Choice Marketing members are celebrating the completion of another successful year with a huge rebate of £1,800,000, for achieving agreed targets with their key suppliers during 2020.  This remarkable achievement was the result of the Group’s 42 independent garden centre members working together.

The cheque, which represents a £200k increase on the previous year, was presented at the recent Choice Marketing ‘Meet the Furniture Buyer’ event held earlier this week in Northamptonshire. A successful event which saw a good number of the membership attend and place furniture and accessory orders for next season. 

Commenting on the rebate, Tony Larkin of Ducks Hill Garden Centre and Chairman of the Group’s Sundry Forum said “This really is such an incredible result.  It shows the power of working together within an established Organisation, particularly during a pandemic, where we have certainly enjoyed record sales and fantastic support from our key suppliers, including faster deliveries.  Although all our member centres are independently owned and independently run, we do speak with one voice in our relationships with our suppliers.  Every penny of this £1.8m rebate goes back to the members”.

Choice are well on their way to even greater success in 2021. Already group purchases for 2021 are way ahead of 2020 and next year’s rebate cheque is going to be even greater. 

In addition to preferential purchasing arrangements, Choice members benefit from a comprehensive offering of marketing services, through its partner agency.   

Choice Marketing is now welcoming new members into the Group.  If you would like to know more about the benefits of membership, please contact Michelle de Lavis-Trafford at info@choice-marketing.co.uk to arrange an informal chat.

www.choice-marketing.co.uk

Dobbies has confirmed it will be peat-free in six months, in relation to bagged compost, bringing forward the original target of 2022.

The team has worked hard with suppliers to meet the challenge and accelerate the previous ambitious target, acknowledging the importance of the peat issue. 

Dobbies own brand peat-free compost was one of the top sellers in early spring and this month the retailer launched an own-brand peat-free compost with added John Innes, as well as announcing the in-store availability of sustainable products including Bloomin Amazing and Carbon Gold. Further own-brand, peat-free composts will be launched in the summer.

Becoming peat-free is a key component of #sustainabledobbies, in which the team is engaging with suppliers, customers and team members on the importance of this issue. The retailer has also worked with nursery suppliers to produce a roadmap for an annual reduction in peat use for growing plants.

We recognise the need take an innovative & proactive approach to deliver 2022 on time. PRE-ORDERS are essential to secure timely delivery slots.  

Our ranges are ready and available to view NOW!

We have built a fantastic NEW 3500 SQ FT SHOWROOM with a place for everything.

Book a SHOWROOM APPOINTMENT now!

Spacious... Social Distancing… Covid Free 

STOCK AVAILABILITY

• Customers are taking advantage of our weekly emailed STOCK AVAILABILITY LIST (even now)
• Very important to fill gaps in your display to maximise sales
• In 2021 our Service and delivery has been one of the best in the Trade!

BACK THE WINNERS

• We have a focused and rationalised range of BEST SELLERS
• Popular ongoing ranges, updated classics and NEW PRODUCTS
• OUTSTANDING NEW PACKAGING that makes it easier to buy and sell
• NEW DISPLAY STANDS. Fixtures that create MORE BUSINESS

Many NEW FAIRIES THAT LOVE FLOWERS are being introduced as the demand for the UK's leading Fairy Garden range goes from strength to strength. NEW attractive gift box packaging.

NEW DISPLAYS increase visibility and sales of BEST-SELLING RSPB Licensed Birds. Limited availability of displays available FREE to Pre-Order customers.

NATURES MELODY DISPLAY STANDS MEAN BUSINESS

Become a stockist of the UK's best selling precision tuned windchimes. Supplied in attractive gift box packaging.

Make time for FUN with ALL YEAR-ROUND BEST SELLERS!
Increase sales with DISPLAY DEALS for Pre-order customers.

The latest 3D wooden model kits to take the UK by storm.

FREE SHOWCASES and display stands available for pre-order customers.

Unique and intricate models for all ages ranging from RRP £2.99.
Proven huge sales for the Christmas season.

New from Global Journey, these new cool lunch bags for kids are ideal for back to school, picnics and days out. 

The coolest way to keep children’s meals fresh, Cool Bags are collapsible when empty and compact when full. They are easy to clean and an exciting, fun way to carry snacks and lunches. 

These new bright, vibrant and insulated cool bags, personalised with the most popular names, are proving to be the hottest and coolest new product for 2021. 

With a £4.99 RRP / £2.15 cost they are also great value.

Here’s a selection of what some customers say about Cool Bags for Kids:

“I would highly recommend them. They have sold extremely well and the fun designs have given us something different to offer our customers.” Leister – Almondsbury Garden Centre.

“The named lunch bags are selling very well for us. I regularly see customers browsing the spinner stand saying ‘what a great idea.” Anna Hallett – Marketing Manager.

“We are very pleased with the cool bags, kids love them.” Lucy – Fosseway Garden Centre.

For more information please call 0161 872 0333 or email  isamuels@global-journey.com

Greetings card sales in garden centres have grown in relevance and volume recently, enhanced by the safe and secure shopping environment provided by garden centres.  Analysis of Epos data provided to GTN Bestsellers indicates that greetings card volumes have grown by 40% since 2017 and by 31% from 2019 to 2021.  With the growing importance of the sector as a factor of increased customer satisfaction, making the best decisions for supply, merchandising and management of greetings cards to maximise the opportunity is key.

Burleydam and Rosebourne garden centres have recently moved their card buying and merchandising to Woodmansterne’s W-Select service.  GTN Xtra has been getting the story behind their success.

Rosebourne – a fresh approach to greeting card buying

Rosebourne provides a unique lifestyle shopping and dining experience all under one roof at its three centres. Their gift and leisure departments provide plenty of inspiration for home & garden enjoyment and finding that special present.

Buying Director, Stuart Whalley explains why they moved to W-Select: “We decided to move to W-Select for several reasons, including reducing our impact on the environment.

“With all the cards being recyclable and both plastic and glitter-free the move makes perfect sense. Not only is the removal of the plastic sleeve a very visible and positive environmental change it also allows customers to see the quality of the cards.

“We also wanted to simplify the ordering and administrative process, therefore ensuring shelf availability which increases both sales and stock turn.

“We recently moved our houseplant department to sit alongside the cards and stationery and this works very well from a gifting perspective.

“From initial discussions to the final range selection process was relatively easy and straightforward. Implementation in centres was smooth and easy to manage leading to a fabulous end result.

“Customer and colleague feedback has been extremely positive, with sales ahead of projection from the off.”

Rosebourne CEO, Carol Paris adds: “We are extremely happy with design, layout and content of our new card range. Sales are really encouraging and it is great to give our customers such a choice of different styles of card, without the use of unnecessary plastic sleeves.”

Woodmansterne is the perfect answer for Burleydam

Burleydam is a third generation, family-owned independent garden centre situated on the Wirral/Cheshire border. Following a major redevelopment several years ago, one of their challenges has been to encourage a younger customer without losing touch with their traditional, older clientele.  Central to this has been the strengthening of their lifestyle & gift departments and the greeting card offer.

“Previously, we managed our card selection and purchasing in-house, which gradually became more time consuming and less cost effective” explained Sally Cornelissen.  “We discovered Woodmansterne at Spring Fair and their brokerage system, where the top selling cards from many different publishers could be displayed in a cohesive range seemed like the perfect answer, and it is!

“Emma, our wonderful Woodmansterne sales representative visits regularly and replenishes best sellers, adjusts seasonal ranges, replaces any damages and tidies the stands. New lines are added periodically to keep our regular customers interested.

“In February, Mark offered us a complete refit with a choice of fixtures to complement our store décor and the results have been astonishing. Not only does the department look great but sales like for like with 2019 are 69% up to date. Obviously, this is partly due to lockdown on the high street but we have noticed a continuation of increased purchasing since April 12th. Customer browse time has increased and multiple purchases are noticeably higher.

“I would strongly recommend W-Select; they are a great company to work with and we feel like they are part of our team.“

Why Woodmansterne?

Woodmansterne are a third-generation family business supplying premium greeting cards to leading independent retailers, all designed and manufactured in the UK. They work with the very best of British talent including National Trust, Quentin Blake, RSPB, and Emma Bridgewater.

Woodmansterne pioneered the ‘Smart Seal’ in 2019, allowing them to remove plastic packaging from all their cards, saving a million pieces of throwaway plastic every week. Their cards are printed with vegetable inks on paper from sustainable forests and all their envelopes are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

Why W-Select category management?

Woodmansterne have become experts in visual planning and category management, working with leading retailers in the UK, meaning they can offer the following services:

•             A bespoke assortment tailored to your customers

•             A unique caption calculator ensuring the optimum product mix

•             An assortment of designs from the very best publishers

•             Regular analysis and reporting

•             Less admin, meaning more time for you and your team

Get in touch!

We would love to explore how we can help your business grow

Get in touch 01923 200 600 or sales@woodmansterne.co.uk 

You can see more of what they do at woodmansterne.co.uk

Increasingly popular with the British public, Halloween continues to take a higher chunk of consumer spending in categories like costumes, confectionery and of course, home décor.

Even through the uncertainity of last year, seasonal spending for Autumn/Winter events continued to grow in 2019/20 and Halloween continued to inch up in retail importance and proven it has real appeal for both children and adults. (Mintel). 

The popularity of the Halloween range at Heaven Sends has grown year on year, reflecting the trends in wider retail. “We’ve listened to our customers and are really excited about our largest collection of Halloween and Autumnal lines to date for 2021”. – Louise Mehmet, Sales Manager.

At Heaven Sends we believe that Halloween should be fun and with sales already showing a huge increase this year, customers are clearly looking to celebrate. 

 The New Halloween collection consists of over 100 products, with retail price points ranging from £2.99 to £39.99). The ranges feature the staples of Halloween, spooky signs, ghosts and ghouls, tealight holders, and there’s even some Halloween gonks for good measure! (remember, a gonk is not just for Christmas......).  But Halloween needn’t be scary, with a wide range of grown-up velvet pumpkins, autumn leaf garlands and wreaths - ideal items for eye-catching displays! available now for pre-order.

The new Christmas and Halloween 2021 collections, along with the Everyday gifting ranges are available for pre-order at the Showrooms and online at heavensends.com. 

To help us follow Government Covid Guidelines, spaces are limited, so please reserve your appointment early to avoid disappointment. Spaces are already filling up fast for July so please be sure to get in touch with ‘The Angels’ to secure your preferred date as soon as possible. Appointments are available 7 days a week.

Email showroom@heavensends.com or call  +44 (0)121 351 7457. 

Address:  One Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1AL.

Heavensends.com

*Statistics from Mintel

Royal Canin is introducing a new a feline wet range - Sensory - with three new sensorial stimulations of Smell, Taste and Feel developed to excite cats’ senses. The new range will launch throughout August and September. 

The Sensory range was developed using the latest research from cat experts. Cats have an instinct for new experiences and diverse aromas, textures and tastes in their diet so Sensory mealtimes will not only be nutritious, but also sensorially rich, filled with novelty and discovery. 

With over 600,000 new cats entering the market each year and three-quarters of cat owners mixed feeding with wet, the Sensory range represents a great opportunity to reach into the cat market. As part of a mixed feeding routine, Sensory can be fed alongside dry food from Royal Canin’s Exigent, Sensible, Outdoor, Fit and Indoor ranges. 

The three new varieties are available in boxes of 12 x 85g pouches in gravy or jelly, alongside side a 12-pouch gravy multipack with four of each of smell, taste and feel.

The Sensory range will be supported by extensive marketing including a large consumer sampling activation, a wide-reaching online presence and varied point-of-sale materials so pet owners are able to navigate the range easier on and off shelf.

Royal Canin Retail Marketing Manager Ben Hurley said, “Cats’ senses are their gateway to the world. How a cat’s sense of smell, taste, and touch are stimulated determines how they feel. Our feline experts researched cats’ senses and took what they learned to develop Sensory.”

Talk to your Royal Canin Business Manager today, call us on 0330 6781 520, or click here to find more information about Sensory. 

Retail giant Selfridges has introduced garden centres into its London, Manchester and Birmingham stores as it attempts to capitalise on the gardening boom that grew during the lockdowns. 

Selfridges’ London Accessories Hall and the store exterior on Duke and Orchard Streets have been transformed into a garden centre, a playful and sensory response to a boom in outdoor appreciation. It’s all part of Good Nature, Selfridges’ creative theme for 2021.  

The Manchester and Birmingham stores will host a garden centre greenhouse pop-up and will host supplementary community garden projects. 

The garden centre in the London store sells gardening tools, seeds, indoor and outdoor plants and pots, Selfridges own label compost. It also sells a curation of fashion, lifestyle and beauty products, as well as an exclusive collection from Prada, an exclusive Shakedown Garden merch from The Grateful Dead and a bespoke Selfridges merchandise featuring puns such as Herb Your Enthusiasm or Horti-Couture, for gardening and fashion enthusiasts alike.    

The garden centre is a social space celebrating the pleasure of growing and green power, and the sense of well-being nature gives. 

Within the garden centre, The Potting Shed is a destination for events and advice, with a resident gardener (plus a virtual “dial-a-gardener” service)  and a program of workshops, experiences and happenings which explore the pleasure and positivity that gardening brings, while promoting practical skills and sustainable methods, across every store (with greenhouse concepts in Selfridges Manchester and Birmingham) and on Selfridges.com. 

Selfridges will also ‘green up’ Oxford Street, with a grow bag installation in front of the store’s historic canopy entrance.  

“A garden centre is evocative but familiar, and has provided rich inspiration for our teams, literally and creatively,” said Hannah Emslie, creative director at Selfridges.

“We know our customers are more interested in gardening and greening than they have ever been – and so we are playing with the idea by bringing the essentials of a typical garden centre to our stores. 

“We will be retailing plants, compost and garden gnomes alongside special and unexpected Selfridges products with a sense fun and imagination, as we continue to explore pleasure in nature this year.”

For more information visit: www.selfridges.com/thegardencentre 

More pictures from Selfridges' garden centre in London - see below.

Waste-aware gardeners will now be able to recycle compost packaging thanks to a trial scheme from the country’s biggest garden retailer. 

Dobbies Garden Centres and Evergreen Garden Care are partnering on the initiative which will see garden furniture created from the recycled material and donated to Greenfingers, a charity that creates green spaces for terminally-ill children. 

Launching this week, trial will run in 10 stores for an initial three months.  

Most plastic packaging of the sort used for compost bags ends up in landfill because very few local authorities collect polythene sacks as part of kerbside collections or at recycling centres. 

In a survey conducted by Dobbies, in collaboration with Censuswide, 73% of respondents confirmed they went out of their way to recycle*: notably 77% of females and 69% of males. Dobbies will also be encouraging more people to recycle with instore and online information to make it as easy as possible for customers. 

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers said: “We believe that time outdoors can bring significant benefits to children with life-limiting conditions. By supporting our work through their unique initiative, Dobbies and Evergreen will help us provide more children with the valuable opportunity to spend more time outside enjoying the therapeutic benefits of being close to nature.”  

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “All that people have to do is bring any compost packaging, no matter what brand or where it was purchased, and return it to one of the recycling bins in our plant areas. It will then be collected by Veolia for recycling at Berry BPI Recycled Products before used as part of the raw material blend to produce garden furniture becoming a valuable asset for those children’s hospices working with Greenfingers Charity. It’s a great win for the environment, for customers and for the community, and an important next stage of our #sustainabledobbies mission.” 

Jane Hartley, Sustainability Marketing Manager said: "Evergreen is delighted to be working with Dobbies and their customers. Evidence suggests that consumers want to take the right action when it comes to recycling so our new Miracle-Gro Bring Back Compost Bags bins will create strong visibility in store to encourage people to recycle. We want to reduce the amount of single use plastic used within our business and compost bags are key to delivering this, we have already increased the amount of recycled content in our compost bags which for Miracle-Gro, now contains 80% recycled content. However, we have so much more to achieve, this is the first of a number of initiatives we are working on." 

The stores included in the trial are: Woodcote Green, Altrincham, Morpeth, Cirencester, Milton Keynes, Atherstone, Keston, Brighton, Edinburgh and Milngavie. 

Also in these stores are pot recycling bins, in collaboration with Elho, as well as a plastic pot and tray return service, which is available in every Dobbies store.   

Follow and support Dobbies sustainability campaign using the hashtag #sustainabledobbies 

For Dobbies sustainability policy: https://www.dobbies.com/sustainability-policy 

For Dobbies Sustainable podcast: https://www.dobbies.com/podcasts 

*Statistic obtained through combining ‘strongly agree’ and ‘somewhat agree’ answer options for question: ‘I make a conscious effort / go out of my way to recycle’ 

Two more popular Virtual Meet the Buyers events organised by Gardenex will be held in July, featuring buyers from a South African garden centre chain and a leading Canadian garden product retailer.

The first event, taking place on Tuesday, July 20 between 1pm-4pm, is with Stodels Nurseries from South Africa.

The family firm was started by Robert Stodel in the 1960s as a door-to-door bulb sales business, and has grown to become a household name in the Western Cape. Now managed by Robert’s son Nick, the business has five garden centres in the greater Cape Town area and two in the province of Gauteng, Pretoria. It also has an online shop.

Three of its stores featured in the South African Garden Centre Association’s top 10 list of independent garden centres in 2019.

Stodels’ garden centres stock plants, practical and decorative garden products, outdoor leisure items, landscaping materials, irrigation and more.  The buyer is looking for indoor pot covers, furniture, garden tools, turn-key gardening concepts, big outdoor pots and any new gardening ideas.

Canadian buyer opportunity

The second Virtual Meet the Buyers event features a leading Canadian garden product retailer (both bricks and mortar and online) on Tuesday, July 27. 

The focus of the Canadian company is on practical gardening products, including propagation, greenhouse accessories, cold frames, composting, watering, tools, indoor gardening, hardscaping/landscaping, pest control, pruning and tree care, lawn care, potting and planter products, raised beds etc.  

The company also handles wild bird accessories, clothing, some kitchenware, time and weather products, storage items and much more. With a few exceptions, it does not handle garden furniture, grills or decorative items.

Its head office and distribution centre is in Ottawa and it has warehousing facilities in New York state. Handling over 18,000 items, the company employs over 850 staff. It also acts as an importer and currently works with a number of Gardenex members. 

The company is a multi-channel retailer of a wide variety of products in four main areas: woodworking, gardening, hardware and gifts. It operates 20 up-market retail outlets located in major cities across Canada, stretching from Victoria in the west to Halifax in the east.  

It produces many different catalogues annually, some focusing on wood or woodworking, some gift or hardware related, others are seasonal – early spring, early autumn etc – and there are some focused on gardening, with Spring Garden and Home & Garden being two recent examples. Millions of catalogues are distributed each year in Canada and across North America. The catalogues are also available online.

The buyers preselect the suppliers they wish to meet ‘virtually’ and Gardenex will arrange and co-ordinate the 25-minute Virtual Meet the Buyers sessions. 

With no key international garden trade shows having taken place so far this year, this is a unique opportunity to present products to two excellent international companies from South Africa and Canada. 

For further information and a registration form to apply to take part in these two Virtual Meet the Buyers events, please contact katie-mai@gardenex.com as soon as possible.

Planning officers have recommended that proposals for what’s been described as the UK’s largest garden centre be approved by local councillors.

The £16m outlet would be built at Scotch Corner and operated by Blue Diamond.

The garden centre would cover 10,761sq m and would include indoor and outdoor sales areas, as well as a cafe, restaurant and car park.

Developers behind the scheme say it will only bring “positive benefits” to the area, but businesses in the area have disagreed.

Richmond Business and Tourism Association submitted an objection saying members believed there was potential damage from the proposed development to Richmond retailers and other garden centres in a wide area.

The planning report claimed  the scheme would bring “substantial economic investment and job creation in the local area along with the ability to accelerate the creation and delivery of a true retail destination alongside the DOV scheme that would attract many visitors to the area”.

It continued: “The benefits to be derived from the scheme are significant and fundamentally outweigh the limited policy conflicts highlighted in this report to the extent that planning permission should be granted.”

Members of Richmondshire District Council planning committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the application.

Farm shops and houseplant sales dominated at garden centres this May (2021) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) recent Barometer of Trade (BoT) report.

As centres in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland reopened mid-May in 2020, this report used figures from 2019 and reveals farm shop sales were up 90.24% in May 2021.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “May has always been a strong month for sales across member centres. This May was no exception as people continued to embrace the joy of gardening as a pastime and prepared their gardens and outdoor spaces for summer entertaining. Over the course of the year, garden centres have remained one-stop shops for visitors needing essential gardening products and plants especially those with the added benefit of food halls and farm shops, that have also been providing essential food to people in their communities and wishing to shop locally.

“While indoor hospitality remains restricted, garden centres have still been able to offer their customers all they need to enjoy their gardens of all sizes – whether windowsills or large plots – all in calming and airy environments, that are well-spaced and Covid-19 compliant.

“Although we’ve compared figures to 2019, 11 out of 13 categories have seen a rise in sales. Once again, houseplants have also remained a top seller with sales up 67.85% and the overall demand for plants and associated products has remained high.

“Houseplants are vital to those who do not have outdoor spaces. As scientific research has shown, even the humble pot plant can help with our wellbeing and benefit our mental and physical health. This has been a key sales area during the past year, stimulated by the younger generation who are proud plant parents.

“Similarly, the millions of new gardeners who picked up the hobby during the previous lockdowns remain keen and this has helped boost sales.”

The partial ongoing restrictions during May and the continued limitations for hospitality have resulted in catering sales remaining down -38.79% as people have potentially instead opted for dining at home, especially with some inclement weather during the month.

“It was clear this month that customers were continuing home renovations indoors and out, with hard landscaping sales being up 42.48% and, with uncertainties on restrictions fully easing, preparations for at-home, alfresco entertaining and staycations have continued with furniture and BBQ sales up 38.77%.

“Other categories that performed well in May included pets and aquatics with sales up 38.76%, gifts up 33.44%, clothing up 19.84% and garden sundries up 16.39%.”

Sales in outdoor plants were up too at 6.31%, as well as seeds and bulbs at 3.99%.

Iain added: “It’s been very encouraging to see these figures across all but two categories. It demonstrates how well GCA members have adapted to the ongoing changes in restrictions and how provisions in non-traditional categories remain highly valued and appreciated by customers. Perhaps also revealing a potentially continuous change in consumer behaviour as people continue to garden despite restrictions for other activities lifting.

“Although catering is a key driver for footfall, it hasn’t dampened people’s determination to visit and buy in other areas.”

Overall sales for the month were up year-to-date by 7.61%.

The GCA 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.

Sustainable plant pot producer, elho, recognises the importance of creating beautiful outdoor spaces, and has designed a new range of pots to give customers the ability to reflect their own style throughout their outdoor areas.

The new fuente collection is available in three distinct patterns – lily, rings, and grains - so there is a style to suit every aesthetic. The lush foliage motif of the lily design is perfect for those who favour a decorative and traditional look, whilst the stylish rings would make an elegant addition to a modern garden, especially when planted up with architectural plants and grasses. The embossed grain pattern offers another style, with an industrial feel, perfect for an urban oasis. For those looking to achieve a more eclectic look, all three designs blend perfectly when displayed together. This collection responds to the trend that patterns that evoke a feeling are increasingly popular: surfaces that are soft or porous, with relief and that stimulate the senses when touched.

The variety within the range continues beyond patterns, with the pots being available in three sizes – 30cm, 38cm and 47cm – as well as having three tonal colours to choose from – onyx black, pebble grey and rusty brown.

The fuente pots also have the benefit of a removable plug, meaning that they are the perfect choice for outdoors, with the plug removed to aid drainage, but they can also be used inside, with the plug inserted.

As with all elho products, they are 100% recyclable, with 80% of materials used made from recycled plastic and are an example of beautiful design and sustainability working hand in hand.

Decorating an outdoor space with plant pots is a great way to bring individual style to life, creating a design statement amongst nature. With the flexibility of plant pots, people can add depth, height and interest, moving them as they wish. This creates a truly personal space, even for those who don’t have space for plant beds or planters.

Plant pots help people create a space to nurture and grow plants that are perfect for them, and elho’s new fuente range ensures that that space is beautiful and unique as each individual.  

For more information visit www.elho.com

• Charity sets out to map UK’s 400,000 garden plants with help from the public
• Bid to grow herbarium collection as new state of the art facilities open at RHS Hilltop
• New plant specimens to sit alongside Darwin’s and enable study and identification

The Royal Horticultural Society is embarking on its largest scale plant collecting exercise to date as it sets out to record all 400,000 thought to be growing in UK gardens and in the process discover those never before recorded or which were thought lost to cultivation.

As new state of the art laboratories open at RHS Hilltop, the home of gardening science within RHS Garden Wisley, the charity has set itself the target of quadrupling the number of plants already in its herbarium – the largest UK herbarium dedicated to ornamental plants – whose oldest specimen dates back to 1731.

The 90,000 already in the collection are specially temperature, humidity and pest controlled within RHS Hilltop. The collection contains notable specimens such as a geranium from the site of the death of Napoleon III’s son, the Prince Imperial, and a wild potato collected by Charles Darwin during the Voyage of the Beagle. As some individual plants are represented by multiple specimens in the collection, the herbarium is still thought to include only 10% of those plants thought to be found in the UK, and a third of those that can be found at RHS Garden Wisley.  

The collection is a vital permanent record of the UK’s remarkable horticultural heritage; underpinning the conservation of the unique diversity of the nation’s garden plants by linking to living collections, helping to unravel a plant’s origins and development, and as a resource for future breeding programmes which will increasingly focus on their role in helping to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Plant enthusiasts are in the process of being recruited at RHS Garden Wisley with applications opening at the RHS’ four other gardens in the next year – RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford and RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon. Volunteers will help the herbarium team to select, collect, press, mount and record UK garden flora for the future, from RHS gardens, parks and gardens throughout the country. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk.

Yvette Harvey, Keeper of the RHS Herbarium, said: “Herbaria are to plants what a register is to a classroom and a timetable is to trains. Records such as these provide an important point of reference for what any given plant is and its uses – such as attraction to pollinators or ability to capture carbon. Mapping these treasures is no mean feat and one we hope the public will be all too keen to help us with.”

RHS Hilltop provides a climate controlled setting for the herbarium to be preserved for the future and increased storage capabilities. It is anticipated that on average 7000 new specimens will be added to the collection each year as the 14 volunteers are recruited. The work of the herbarium team – including its ongoing digitisation and improved accessibility – has been made possible thanks to a £4 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In addition to the herbarium, RHS Hilltop features a number of interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy, bio-secure laboratories for the analysis of pests and disease and a home for our 28,000 horticultural books which demonstrate the long association of gardens and gardening in the UK. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk

The UK’s leading brand of sustainable composite decking and cladding, Composite Prime, has launched an exclusive online stockist training programme. Following a huge surge in demand for composite decking products experienced by stockists during the pandemic the brand has invested in a free to use, virtual training platform. 

This means whilst Composite Prime can only offer limited face-to-face training due to national restrictions to support merchants during a very busy period, it is still able to enhance product knowledge of stockist sales teams, improve technical understanding and assist with sales and customer enquiries. 

Charles Taylor, Director at Composite Prime, said: “It is crucial that our stockist partners and their staff are able to communicate the unique benefits of composite decking products to customers that are hoping to transform their outdoor spaces. Following completion of the virtual training, stockists gain ‘Certified Prime’ status. 

“The initial feedback we’ve received on the training platform has been incredibly positive, with ‘Certified Prime’ stockists recognising the importance of the training in order to communicate the low maintenance and safety elements of the products. 

“Composite materials differ significantly from traditional timber decking, for example its durable properties allow it to stay free from cracks and splinters, significantly  increasing product lifespan - there is currently no other stockist training available on composite products that provides this key information.”

Certified Prime stockists also gain access to Prime Design upon completion of the training,  a piece of innovative software that allows professionals to independently design a garden and obtain a realistic, 3D-rendered view of their decking products, prior to installation. 

Made using 100% recycled plastic and FSC® certified oak wood flour, Composite Prime is dedicated to producing sustainable materials. Each square metre of composite decking contains the equivalent of more than 3,000 plastic bottle caps or 280 plastic bottles. In the six years of operation the brand has saved the equivalent of 151 million plastic milk bottles from landfill.

To find out more about Composite Prime visit www.composite-prime.com 

The Flower Power range from Richard Jackson Garden has everything needed to get gardens ready for summer, and to keep them beautiful and productive all year round.

The comprehensive range includes feeds and tonics, pest and weed control, and composts, to cover all aspects of garden and plant care. As the weather heats up, it’s tempting to simply drag out the barbecue and sun lounger, but getting prepared now will ensure a beautiful garden for entertaining throughout the year.

Feed your plants

It’s really important that plants are kept well fed throughout the growing season to make sure that they are as healthy as possible. Flower Power Premium Plant Food is the perfect feed to keep stocked up on as it can be used on all plants, indoors and out. This means that there’s no need to buy specialist feed for plants like roses, orchids, tomatoes, azaleas, and even foliage plants such as hostas will benefit from its unique blend of premium nutrients, seaweed extract, wetting agent and bio-stimulants. This is proven by professional growers, with Flower Power fed plants have winning over 80 gold medals and first prizes at major flower shows, including Chelsea, for plants including clematis, fuchsias, geraniums, begonias, roses, sweet peas, dahlias, aubergines and potatoes.

Give your lawn some love

A winter of cold, wet weather often means that lawns look a little worse for wear at this time of year and need a bit of care. Giving tired lawns a gentle rake over will allow light and water to reach the soil and a sprinkle of grass seed will give them a new lease of life.  This method of over-seeding is best done in the spring or autumn. Triple Use Grass Seed is so called as it can be used for sowing new lawns, patching gaps and over-seeding. It has been developed by experts and is fast growing and hard wearing, so is perfect for all purposes. Lawn Magic is a double action lawn feed used by professionals, including 80% of the premier football and rugby grounds in the UK It that greens the grass and strengthens the roots, and when used in conjunction with Triple Use Grass Seed,  it’s easy to create a beautiful, green lawn.

Banish weeds

Battling weeds can feel like a never-ending task, but it needn’t be a chore. Gently hoeing over the ground can disperse of smaller weeds in borders, but if they persist, a specially designed product may be the best course of action. It can be hard choosing the right product, but the Flower Power Double Action Weedkiller makes it easy. It is based on naturally occurring ingredients and is 100% glyphosate free. It’s extra fast working and attacks the roots as well as the leaves.

Prepare to beat pests

As the garden springs into life, so too do the pests! Slugs and snails, the scourge of UK gardens, can be controlled organically with Slug & Snail Control, which is made from naturally occurring ferric phosphate and works fast and doesn’t harm pets, birds, hedgehogs or other wildlife. Not only it is 100% metaldehyde free, but it is proven to work as well as traditional metaldehyde pellets, so why choose anything else?

Get planting up

Now’s a great time to sow some hardy annuals into beds ready to enjoy a summer of colour. Start by raking over the ground and adding a sprinkle of Root Booster. The secret to any health plant is healthy roots, and the three natural ingredients in Root Booster ensure that any gardener can grow healthier, bigger and better plants. Naturally occurring Humates, Mycorrhizal Funghi and a natural starter fertiliser combine to helps roots establish, and grow stronger. Impressively, one application lasts a lifetime in the soil or compost.

For container growing, Flower Power Premium Peat-Free Compost contains four different peat substitutes, each with a special purpose, and is enriched with Flower Power nutrients. It includes wood fiber for strong root growth, coir (a bi-product of the coconut industry) for structure, natural rich green substrate, as well as clay for natural water and nutrient absorption.

The Flower power range makes it easy for everyone to grow bigger, better and healthier plants. The extensive range also includes further lawncare products, plant feeds, pest and weed control, a wildlife range, tools and gifts.

For more information visit www.richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk/

The Eden Project’s indoor South Africa garden is being transformed with new planting and a walking trail, highlighting the country’s incredible biodiversity.  

The garden, within the warm temperate Mediterranean Biome, focuses on how plants from South Africa’s South Western Cape serve a multitude of purposes including medicinal needs, food supply, shelter and cosmetics.

It highlights the threats of climate change, agriculture, building, infrastructure developments and poaching and showcases vital conservation campaigns to protect the valuable habitats. 

Eden has partnered with South African institutions to develop the exhibit and as part of this, seeds from endangered plants have been imported, sown and grown at the project. 

The Cape Floristic Region of the South Western Cape is as botanically diverse as the rainforest and contains over 9,000 different species of plants across an area roughly the size of the island of Ireland. In contrast, there are only around 2,000 different plant species throughout the entire United Kingdom. 

Among the stand-out plants being grown are three different species of conebush, part of the Proteaceae family which defines South Africa’s fynbos (fine bush) habitats. It is estimated that only five per cent of their natural habitat, Elim fynbos, remains primarily due to farming, making these plants endangered.

Ground works on the Eden exhibit began last November (2020) and during this time, 28 students from Eden Project Learning learned over four days how to build a gabion wall made of wire gabion baskets, filled with shale and granite. 

A major addition to the exhibit will be the creation of a new informal path leading through a section of the garden previously inaccessible to the public, allowing visitors a closer look at more species.  

The path, which is due to be completed later this year, will meander through an area of the South Western Cape known as Succulent Karoo, showcasing a diverse array of succulent plans from small Gasteria to magnificent aloes, brightly coloured vygies, including Lampranthus and Delosperma, and annuals.  

It will then lead on through the shrubs and arching restios of lowland fynbos and finally past the Pepsi Pool, full of fragrant Cape pondweed. In South Africa, tannins in plant roots stain streams and pools a light golden colour which resembles the Pepsi beverage, thus giving it the name Pepsi Pool. 

The plans also include developing and opening up the stream that currently runs through the exhibit and leads to the pool, making it more prominent. This will create additional microhabitats for moisture-loving plant species as well as being an attractive feature.  

To aid the revamp and to acquire specific seeds, Eden has been working with long-established contacts at the Grootbos Foundation in South Africa. The Grootbos Foundation engages with landowners in conservation activities and works to provide education and employment to young people and for the past 18 years Eden has hosted Grootbos students in Cornwall.  

Eden has also been collaborating on the project with SANBI (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) who run the famous National Botanic Gardens of Kirstenbosch and Karoo Desert in South Africa and promote education and the importance of conservation.  

In preparation for the update to Eden’s exhibit, Rosie Henstridge, a Living Landscapes Technician at Eden, spent three weeks in the South Western Cape with the Grootbos Foundation and SANBI for work experience and to study the rich biodiversity and fragility of the area.  

Rosie, who looks after the South Africa exhibit in the Biome, said: “I was inspired by the passion and dedication of everyone I worked with and met. 

“I really wanted to understand the conservation efforts underway to protect these unique habitats and to engage with experts in the propagation, establishment and maintenance of some of the key plants. 

“We have a real opportunity at the Eden Project to inspire our visitors with some great stories of ecological conservation and the benefits it brings to communities and this beautiful and meaningful new display in our South Africa exhibit is a great example.”  

Discount retail group QD, which includes QD stores and Cherry Lane Garden Centres, has introduced food bank collection points to help generate more donations for local food banks. 24 of its stores are taking part so far, including nine Cherry Lanes.

Following a surge in demand for food banks as a result of COVID-19, QD has introduced the food collections as part of the latest activity in its Value Our Planet strategy. Launched in March, Value Our Planet is the group’s commitment to being a responsible retailer, caring for the environment and world in which we live.

Customers are being invited to buy an extra item during their shop such as tinned goods or packaged food and drop it into the food bank collection point which is located in-store. The donations will be delivered by QD and Cherry Lane to the local food bank and distributed to those in need.

Nisha Collins, brand and events manager for the QD Group, said: “The past year has been incredibly tough for so many people. With the number of families and individuals using food banks as a result of the pandemic increasing by as much as 110%*, we wanted to do our bit to help. We’re encouraging shoppers to pop an extra tin or two in their trolley if they can to help those who rely on the local food bank to get by. We are pleased to be running this in 24 stores initially and hope to roll it out shortly to the rest of the QD Group.”

The QD Group is an independent, family-owned chain of High Street value retail outlets. There are currently 27 QD - QualityDiscounts.com stores across the country, plus 15 Cherry Lane Garden Centres, four Thing-Me-Bob stores and Lathams of Potter Heigham.

The original concept of QD Stores’ quality discounted retailing was first established back in 1985 by the company’s CEO Nick Rubin’s father, and current Chairman, Danny Rubins. The aim was to offer customers a wide range of constantly changing, quality products at discounted prices, which led to the stores’ name QD – short for Quality Discounts.

For more information on QD Stores, visit www.qualitydiscounts.com.

GTN May/June 2021 - Garden Trade News, UK

In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals which will arrive in the post this week:

• Westland Driving Growth
• The Peat Issue – Retailer Comment from Alan Roper - Blue Diamond, Adam Wigglesworth - Aylett Nurseries, Paul Cooling - Coolings, Marcus Eyles and Graeme Jenkins - Dobbies, Justin Williams - Fron Goch, Charlie Groves - Groves Nurseries & Garden Centre, Martin Breddy - Squires, Matthew Bent - Bents Garden & Home, Mike Burks - The Gardens Group, Roger Crookes, Tammy Woodhouse - Millbrook Garden Centres, Andy Bunker - Alton Garden Centre
• Woodmansterne – A fresh approach to card sales
• The Peat Issue – What about the alternatives
• The Peat Issue – Responsible sourcing for the future    
  The Peat Issue – Seabrook on Peat
• The Peat Issue – How does Peat emit Carbon?  
• Dobbies Boston – Before and After
• M42 Garden Centre Photo Tour – Planters, Melbicks, Rosebourne Solihull, Notcutts Solihull, BGC Studley
• The Berkshire Gardener Photo Tour
• HTA Column – Solutions please…
• GIMA Column – We have achieved so much

If you would like to add your commenst and views about the Peat Issue, please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk

Goonhavern Garden Centre is an independent garden centre on the north Cornish coast in between Newquay and Truro. Over the past few years, we have expanded and successfully installed a covered canopy in our plant area and subsiquently seen an increase in sales. We are now looking for someone to assist the garden centre manager in the day to day running of the plant area and take our plants sales to the next level.

We are looking for someone enthusiastic about horticulture but most importantly has a passion and knowledge of retail and customer service.

This post requires someone with previous retail and merchandising experience as they will be responsible for ensuring the plant team creates plant displays to inspire and impress the customer.

Main responsibilies will include:

• Managing the plant area department team
• Plant buying
• Waste management
• Responsible for health and safety within the plant area and for COSHH
• Managing all outdoor displays, not just plants but pots, fencing, compost etc
• Stock control - responsible for stock taking all goods using the EPOS system
• Liaising with the garden centre manager to create plant promotions and plant based 'events'

Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Must have previous retail experience
• Excellent leadership skills
• LEAN management awareness
• Exceptional plant /horticultural knowledge
• Commercial awareness
• Previous buying experience
• Knowledge of EPOS systems and stock control
• Excellent IT skills

Please apply in writing WITH a covering letter on why you wish to apply for this job.

info@goonhaverngardencentre.com 

Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £24,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

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

With an ambitious business growth target of doubling their turnover within three years, AMES UK have moved to strengthen their account management team with the appointment of a new Sales Director to focus on large multiple retailers. 

Rob Parker will lead the 17-strong team driving business acquisition and growth in the Grocery, DIY, High Street, Export and Online channels.

Rob joins the business with an impressive, broad set of business skills and experience, having begun his career in Finance and Data Management, working through to Marketing Insight and latterly moving into Account Management.  

He knows the DIY and retail sector especially well with experience of working across the channel from DIY Sheds to Online, Grocery and High Street Retail. Rob gained his extensive experience thanks to several years at Stanley Black & Decker in various roles.

“The most exciting challenge will be working with the team to develop our long-term vision and setting goals to exceed our customer expectations ensuring AMES UK are the partner of choice,” says Rob. 

“The integration of the three AMES UK businesses is a great opportunity to deliver a service that is far greater than we can offer today. In the immediate future, this requires us to be highly adaptable and agile. I want our customers to benefit from our extensive portfolio and the huge potential an integrated AMES UK can bring.”

Paul North, AMES UK Managing Director, added: “I’m delighted Rob has joined us at AMES UK and I can already feel his impact on the team which is driving huge change in our organisation. His unique experience and insight into how a business can support and develop the customer relationship is absolutely key.”

With a 52% non-garden product mix, Blue Diamond proved a fascinating presence at the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s latest retailer networking forum.  It took place on June 15^th with Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond and Thomas Grinnall, Blue Diamond’s Head of Home.

As Blue Diamond explained, kitchen and dining is 41% up on 2019 as a category, alongside increases in many other non-horticultural product areas.  

The Blue Diamond ethos is ‘aspirational’ as distinct from ‘price driven’ and the webinar outlined the key qualifications for potential listing in its garden centres.  These included new product not already listed elsewhere and particularly not in mass consumer outlets or garden centre groups. 

 Point of difference from other garden centre groups and mainstream garden retailers is key as is consumer engagement - meaning emotional engagement - which is measured per square foot.

Tom explained further: “While Blue Diamond consumers - typically AB1 - are price-aware – often cross-checking with Amazon - they are typically driven by inspiration.  They are entertainers rather than super-cooks; they are impulsive, and they love demos and specialist gadgets they may not have seen before.”

26% and rising of Blue Diamond product is Blue Diamond branded, but the company welcomes small and local suppliers if they have something different to offer.

Blue Diamond is now one of the UK's largest garden centre groups having acquired seventeen garden centres from Wyevale in 2018 and 2019.  It now trades from 40 locations and posted revenue of over £180m in 2019.

Chief Operating Officer of BHETA, Will Jones commented, “This webinar was a real insight for our many homewares members and also very valuable for garden suppliers with something different to offer the retailer.”

More details of BHETA’s events programme, which includes webinars, Meet The Buyer events and networking forums with leading retailers can be found on the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk.  

To register for any of BHETA’s current or future events, contact Helen Farnell from the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130, or alternatively, email on hf@bheta.co.uk.

FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine, supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), invites ornamental growers, traders, retailers, and suppliers to join a free webinar to discuss how the industry can capitalise on the recent global houseplant popularity trend on 30 June from 3pm to 4.30pm.

Sales of houseplants have boomed over the last year. With people confined to their houses because of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems the immense value of adding plants to the home has been recognised.

Now the industry needs to ensure it holds on to these customers and continues to meet their needs. The webinar will bring together experts to share their experiences in this market and allow participants to comment on what we need to do.

How can growers and traders make the most of this boom in houseplant demand?

This informative webinar will look at the current and future consumer trends and what can and should change so that suppliers can continue to meet consumer demands.

Guest speakers

Mr Michael Perry goes by the moniker Mr Plant Geek in the UK. Growing plants, loving plants, and sharing his experiences with plants on television, radio, podcasts, and social media has led to him holding the crown of Influencer of the Year bestowed by the UK’s Garden Media Guild. He began as a product developer for Thompson Morgan for 18-years, after which he switched to pursuing his garden personality career. This belief in plants shows he is comfortable working with industry professionals and is authentic with followers.

Mr Joseph Roberts is CEO of Miami-based supplier ForemostCo Inc. Founded in 1987, ForemostCo Inc. continues to redefine and globalise the international production of starter material. With offices and nurseries located in the United States, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, as well as sourcing material from around the world, ForemostCo has become one of the largest importers of live plants to the USA. By mastering the delivery of a consistent quality product, providing exceptional service, and developing large numbers of innovative proprietary varieties, ForemostCo creates profitable opportunities for both its customers and suppliers.

Ms Alice van Veen is Commercial Manager for Royal Lemkes in the Netherlands. She works for a family business with a legacy of130 years that boasts a green heart and a beautiful mission: to create a better life, stronger businesses, and a healthier, green world with plants. They serve large retailers such as IKEA, OBI, Kingfisher, ALDI, and Praxis by supplying them with the highest quality plants at the lowest cost throughout Europe.

Mr Leo de Vries is the director of KP Holland in the Netherlands. He grew up as a son of a flower wholesaler. After horticultural study he entered the fascinating world of growing and selling potted plants. He gained experience in the sales of young plants, marketing, and concept development in relation to the sales of flowering plants. This all based on the vision: help people and companies worldwide to realise a green and blooming living environment.

Find out what the global industry thinks and join in the conversation on 30 June in the ‘How to capitalise on the recent houseplant trend’ webinar from 3pm to 4.30pm BST (British Summer Time). Register, free-of-charge today http://bit.ly/houseplanttrend

We are grateful to our sponsor for this event ForemostCo Inc.

The overwhelming take out from the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) sustainability webinar which majored on packaging was that doing nothing was not an option.  

The event was packed with delegates, who heard speakers Tracy Sutton and Sarah Greenaway from the sustainable packaging consultancy, Root provide insights into consumer and legislative demands and on sustainable packaging strategies to ensure a positive brand future.  

Outlining the cost of doing nothing as being even greater than the impact of the forthcoming plastic packaging tax and the implications of shifting of responsibility for waste to the supplier company, in terms of reputation, delisting, loss of investment and decline in share value, Root stressed the need for longer term thinking.  In particular, the development of sustainable packaging strategies which could be communicated clearly and simply to all stakeholders and supply chain partners.

Covering off the legislative picture, Tracy and Sarah gave a balanced and independent view of the future role of plastics and cardboard alongside all other materials, the need for straightforward consumer and retailer and supply chain communications and transparent understandable labelling.

Root was clear that terms such as the circular economy, recyclable, recycled, compostable and biodegradable could be unhelpful, misinterpreted and abused.  The key was firstly to develop holistic innovation which viewed the packaging solution as an intrinsic part of the product.  Then equally to articulate and communicate the chosen packaging strategy clearly to avoid it being pulled out of shape by the demands of other parties such as suppliers or retailers.

Root was founded by Tracy Sutton in 2013 to help organisations use less and focus on becoming regenerative, inclusive and kinder.  It works in partnership with many UK companies to create low-impact packaging solutions and blueprints for business sustainability, and has delivered projects for Diageo, Pukka and PepsiCo.   

BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones commented: “Sustainability is no longer just about compliance.  Consumer and retailer demands are now echoed by shareholders and investors with the pressure on suppliers to respond.  This was a helpful, insightful webinar in which many questions were asked and answered in terms of how suppliers need to approach the issues.”

For more details of BHETA and its business support services, retailer networking events and market data, visit www.bheta.co.uk or contact Helen Farnell at the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or alternatively, email on hf@bheta.co.uk.

Champion vegetable grower Medwyn Williams is well into his preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September and has revealed how the beginning of his new growing season has progressed.

When the world-famous event announced its postponement for the first time in its history, Medwyn got straight to work to make sure his growing schedule adapted to the new date. This involved pulling plants and re-sowing many of others to make sure they reach their optimum size and appearance for his display – which usually follows the traditional 1920s style of showcasing first made popular by Edwin Beckett. 

Sharing how his new growing schedule is progressing, Medwyn said: “This year has definitely been one of the strangest seasons I’ve tried to grow in, throwing up another challenge with the weather, which has been very wet and cold, interspersed with hot sunshine. This can upset the plants – they like continuity rather than change so we’ve been taking great care to keep a steady environment to help them grow as best they can.

“I’m growing many of my crops this year using plant nutrient and specialist growing products from CANNA to provide the plants with the best growing conditions possible. The thing about CANNA products is that they just work. They help me achieve the beautiful smooth and shiny skins and uniform root plants that I need for my displays – which at 25 feet are quite a feat to put together.

“I’m growing a lot of my vegetables – including leeks, onions, and potatoes - planted in CANNA Coco ProfessionalPlus this year and feeding them with CANNA Coco A&B nutrients as and when required. I’ll also be storing my potatoes in containers filled with CANNA sieved Coco once they are harvested and graded, which will make sure the skins set firmly and clean up well for the show in September. 

“I’m on my third growing attempt for Chelsea in two years thanks to last year’s event being cancelled, and this year’s being postponed – but I’m confident September’s display will be spectacular. I’m coming up on my 80th year and people often ask when I’m planning to stop, but I haven’t the intention to stop anytime soon. I’m lucky that the pandemic hasn’t stopped me growing, and I’ve been doing this for most of my life, so what would I do if I stopped?” 

Medwyn will be sharing his preparations for his return to Chelsea, along with tutorials and step-by-step growing videos on his Instagram and Twitter accounts in the run up to September.

To access the full video interview with Medwyn Williams on his preparations for RHS Chelsea 2021, please click here.

Allium 'Lavender Bubbles' from Fairweather’s Nursery ' crowned Best in Show at the New Plant Awards,  also winning Best in Category for Herbaceous Perennials. Polemonium 'Golden Feathers'​ from Allensmore Nurseries Ltd wins the Visitor Vote, supported by Floramedia.

The announcement was made on a special HTA Webinar this morning (Tuesday), with the judges commenting: “Allium Lavender Bubbles ticks lots of boxes; fantastic colour, great height, beautiful twist in the leaf, will look full and compact in the pot and has a solid amount of flower power. It has a delightful name that will really help to market it and become a retail success.”

This year there were 93 New Plants entered into the awards (all of which can be viewed here). The top 10 entries were put forward for the Visitor Vote, supported by Floramedia, which saw Polemonium 'Golden Feathers'​ from Allensmore Nurseries Ltdcome out on top.

This year’s judging panel include Laura Jackson, Swarkestone Nursery, Andy Smith, The Klondyke Group, Jane Moore, Garden Media Guild and Chris Young, RHS Editor at Large with HTA’s Horticulture Manager Pippa Greenwood and Director of Operations Martin Simmons overseeing.

Many thanks to Floramedia who supported the Visitor Vote and Joy of Plants who verified all entries.

Annuals 

• Dahlia 'Happy Days Halo', Allensmore Nurseries Ltd. - Gold / Best in Category
• Rudbeckai hirta Enchanted Flame, Farplants - Gold
• Calibrachoa hybrida Cabaret® Good Night Kiss ('Balcabooni'), Ball Colegrave - Gold
• Gerbera Patio Volcanoes, Ball Colegrave - Silver
• Rudbeckia hirta Enchanted Velvet Flame, Farplants Sales Ltd - Silver
• Rudbeckia hirta Enchanted Starfire, Farplants Sales Ltd - Silver
• Dahlia Labella® Grande Red-White (P), Javado UK - Silver
• Bidens ‘Tiger bee’, Kernock Park Plants - Silver
• Pelargonium interspecific Mojo Cranberry Splash, SyngentaFlowers - Silver
• Rudbeckia hirta Enchanted Embers, Farplants Sales Ltd - Bronze
• Pelargonium interspecific Mojo Dark Red, SyngentaFlowers - Bronze
• Pelargonium zonale Rosebud Astrid, SyngentaFlowers – Bronze

Houseplants 

• Spathiphyllum Jet 'Diamond', Javado UK - Gold / Best in Category
• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Mozaic Tweed , Javado UK - Silver
• Orchidaceae Phalaenopsis OP0021, Javado UK - Bronze
• Tradescantia sweetness, Javado UK - Bronze
• Peperomia burbella, Javado UK – Bronze

Herbaceous Perennials

• Allium Lavender Bubbles, Fairweathers - Gold / Best in Category / Best in Show
• Sedum Sunsparkler® 'Dream Dazzler', Newey Ltd – Gold
• Polemonium 'Golden Feathers', Allensmore Nurseries Ltd. - Gold
• Agapanthus praecox 'Thunder Storm™, Newey Ltd - Silver
• Salvia Animo, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Silver
• Salvia guarantica 'Pink Amistad', Newey Ltd - Silver
• Geranium pratense ‘Storm Cloud’, Kernock Park Plants - Silver
• Agapanthus Neverland, Fairweathers - Bronze
• Digitalis Lucas Light Pink, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Bronze
• Salvia greggii 'Angel Wings', Kernock Park Plants / Newey Ltd - Bronze
• Delosperma Wheels of Wonder Hot Red , Newey Ltd - Bronze
• Salvia splendens ‘Flamingo’, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Bronze
• Delosperma cooperi 'Ice Cream™', Ball Colegrave - Bronze
• Rhodanthemum 'Zagora Yellow', Allensmore Nurseries Ltd/Ball Colegrave - Bronze
• Rhodanthemum 'Zagora Pink', Allensmore Nurseries Ltd/Ball Colegrave - Bronze
• Rhodanthemum 'Zagora Orange', Allensmore Nurseries Ltd/Ball Colegrave - Bronze
• Geum 'Samba Sunset', Newey Ltd - Bronze
• Delosperma cooperi 'Ice Cream™ Swirl' , Ball Colegrave – Bronze

Shrubs & Climbers  

• Hydrangea paniculata Little Spooky, Newey Ltd – Gold / Best in Category
• Acer palmatum ‘Cascade Ruby’ pbr, Javado UK - Gold
• Parahebe ‘Pink Delight’ , The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Silver
• Jasminium x stephanense Starry Starry 'Summer Scent', Newey Ltd - Silver
• Weigela x hybrid Prism™ Magic Carpet, Newey Ltd - Silver
• Acer palmatum ‘Cascade Citrine’ pbr, Javado UK – Silver
• Rose ‘Onward and Upward’ (Chewlittlelaura), The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Bronze
• Lavandula angustifolia Blue Jeans, Farplants Sales Ltd - Bronze
• Sollya heterophylla Ultra Blue, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Bronze
• Nandina domestica 'Red Light', BALL COLEGRAVE LTD - Bronze
• Cornus alba Miracle ('Verpaalen2'PBR), Javado UK - Bronze
• Hydrangea serrata Flair & Flavours® Blue Sprinkles ('SMNHSDD'), The Bransford Webbs Plant Company – Bronze
• Hydrangea serrata Flair & Flavours® Pink Sweethearts ('SMNHSDD'), The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Bronze
• Rose ‘Little Bronze’ (Chewlittlebronze), The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Bronze
• Abelia x grandiflora Raspberry Profusion, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Bronze
• Berberis thunbergii Orange Ice, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Bronze
• Vitex agnus-castus Pink Pinnacle, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd – Bronze

Trees & Conifers 

• Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame®’, Frank P Matthews Ltd - Gold / Best in Category
• Prunus Anouck, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Gold
• Magnolia wilsonii EILEEN BAINES  ‘Richgain’, Frank P Matthews Ltd - Silver
• Pear communis ‘Giant Conference’ (Conference Moors® EU pending 4057222), Frank P Matthews Ltd - Silver
• Prunus Kalmthout Beauty, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Bronze
• Malus domestica ‘Bladon Pippin™’, Frank P Matthews Ltd - Bronze
• Betula utilis ‘Cinnamon’, Frank P Matthews Ltd - Bronze
• Prunus Pink Beauty, Darby Nursery Stock Ltd - Bronze

Over the past 19 months LOFA has constantly been reporting on the operational issues faced by its members and the industry as a whole. It had hoped these issues would have lessened and the industry could have gained some respite but, according to the association, it seems these problems are now escalating even further.

LOFA can report there is yet another increase in freight rates being levied at the industry, and the new FAK* rates from Asia to North Europe are now edging towards $20,000 per 40ft container – this represents a massive 1,566% increase in the space of 19 months.

These increased rates will of course have a major impact on importers, retailers and consumers. 

Retailers will not be able to sell stock if the retail prices have to be increased due to the jump in these shipping costs.  

Importers will find themselves trapped, having to pay 16 times more for freight than last year and it would not be unlikely to expect some companies to flounder in 2022 if this situation is not resolved.

Considering many of LOFA’s members have to bring in 50-plus containers in a season this is a huge amount of extra funding they are having to generate. 

Example

2021 - 50 containers @ $20,000 per 40ft Container           $1,000,000

2019 - 50 containers @ $1200 per 40ft Container              $     60,000

Extra funding                                                                       $   940,000

LOFA members have tried to absorb these costs where they can, to assist their customers, but the association says this will no longer be possible with such a massive increase. 

LOFA says the whole market is in bedlam and there are many defining factors causing this issue, price increases aside.

• Finding empty containers is exceedingly difficult. 
• Factories are producing product but are running out of storage space because there are no free containers to load the products on to.
• There is a new outbreak of Covid which is affecting the southern China Ports where there were reported to be up to 40 vessels waiting to berth last week.  
• The availability of containers at these southern Chinese ports continues to deteriorate as carriers omit calls due to a wave of Covid outbreaks in the Guangzhou province.  According to the latest data from Container xChange, the ports of Yantian, Shekou and Nansha have been the worst hit by the container shortages.
• There are far fewer empty containers arriving back to southern China as container lines skip calls, and many shippers face long delays or higher prices for equipment if these affected ports can’t be avoided. 
• At the moment there are 5 million containers currently in the wrong position in the world and 40% less vessels for June as a result of the Suez Canal issues. 
• When products eventually arrive in the UK there is now an issue with moving goods that have docked and cleared from the quay as inland haulage rates have reached new and unexpected heights.  

Is it the shipping lines that have colluded together and seized this opportunity to increase prices whilst the demand is strong and are now reaping the benefits for no other reason than they can?  Distributors, retailers and consumers are now all paying excessively for this short-term profit gain, in real terms has Brexit, Covid and the high demand helped them to get away with their greed, and are they in effect operating as a cartel? Is there too much control in the hands of the shipping lines? 

In light of these ongoing difficulties LOFA have lobbied the Department of International Trade, the Home Office, local government and have also reported this price fixing by the larger freight firms to the Competition and Markets Authority, this report is now with the CMA legal team who are deliberating on a decision. LOFA are hoping this will lead to a full investigation.  

*FAK is an acronym used in the shipping industry that stands for Freight All Kinds. According to globalnegotiator.com, they are rates applicable to all types of goods and not restricted to any particular commodity. 

Who budgeted for this? Garden centre sales in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database over the past five weeks, which compare with the first five weeks after re-opening last year, are 4% up, and plant sales over the same period are 10% up.  

In conversations we had with garden centres last year, they said “we’ll never achieve those highs again.”  Instead, we’ve seen new record June sales weeks and with the weather holding the signs are that this could continue through into July.

Last week, All Sales Volumes in the Epos data were 25% up on the same week last year, with growing media sales up by 34%. That is indicative of at least a quarter and up to one third more gardening activity currently taking place. Does that mean more than three million new gardeners in the marketplace or just the new gardeners from last year becoming even more active?

With two weeks to go to the half year we could be looking at a year-to-date position at 15% up on 2019. Dare we think about even more increases in 2022?

Please note our last week, year on year comparisons, below, are now back to 2020.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 24.

• Garden Products Top 50 – up 15%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 34%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 24%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 33%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 24.

• All Plants with Barcode index – up 26%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 25%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Choice Marketing is hosting its own ‘Meet the Furniture Buyer’ event next week in Northamptonshire, where a number of its associate suppliers will be exhibiting. 

Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, CEO of Choice Marketing, said “In the absence of trade shows right now, which are an absolute necessity, we decided to create our own event for Choice members, saving enormous time travelling around the country to visit supplier showrooms.  In an informal and relaxed, covid-safe, atmosphere, Choice members will be able to browse new collections for 2022, chat to suppliers and to place orders for the 2022 season.  Long over-due member networking is also essential.”

Due to covid restrictions, space was limited and was sold out within a day.  Good membership attendance is also expected. Tim Armstrong of Highfield Garden Centre said he was looking forward to the event, which will be of huge benefit to their business and is one of the great benefits to being a member of the group.

Steve Potter of suppliers Glencrest said: “We too are looking forward to next week’s event.  To be able to see so many customers under one-roof is an enormous benefit and we look forward to continuing the growth of our business with Choice members”.

De Lavis-Trafford added “Choice has run these type of events for a few years now, and they have always been a great opportunity to put members and suppliers in touch in a relaxed and friendly environment and strengthens supplier relations”.

Garden centres who would like to know more about the benefits of membership of Choice Marketing, or are interested in meeting up at our event next week, should contact Michelle de Lavis-Trafford here.

Information: click here.

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

Here's a sneak preview of the photo tour submitted by Squires at Badshot Lea as part of their entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020.

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 so get snapping and enter your garden centre team today!

Full details are here.

Here's a sneak preview of Perrywoods photo tour entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020, including the vital ingredient for all entries, team photos. See the gallery of photos below.  Apologies for the wrong photos being included in yesterdays edition.

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards so get snapping and enter today.  Full details can be found here.

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.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for last week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

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.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

A total of 100,000 meals has been donated to shelters and pets in need, thanks to Hill's Pet Nutrition’s successful first #MissionForeverFriend campaign, created to support local shelters and help pets find their forever homes. 

Thanks to the overwhelming support of pet parents and animal lovers from 17 countries across the UK, Europe and Russia, Hill’s, a global leader in premium pet nutrition, met the 100,000 meal donation goal one week before the completion of the month-long programme in April 2021.

To help achieve the donation goal, Hill’s asked pet parents and animal lovers to snap and share a photo of their pet using #MissionForeverFriend on Instagram and Facebook to trigger a donation to one of 257 participating partner shelters across Europe, including UK-based Raystead Centre for Animal Welfare and Wood Green - The Animal’s Charity.

Michael Unsworth, Hill’s Vet Affairs Manager, UK & Republic of Ireland said: “We’re thrilled by the excitement and engagement around the first #MissionForeverFriend programme, and feel that it demonstrates the true passion and love for pets held in all our hearts. Hill’s is committed to our ongoing efforts to support shelters through providing quality nutrition so we can help transform the lives of all pets and ensure they find the loving and lasting homes they deserve.”

In addition to posting a picture of their furry friend, pet owners were also able to snap a picture of their pet using a virtual pet bandana filter as a fun way to show their support. This was used more than 100,000 times across social media posts during the campaign.

The #MissionForeverFriend campaign is an extension of the brand’s 365 day-a-year commitment to helping shelter pets. Through the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love programme, more than 11 million shelter pets have been able to find their forever homes, and since its inception, the initiative has provided more than 235M EUR in food and partnered with over 1,000 shelters worldwide.

This summer, Hill’s will continue raising awareness and supporting pets in need through the Food, Shelter & Love programme.   To learn more about #MissionForeverFriend and ways you can make a difference in the lives of shelter pets throughout the year, visit https://www.hillspet.co.uk/mission-forever-friend.

Thanks to the involvement of thousands of cats and their owners this May, Agria Pet Insurance has donated £13,000 to UK animal rescues.

Almost 7,000 cats, and over 23,000 cat ‘parents’ and cat-lovers, joined a month-long celebration of all cats via the “Agria CatWalk” competition.

The Agria CatWalk was created to highlight the significant issues faced by the UK’s cats and cat rescues and support them with awareness and donations. Far fewer cats than dogs in the UK are protected with insurance, which is often a key factor for them ending up in rescue – their owners cannot afford their vets’ bills.

The specialist pet insurer’s work with hundreds of animal rescues gives them a unique insight into the problems they face. A survey of their rehoming partners revealed that 80% of cats in rescue had not been adopted due to their age, appearance, or disability.

Designed to highlight the ‘magnificence of every cat’, the event showcased how special all cats are – from their unique looks and personalities to their unusual pastimes, with the photo-sharing ‘Agria CatWalk’ Facebook competition. 

Helped by high-profile judges, International Cat Care, ProtectaPet, Your Cat Magazine, and Katzenworld, cat lovers took part to win a share of £2,500 for their nominated rescue every week in May. Agria Pet Insurance also donated to animal rescues with every cat policy sold during the month.

“This fact triggered the campaign’s theme of celebrating every cat. Their quirks and diversity make them the companions we love so much, so we wanted to highlight this, and encourage potential owners to consider all cats, not just the stereotypical ‘perfect’ ones,” explains Tom Vaughan, Head of Marketing at Agria Pet Insurance.

One of the winning rescues, Assisi Animal Sanctuary, received a £1,000 donation. They said, “This past year has been so challenging, and has, without a doubt, been the most financially punishing year Assisi has ever seen, so we are incredibly grateful to receive this nomination and prize.”

Amotherby Cat and Kitten Rescue commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this and so grateful to Agria and our super-supporters – it will make such a difference to our rescue.”

A third of cat rescues surveyed said they were already full, with two-thirds reporting a significant increase in cats surrendered to them over the past year. The majority reported an increase of between 25% and 50% above what is usual, with more than 70% of rescues worried about the number of cats due to arrive in their care as lockdown continues to ease.

The survey also found that, sadly, a quarter of cats in UK rescues have been there for at least six months.

Agria Pet Insurance has also just launched their new Cat Rescue Directory – a place for potential adopters to find a cat rescue local to them and help more cats find their forever homes. You can find this at: https://www.agriapet.co.uk/pet-owners/products/for-cats/find-a-cat-rescue/