GTN September/October 2023: The Complete Glee New Product Showcase Directory.  In this issue:

• A passion for pots – GTN Interview at Woodlodge
• Norwegian Style outdoors with Fandango
• Captain of garden machinery – Mark Moseley Interview
• GCA Regional Awards – Full 2023 results
• GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards – Enter now!
• Water-wise Planteria retailing from Timber Displays
• Home comforts - GTN visits Yarnton Home & Garden
• Glee New Product Showcase – The complete directory
  • Garden Growing Containers
  • DIY Products
  • Garden Decoration
  • Gifts, Body & Bath, Christmas, Greetings Cards, Toys & Games
  • Garden Tools & Machinery
  • Growing Accessories
  • Growing Materials
  • Homewares, Clothing & Fashion Accessories
  • Landscaping & Garden Buildings
  • Garden Leisure & Entertaining
  • Pet Products
  • Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
  • Retail Services & Experiences
  • Wild Bird Care & Wildlife Products
• Pets show success – PATS Telford 2023
• GTN Planteria Special
  • Highlights from Four Oaks
  • Plants of the future
• Challenging success - LOFA Column
• Reaching our full Potential – Environmental Horticulture Group Column
• Notes from an Indian Summer - HTA Column
• They think it’s all over… – GIMA Column

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has announced that Wibble Farm Nurseries in Williton, Somerset, has been sold to Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream Ltd.

This family-run plant nursery has been in the same ownership for two generations and was brought to the market at a guide price of £650,000. The site was marketed as having a wide range of opportunities for further development or possible alternative use, subject to the necessary planning permissions.  The substantial freehold site offered 17 acres of land and a range of retail and agricultural buildings, located just off the A39, close to the major centres of Minehead, Taunton, Bridgwater and on the edge of the Quantock Hills.

The managing director of Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream, David Baker is delighted to have secured the site and comments, “We had been looking for a new site for our ice cream production for five years, when Wibble Farm came to our attention in March/April. This is a very big step for us! We contacted Tom Glanvill, the agent for the owners, and he has been very helpful in guiding us through all the procedures and pointing out the site’s possibilities for extra revenue. We have enjoyed working with him and he has worked very hard to make the deal go as smoothly as possible.”

Tom Glanvill, Director – Garden Centres & Retail at Christie & Co brokered the deal and comments, “We’re delighted to announce another successful sale in the garden centre market. This profitable centre attracted strong interest as soon as it was launched to the market, which resulted in four offers. This is indicative of the ongoing demand we are seeing for garden centre assets.

“Christie & Co has sold a number of high-profile centres in the local area in recent years, including Taunton Garden Centre, Cadbury Garden Centre, Cheddar Garden Centre and Keynsham Garden Centre. We are also currently marketing Middlecombe Nursery near Congresbury and Brynawel Garden Centre near Cardiff, which we expect will generate similar interest.”

Fountasia, well known for its innovation, has partnered with Flamingo, one of Europe’s leading supplier of pet products.

Fountasia has carefully merchandised a comprehensive selection of pet products, ideal for garden centres and pet retailers. A unique one stop shop, presenting the best sellers, where orders can be placed to just one supplier, and efficiently streamlining the supply chain. Ask about the bespoke introductory offer deals segregated by pet category, as they are the perfect way to start!

Fountasia is starting with 850 best-selling products out of Flamingo’s 8500 pet product base, covering Dog, Cat, Small Animal & Domestic Bird categories. 
The local supply statistics are currently running at a very high service rate of 97% in stock order fulfilment.

A Dog’s life just got better!

Delicious snacks for dogs of all ages. Biscuits, Bones, Chewy Sticks, and Treats. Great for training and behaviour rewards. Everything dogs need every hour of the day! All the gear for walks, collars, leashes, coats, and accessories. Comfortable, safe places to rest and a constant supply of toys in a profusion of shapes, sizes and materials for a happy and healthy dog’s life!

Even the pickiest cat would choose Flamingo! New imaginative TOYS every month to prevent boredom, impressive scratching posts, delicious, tasty snack menu, drink fountains, and safe and comfy places to rest. Everything a cat need for comfort, health and fun!

Comfortable accommodation for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, rats, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, and other small pets with play spaces for exercise 
and amusement, comfy bedding and healthy nibble snacks for good health and happiness.

Comfortable living for indoor birds from parakeet to parrot, from cage to aviary, with toy-treats, baths, and accessories. For garden birds, nest boxes, four-seasons food and feeders.

For more information, please email info@fountasia.com 
or call 01303 873311

Woodmansterne’s Ian Blake and Emma Bridgewater’s Eleanor West accept the award for Best Licensed Card Range at The Henries 2023.

Woodmansterne have been crowned winners at ‘The Henries’, the Oscars of the greeting card industry, now in its 28th year. 

The event took on a colourful Mardi Gras theme and was attended by 500 members of the greeting card community who shared in the joy as the publishers of the UK’s most innovative greeting card ranges made their way to the stage to be crowned as winners. 

Scooping the award for Best Licensed card range for their ever popular Emma Bridgewater range was a highlight for Woodmansterne’s Art Director Ian Blake.

Ian said: “To win a Henry is always such a fantastic achievement, so having Eleanor from our Emma Bridgewater licence attending her very first awards ceremony and winning the Best Licensed award was simply the icing on the cake. So proud for Eleanor to have experienced our wonderful industry in its finest.”

Find out more about the Henries by visiting https://www.thehenriesawards.co.uk/

Woodmansterne's many awards in their design studio!

Henry Bell & Co, a leading and long-established name in the animal feeds industry, has secured a 12-month primary supplier contract for its wild bird food and accessories range with the Tillington Group for a third year running.

The move will see the entire Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Collection, with its 200-plus products, on sale throughout 41 nationwide garden centres belonging to Tillington’s 10 independent member companies.

“It’s great news that we are the group’s primary wild bird care supplier once again,” said Henry Bell managing director Thomas Lee.

“As a family business ourselves, we are always keen to support fellow independents and our relationship with the Tillington Group continues to go from strength to strength.

“Henry Bell is well known for its customer-first approach and exceptional service, and we always take a real pride in the products we offer. The fact that the Tillington Group has chosen to work with us for another year really speaks for itself and I am delighted.”

Tillington Group Category Manager Ben Stevenson added: “The Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Collection sits extremely well across our range of independent garden centres, where its products certainly prove popular with our customers. As primary supplier, Henry Bell is a great company to work with – stock is always available, there’s a great range of POS material, and sales and merchandising advice is there when we need it.”

Just days stand between now and the grand unveiling of the 2023 GIMA Award winners. Excitement is building, tuxedos and gowns are being drycleaned and people from across the garden retail industry are busy making final preparations for what is set to be an amazing night of celebrating the best our industry has to offer.

Returning to the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales once again, this year’s awards roster will see 17 winners crowned. Celebrating product excellence and marketing best practice, the night will also see the crowning of the 2023 winners of the HTA sponsored Sustainability Award, Gardenex Export Achievement Award, GCA Supplier of the Year and the GIMA Sword of Excellence.

Festivities will be supported once again by the GIMA Awards’ amazing sponsors which this year includes headline sponsorship from Glee, plus eBay, Peckish, Hozelock, Decco, Flowergro, MorePeople, Gardena, Primeur, EP Barrus, Meadow View Stone, CM Ventures and Hornby Whitefoot PR. 2023 media sponsors will be Garden Trade News (GTN) and Garden Radio, Gardenforum, Horticulture Week and Garden Centre Retail.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “We cannot wait to welcome our guests to the 2023 GIMA Award this time next week. We’ve got 400 people travelling from across the country to join us as we unveil those brands and products that impressed the judges most. As always, the generosity of our sponsors will ensure a dazzling – and well lubricated! – evening. We’ll see you there!”

Find out more

To follow along with the evening’s festivities please join us on Instagram where all the winners will be revealed in real time. Simply follow @gima_org or #GIMAAwards23

For further information about GIMA and its wide range of member benefits, please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk

British garden equipment manufacturer and distributor Handy is excited to announce it has teamed up with lawn experts GreenThumb to create a brand-new retail-led initiative with its Webb Garden Power, The Handy and Greenworks Tools brands, providing customers with a host of valuable savings and benefits.  

The new Handy and GreenThumb partnership offers the chance to provide customers with a range of exclusive money-saving opportunities and exciting competition offers. Starting in Spring 2024, customers who purchase a Webb lawnmower will be entered into a free prize draw to win a year’s worth of GreenThumb lawncare treatments and the chance to claim money back on any Webb lawnmower purchased. This presents a fantastic retail opportunity that shouldn't be missed.

Launching at this year’s GreenThumb National Conference on October 26th, the new Handy and GreenThumb collaboration will be promoted via a range of point-of-sale material in participating stores and across various digital marketing channels. This latest initiative also offers new and existing GreenThumb customers access to a range of exclusive garden machinery deals and prize bundles via GreenThumb’s social media platforms, refer a friend incentive and their newsletter, Lawn Love. 

“With customer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do, we’re delighted to be partnering with such a well-known brand with the same ethos” comments Mark Moseley, Handy Sales and Marketing Director. “Webb, The Handy and Greenworks are renowned for delivering high-quality garden machinery at sensible prices, so by joining forces with the UK’s most recommended lawn care service, we’re hoping this exciting new initiative not only continues to provide customers with valuable cost savings but also helps to enhance the customer experience when it comes to purchasing garden machinery instore”. 

GreenThumb has built an enviable reputation in the UK. With over 220 branches and over a quarter of a million customers they treat residential and commercial lawns from Inverness to the Isle of Wight from Derry to Derbyshire.

“As partners with our customer’s in creating lawns to be proud of, we’re excited to extend that relationship into gardening tools and equipment with Handy’s support.” Paul Edwards, GreenThumb’s Managing Director goes on to share; “With our focus on wellbeing through the benefits of a green outdoor space, we see Handy as an enabler for a gardening experience made more pleasurable through reliable tools and environmentally positive machinery.”

For more information visit www.handys.co.uk or www.greenthumb.co.uk

Summer may have ended but for the Greenfingers Charity, a busy time lies ahead as building work started on the garden at The Nook in Norfolk and Demelza Hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent earlier last month.

The Nook – Norfolk

The Nook, part of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, has been several years in the making, with an ambitious long-term vision for the complete garden space. Officially opened by HRH, The Duchess of Cambridge in 2019, The Nook is East Anglia’s Children Hospice’s (EACH) newest site, and its masterplan garden design has been created by Gold-medal winning designer Anne-Marie Powell.

The Rest & Reflect Garden will be the first garden space created at The Nook, with the official groundbreaking which took place at the beginning of September. Located at the top of the site, this garden space will offer a tranquil, sensory space that will incorporate quiet corners where families can spend relaxing time together. With the expertise of Stewart Landscape, this space will be brought to life over the coming months.

As with all Greenfingers gardens, the existence of the Rest & Reflect Garden is only possible due to the incredible generosity of the charity’s supporters. Helping to make this garden a reality is Clarins, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA), the National Garden Scheme, Evergreen Garden Care, Rose Press Garden, Ann-Marie Powell and many others.  

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Greenfingers Charity, said: “I am so pleased to confirm that we have broken ground at The Nook. Reaching this point has not been without its challenges, but now we’re full steam ahead on what we hope is the beginning of a very long legacy for the charity at this hospice. The Rest & Reflect Garden will be a beautiful space and Ann Marie’s vision will undoubtedly provide all who spend time at The Nook with a peaceful hideaway.”

Demelza Hospice – Sittingbourne, Kent

Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Sittingbourne is the site of Greenfingers’ first-ever garden almost 25 years ago. Now, designers Andrew Fisher Tomlin & Dan Bowyer from multi-award-winning garden designers, Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer, are leading the design of a new garden which is being built by local contractors, Baylis Landscapes.

Once completed, the design will feature a bog garden, a wildlife safari that will feature wild meadow area pollinators, an ant walk and a bug hotel and, importantly, the design also allows for complete accessibility for all those who spend time at Demelza Hospice.

Linda Petrons added: “We are all so excited to see the different elements work to create an immersive and interactive space full of play, nature, and engagement. We’re over the moon to be getting started and cannot thank our friends at Millbrook Garden Centres, Clarins, as well as many other wonderful supporters of the charity enough for supporting this amazing project.”

Find out more

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Booking has now opened for the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference next January and the organisation has also revealed its 21st century themes and its top-quality speaker line-up too.

The conference, which takes place at De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel near Cirencester from January 28 until 31, has ‘The Future of Garden Retailing’ as its main theme.

Chairman Elect for 2024/25, Will Blake (pictured above), who is organising the conference with GCA CEO Peter Burks, says: “We’ve been working hard to make sure it’s bigger and better than ever this year. We’ve put together some very forward-thinking themes and have secured a line-up of dynamic speakers, who are informative, inspiring and motivational. There’ll also be opportunities to socialise with industry friends, colleagues, and associates too.

“Our overarching theme is something that every one of our members can relate to. Our sub-themes are also highly pertinent. They are Environment & Sustainability, Trends & Insights and Health & Wellbeing.

“On Monday, our first speaker is Josh McBain, Global Consultancy Director at Foresight Factory. He’ll be speaking about ‘The Future of Garden Retailing’. He led the research for the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group’s ‘Growing a Green Economy’ report in 2021, which demonstrated the future value the industry could have in driving UK economic growth. He’s also been listed by Data IQ magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people working in Big Data in the UK.”

Josh is followed on the podium on Monday by Mark Stevenson and Ed Gillespie, who will be speaking about the Environment & Sustainability. Expert on Global Trends and Innovation, ‘Reluctant Futurist’ Mark is a strategic advisor to governments, investors, NGOs and corporates, and co-founder of Carbon Removals company CUR8.

He is Global Ambassador for the environmental law firm Client Earth and former strategic advisor on peace, national security and climate change to the UK Ministry of Defence. He also enjoys a successful side career as a comedy writer and songwriter. His hit podcast, ‘Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts – Book of Revelations’, with well-known comedian Jon, and also Ed, who is a fellow systems change advocate, is available on all major platforms.

Environmental Entrepreneur and author, Ed, focuses on sustainability and innovation. He is the author of ‘Only Planet – a flight-free adventure around the world’ – a book about his circumnavigation of the globe without getting on a plane.

Ed’s core talent is taking the complex, interconnected, interdependent nature of the many challenges the world faces, from climate change to disruptive innovation, and making common sense of them.

Will continues: “On Tuesday, we’ll be welcoming to the stage economist Mark Berrisford-Smith, who has spent most of his career working at HSBC. From 2012 until 2023, he was Head of Economics for the Bank’s Commercial Banking division in the UK.

“He will be followed by bestselling author, broadcaster and neuroscience presenter, Dr Hannah Critchlow, who was named in 2019 by the journal, Nature as ‘Rising Star in Life Sciences’. She’s a Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and regularly appears on TV and Radio, most recently as a Science Presenter for ‘Family Brain Games’, Tomorrow’s World Live and BBC Radio 4 ‘Destiny and the Brain’, and ‘Start the Week’. She’ll be speaking about wellbeing.

“We’re also delighted to welcome back our motivational keynote speaker, Casper Craven. Casper gave a brilliant presentation at our 2023 conference and delegates expressed a keenness to have him back again. He’s twice sailed around the world and is one of the country’s foremost experts on leadership and the role of teamwork.Casper’s talk is entitled ‘Be More Human’ – so this spans several of our key conference topics.

“This year’s conference is about the ‘future’, so, with a nod to the current and past, the fancy dress theme this year is ‘Kings & Queens’. We’re looking forward to seeing just how creative everyone will be with this! We’ll also have our fundraising activities for the charity Greenfingers on the Sunday too and day includes a tour of associate member Melcourt Industries’ growing media facilities followed by a tour of the Ramsbury Brewery and Distillery.”

The 2024 GCA Conference takes place at De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel near Cirencester from January 28 until 31.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “We wanted to let everyone know, earlier than normal, that booking is now open via our members’ section on our website www.gca.org.uk.There’s a 10% early bird discount until the end of the month and additional discounts for those garden centres who have not been to our Conference before and to Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) members. Sponsorship slots are also still available, so if any companies are interested, please get in touch.”

With pre-season orders now in full flow, Glee exhibitors give us a rundown of their predictions for 2024 and those trends that they believe will create new sales opportunities for retailers.

Sustainability still key

Greener gardening choices and more sustainable solutions continue to drive change and remain a key consideration for buyers and consumers alike. Burgon & Ball managing director Rainer Schubert observes: “It’s much more than a trend but the need to build sustainability into products is stronger than ever. Retailers look for sustainably produced products because it’s the right thing to do for their shoppers but, additionally, there are usually environmental standards that buyers have to observe when selecting ranges.”

In response to this, Burgon & Ball has ensured its latest RHS-endorsed range of brushes minimise their environmental impact at all stages. The range includes a wide choice of brushes with natural fibres; the plastic elements are easily recyclable or are made using recycled content; and production and shipping options have been selected for their reduced carbon footprint.

Linked to this is the trend for gardening in a changing climate. “Shifting weather patterns are bringing hotter or wetter summers, while summer-like conditions are now extending well into the traditional autumn period,” explains Rainer. Catering to this shift, the latest design collection in Burgon & Ball’s top-selling RHS Gifts for Gardeners series puts the spotlight on two beautiful and climate-resilient flowers from the Asteraceae family: China aster and coreopsis.

As consumers strive to make more responsible purchasing decisions, they are inevitably drawn to products made from recycled and recyclable materials. Glee exhibitors have recognised this and are responding to this growing demand with new launches boasting even greater green credentials than before, helping to keep waste out of landfill and give garden centre customers even more choice.

Primeur had a fantastic response to its new recycled Rubber Play Safe Tiles – Glee New ‘Landscaping’ Product Award winner – and early orders indicate that this line is set to be a top seller in 2024.

The collection repurposes waste rubber tyres into virtually indestructible play tiles that create a cushioned, non-slip area for safe play; all whilst keeping a common waste material out of landfill. The non-toxic, hardwearing tiles are UV, frost, and stain resistant. “Sustainable materials are key”, says Primeur’s Sarah McLafferty. “But people are also seeking products that offer good value and have a long life, whilst being safe for use around children and pets,”.

A brand-new recycled material for Primeur’s Tierra Verde planters was also well received by buyers and garnered a lot of attention, as it is set to be rolled out across the range in 2024.

Over at timber garden furniture, outdoor structures and GYO specialist, Zest, the team say that ‘Me-time’ and being closer to nature can be delivered sustainably.  For the coming season, Zest will take the lead in ecologically sustainable outdoor living with the widest range of stylish, natural timber products, created in-house and made from PEFC certified (PEFC/16-37-1490) slow grown softwood.  Head of Product Development and Innovation, Neil Sholes said, “Consumers are deeply committed to wellbeing, comfort, and nature.  Relaxing ‘me-time’, and experiences that ‘make them feel good’ are all important, and natural materials responsible packaging and transportation really matter.”

Meanwhile, AMES’ new Apta Lightweight collection of planters is predicted to have mass appeal next season, as the new launch is based on thorough research into the pots market. Made from recycled material with selected shapes, sizes and finishes lead entirely by preferred consumer choices highlighted by the in-depth research, these new eco planters are also recyclable at the end of their life.

Supporting plant health and wildlife

Unipet enjoyed a busy Glee with multiple leads keeping the team busy post-show. The company’s new eco-friendly packaging proved to be a real success with existing customers who expressed appreciation for the sustainable alternative now used for packing our best-selling lines. The team also lauded Glee’s value as enabling them to gain invaluable insight into what works within the garden centre market and what would be of interest to certain customers.

Looking to 2024, a Unipet spokesperson said that the focus will remain on bringing to market quality products that best meet garden centre needs. “We find garden centre industry to be a great market with lots of potential, therefore, we welcome opportunities to work with like-minded, highly respected garden centres. We are aware that the competition around us is stronger than ever, but we are committed to maintaining our reputation as Europe’s leading wild bird food manufacturer. Following the success of this year’s show, we would like to focus our efforts on improving our products further in 2024, this includes launching of new lines which shall be showcased at Glee 2024. It is important for us to remain efficient and focused on continuing the high standards set, assuring our customers that all our products have been produced safely and using the best ingredients.”

A new name to the market ahead of season 2024, Germie was crowned the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund winners at Glee 2023, where the company used the exhibition as its launchpad to the wider garden retail sector. The brand looks to capitalises on the growing trend towards sustainable gardening and has brought to market innovative seed growing kits, specifically designed for eco-conscious gardeners. Germie’s Eric Baudouin said: “Looking ahead to 2024, we foresee a continued emphasis on sustainability and expect the demand for products that enable individuals to grow their own plants to increase. Germie’s range of kits, meticulously designed for optimal seed germination conditions, are positioned to be standout performers. The combination of ease of use, high success rates, and positive customer feedback makes us confident that Germie will remain a preferred choice among gardeners.”

GYO will remain on-trend in 2024 say Zest. The company’s Head of Commercial Development, Simon Davison said: “There’s a clear interest in becoming more self-sufficient – Zest’s new 2024 GYO range is perfect for enthusiasts, combining space saving solutions with functionality.   The Zest Tall Botanical and Compact Botanical Greenhouses were met with massive enthusiasm at Glee.”

2024 will also see houseplants continue on their upward curve, as seen at Glee’s Green Heart in June 2023, and the Natural Plant Food Company predicts this interest in indoor gardening will be driven by millennials, particularly as seven out of 10 now call themselves a ‘plant parent’.

“Indoor gardening is so accessible,” say founders William Tuer and Alistair Wannop. “It could be as simple as growing plants in a pot or two, or a more elaborate setup combining vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.”

The opportunity here is that novice growers are now realising the rewards of feeding plants regularly to support natural healthy growth. Perfectly placed to capitalise on this trend is Natural Plant Food Company’s Tend Indoor House Plant Feed in an attractive pump bottle that has garnered great feedback from users who say, “a weekly squirt leads to great results.” The company is really expecting this product to fly in 2024.

Interior and outdoor décor trends blend seamlessly

Burgon & Ball has noticed that, in interiors, the Modern Rustic trend continues to see growth, with people also embracing it in outdoor spaces. “This no-fuss aesthetic combines practicality, a love for the innate beauty of materials, and a nod to industrial design,” says managing director Rainer Schubert. The supplier is exploring the look with new additions to the Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball collection, including a seed organiser and two indoor watering cans that showcase the textured beauty of galvanised steel.

At Zest, the company predict that traditional at-home cooking methods will be switched up as consumers look to maximise their outdoor space. To support this, the company’s 2024 range will include products such as Terraza Outdoor Kitchen set, complementing existing bestsellers such as the Garden bar and Garden Pizza Oven table. The Terraza offers a sustainable route to alfresco cooking. “It’s all about enabling people to feel relaxed and enjoy their outdoor space with confidence that that’s not at the expense of the environment,” says Head of Commercial Development, Simon Davison.”

The Natural Plant Food Company has seen a serious step up in the way plants are being used to transform indoor spaces. “Plant influencers are playing a huge part in this, combining their indoor plant knowledge with interior design skills to elevate a space,” explain founders William Tuer and Alistair Wannop.

“Plant choice sits at the heart of content created by these urban jungle influencers. Olive trees are making their way back into the home and are perfect for more minimalist rooms, while the fountain-like growth of dracaenas is making them super popular too. Plants are way beyond just being a splash of green in a room.”

Affordable, accessible landscaping

With the cost-of-living crisis still biting, consumers are seeking affordable ways to update their spaces. There has been a DIY renaissance and products that play into that trend and make home and garden improvements quicker, easier and cheaper, are set to do well next season.

Primeur caters to this audience with lightweight recycled rubber landscaping and DIY products, including garden borders, stepping-stones, and MultyDeck decking, that can be easily installed without any specialist tools or skills needed. They can also be easily relocated, which is ideal for ‘generation rent’.

“We’ve seen real demand for garden DIY products that boast easy installation, so people don’t need to get a professional in. With such uncertainty in the market and many more renters, there is a genuine need for products that don’t have to stay in one place and that people can take with them when they move.”

Also making landscaping more accessible is Deco-Pak with the introduction of its new Country Bond and Essentials ranges in January 2024. “We believe this will captivate customers, giving them the opportunity to transform their outdoor spaces into elegant, stately home-inspired havens. The Country Bond range, with its timeless appeal, will allow customers to create paths and driveways reminiscent of grand estates, at an affordable price. This trend-focused range will enable homeowners to elevate their gardens with sophistication and charm, instantly boosting their property's kerb appeal, while the attractive price point of £3.99-£5.99 makes it an accessible luxury for many. We recognise the importance of helping retailers tap into the latest trends, whilst also catering to budget-minded customers.”

Find out more

Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation​, with the next edition of Glee confirmed for 25th-27th June, NEC, Birmingham. To find out more or to register your interest in exhibiting, please visit  www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Taylors Bulbs in Spalding, Lincolnshire, is now contributing to Berkshire-based Joy of Plants’ ‘PlantShare’ library.

Taylors is working with Joy of Plants to help customers promote and support the bulb supplier’s plant range via online and in-store information.

Ian Clark, Marketing Manager at Taylors Bulbs, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Joy of Plants and have our products available on their platform.

“We hope it will help inspire people to add more amaryllis bulbs to their homes this Christmas, and to plant more bulbs in their window boxes, patio pots and gardens. Bulbs represent fantastic value for money for gardeners, they are so easy to plant and care for, and they can bring so much colour and joy to a space.”

Taylors Bulbs is one of the largest bulb suppliers in the UK. A fourth-generation family business, it has been growing and supplying flower bulbs and associated products since 1919.

It employs more than 200 staff at peak times and prides itself on the award-winning service it offers its customers.

Taylors Bulbs has been voted Supplier of the Year by the Garden Centre Association six times. A prestigious annual award that is voted by the organisation’s more than 200 garden centre members.

On its 750-hectare farm in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, it grows daffodils and packs a large range of bulbs, and associated products, predominantly for the UK and Irish markets.

Amanda Barber, Library Manager at Joy of Plants, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Taylors Bulbs.  Its autumn planting bulb collection includes some wonderful new amaryllis varieties that will add a living festive decoration to any home.

“The range of flower colours, sizes and shapes among the spring flowering bulbs provides something to suit every garden, patio, balcony or window box. Bulbs make an ideal gift for gardeners young and old, as they are so easy to plant and care for.

“Our ‘PlantShare’ library and information services provide an easy way for Taylors Bulbs to give new gardeners and retail staff information about its bulbs and the care products to use to help them thrive.

“Our Plant Finder Touchscreen kiosks bring information about all those bulbs into stores, so that staff can help consumers choose exactly the right bulbs for them, and our Bed Cards inform browsing shoppers. Our Image and Text Library make it quick and easy to add high quality images of these bulb flowers to webshops based on WooCommerce, Shopify or Bluepark platforms.”

Joy of Plants’ mission is to make plant information easy and accessible to all. It has created a library of more than 16,000 UK garden plants and trees and offers a selection of tools to help garden centres, retailers and growers maximise their plant sales.

It also provides information in many forms including a Plant Finder for websites and Touchscreen Kiosks, an Image and Text Library for ecommerce sites and print on demand Bed Cards.

For further information about Joy of Plants, please visit www.joyofplants.com and for Taylors Bulbs www.taylors-bulbs.com or call 01406 422266.

It was mad and it was muddy, and it brought individuals and organisations together in a fantastic show of support for the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting everyone who works with plants, tress, flowers or grass – Perennial. 

The 'Nuts Challenge', a 7k mud run escapade, took place on Saturday 2nd September in Dorking, with many participating to raise funds for their chosen charity. Whilst pushing the physical limits of all those taking on the challenging course, it also proved to be an exhilarating and memorable experience which fostered wonderful camaraderie amongst the teams. 

This included inspiring individuals from some of Perennial’s amazing corporate partners: Bushy Business, Eljays44, Esse Landscapes, Landscape Associates, London Lawnturf, Joseph Rochford Gardens, and Majestic Trees all of whom took on the challenge, united by a shared commitment to the horticultural community. 

And the event was a fundraising sensation for the charity, raising a fantastic total of just under £6000. This substantial sum will be channelled directly into Perennial's initiatives, giving much-needed support to all those in our horticultural community who keep all our green spaces thriving. 

As Anita Bates, Director of Marketing & Fundraising says, “We simply can’t say enough thanks to all those who took part in the ‘Nuts Challenge’ in support of the charity. The sheer grit and determination shown was inspiring with everyone pushing their physical limits, but it was also the wonderful camaraderie and teamwork that shone throughout the day. 

All the funds raised through events such as these carry more weight than ever before as demand for our services increases, so receiving support such as this is invaluable to help us to be there for all those who work with plants, trees, flowers or grass. So, once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” 

As a charity, we rely on the support of all those in the horticultural industry and from all those who enjoy the benefits of their hard work. Fundraising is a fantastic way of supporting what we do.

For more information and fundraising initiatives please visit perennial.org.uk/getinvolved 

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company have raised over £6,000 this year for Perennial through sales of the stunning Nemesia ‘Peaches n Cream’.

This gorgeous variety was available in garden centres this spring, with 40p from the sale of each plant donated towards the fantastic work carried out by Perennial, whilst also raising awareness of the charity’s work.

Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping all those who work with plants, trees, flowers or grass, and their families, when faced with challenges such as financial or health issues, the impact of a bereavement or family breakdown. They provide free confidential advice, information, and support to people of all ages, whether working in or retired from horticulture.

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, in conjunction with Allensmore Nurseries, Wyevale Nurseries and New Leaf Nurseries, are proud to support the charity with their ‘Plants for Perennial’ campaign to raise money and awareness.

“The more we work with Perennial the more we realise how valuable the work they do for our industry is,” commented David Chilvers, Sales and Marketing Director. “Being able to raise awareness and money for them whilst launching a wonderful plant into the market is a win all round. We look forward to continuing to support the charity with more Plants for Perennial in the future.”

Forest Garden welcomed a host of dignitaries to their Worcestershire headquarters for the presentation of the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise - for Innovation.

Forest Chairman Guy Grainger and CEO Sam Smith were presented with the award, which is the highest and most prestigious given to UK businesses. The ceremony was carried out by Mrs Beatrice Grant, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire – who read Forest Garden’s Grant of Appointment. 

Visiting dignitaries to the ceremony last week included: Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Councillor Alan Amos, Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council Hall, Louise Hewett DL, High Sherrif of Worcestershire and Councillor Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon County Council.

The prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise is for Forest Garden’s innovation of a world-first fully automatic high-speed fence panel manufacturing process.
 
By fully automating the manufacturing process, the company has reduced panel production time by almost 70%, improved production margins, and enabled their UK-sourced and manufactured products to compete with imports.
 
Automation has also delivered a more uniform, quality product and increased the business’s ability to meet storm-driven surges in fencing demand.

Guy Grainger, Forest Garden’s Chairman, said: “It was an amazing day to celebrate with our Forest Garden colleagues and local dignitaries as we were presented with our King’s Award for Enterprise – For Innovation.

“It recognises our continued commitment to push the boundaries and develop new manufacturing techniques for the 21st century.”

British Garden Centres is delighted to have raised an impressive £6,370.79 for the Macmillan Coffee Morning last month. This charitable event, organised annually by Macmillan Cancer Support, aims to raise funds to help improve the lives of those affected by cancer.

The Macmillan ‘world’s biggest’ coffee morning happened across the UK on Friday, September 29th and this year, the 62 stores across the largest UK family-run garden centre group opened their doors to welcome customers for a delightful cup of coffee or tea, accompanied by an array of delicious sweet and savoury treats baked by the restaurant teams. 

Top performing centres that raised the most included Pulborough, Chapel, Carr Gate, Bold Heath and Woody’s Restaurant and Bar, based in Woodthorpe Leisure Park which the Stubbs family also owns.  As well as coffee, cake, and savouries to be enjoyed, customers were able to try their luck on the tombola, buy raffle tickets and try to win prizes on offer at individual centres.

Macmillan Cancer Support is crucial to families and offers medical advice, emotional assistance, and financial aid to those affected by cancer.

Ricky Towers, Group Restaurant Director at British Garden Centres said: “Well done to all our centres and customers who came together to support the Macmillan Coffee Mornings for this important cause. This annual event serves as a fundraising opportunity and fosters a sense of community in each British Garden Centres store. By hosting these coffee mornings, our garden centres have not only showcased their commitment to creating beautiful outdoor spaces but also demonstrated their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer.”

Standing still has never been an option for Apta and, as season 24 approaches, this has never been more evident. From the introduction of Apta Lightweight, a new generation of material innovation and product positioning, to exciting linked sales opportunities, exclusive ranges and new pallet deals, it has never been such an attractive proposition to stock this market favourite.

New for 2024 – Apta Lightweight

In a crowded marketplace it is important to offer something that cuts through the noise, and there is no question that Apta Lightweight ticks all the right boxes. With Apta Lightweight – launched exclusively at Glee 2023 – the AMES Companies has created something that directly responds to market and consumer needs. Apta Lightweight represents a new generation of indoor and outdoor pots; made from recycled material and recyclable again at the end of their lifespan. The range has been specifically created to fill a gap that has long existed in the planter category. Offering an improved product hierarchy, multiple user benefits including a 10-year guarantee, and a lower price point than the competition, Apta Lightweight is opening up container gardening to a much broader consumer demographic, further bolstering the brand’s position as the ‘go-to’ for all things pots!

Further expansion of Apta ranges

Whilst Apta Lightweight represents a significant development for the pots and planter category, the team hasn’t stopped there. Joining the line-up will also be five additional ranges, all exclusive to Apta. Created with one job in mind – to drive sales – the breadth and variety on offer ensures that no gaps are left, with trend-led details, finishes and shapes making the 2024 collection the best yet. All new introductions offer frost proof protection and come complete with a 10-year guarantee.

Newness at a glance:

• Look out for the new Palm design, a tactile and glossy planter that celebrates botanical design. Available in cylinder and egg shapes, and three colourways: green, grey and sage.
• Siren draws its inspiration from the mythical with a unique scale design that offers a touch of whimsy to planting schemes. Expected to be a big seller, Siren comes in ochre, grey and green, and is available in four sizes.
• Linnea egg pots join Apta’s glazed offering, and with curved lines and sea-blue colours, they are a modern twist on traditional bestselling glazed pots.
• Tamworth‘s contemporary pink, green and natural colourways create a truly modern collection. The two-tone colour combination is presented in both tall and ‘short’ egg pot. Whether consumers are looking to optimise the ‘Barbiecore’ trend or want a more reserved style of planter, Tamworth has it all.
• The all-new Layer Egg enjoys a ribbed texture that replicates ‘strata’, the name given the rippled layers found naturally in stone. Available in white, grey and a stunning soft blue option.
• Already a firm favourite amongst retailers and consumers alike, the bestselling Granito range welcomes new white and black colourways to provide even more choice, especially for those that like to let the plants do the talking. If that’s not enough, a new Granito trough has also joined the line-up. With curved edges and grey, black and white colour options, the trough is a remaking of a classic.

Supporting growth

To further demonstrate its commitment to becoming the garden retail sectors ‘partner of choice’, Apta will also benefit from new linked-sales solutions in the year ahead. The jewel in this crown for the coming season will be the all-new Apta Horticultural Project merchandising concept. By showcasing Apta pots alongside Kelkay grits, sands and pot toppers, as well as seasonal plants, retailers can benefit from increased average basket spend, as consumer confidence is increased by the ’create the look’ concept. Launched at Glee, the market response has already earmarked it as one to watch.

Finally, the Apta team is proud to build on its comprehensive ‘pick and mix’ service that supports bestselling lines. From purchasing as individual units to mixed and half pallets, nested sets, boxed and ‘multiples’, this proven system offers greater flexibility and supports seasonal stock fluctuations.

New catalogue available now

With so much on offer from Apta in 2024, the new catalogue will become a well-thumbed tome for retailers and buying team the length and breadth of the country. To download yours please visit www.apta.co.uk/catalogue

Find out more

To stay up to date with all things Apta, including accessing the dedicated trade portal where you will find a comprehensive image library, POS guide and Product Database alongside the 2024 catalogue, please visit www.apta.co.uk. Further details about the AMES Companies by visiting www.ames-uk.com

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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The 40-strong AMES Companies merchandising team that has become a familiar face to garden retailers up and down the country has added a new string to its bow, with the full product remit now covered by this creative and integral part of AMES’ overall offering.

Supporting its retail customers, the AMES Companies merchandising team will now be on hand to present and display everything from Apta pots and planters to Kelkay aggregates and paving, La Hacienda’s extensive outdoor cooking, heating and garden décor portfolio, the all-new AMES Tools brand, Easy Fountain water features, and Woodshaw’s garden timber essentials.

To ensure best-in-category merchandising support and creative displays to entice shoppers, the merchandising team has recently undertaken extensive training. The training covered quality protocols, market research and global market share, offering invaluable insight into the ‘AMES difference’. Hands-on experience also ensured that every merchandiser was confident in all aspects of point of sale and product construction, as well as displaying ranges for the optimal purchasing journey. 

With new ideas come new merchandising solutions and, as a result, retailers can expect to see more cross merchandising masterclasses shaping future displays. Additionally, they can expect to enjoy increased peace of mind as multiple bestselling, year-round categories will now be looked after by the team on a regular basis.

Newness to drive sales in the year ahead

This expansion of the team’s remit comes at the perfect time as pre-season orders roll in, following a series of exciting expansions for the brand. Launching exclusively for season 24 is AMES Tools, which offers the most comprehensive and carefully curated lawn and garden tool portfolios to hit the market in years, with a series of exclusive design features shaking up this much-loved category.

Elsewhere, Apta marks a new chapter with the introduction of the recycled and ultra-lightweight Apta Lightweight collection, whilst water features take centre stage with a renewed focus on the Easy Fountain brand. Finally, Kelkay and La Hacienda will welcome exciting new merchandising solutions that will breathe new life into the landscaping and outdoor leisure categories respectively, together opening up new sales opportunities for retailers.

Find out more

Find out more about the AMES Companies by visiting www.ames-uk.com/. Alternatively, please visit the individual brand websites to see the latest news and to access the 2024 catalogues:

www.ames-tools.co.uk

www.lahacienda.co.uk

www.apta.co.uk

www.kelkay.com

www.easyfountain.co.uk

“In the past, green space was optional, but now it is necessary,” said Mr. Jo Yongjun at the AIPH Green City Conference, held in Suncheon, Republic of Korea as part of the 75th AIPH Annual Congress.

Organised by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), the Conference showcased the vital contribution of urban greening initiatives.

Jo Yongjun, a landscape architect based in the Republic of Korea, opened the Conference with a presentation on the greening of Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul. The plaza once served as the centre of the capital with government buildings, but developed into a highway comprising 16 metres of road. “In recent years people have stopped visiting the plaza,” Jo explained. In order to increase the popularity of the area, a change was needed.

“Our ancestors, when they built in this area, avoided damaging the forest. We have pursued a similar style by not planting trees in rows, as is seen in the west, but instead planting them in a more natural pattern. Now, the plaza is a place for people to rest. We have come up with a diverse flow of plants and in the summer there is a cooling effect, so people now enjoy coming to the area.”

Plans are in place to create more green corridors in the city of Seoul, but urban greening in the Republic of Korea has been a long and difficult process. Ms. Diane Lee, AIPH Media Relations Manager in the Asia region, explained: “As most Korean people live in apartments, the concept of a garden is not that big.”

Public understanding of a ‘garden’ is beginning to change thanks to the Suncheonman International Garden Expo. The original Expo was held in 2013 and aimed to both preserve the Suncheon bay and create an ecological buffer zone. It’s popularity has greatly impacted public views.

“One of the most notable changes is the establishment of relevant legal frameworks,” Diane said. “In 2015, the term ‘national garden’ was defined in law. Later that year, the 2013 Expo site was recognised as the first national garden in Korea. Over 40 municipalities are actively pursuing national garden recognition, particularly since the pandemic.”

Following on the success of its predecessor, the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo aims to promote garden culture and foster garden-related industry growth, as well as providing urban restoration.

“Hosting Expos drives urban development and sets future directions. Therefore, in expo planning understanding the ecological and social context of the location is more crucial than ever, especially in the early stages, to foster a greener city development.”

Green City Initiatives in other areas of the world

Following these two examples of urban greening in action, industry professionals from other areas of the world presented the Green City Initiatives at work in their countries.

In 2002, the Dutch Green City Foundation was founded and the top grower associations in the Netherlands are partners. Mr. Albert Haasnoot, Sustainability Manager for Royal FloraHolland, explained what the foundation is doing to promote green cities. “In the past years, we have worked on 25 research programmes. When these are completed, we map the outcomes to short factsheets that can be shared with the public.”

One example focussed on the benefits of plants in and on buildings, including better thermal regulation and increased mood of employees. “This is not greenwashing, this is not a story, this is based on scientific fact,” Albert added. “The foundation’s goal is to disseminate this information.”

Halfway around the world, Australia has established the Green Cities Frontiers Fund. The aim of this programme is to invest in strategic research which drives a measurable increase in urban green space.

Mr. Glenn Fenton, Chair of Greenlife Industry Australia, explained: “It’s really about driving demand for increased urban green space so that Australia will earn a global reputation as a country committed to urban greening.”

In addition to building their research base, the Green Cities Frontiers Fund is actively influencing change within Australia to increase and improve green spaces. To achieve this, they have partnered with policy makers and climate mitigation initiatives, developed tools to support planning and regulation, created ‘best practice guides, and more.

A similar initiative is at work in Canada. The Green Cities Foundation, established by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is a private foundation with a mission to connect plants and people for a greener, healthier urban climate. Mr. Bill Hardy, President of CNLA, presented two key programmes that the Green Cities Foundation is currently carrying out.

One is the #GreenMyCity project, which supports the restoration and building of public urban green spaces across Canada. It is a collaboration between donors, volunteers, and the Foundation to design and build urban green spaces for public use, including playgrounds, community gardens, parks and more. Bill added: “What we’re doing is emphasising the connection between the new green spaces and the people of the community.”

As part of its commitment to the Commonwealth Legacy Forest Project, water company Severn Trent has pledged to plant a massive 2,022 acres of new forest and is using Tubex Recyclable tree shelters to protect the new saplings. 

Severn Trent, as Nature and Carbon Neutral Supporter of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games, and the lead organisation behind the project, is committed to creating new woodland across the Midlands over the coming years. This will be spread both across Severn Trent land and on private land owned by volunteers who have signed up to the project.

The Legacy Forest Project was established in part to offset the carbon emissions from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The initiative has seen 455 acres of new woodland created since planting began in 2021, with a mixture of cell-grown native broadleaf and conifer saplings supplied by Alba Trees. 

Planting is being facilitated by Severn Trent’s dedicated forestry team who must tackle a huge variety of planting locations and site conditions. This has been a challenge, requiring constant adaptation, coupled with the need to secure planning permission for each individual location. 

However, the permissions challenge has been somewhat alleviated thanks to access to larger planting sites in Nottinghamshire and Shropshire.

Matthew Wilcoxon, Senior Forestry Manager at Severn Trent, said: "Our team at Severn Trent is really proud to be part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Forest Project and play a role in protecting our environment for generations to come.

"Not only is the replanting effort helping offset the carbon emissions from the games, but it's a big win for the water quality because of improved water runoff, and the biodiversity in the area will thrive."

Tubex’s Recyclable tree shelter range, which contains an average of 35% recycled content, was specified to protect the new saplings. Matthew Wilcoxon explained the choice: "Tubex is a leading manufacturer. Their shelters have longevity and a brilliant collection and recycling scheme for end-of-life."

The Severn Trent forestry team intends to use Tubex’s Collection & Recycling Programme to ensure the responsible disposal and recycling of used shelters. 

Peter Stevens, Business Development Manager at Tubex said, “The Commonwealth Legacy Forest Project is a fantastic initiative and we are delighted that Tubex shelters will play a vital role in the creation of this much needed new woodland. 

“For projects at this scale, recyclable polypropylene (PP) tree shelters are the lowest impact solution if recycled at end of life. Our Collection & Recycling Programme is there to make recycling as accessible as possible and allowing projects such as this to implement the most sustainable tree protection solution possible”.   

Of particular note was the forestry team’s intention to potentially leave shelters in place for longer than the usual five years, in order to protect the bark of young trees.

“Deer often like to scratch themselves on trees and this can damage the bark at a time when the young tree is still vulnerable. Because of that, we’re looking at leaving the shelters in place for longer than is typical to ensure maximum survival rates”.

With climate change likely to alter site conditions over the coming century, future climate modelling has also been central to the forestry team’s planning.

Each site is analysed using Forest Research’s Ecological Site Checker tool, which uses soil moisture and soil nutrients data to project future planting conditions.

With those projections, Severn Trent can determine whether species will still be suitable for predicted conditions in 2050 or even 2080. 

For more information on The Commonwealth Legacy Forest Projects: https://www.stwater.co.uk/legacy-forests/

Dobbies has officially opened its largest ever store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park.

The 110,000sq ft flagship store is Dobbies’ second venture in Northern Ireland and has created 120 new jobs, making it one of the largest employers within the Antrim and Newtownabbey borough.

As further commitment to driving and investing in local growth, a unique partnership has been forged with Musgrave NI, a leading retail and wholesale business, who will supply a specially curated range to Dobbies’  3,539 sq. ft food hall including Signature Tastes, Donnybrook Fair, Happy Pear and Frank & Honest Gourmet Coffee. 

Television presenter Pamela Ballantine officially opened the doors this morning joined by Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Councillor Rosie Kinnear; Dobbies CEO, David Robinson; Dobbies Antrim General Manager Ken Ferguson and Operations Manager Jenny Campbell; and The Junction landlord, Lotus Property’s MD Alastair Coulson.

Dobbies also welcomed school children and their families through the doors following the announcement of a partnership between Dobbies and local SEN school, Riverside.

This is the largest store in Dobbies’ UK portfolio with outdoor and indoor plant areas; gardening products; seasonal items; pet, gift and toy departments as well as cookshop and home décor; a food hall, a Little Seedlings children’s soft play area and new restaurant and coffee shop, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Opening ahead of the Christmas season, the new store features Dobbies’ full festive product range with an extensive programme of seasonal events planned from November onwards including Santa’s Grotto, a Quiet Grotto experience for those with additional needs, Santa Paws, Santa’s Breakfast and more.

Dobbies CEO, David Robinson said: “I’d like to share a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project. It’s been amazing to see so many colleagues from across the business supporting the local team, and we’re proud to have created so many jobs in the local area.

“I’d also like to thank everyone from the local community who has been so helpful and made us feel so welcome. We hope visitors to The Junction enjoy this fantastic Dobbies’ experience and we look forward to building on the strong relationships with our Junction neighbours and the wider Antrim community.”

Lotus Property Managing Director, Alastair Coulson: said: “Dobbies opening its doors onsite today is a real gamechanger for The Junction. We are very pleased to have a nationwide household name open its flagship store with us. I’m delighted to say occupancy levels are now at 92% – a testament to the investment and commitment the team here at The Junction have made to drive this destination forward.”

Speaking on the food hall partnership, Julie Cherry, Trading Director at Musgrave NI said: “An in-store food hall partnership is a first-of-its-kind concept for Musgrave and one we’re very excited about. Building long-term, stable relationships is one of our values, so we’re delighted to partner with Dobbies to reach more shoppers across NI with our quality convenience food offer.”

Celebrations for the opening will continue on Saturday 7 October, with the Cool FM Bus on site at The Junction with presenters Melissa Riddell and Curtis McCosh.

The value of plants was the highlight of the HTA Conference held in Birmingham.

Research carried out by the HTA revealed that the retail value of plants and trees totalled £2.7 billion in 2022, with £2.2 billion spent on plants for outdoors and £500 million on houseplants.  Garden Centres accounted for 51% of all outdoor plant sales and 36% of all houseplant sales.

And that is only the start of the retail value of plants and trees as the “knock on” value is that between 40 and 49% of transactions containing fertilisers and chemicals, growing media or outdoor containers also contained a plant.

Plants are loved by gardeners and non-gardeners. 23 million people are using their gardens and outdoor spaces to grow plants and a third of people with no access to a garden or outdoor space bought a houseplant.

Defra value the total natural value of the UK’s plants as £11.6 billion per year, and that excludes £4.1 billion from agricultural crops.  81% of UK adults agree that gardens and green spaces benefit their state of mind.  Productivity in offices with natural greenery is 15% higher.

Looking to the future the HTA research tested price sensitivity of plants taking various factors into account related to peat free growing, sustainability, plant health, guarantees and environmental ratings. Unsurprisingly keen and experienced gardeners (Garden Proud and Gardening Elders) were the most likely to reduce their plant purchasing if prices rose significantly, however all other groups of gardeners were much less sensitive about prices of plants. 

The factors that are perceived as adding the most value to plants by consumers are a Lifetime or 5 Year guarantee and being pollinator friendly.

The value of plants also shone through in Dr Tim Leunig’s economic presentation. As well as having been economic adviser to Rishi Sunak for 2 years when he was chancellor, he told the conference delegates: “I'm also a gardener. I love gardening. I'll show you some pictures of my garden later, but only if you ask me questions. That's the deal. So you and I both know that economics and gardening are the same thing. We both care passionately about growth. If things don't grow, we're not happy. We also know that growth is sometimes not all it seems. There are plants that die in winter.”

In terms of opportunity for the sector he said: “The population is ageing; old people have more money. What exactly are we offering? Because traditionally older people have gardened just because they had more time. But what are the high value-added products that you can be offering people who are older, not necessarily infirm, but older? And that's, I think, a genuine entrepreneurial challenge for you guys.”

He added: “You should call for more house building. And you need houses, not flats. Brownfield first is the worst possible outcome for you guys. You don't want flats, you want houses. You want houses in the green belt with nice big gardens. What you want are people with gardens. So, when governments start talking about house building, you should, as an industry, start putting out press releases welcoming that. When the government commits to doubling the size of Cambridge, the HTA needs to put out a press release saying that this is a wonderful idea because more houses with gardens means more people to buy stuff.”

Dr Tim also urged closer working with universities to get the value of UK plants message across to government: “It's the HTA's job to find those research scientists to make sure that they apply to be on Defra's committees, because DEFRA has committees of often unpaid scientists who are there to stand up for the biosecurity that matters. So that's my very strong advice. Find the scientists, get them on side, get them on those committees. I can say that not as an economist. I can say that as someone who has been a civil servant, which is a more useful answer in this case.” Then proudly showing a photo of his own garden he said: “Roses. Who doesn't like roses? Well, I love roses and I have the scars and cuts to prove it. I counted them once. There were 525 blooms on that single rose. Now that is value. I don't know how much that rose cost. What, £30. Twenty years ago? Nothing is better value than planting a plant like that.”

British Garden Centres viual merchandising team were once again congratulated by all of the guest speakers and presenters on the quality of the set display for the conference.

See GTN Xtra’s gallery of photos from the conference and the Grower of the Year Awards dinner in the evening below.

Perrywood Garden Centres, located in Tiptree, Essex, and Sudbury, Suffolk, has launched a new loyalty programme called ‘Perrywood Bloom’. In just one month 10,000 customers have already signed up. It offers their most loyal customers exclusive rewards and benefits including best in-store offers, a birthday treat, member events and behind the scenes information. They will also receive every tenth hot drink free when they visit the Coffee Shops, Restaurant or Greenhouse Café. 

Bloom members were the first to find out when Perrywood was opening their award-winning Christmas Shops. This featured a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their showstopping displays and the unveiling of the 2023 theme. This year Perrywood has brought back the ‘Step Back in Time’ theme for a second year, after rave reviews in 2022. It’s full of new inspiration and nostalgia.

Hannah, Communications & HR Director comments, “It’s great to be able offer our loyal customers something special and we’ve had a positive reaction. It’s another way for us to create a unique shopping experience – both for customers who have been shopping with us for decades, and for those who have only recently discovered our award-winning garden centres.

“Bloom members will receive advice and offers based on the plants and products they have bought to help them grow plants successfully. What’s more, every time they shop, members will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win the value of their shop in Perrywood gift vouchers.”

Customers should download the Perrywood Bloom app before they next visit. It’s a free app in the Apple app store or Android Google Play library. For more information visit www.perrywood.co.uk/bloom.

For those without a smartphone, a paper card alternative can be issued next time you visit.

Perrywood Tiptree was named North Thames Destination Garden Centre of the Year for the 7th time running in 2023 (3rd in the Garden Centre Associations Top 100 League Table).

Perrywood Sudbury was named North Thames Garden Centre of the Year for the 2nd time running in 2023.

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company are developing a sustainable pathway to a peat free future. During 2023 over 50% of our range has been trialed successfully in peat free compost, and a quarter of a million liners from our propagation unit were grown in peat free. 

The aim throughout the trialing process is to achieve the same great quality our customers expect from us, whilst using a peat free substrate that is environmentally friendly, responsibly sourced and available in commercial volumes.

BWPC have already gained valuable experience and knowledge in this area, having grown a proportion of plants in peat free for the last 20 years. Looking ahead to 2024, we aim to increase the size and depth of our commercial trials with the aim of becoming completely peat free in a realistic timescale that allows us to continue to supply excellent plants to garden centres across the UK.

“Bransford Webbs are committed to large scale trials - trialing three different mixes. Whilst trials overall have been successful, we are aware of the challenges we face with watering, feed issues and timing, and aim to manage the difference this presents not the problems”, commented Karl O’Neill, Technical Production Director. 

“We workclosely with our compost suppliers who readily acknowledge the issues we face with peat free composts. Through training with both staff and suppliers, we are working to understand the difference in the compost, with grower observation as important as scientific monitoring”.

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the winners of the 2023 Grower of the Year Awards. 

The Awards, now in their second year, were announced at the HTA’s annual conference, Horticulture, The Conference, which took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 5 October.  

A total of 9 awards were presented across 5 categories, including overall winners and highly commended. Allensmore Nurseries was named Best Finished Plants Grower, Greenwood Plants won the Peat Free Grower award, while Majestic Trees won Inspirational Business. Several individual industry professionals were also recognised, with Kyle Ross of Wyevale Nurseries winning Young Grower under 35 and Maria Bengtsson from Majestic Trees winning Best Staff Member.  

Martin Simmons, Horticulture Support Manager at the HTA, said: “We were delighted by the response to this year’s Grower of the Year Awards and the standard of entries was exceptionally high. Our thanks to the judges, Alan Down, Tim Briercliffe, Martin Cowell and Phil Clayton, who found it quite challenging to separate out the winners, with only one or two points in each category setting them apart. 

The Grower of the Year Awards demonstrate the high calibre of UK nurseries who lead the way in quality, levels of service, innovation and peat-free production and it is fantastic to be able to recognise young and upcoming talent that will ensure our world-class industry can thrive in the future” 

The full list of award winners and highly commended entrants is as follows:  

Young Grower under 35 

Winner: Kyle Ross, Wyevale Nurseries   

Highly commended: Mollie Higginson, New Leaf Plants 

Finished Plant Grower 

Winner: Allensmore Nurseries   

Highly Commended: Bransford Webb Plant Company  

Peat Free Grower  

Winner: Greenwood Plants  

Highly Commended: Majestic Trees  

Inspirational Business 

Winner: Majestic Trees  

Staff Member  

Winner: Maria Bengtsson, Majestic Trees   

Highly commended: Karen Jenkins, Bransford Webb Plant Company  

Record volume sales increases of Zero In Home Flea Killers have followed the warmest early-Autumn weather on record and a surge in domestic infestations of cat and dog fleas.
 
Sales of Zero In Home Flea Killer are up by over 300% year on year and STVare encouraging retail partners to stay fully stocked, even as mild weather gives way to cold over the coming weeks.
 
“As the UK switches its central heating on, we will see an even stronger surge in flea infestations around the home,” says STV, warning that fleas spend 95% of their life cycle living off dogs and cats, and are typically found in bedding, furniture, and carpets around the home.
 
The full Zero In Home Flea Killer range is featured in STV’s new-season Autumn/Winter catalogue, available on request or for download at stvuk.com, with attractive pre-season deals and offers now available from leading national wholesalers, including Decco, Stax, and Home Hardware.

Home Flea Killers are part of a range of speciality insect control products available under the Zero In brand, including bed bug, carpet beetle, clothes moth, and woodworm treatments. Zero In is the UK’s fastest growing insect control brand, now generating over £20 million of retail sales a year.

We are delighted to announce that Corby + Fellas received an unexpected award at the Choice Marketing Gala dinner: Non-Retail Service Supplier of the year! This is a great achievement for the company, and we would like to thank Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, Terry Maywood, and Mike Cook. Alan McCammon and Grant Davis had a wonderful time seeing some of Corby + Fellas' long standing customers, along with others from the industry last week. They hope that everyone enjoyed it and the Gala Dinner as much as they did!

Corby + Fellas MD, Alan McCammon told GTN Xtra: “We're absolutely honoured to win such an award. Super proud to be associated with Choice and it is a credit to the team at Corby + Fellas and our progression over the years. I am told that we are effectively, recognised as an industry leader in garden centres and certainly with the nine Choice members that we have and another four or five lined up, I am absolutely privileged and honoured to represent Corby + Fellas and the team to win such a great award.

“Michelle, Terry, Mike, and the team at Choice run a brilliant conference. Everyone just really gets on well, multi-site businesses, smaller businesses, who are brilliant to work with. Choice Marketing has a nice family feel to it. I absolutely love collaborating with them.

Alan also spoke about the Corby + Fellas latest developments : “Out of the 85 customers we have and 64 garden centres, about 30 have the new Cucina Restaurant APP. It has been a real game changer for our customers restaurant operations, a massive increase in average sales, and it has been built with the help of the teams at Ruxley Manor, Gates, Polhill and Tong Garden Centres. As well as the new Restaurant systems, we have also developed enhanced delivery scheduling systems, a new customer service module, co-developed with Hayes Garden World, and our latest creation, the CRM plus system with the customer facing loyalty APP is an absolute revelation. Indeed, if you download the new Ruxley APP which went live today (from the Appstore or PlayStore) you will see the functionality that it offers. You can order event tickets and receive them within the APP. You can order food, order products from the website, have your receipts and loyalty points stored, both in-store and online, as well as customer behaviour driven, tailored offers and unique coupons”.

Picture Alan McCammon C+F MD proudly with the award.

The leading buying and marketing group has signed RocketGro as an Associate Supplier with immediate effect, connecting its garden centre members with the Somerset manufacturer’s game-changing growing media products.

Under the new partnership, Choice Marketing’s membership – which comprises 53 independent garden centres across the UK – will have direct access to RocketGro’s impressive 24-strong portfolio, benefitting from the purchasing power typically enjoyed by multiple retailers.

It is an exciting time for Choice’s member centres to partner with RocketGro, as the peat-free specialist has secured a host of exciting listings and endorsements since the start of 2023. Now exclusive compost supplier to the famous River Cottage, RocketGro debuted 11 new products at Glee 2023, including its brand-new liquid plant feed range, which has recently taken up residency in leading independent garden centres, Haskins and Klondyke.

Choice members will have the opportunity to stock these exciting new additions, alongside RocketGro’s existing organic, peat-free line up – including its top-performing River Cottage-endorsed collection of composts – with all the benefits that come with being part of a buying group, and take advantage of the comprehensive offer provided by RocketGro.

All products are chemical free, 100% organic approved, British grown, sourced and manufactured, and are the by-product of renewable energy production. Packaging is also 100% recyclable.

Choice Marketing CEO, Michelle de Lavis-Trafford said of the new partnership: “Choice Marketing is thrilled to welcome RocketGro as an Associate Supplier to the Group.  It’s a great range of peat-free products which perfectly complements our existing suppliers in this category. We look forward to working with Toby, Andy, and the RocketGro team in 2023/2024 and beyond. 

Managing Director, Toby Thomas said: “RocketGro is delighted to have become an Associate Supplier to the Choice Marketing Group. Getting to know Michelle and many of the members has been a pleasure. The feedback we received and the discussions Andy Abraham and I had with the members at the Choice Marketing Conference were fantastic. Working with such a successful group of garden centres fits perfectly with RocketGro's aim to focus on quality independent and family-run centres and garden centre groups. We look forward to providing the members with first-class service and support, and providing them with top quality peat-free, organic, sustainable compost and growing media products in 2023/2024.”

With pre-season orders going strong, RocketGro has stock ready to go and has capacity to meet an uptick in demand for 2024.

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