The GCA has announced the finalists in its annual Ruxley Rose competition.Twenty centres all received top scores in the spring bedding and hardy nursery stock categories from the GCA’s spring inspections and have now been put forwards for autumn judging. 

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “Throughout the spring our member garden centres received visits from our inspectors and their findings have determined the 10 finalists in the Garden Centre (GC) category and the 10 finalists in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category. All of the finalists will go through to the autumn competition and will be visited by our judge, Michael Cole, in September. He will evaluate how our members are continuing to promote and sell plants during the autumn season.

“The centres will also be judged on their excellent quality, presentation and overall range of plants available as well as the layout of their plant areas. Overall impression, access and use of demonstration areas will also be looked at.

“Staff at our member centres are also being judged on their knowledge and customer care and service.”

A winner from each category will be determined and announced during the GCA’s annual conference in January, 2019.

The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Garden Centre category are:

• Cowell’s Garden Centre
• Gouldings Garden Centre
• Mains of Drum Garden Centre Ltd
• Pacific Nurseries
• Planters Garden Centre at Bretby Ltd
• RHS Hyde Hall Plant Centre & Gift Shop
• Squires Garden Centre – Hersham
• Squires Garden Centre – Long Ditton
• The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
• Thompson’s Plant & Garden Centre – Chislehurst.

The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Destination Garden Centre category are:

• Aylett Nurseries Ltd
• Barton Grange Garden Centre
• Bents Garden & Home
• Coolings Nurseries
• Haskins Garden Centre – Snowhill
• Newbridge Nurseries
• Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries Ltd
• Scotsdale Garden Centre
• Stewarts Garden Centre – Christchurch
• The Millbrook Garden Company – Gravesend.

Iain added: “Our Ruxley Rose competition aims to inspire our member garden centres to maintain best practice at all times and have centres that are inviting and attractive to customers. It is a competition that our members work extremely hard towards throughout the year.

“Our members can also benefit from Michael’s practical advice on achieving best practice as well as showcasing their own innovative sales initiatives.

“I would like to say a huge ‘congratulations’ to all of the finalists and wish everyone the best of luck for the next stage of the competition.”