retail experience in garden sundries, DIY and gardening
• Experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Work well in a team
• An eye for detail
• Great self-motivation and a can-do attitude
• Be well presented

Sundries includes products in these areas:

• Garden Machinery
• Tools
• Fertilisers and Chemicals
• Watering
• Garden Hardware
• Garden Accessories
• Pots
• Christmas Lights 

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking

Salary:

• Negotiable based on experience.

Applications and CV to Nigel Wallis: nigel@baytree-gardencentre.com

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link

The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year competition is entering its 15^th year and celebrates exceptional new plants launched since last year’s show and highlights the latest advances and trends in garden plant breeding. This year, 18 plants entered by businesses exhibiting at the show were shortlisted for the competition.

In the first phase of judging, eight horticultural experts shortlist their top entries, with judging based on three key criteria: novelty and innovation, garden performance and sustainability, and impact and appeal. 

The shortlisted plants, as listed below, will go on to be displayed at the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year stand within the Great Pavillion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where they will be judged by members of the seven RHS Expert Groups comprised of plant specialists from across the industry. After judging the plants in person at RHS Chelsea on Press Day, group members will then vote for their chosen plant. The result will be announced on Tuesday 20^th May.

Group members who are unable to see the plants on display will be able to vote online, based on technical information and images provided. Outcomes from both the online and in person vote will be compared to see how they differ.

Please note that information in this document is provided by exhibitors and is subject to change. Plants are new to the UK and/or available for UK gardeners to buy since last year’s RHS Chelsea.

RHS Plant of the Year Shortlist

Salvia TROPICOLOUR SUNRISE ('Tropog021') (Tropicolour Series)

Exhibited by: Middleton Nurseries

Breeder: La Rolando Uría & Francisco Lozano

This easy-to-grow Salvia requires no deadheading. Vibrant orange-red petals are contrasted by coppery-yellow calyxes, and its deep green leaves have striking purple undersides – a unique colour combination in the salvia market. 

Hosta 'Party Streamers' 

Exhibited by: Sienna Hosta

Supplied by: Fairweather’s Nursery

Breeder: Hans Hansen (Walter's Gardens)

Hosta 'Party Streamers’ is the perfect combination of vigour, size, floral performance and leaf shape. A dramatic departure from rounded and heart shaped Hosta leaves, the attractive narrow grass-like leaves comprise a perennial plant ideal for shady areas of the garden. It is a gold, narrow leaf Hosta with ruffled edges that gives the illusion it is always in motion.

Hosta 'Silly String' 

Exhibited by: Sienna Hosta

Supplied by: Fairweather’s Nursery

Breeder: Hans Hansen (Walter's Gardens)

This Hosta exemplifies innovative plant breeding as it is a departure from the traditional Hosta with heart shaped leaves. 'Silly String' has narrow, wavy leaves with a blue colouration. It is an extremely vigorous plant that grows quickly, it also has a multitude of attractive lavender flowers on proportionate stems.

Clematis ELPIS ('Evigsy154')

Exhibited by: Raymond Evison Clematis

Supplied by: The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd

Breeder: Raymond J Evison Ltd

This is a red Clematis with notable outstanding foliage, a trait not akin to red cultivars. This, with the volume of blooms from new growth and tertiary flowers, makes for a very full impactful display, which lasts from late April through to June and again in late summer into early autumn. The name and back story have meaning for many as Raymond Evison Clematis raise awareness of male cancers with two 

associated charities.

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis ZAMBEZI ('Kek5006')

Exhibited by: Gardeners Delight Nursery

Supplied by: Sarah Raven

Breeder: Keith Kirsten

This Agapanthus with broad dark green leaves streaked with creamy-yellow variegation and edged by a golden-yellow margin. Its long-lasting violet flowers grow on tall stems. It is easy to grow with some winter hardiness to -7°C and works well in smaller spaces and containers.  

Salvia 'Peach Melba'

Exhibited by: Proctor’s Nursery

Supplied by: Sarah Raven

Breeder: New World Plants

A pollinator magnet with large, two-tone peach and deep pink flowers in bloom for six months. With a neat and bushy habit, this Salvia is hardy, versatile and adaptable for a changing climate, coping with warmer and drier conditions. Easy to grow and trouble-free, it is ideal for smaller gardens, mixed borders and container growing.

Rhododendron molle subsp. japonicum PINK STAR ('Mapo 2')

Exhibited by: Sparsholt College

Supplied by: Thompson & Morgan

Breeder: Martin Ponjee

‘Pink Star’ stands out with its unique, eye-catching flowers in deep reddish pink, with an extraordinary 20-30 petals. This richly flowering rhododendron reaches 100cm in four years and is winter hardy to -15°C. A true showstopper, combining elegance with true garden resilience. Its striking foliage further enhances its appeal.

Hemerocallis SEE YOU TOMORROW ('Huhe01')

Exhibited by: Sparsholt College 

Supplied by: Thompson & Morgan

Breeder: Michel van't Hul

A day lily with flowers that last up to seven days each. 'See you Tomorrow' brings long lasting flowers to a genus known for flowers that last just one day. It will thrive in most soils including heavy clay. Hardiness down to -18 ºC ensures repeat performance every year. 

Deutzia PRETTISTARS PINK CLOUD (‘Botex 015’)

Exhibited by: Stonebarn Landscapes Ltd

Supplied by: Suttons

Breeder: Botanic Experience BV

The versatility of 'Pink Cloud' makes it a plant for every garden and a highlight wherever it is planted. From a balcony pot to a stately mixed border, it lends well to any space acting as a star performer as spring turns to summer. Flowers buds resemble delicate pearls, before flowering in a profusion of white and pink blushed petals for weeks of early summer colour. It is extremely hardy to -20°C, returning each year with ease, and has no known issues with plant diseases or pests. 

Philadelphus PETITE PERFUME PINK ('P1')

Exhibited by: Sparsholt College

Supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd

Breeder: Alan Postill

This is the first truly pink flowering Philadelphus. Deep pink buds open to pure pink flowers, the outside of the petals then fade to pale pink while leaving a pink centre. With a compact habit, it is ideal for any garden size with a rich fragrance. It is an easy to grow variety, trouble free and thrives in most conditions. Its compact nature means that it requires no pruning.

Geranium × oxonianum GOLD NUGGET ('Hillger')

Exhibited by: Sparsholt College

Supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd

Breeder: Alan Postill

This Geranium forms a perfectly symmetrical circular mound with bright golden foliage patterned with red markings. In early summer, pink flowers emerge to contrast against the foliage. It is an easy to grow perennial, excellent in a pot or border in full sun to light shade.

Streptocarpus 'Betty'

Exhibited by: Dibleys Nurseries

Breeder: Lynne Dibley

An easy to grow, compact houseplant that flowers year-round with large, sky-blue flowers with a flash of deep purple. Strong stems give it an upright habit in a quick growing variety.

Prunus CRYSTAL FALLS 

Exhibited by: Plant Heritage

Supplied by: Frank P Matthews Trees

Breeder: Ken Tobutt

‘Crystal Falls’ is the first weeping, winter flowering ornamental cherry. A hardy variety with unique densely double, dainty, pure white flowers and a neat weeping habit. Flowering can often be for up to 2-3 months from mid-December. The flowers are very robust, sustaining no frost damage. The steeply weeping form of this ornamental cherry means that it will grow in all sizes of garden and even in pots.

Hydrangea FAIRYTRAIL WHITE ('Wnhydfbvywmh') (Fairytrail Series)

Exhibited by: Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Supplied by: Bransford Webbs Plant Company 

Breeder: Mr. Ushio Sakazaki of WinGen LLC 

This plant is the fruit of the continued breeding effort by Mr. Sakazaki. The mophead shaped flowers are a breakthrough in this type of Hydrangea with long trailing stems and flowers at every leaf node covering the entire plant. Thrives in a semi-shaded spot, requiring no pruning, it’s ideal for containers, hanging baskets and open ground.

Rhapiolepsis indica 'White Cloud' 

Exhibited by: Sparsholt College

Supplied by: Hillier Nurseries Ltd 

Breeder: Peter van Groningen 

This Rhapiolepsis has a tidy free branching habit producing a dense mounded shrub bearing prolific, white, fragrant flowers. It thrives in a variety of conditions, is low-maintenance, and provides exceptional resilience to both drought and cold, making it perfect for modern gardens

Fuchsia MAMBO ‘Kerfumam’ (Patio Dancers Series)

Exhibited by: Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Supplied by: Kerley & Co 

Breeder: Tim Kerley of Kerley & Co 

‘Mambo’ is one of 5 varieties in the ‘Patio Dancers’ series, which combines the aesthetic traits of traditional varieties with the plant habit and earlier flowering of modern innovation. Shorter internodes and better branching make a compact classic, perfect for patios, balconies and smaller gardens. 

Lomandra longifolia MINER'S GOLD ('Km-mg24')

Exhibited by: Ashcroft's Perennials and Ornamental Grasses 

Breeder: Keith Miner & Jen Miner 

Unlike traditional green varieties, 'Miner's Gold' adds a unique, luminous dimension, making it a standout selection for designers and gardeners. Its elegant, weeping habit and cascading golden foliage make it a stunning focal point, accent plant or mass planting ground cover. Once established, it is incredibly drought-tolerant, requiring minimal water or maintenance to thrive.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Lady in Red' 

Exhibited by: Ashcroft’s Perennials and Ornamental Grasses

Breeder: Krzystof Slowinski

‘Lady in Red’ has a beautiful mix of dark purple and green leaves in the summer, undergoing a spectacular autumn colour change to vivid red as temperatures drop. This makes for a stunning contrast with the silver panicle flowers. Year-round interest, low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. 

Other New Plants Appearing at RHS Chelsea

Clematis BARONESS FOOKES ('Evigsy156') 

Exhibited by: Raymond Evison Clematis

Supplied by: The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd

Breeder: Raymond J Evison Ltd

The ruffled edges of this Clematis’ flowers add great texture to an already impactful plant. It’s free-flowering nature produces repeat blooms on both new growth and as tertiary flowers. The flowers are also longer lasting and in unusual colours for a modern Clematis that is easy to prune. A compact habit allows for container growing and for placement in mid to front borders where it pairs nicely with climbing plants that have bare bases.

Clematis BRIDGEWATER ('Evigsy155')

Exhibited by: Raymond Evison Clematis

Supplied by: The Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd

Breeder: Raymond J Evison Ltd

A new Clematis with repeating flowers of soft pink for colour in both April/June and September. The plant is extremely free, repeat and long flowering and is simple to prune.

Lathyrus odoratus ‘Amy Dowden’

Exhibited by: English Sweet Peas

Breeder: Phil Johnson of English Sweet Peas

Sweet pea ‘Amy Dowden’ boasts large frilly petals of soft rose pink on a white with a sweet scent. This glittering new variety not only flowers over a long period in the summer but regularly bears at least five flowers on each stem, most varieties only have up to four. Sweet pea ‘Amy Dowden’ is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any garden or floral arrangement. 

*Not entered for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year

Salvia 'Berry Blast'

Exhibited by: Proctor’s Nursery

Supplied by: Sarah Raven

Breeder: New World Plants

This Salvia has a compact habit with intense purple flowers, ideal for smaller gardens and container growing. Versatile and adaptable for a changing climate, coping with periods of low rainfall and higher temperatures. Its flowers are loved by pollinators too.

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Fondant Fancy'

Exhibited by: British Cosmos

Supplied by: Jonathan Sheppard/Thompson & Morgan

Breeder: Thompson & Morgan

This Cosmos is the first with fused petals and a distinctive two-tone central ring. This unique structure not only enhances its visual appeal but also provides a more stable landing platform for pollinators, making it both an ornamental and wildlife-friendly innovation. Easy to grow, drought tolerant and thrives in poor soil an effortless way to add long-lasting colour to the garden.

Hydrangea paniculata LITTLELIGHT ('Hylv19557') (Gardenlights Series)

Exhibited by: Burncoose Nurseries

Supplied by: Javado UK - Leybaert

Breeder: Lendert de Vos

A hardy, low-maintenance Hydrangea that’s compact yet spectacular. Unlike traditional varieties, this new introduction remains neat and self-supporting, with sturdy branches that hold blooms upright, even after rain. This innovation makes it perfect for small gardens, patios, and containers.

Heuchera ETERNAL FLAME ('Fjf 1811')

Exhibited by: Hare Spring Cottage Plants

Supplied by: Thompson & Morgan

Breeder: Frédéric Lafontaine

Fiery veined foliage taking lime green margins in spring and summer and reddish-pink flower panicles set 'Eternal Flame' apart from other Heuchera. A robust, compact habit, full hardiness and vigour against common disease like powdery mildew, make it a perfect low-maintenance addition to any planting scheme. 

Molinia caerulea 'Banshee'

Exhibited by: Hare Spring Plants

Supplied by: Thompson & Morgan

Breeder: Tomasz Grochowski and Artur Maj

Molinia 'Banshee' brings ever changing colour and texture to this popular group of ornamental grasses. Graceful, airy flower spikes flow through shades of dark purple to red and the palest pink. With orange-yellow flower stems in autumn, ‘Banshee’ offers long garden interest - even its winter silhouette adds beauty.

Hydrangea paniculata GROUNDBREAKER BLUSH ('Lc No21')

Exhibited by: Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Supplied by: Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Breeder: Alex Schoemaker Living Creations Holding B.V.

Hydrangea paniculata GROUNDBREAKER BLUSH is the world’s first true groundcover Hydrangea. Its naturally mounding shape, vigorous branching, and outward-reaching stems create a neat, cascading form. A profusion of blooms transition from pristine white to deep pink, offering season-long visual impact in gardens and landscapes.

Mandevilla SUNDAVILLE VERONA RED ('Sunpa 1362') (Sundaville Series) 

Exhibited by: Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Supplied by: Suntory Flowers Europe

Breeder: Suntory Flowers Europe

‘Verona Red’ brings a mediterranean feel to UK gardens. It has a more compact, floriferous, multi branching habit and is both cold and drought tolerant. Its intense red flowers do not fade in the sun, and it is perfect as a patio plant.

Geum FIRESTARTER ('Stocrgeu')

Exhibited by: Blue Diamond Garden Centre

Supplied by: Blue Diamond Garden Centre

Breeder: Fred Yates In conjunction with Greg Freer Stocks Lane Nursery. 

A full double large flowered Geum in the deepest of red that has a long flowering season of up to three months. Its stems are rigid to hold up the large flowers. This colour development on a full double flower adds a new dimension to the range of Geum currently available. The long flowering season will give great garden performance and allow gardeners to get the most out of this versatile plant.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres are delighted to have two of their plant entries, shortlisted in the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year award 2025.

This annual award celebrates outstanding plants with a new or improved feature, setting them apart from those already on the market.

Floral exhibitors in the Great Pavilion are invited to submit new plants to the competition ahead of the Show. Entries are carefully considered by a short-listing panel of RHS and industry experts who whittle down the number of contenders to no more than 20. These shortlisted plants then go on to be displayed at the Show where, on Press Day, members of RHS Expert groups view them and elect a winner.

This year, Blue Diamond Garden Centres are exhibiting in the Grand Pavilion, site GPB 032, showcasing a treasure trove of never-before-seen plants, many of which are exclusive to Blue Diamond Garden Centres!

Blue Diamond entered 5 plants into the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025 award and are delighted that the following two plants were shortlisted: -

Hydrangea Fairytrail® White (‘WNHYDFBVYWMH’), bred by Mr Ushio Sakazaki of WinGen LLC, and part of the Proven Winners® Fairytrail® series. This new and exclusive variety to Blue Diamond Garden Centres, produces mophead-shaped flowers that are a breakthrough in this type of Hydrangea, on long trailing stems with flowers at every leaf node covering the entire plant.  Fairytrail® bloom from mid spring, the perfect way to start the hydrangea season early!  

They thrive in a semi-shaded spot where they should be left to grow unhindered and are perfect in pots on the patio, hanging baskets or planted in the ground. Pruning should be avoided, making this a very easy plant to grow. To a height of 100cm and spread of 120cm.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres entered this plant into the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025 award, and it will be available, exclusively in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres from the week of RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Breeder Ushio Sakazaki, grower BransfordWebbs agent and image credits Valkplant /Proven Winners® ColorChoice®-

Fuchsia MAMBO (part of the Patio Dancer Series)

Fuchsia Mambo, bred by Tim Kerley of Kerley &Co is one of five cultivars in the Patio Dancers Series.  It combines the aesthetic traits of traditional varieties with the plant habit and earlier flowering of modern varieties, creating masses of large, intricate blooms over a long flowering season. Shorter internodes and better branching make for a compact classic perfect for planting in a container. Two weeks earlier flowering means first-time gardeners can buy them in flower and enjoy them for longer. To a height of 40cm and spread of 40cm.

Also available in the Patio Dancer Series are Fuchsia, Jive, Waltz, Rumba and Salsa.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres entered this plant into the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2025 award and are the first to bring the Fuchsia Patio Dancer series to the garden centre market. It will be available in selected Blue Diamond Garden Centres from mid-July.

The judges’ decision is based on three criteria: novelty and innovation, garden performance, and likely appeal for UK gardeners. The final vote is informed by the entry information submitted ahead of the Show, and the ‘wow’ factor of the plants on display.

The winning plants will be announced on Tuesday 20 May.

Jill Kerr, Group Relationship Manager for Blue Diamond Garden Centres says; “It is a tremendous honour for Blue Diamond Garden Centres to have two plants shortlisted for this prestigious award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We have worked closely with the breeders and nurseries to bring these plants to our Blue Diamond customers, and we cannot wait to showcase these in our Garden Centres along with many other new and exclusive plants for 2025”.

The Creative Retail Awards has unveiled the judging panel for the 2025 Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence across the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. This year’s panel features a diverse group of retail experts and thought leaders, tasked with selecting the most creative and impactful projects from across the industry.

The 2025 judging panel includes:

• Isabella Fish – Retail Editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, widely recognised for her in-depth coverage and analysis of trends shaping the retail landscape.
• Ian Scott – International retail consultant and founder of Ian Scott Consulting, known for his expertise in retail strategy and global trends. He is notably credited with introducing the concept of Symbiotic Retail, an approach that advocates for all retail channels to function cohesively as a unified ecosystem to enhance the shopper experience.
• Andrew Busby – Retail analyst, author, and founder of Retail Reflections, offering decades of insight into consumer behaviour and retail transformation. Busby is recognised by the industry as a global thought leader and is a member of the exclusive global retail community ReTHINK Retail.
• Barbara Chapman – With over 35 years of creative and VM experience across the luxury, high fashion and high street retail sector Barbara brings an understanding of how to deliver brands across every touch-point.
• Judith Kelly – Head of Retail Design and Delivery at Hammerson plc, with extensive experience in delivering dynamic and engaging retail environments.

The Creative Retail Awards, now a highlight of the global retail design calendar, span over 20 categories recognising excellence in areas such as store design, sustainability, lighting, digital innovation, and visual merchandising.

Entries for the 2025 Awards will close on 16th May 2025.

The awards ceremony will take place in September 2025 in London, bringing together leading brands, designers, and suppliers for a night of inspiration, networking, and celebration.

For more information, visit www.creativeretailawards.com.

As Garden Centre Magazine continues to grow in prominence across UK garden centres, the team takes the opportunity to catch up with an existing satisfied customer – Thetford Garden Centre. Julian Chittock, Operations Director, shares his thoughts on the experience of stocking and distributing the magazine within their store.

A legacy of growth and excellence
Thetford Garden Centre, a well-established name in the gardening community, has been serving customers for 43 years. Originally a small nursery, the centre has blossomed into a comprehensive garden centre and coffee shop, now employing approximately 90 staff members. With an extensive range of plants, garden furniture, machinery, gifts, and more, Thetford stands as a prominent hub for gardening enthusiasts in the region.

Understanding Thetford's core customers
Julian highlights that Thetford’s core customer base is largely made up of ABC1 individuals, with a significant portion being retirees. Families and dog owners also make up a large part of their customer profile. This diverse mix ensures the garden centre caters to a wide variety of needs, from gardening essentials to leisure and outdoor products.

The decision to stock Garden Centre Magazine
Thetford Garden Centre introduced Garden Centre Magazine approximately 18 months ago. Julian mentions that the decision to offer the magazine to their customers had always been on the cards, and they finally made it happen. The magazine’s reputation, along with its high-quality content, made it an easy choice for the garden centre to stock.

Customer response and feedback
Since introducing the magazine, Thetford Garden Centre has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Julian notes that customers often express their appreciation for the magazine either in the restaurant or at the customer service desk. The magazine has proven popular with a wide segment of their audience, with no particular group being more inclined to take a copy than another.

Business impact and benefits
While it’s difficult to measure exact business outcomes directly linked to stocking the magazine, Julian believes it has contributed positively to the store’s atmosphere. The magazine’s presence encourages visitors to stay longer, flipping through the pages while enjoying a coffee or browsing the products. Customers are often exposed to new products and information they may not have been aware of, complementing Thetford’s offerings and enhancing the customer experience.

Stocking and displaying the Magazine
Julian reveals that stocking and displaying the magazine in-store is a seamless process. The garden centre has set up stands in several high-traffic areas, including near the main door, the coffee shop waiting area, and in the gifts section. The magazine’s popularity means the stands are quickly emptied, often needing to be replenished to meet demand.

Efficient supply and distribution
Julian also commends the reliability of the supply and distribution process. He praises John and Amy, the distribution team, for their professionalism and the smooth, hassle-free experience of dealing with them. It’s clear that excellent customer service extends beyond the garden centre’s own team to the partners they work with.

Aligning with Thetford's brand and customer experience
Garden Centre Magazine aligns perfectly with Thetford Garden Centre’s brand values. The magazine’s informative, beautifully designed content provides clear and concise information that resonates with their customers. It reflects the trends and values of Thetford’s clientele, making it a natural fit in their store.

Encouraging other garden centres to get onboard
When asked about advice for other garden centres considering stocking the magazine, Julian’s message is simple: “Do it! It’s well worth it. It’s all good publicity.” With its engaging content and positive customer response, Garden Centre Magazine offers garden centres a valuable tool to enhance their customer offering.

A no-risk, high-reward opportunity for garden centres

With zero financial commitment required, GCM represents a hassle-free, high-impact marketing solution. By participating, your garden centre gains a professionally produced, high-quality magazine that serves as both a sales tool and a relationship builder within your local community.

For more information on how your garden centre can get involved and join the likes of New Leaf Plant Centre, Old Railway Line, Grove Nurseries, Monkton Elm, Polhill, Planters and many others who already benefit from the inclusion of the Garden Centre Magazine within their centre, please contact the GCM’s Business Development Director, Trish Nicholson by emailing patricia@yhgmedia.co.uk

For more information visit www.gardencentremagazine.com

GTN Xtra had the opportunity this morning to meet Dobbies CEO, David Robinson at their Brighton Garden Centre which has undergone a facelift, including reopening areas that had previously been closed off to create a bigger retailing area and increased food and drink offerings.  See our photo tour of the centre below and read the full interview in the May issue of GTN magazine.

Towards the end of our walk around the centre I asked David about his views of garden centre retailing since he joined them in Juy 2023 having previously been at Pets at Home, Argos and Homebase: "The things that attracted me to the business [Dobbies] remain true. Which is garden centres are just a lovely way of people spending time. And I genuinely think it is a really good model for the future of retail because it's part experiential, part service, part retail. And I think that's where retail is going in general. So I really like the garden centre sector.

"Having competed a lot with Amazon and online, it's much harder for pure play to disrupt a garden centre. Just the sociability of it, the browse-ability of it. And some of the products don't fit through the supply chain as well. So it's got really good fundamentals because the market's been growing. We use our gardens for more things than we ever used to. So actually good fundamentals. A model that works for the 21st century.

"I really like the scale and the brand of Dobbies. When I was coming in, [July 2023] I could see that there were things I could get after. There were retailing things that would make me annoyed as I went round stores and we've had to do a bit more tidying up than I'd anticipated. But we've done that and all of the opportunity and probably more stands ahead of us. Great people. Great brand. Good loyal customers. And a lot of the things we're doing are just good, sensible retailing principles.

"I think the core business has been underinvested. And the real opportunity is to drive the core business, as you see today in Brighton. We've got a pretty ambitious five year plan. We've got lots of thoughts. But for now, we've got to run stores well. That's what I've told the team. And then that buys us opportunities to do lots of other things afterwards. But at this stage, run the stores well."

Read the full interview in the May issue of Garden Trade News magazine.

Squire’s Garden Centres has appointed Sam Dickson to the role of Managing Director. She will join the business on 23 June and will take over from Squire’s current MD, Martin Breddy who retires in July. 

Sam joins Squire’s having spent her retail career in Senior and Board roles at Sainsburys, B&Q, Waitrose and most recently Asda where she was VP for Own Brand and Acting Chief Customer Officer.

Sarah Squire, Chairman, Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: “Sam’s extensive experience across a wide range of sectors and her passion for retail will be invaluable as we look to the future of Squire’s. Sam’s career has seen her lead categories including Food, Non-Food, Home, Gardening and Outdoors, across multiple retailers. She brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to our business and I am very much looking forward to her joining us in June.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Martin for his outstanding contribution and thoughtful guidance over the past nine years, during which we navigated the many challenges brought by the pandemic and grew our business with the acquisition of further centres. We wish him all the very best for his retirement.”

Sam Dickson comments: “I am delighted to be joining the Squire’s family business. It is rich in heritage, with strong expertise, supported by amazing people and underpinned by a well-loved brand. I can’t wait to get started and I am very much looking forward to working with the teams, suppliers and industry bodies, for the benefit of all our colleagues, our customers and our local communities.” 

A keen gardener, Sam lives in Hampshire with her family.

Garden Centre Association members recorded a ‘wonderful’ March according to figures posted in the organisation’s Barometer of Trade for the month – with furniture & BBQs up at +57.7%.

Statistics from GCA garden centres show 12 of the 13 sales areas recorded did well, when likened to the same month in 2024, with gardening categories taking the lead.

GCA Chief Executive, Peter Burks, says: “March was a wonderful month for our members with every garden centre that contributes to our BoT being up on their sales when compared to March last year. The last time we saw 12 categories out of 13 with positive figures was December 2023.

“It is also good to see that gardening categories showed the largest increases, which is confirming many people’s thoughts that there is a massive pent-up demand for gardening products due to such a poor spring last year.

“Catering was also still strong indicating a visit to the garden centre must include a coffee, lunch or treat, no matter what the weather is doing. The overall year-to-date variance was positive too at +10.77%.

“Garden sundries came second in our March BoT, when compared to last year, up by +37.03%, outdoor plants came in next at +35.69%, then hard landscaping in at number four with +31.85% and in fifth place with +28.37%.was seeds and bulbs

“Catering came in sixth position showing a +14.11% increase, with gifts next at +10.12%, followed by houseplants at +8.29% and then clothing up by +6.09%.

“Miscellaneous was showing +6.05%, when compared to the same month in 2024, then pet and aquatics at +5.89%, followed by food hall/farm shop at +2.47%. Leaving Christmas in a logical and predictable last place for this time of year at -45.69%.”

The GCA’s BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

The GCA represents more than 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.

For further information, please go to www.gca.org.uk.

Kent & Stowe, the premium gardening brand renowned for quality and timeless design, has launched its new Extraordinary Shop – an innovative in-store retail concept now rolling out across garden centres.

Designed to bring the extraordinary essence of the brand to life, the Extraordinary Shopreimagines how tools and gloves are merchandised, delivering a truly differentiated retail experience. Drawing inspiration from the classic Kent Barn, the display reflects the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship, while offering a distinctive visual identity that invites customers to slow down, explore, and engage with products on a deeper level.

A New Standard in Tool and Glove Merchandising

Built from the ground up using feedback from over 1,000 gardening consumers, the Extraordinary Shop is the first retail experience of its kind in the category. Every detail is engineered to enhance the shopper journey — from tactile product displays that allow customers to get hands-on with tools, to clear, intuitive merchandising that demystifies collections and supports confident purchasing decisions. 

Key features include:

• ‘10 Must Have Tools’ Zone – A curated, high-impact feature highlighting the top essentials for gardeners
• Segmented Displays – Clear navigation across long-handled tools, cutting tools, and hand tools to simplify the selection process
• Shopper Engagement Design – A layout and aesthetic that naturally slows the shopper down, encouraging consideration and discovery.

Supporting Garden Centres

By elevating the retail experience, Kent & Stowe aims to drive higher engagement and sales for its retail partners. The Extraordinary Shop makes premium tools more accessible and appealing, empowering customers to find their perfect fit with ease.

Natalie Searle, Head of Marketing & Communications, for Kent & Stowe, added: “We’ve always believed our tools are extraordinary – now we have a retail environment that proves it with a brand experience designed to inspire gardeners and support garden centres in growing their tool sales.

“The Kent & Stowe Extraordinary Shop is now available to garden centre retail partners across the UK and Ireland. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with stores reporting not only big increases in shopper engagement, but critically the EPOS shows some very significant sales increases. 

To discover if your store could qualify for a Kent & Stowe Extraordinary Shop in 2026, speak to your Westland Account Manager.  

Through a brilliant collaboration, Somerset’s leading peat-free compost producer, RocketGro, is on board as headline sponsor of the first-ever Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival this September – a celebration of sustainability, soil and spectacular gardening.  

The theme of the event strikes a chord with RocketGro, as the festival – also in Somerset – is geared towards inspiring people to ‘get greener in the garden’, with a focus on topics, such as soil health, biodiversity and sustainability.

A stellar line up of speakers has already garnered attention, with Arit Anderson set to hold a talk themed on gardening for the climate, whilst Alys Fowler will discuss perennial vegetables that promote a healthy ecosystem, and many more.

Keen to support a fellow Somerset business and always on a mission to get people gardening in a more environmentally-friendly way, RocketGro relished the opportunity to be the headline sponsor of this brand-new event.

With the two companies a natural fit, thanks to their commitment to organic gardening and sustainable practises, Yeo Valley Organic expressed its pleasure at garnering support from a like-minded local brand.

Sarah Mead, Head Gardener at Yeo Valley Organic Garden said: “Yeo Valley Organic is delighted that we have the support of local brand, RocketGro, a brand with brilliant sustainable products that we already use in the garden. Their ethos for environment-first products aligns with that of the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, and it’s a pleasure to have them on this journey with us. A big thank you to RocketGro for supporting our first ever Garden Festival. May the relationship grow from strength to strength!”

Toby Thomas, Managing Director at RocketGro commented: “We are really excited about the first-ever Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival and are absolutely thrilled to be a part of it. We had already forged a connection between our two organisations, as Yeo Valley Organic uses our peat-free, organic products on their garden in Blagdon. So, when they approached us about supporting this fantastic event, we jumped at the chance.”

Announcing the launch of the garden Festival in February, Head Gardener, Sarah Mead also set out Yeo Valley Organic’s intention to “ditch the formalities and the ‘one size fits all’ approach to organic gardening” with this event and, instead, provide visitors with “myth-busting, jargon-breaking, real-life practical solutions,” designed to suit every garden and every budget.

This aspect of the show is another reason RocketGro was keen to show its support, as Toby Thomas explains: “RocketGro is very much about making gardening accessible and we love that, not only is this exciting new horticultural festival set to take place in a region we are extremely proud of, but also that Yeo Valley Organic is seeking to cut through the jargon that can put some gardeners off. Events like this are the lifeblood of our industry and are an important way to support and inspire gardeners of all skillsets.”

The news comes hot on the heels of RocketGro’s recent appearance in the first of the Peat-free Partnership’s brand-new ‘Hort Shorts’ series, which puts the spotlight on peat-free success stories from within the industry.

The Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival will take place on 18th-20th September at Blagdon. All ages are welcome, with ticket prices starting from £24 for an adult one-day pass. For more information or to book your tickets, visit the website.

Find out more

If you want to learn more about RocketGro or are keen to discuss adding its product portfolio into your 2025 offering, please contact Toby Thomas (hello@rocketgro.co.uk /07936 928 981) or Andy Abraham (andy@rocketgro.co.uk / 07446 937902). View the full range and discover more about the RocketGro story at www.rocketgro.co.uk

British gardening brand Heart of Eden has announced the appointment of Kaz Edwards as National Accounts Manager, reinforcing the company’s commitment to a peat-free future and expanding its footprint across the UK garden retail sector. 

Kaz joins the company from Southern Trident, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the horticultural industry and a strong track record in the peat-free market. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in Heart of Eden's 2025 strategy to accelerate growth and meet increasing consumer demand for sustainable, high-performance compost solutions. 

“We're paving the way for a greener future in gardening and I am incredibly excited to be part of the Heart of Eden family,” said Kaz.

"Heart of Eden's commitment to sustainability, quality, and innovation aligns perfectly with my own values and contributing my expertise to help [Heart of Eden] continue their mission of providing eco-friendly, peat-free solutions for gardeners across the UK is an exciting prospect."

In her new role, Kaz will focus on building strategic partnerships with national retailers, ensuring they have access to Heart of Eden's innovative product range-including new lines launching later this year.

With sustainability at the core of the brand, her leadership will help position Heart of Eden as a go-to choice for eco-conscious gardeners and forward-thinking retailers alike.

The appointment comes as the UK gardening industry continues to shift toward peat-free alternatives, with both legislative changes and consumer expectations driving rapid change in the market. Heart of Eden remains committed to delivering products that not only perform exceptionally well but also protect the planet.

Altico Garden Products have been busy providing retailers with a compelling Aggregate offer with their excitingFlash Pack Range, a value-packed offering that promises to transform garden centre Aggregate sales. Designed to attract customers and boost in-store engagement, this exclusive Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion provides unbeatable value for garden retailers across six best-selling lines.

A Comprehensive Range of Quality Aggregates

Known for their production of decorative Aggregates, Altico is a family run business and proud National supplier of Landscape and Garden products. With a variety of Chippings, Slates & Pebbles supplied from the state-of-the-art bagging, washing and distribution facility in the UK, Altico offer high stock holdings and guaranteed same-week delivery to garden centre’s wishing to stock their range.

The Aggregate Flash Pack range features a carefully curated selection of six top-tier products to suit various gardening and landscaping projects. This includes four popular Aggregate options, Cotswold Stone, Dove Grey Chippings, Blue Slate & Tweed Pebbles. Joining these volume lines are two Premium Aggregate products, Alpine Blue Chippings and Silver Frost Chippings. With these options in the Buy 2, Get 1 Free offer, retailers have the opportunity increase basket spend and volume on premium products.

Each product is expertly formulated to meet the diverse needs of gardening enthusiasts and professional landscapers alike. Priced from £6.99 per bag, the Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer encourages volume purchases for a range of gardening projects.

Strong Support with Point-of-Sale Materials

The Flash Pack offer aims to significantly increase sales and cash margins for garden centres. Perfect for maximising sales from the store entrance, Altico offers a full suite  of point-of-sale (POS) materials that enable retailers to showcase this incredible deal effectively. The support includes:

• Bold, Professional Signage: Eye-catching displays to draw customer attention to the offer.
• User-Friendly Guides: Informative materials to help shoppers select the right aggregate for their projects.
• Pallet Displays: Attractive, practical merchandising solutions that simplify browsing and drive sales.

Altico’s POS resources are designed to seamlessly integrate with instore layout, ensuring the Aggregate Flash Pack range becomes a focal point for customers.

Bags More Sales, Bags More Value

Altico Garden Products is dedicated to supporting its retail partners with innovative, consumer-focused offerings. The Aggregate Flash Pack range not only enhances product selection but also increases footfall and average basket size, driving profitability.

The Aggregate Flash Pack range will provide your customers with ‘bags more’ value and elevate their gardening projects! Take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to deliver exceptional value to your customers while bolstering sales.

Get in touch with Altico’s team today to learn more - salesoffice@altico.co.uk.

GTN April 2025. In this issue: The war for talent – More People on how to secure the best candidates, Backing the brand – RHS Licensed products maximise sales, Country Forge – RHS-endorsed from Tildenet, Bramblecrest blossoms with the RHS, Stars come out for Blue Diamond, Plan ahead for spoga+gafa 2025, New beginnings for centres part 2, Best foot forward for Greenfingers – Garden Re-Leaf Day 2025, Floral farewell – GTN interview’s Stuart Lowen, Bedding and seasonal bonanza - GTN Planteria, Addressing misconceptions about SOLEX – LOFA Viewpoint, Boosting business development - HTA Viewpoint, Sunshine, sales and supply – GIMA Viewpoint.