Glee, the international ‘festival’ for the garden, leisure and pet sector, has had a makeover with new branding revealed ahead of the 2023 event (27-29 June, NEC Birmingham).

Having undergone a renaissance in a post-pandemic world, Glee continues to bring together the global garden industry under one roof, with the most diverse portfolio of suppliers and manufacturers represented. The new-look branding – set to officially roll out in December 2022 – is reflective of this new chapter. A bright colour palette, together with icons representative of Glee’s product categories makes for a rich visual tapestry that paints a fun and fresh picture of the show.

Discussing the new branding, Glee Director, Matthew Mein said: “As Glee’s relevancy stretched across the international gardening sector, it became more important than ever that we created a look and feel for the show that could be easily translated. Iconography is an important component of this, as it not only speaks volumes with the use of a single image but, together, the branding can build a visual story that truly showcases the breadth of Glee’s offering and the products represented. We’re excited to roll out our new branding and to further build Glee’s market-leading position.”

The festival of garden, leisure and pet

Looking ahead, the 2023 edition of Glee will be an event not to be missed. With 70% of the extended floorplan already reserved by leading brands, emerging talents, and innovators, the show is on track to deliver the strongest platform for growth anywhere within the exhibition calendar.

With the new June date firmly shaping the show’s content, this year’s edition will be a celebratory event that showcases the best of the garden, leisure and pet sectors. Joining the line-up will be a new dedicated DIY sector, as well as International Sourcing, which will be an important destination for major wholesale buyers and procurement experts in the years to come. 

After an exceptionally strong 2022 showing, which saw buyers turning up in droves to place orders ahead of Christmas, Glee’s Home, Gift & Clothing sector will be transformed into a dedicated village for trend-driven garden home and giftware suppliers and buyers. Elsewhere, Outdoor Entertainment will see its representation increased significantly; reflective of the predicted growth for this area, as the country continues to view their home as sanctuaries during a time of economic turbulence. Glee’s dedicated outdoor demonstration area – Fire, Grill & Chill – will provide the beating heart and mouthwatering centrepiece to this thriving show sector.

Hundreds of brands, thousands of new products

Recognising that standing still is not an option for retailers, Glee 2023 is designed to facilitate important conversations, such as how we can futureproof our industry or how we can better service ethical consumers. Additionally, Glee provides three days of uninterrupted access to hundreds, if not thousands, of new products, alongside hundreds of brands, all ready and willing to fulfill orders to extend their retail network. A rich calendar of added-value content, from retailer insight to breaking down future trends, will complete Glee 2023’s offering.

Matthew Mein added: “Whether you own one store or 100, Glee must be viewed as an essential part of any retailer’s annual planning. Whether it’s accessing new products, strengthening relationships with suppliers, joining in the conversation regarding future growth, or more sustainable practices, more can be achieved within three days at Glee than weeks spent on the road. Furthermore, now is a pivotal time of growth and change for the gardening industry. Through the support of innovation and by driving newness in every market sector, inspiring buyers and helping to inform their purchasing decisions in a rapidly-changing environment, Glee has a vital role to play. We are more than ready to meet the challenges and help our customers to make the most of the opportunities, facilitated by our new June date, which opens Glee up to the most important buying cycle for trade.”

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focusing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories.  To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, which will take place 27-29 June, call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Glee, the international ‘festival’ for the garden, leisure and pet sector, has had a makeover with new branding revealed ahead of the 2023 event (27-29 June, NEC Birmingham).

Having undergone a renaissance in a post-pandemic world, Glee continues to bring together the global garden industry under one roof, with the most diverse portfolio of suppliers and manufacturers represented. The new-look branding – set to officially roll out in December 2022 – is reflective of this new chapter. A bright colour palette, together with icons representative of Glee’s product categories makes for a rich visual tapestry that paints a fun and fresh picture of the show.

Discussing the new branding, Glee Director, Matthew Mein said: “As Glee’s relevancy stretched across the international gardening sector, it became more important than ever that we created a look and feel for the show that could be easily translated. Iconography is an important component of this, as it not only speaks volumes with the use of a single image but, together, the branding can build a visual story that truly showcases the breadth of Glee’s offering and the products represented. We’re excited to roll out our new branding and to further build Glee’s market-leading position.”

The festival of garden, leisure and pet

Looking ahead, the 2023 edition of Glee will be an event not to be missed. With 70% of the extended floorplan already reserved by leading brands, emerging talents, and innovators, the show is on track to deliver the strongest platform for growth anywhere within the exhibition calendar.

With the new June date firmly shaping the show’s content, this year’s edition will be a celebratory event that showcases the best of the garden, leisure and pet sectors. Joining the line-up will be a new dedicated DIY sector, as well as International Sourcing, which will be an important destination for major wholesale buyers and procurement experts in the years to come. 

After an exceptionally strong 2022 showing, which saw buyers turning up in droves to place orders ahead of Christmas, Glee’s Home, Gift & Clothing sector will be transformed into a dedicated village for trend-driven garden home and giftware suppliers and buyers. Elsewhere, Outdoor Entertainment will see its representation increased significantly; reflective of the predicted growth for this area, as the country continues to view their home as sanctuaries during a time of economic turbulence. Glee’s dedicated outdoor demonstration area – Fire, Grill & Chill – will provide the beating heart and mouthwatering centrepiece to this thriving show sector.

Hundreds of brands, thousands of new products

Recognising that standing still is not an option for retailers, Glee 2023 is designed to facilitate important conversations, such as how we can futureproof our industry or how we can better service ethical consumers. Additionally, Glee provides three days of uninterrupted access to hundreds, if not thousands, of new products, alongside hundreds of brands, all ready and willing to fulfill orders to extend their retail network. A rich calendar of added-value content, from retailer insight to breaking down future trends, will complete Glee 2023’s offering.

Matthew Mein added: “Whether you own one store or 100, Glee must be viewed as an essential part of any retailer’s annual planning. Whether it’s accessing new products, strengthening relationships with suppliers, joining in the conversation regarding future growth, or more sustainable practices, more can be achieved within three days at Glee than weeks spent on the road. Furthermore, now is a pivotal time of growth and change for the gardening industry. Through the support of innovation and by driving newness in every market sector, inspiring buyers and helping to inform their purchasing decisions in a rapidly-changing environment, Glee has a vital role to play. We are more than ready to meet the challenges and help our customers to make the most of the opportunities, facilitated by our new June date, which opens Glee up to the most important buying cycle for trade.”

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focusing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories.  To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, which will take place 27-29 June, call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Dobbies, the UK’s largest garden centre group, has increased its total sales by 36% to £304m, its best trading performance.

The figures were announced in the group’s annual report and financial statements.

Chairman Andrew Bracey said: “Dobbies has continued to demonstrate resilience and progress throughout a challenging period. We remain confident in the underlying strength of the business.” 

And Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Jenkins, added: “During FY22, Dobbies delivered excellent performance through a period of significant change and I would like to thank all of our team members for their continued support and commitment.

“As we navigate challenging and unpredictable trading conditions throughout FY23, we remain focused on delivering great value to our customers.” 

The accounts are for the 52 weeks to 27 February 2022.  Key highlights include:  

• Total sales increased by 36% to £304m, Dobbies’ best trading performance 
• Dobbies’ underlying EBITDA increased to £45.6m, with a strong retail sales being offset by restaurant trading (affected by Covid-19 restrictions) 
• Acquisition of Johnsons Garden Centre, Boston 
• Continued roll-out of little dobbies - three new stores in Chiswick, Richmond and Westbourne Grove 
• Sector-leading digital platform launched, allowing for integration throughout the customer journey  
• Continued progress on maintaining our market-leading sustainability position 

Dobbies, the UK’s largest garden centre group, has increased its total sales by 36% to £304m, its best trading performance.

The figures were announced in the group’s annual report and financial statements.

Chairman Andrew Bracey said: “Dobbies has continued to demonstrate resilience and progress throughout a challenging period. We remain confident in the underlying strength of the business.” 

And Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Jenkins, added: “During FY22, Dobbies delivered excellent performance through a period of significant change and I would like to thank all of our team members for their continued support and commitment.

“As we navigate challenging and unpredictable trading conditions throughout FY23, we remain focused on delivering great value to our customers.” 

The accounts are for the 52 weeks to 27 February 2022.  Key highlights include:  

• Total sales increased by 36% to £304m, Dobbies’ best trading performance 
• Dobbies’ underlying EBITDA increased to £45.6m, with a strong retail sales being offset by restaurant trading (affected by Covid-19 restrictions) 
• Acquisition of Johnsons Garden Centre, Boston 
• Continued roll-out of little dobbies - three new stores in Chiswick, Richmond and Westbourne Grove 
• Sector-leading digital platform launched, allowing for integration throughout the customer journey  
• Continued progress on maintaining our market-leading sustainability position 

A Worcestershire wholesale nursery has teamed up with a plant information company to share its range of Clematis and climbing plants as part of its ‘PlantShare’ library.

New Leaf Plants in Sedgeberrow now contributed to Joy of Plant’s ‘PlantShare’ library to help customers promote and support its plant range via online and in-store information.

Mollie Higginson, Sales Representative at New Leaf Plants, 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 people be inspired to add more Clematis and climbing plants to their gardens and for people to appreciate the wide range available.”

New Leaf Plants is the UK’s premier specialist producer of clematis and climbing plants. Operating from a twenty-acre site in Worcestershire, New Leaf Plants produce more than one million plants per year using state of the art technology.

They are also expanding their operation, with a new site at Bredon View soon to be completed and their propagation unit is now housed on a one-acre site.

It currently supplies more than 600 garden centre customers.

Joy of Plants’ mission is to make plant information easy and accessible to all. It has created a library of more than 15,500 UK garden plants and trees and offers a platform of tools to help garden centres, retailers and growers maximise their plant sales.

It 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.

Amanda Barber, Library Manager at Joy of Plants said: “We’re delighted to be working with New Leaf Plants. Their Clematis collection has an astounding array of flower shape, size and colour, from the simple yet delicate to large rosette forms. With such variety, there really does seem to be one for every taste. And with such beautiful names too, they are ideal as a gift or commemorative purchase.

“We’ve added the full New Leaf catalogue for 2023 to our Library to help retailers promote climbers to all their customers as a solution to beautify their vertical garden spaces. And with so many new builds in the country, there are many metres of fence and garage walls to cover in the coming years.

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

“Our ‘PlantShare’ library and services provide an easy way for New Leaf Plants to give new gardeners and retail staff information about their plants and the care products to use to help them thrive.”

Lathyrus latifolius 'White' from New Leaf Plants.

Customers can see the clematis and other climbing plants from New Leaf Plants that are new to our Library via our WooCommerce demo at http://bit.ly/3VwBFC8 and our Shopify demo at http://bit.ly/3FbSooY.

For further information about Joy of Plants, please visit www.joyofplants.com and for New Leaf Plants, please visithttps://newleafplants.co.uk or call 01386 442055.

You can also follow the company on Instagram or Twitter at @newleafplants and on LinkedIn athttp://bit.ly/3i4HtnW.

Catering sales took over the top spot as the bestselling department at garden centres across the country during October, according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report.

Compared to the same month last year (2021), sales were up 12.43%. Clothing sales were also up 0.25% after being in the top position in September too.

GCA Chairman, Tammy Woodhouse, explains: “This time last year, many of our garden centre catering facilities were still being hit hard by Covid restrictions and the spread of the Omicron variant, with many still not having opened fully, so the figures for 2022 are unsurprisingly up, as we are now enjoying freedom once again."

Sales in houseplants were down -7.94%, outdoor plants were down -8.89% and -9.26% in seeds and bulb departments.

Garden sundries sales were also down -12.91%, furniture and barbecues were down -39.1% and pets and aquatics sales were down -7.02%.

Tammy added: “We believe we are being affected by the cost-of-living crisis and the squeeze on disposable income. However, footfall remains good, and we are optimistic for Christmas sales as we head into December.

“Gift sales were down -11.44% and Christmas sales were also down -10.02%, however we expect these to pick up in the November sales figures.

“Food hall and farm shop sales were also down -6.2% and hard landscaping sales were down -9.18%.”

Overall sales for the month were down -5.44% with a year-to-date variance of -3.2%.

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.

Friends and supporters of Greenfingers Charity came together to enjoy the return of the charity’s annual fundraising dinner, where an incredible £31,000 was raised.

Taking place at its new location at the Pendley Manor Hotel in Tring, Hertfordshire, this year’s Greenfingers Charity dinner saw over 100 friends and supporters of Greenfingers come together for a superb night of celebrating the work Greenfingers undertakes at children’s hospices across the country.

Attendees were reminded by host for the night, Bob Marley, why we continue to do what we do to support the charity by saying: “The hospices Greenfingers support provide a home, love and life for over 350 children every year. With each garden lasting on average 10 years (before a revamp) this means that over 5 million children, as well as their families, friends and carers have spent time in one of our garden spaces. That’s an incredible number and hopefully helps our supporters to understand the impact our work can have.”

Joining the evening was Shaun Evans, star of ITV’s Endeavour and Kate Saxon, producer of the show. Together Sean and Kate brought some star quality to proceedings, as well as kindly donating product to this year’s auction, which saw some people’s competitive edge come to the fore! Tables were also adorned with a bottle of gin from the Endeavour gin brand to further celebrate these celebrity guests.

In addition to enjoying a delicious three-course dinner and networking with colleagues and friends, the evening also included fun table raffles and silent auction to further bolster the fundraising total before the end of the yea, with prizes including a seven-night stay in Dartmouth, a day with a Lord at Westminster, a walking tour of London, a garden blitz, a wake boarding day on lake Windermere and a selection of Endeavour memorabilia. 10 brave individuals also pledged to take part in the 2023 Greenfingers Wing Walk, taking the total number to 12.

A key highlight of the 2022 Greenfingers Charity Fundraising dinner was the award ceremony where seven of Greenfingers biggest supporters throughout 2022 were celebrated.  Woodmansterne, The Horticultural Golfing Society, GIMA, Smart Garden Products, Evergreen Garden Care, British Garden Centres, and Clarins, who together had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity, were each presented with a specially engraved award by Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen. Patron, and the charity’s Patron, David Domoney.

The Horticultural Golfing Society also presented a cheque for £8,000, money they raised at this year’s golf day which was held at Moor Park GC.  This brings the total of monies raised by this event to over £32k over the last six year.

Talking about the dinner, Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen, said: “I would like to extend my endless gratitude to all those that joined us at this year’s Charity Fundraising dinner. The dinner isn’t just about raising money, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the amazing work that our wonderful supporters undertake to help Greenfingers create stunning garden spaces at hospices throughout the UK. Every penny raised by our supporters is so gratefully received.  We cannot thank our friends enough for choosing Greenfingers as the horticultural industry’s favourite charity”

Linda Petrons, Greenfingers’ Director of Fundraising & Communications added: “I’d like to echo Sue’s sentiments. We never get over the fact that so many individuals and brands take the time to support Greenfingers, whether by giving their time, digging deep into their pockets or taking on massive personal challenges. Every penny we receive is put to very good use, and I can assure you that the life-limited children that call a hospice ‘home’, as well as their families and friends, appreciate every precious moment these gardens help to create.” 

Find out more

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity, and how to get involved in a range of fundraising events please email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

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.

Friends and supporters of Greenfingers Charity came together to enjoy the return of the charity’s annual fundraising dinner, where an incredible £31,000 was raised.

Taking place at its new location at the Pendley Manor Hotel in Tring, Hertfordshire, this year’s Greenfingers Charity dinner saw over 100 friends and supporters of Greenfingers come together for a superb night of celebrating the work Greenfingers undertakes at children’s hospices across the country.

Attendees were reminded by host for the night, Bob Marley, why we continue to do what we do to support the charity by saying: “The hospices Greenfingers support provide a home, love and life for over 350 children every year. With each garden lasting on average 10 years (before a revamp) this means that over 5 million children, as well as their families, friends and carers have spent time in one of our garden spaces. That’s an incredible number and hopefully helps our supporters to understand the impact our work can have.”

Joining the evening was Shaun Evans, star of ITV’s Endeavour and Kate Saxon, producer of the show. Together Sean and Kate brought some star quality to proceedings, as well as kindly donating product to this year’s auction, which saw some people’s competitive edge come to the fore! Tables were also adorned with a bottle of gin from the Endeavour gin brand to further celebrate these celebrity guests.

In addition to enjoying a delicious three-course dinner and networking with colleagues and friends, the evening also included fun table raffles and silent auction to further bolster the fundraising total before the end of the yea, with prizes including a seven-night stay in Dartmouth, a day with a Lord at Westminster, a walking tour of London, a garden blitz, a wake boarding day on lake Windermere and a selection of Endeavour memorabilia. 10 brave individuals also pledged to take part in the 2023 Greenfingers Wing Walk, taking the total number to 12.

A key highlight of the 2022 Greenfingers Charity Fundraising dinner was the award ceremony where seven of Greenfingers biggest supporters throughout 2022 were celebrated.  Woodmansterne, The Horticultural Golfing Society, GIMA, Smart Garden Products, Evergreen Garden Care, British Garden Centres, and Clarins, who together had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity, were each presented with a specially engraved award by Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen. Patron, and the charity’s Patron, David Domoney.

The Horticultural Golfing Society also presented a cheque for £8,000, money they raised at this year’s golf day which was held at Moor Park GC.  This brings the total of monies raised by this event to over £32k over the last six year.

Talking about the dinner, Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen, said: “I would like to extend my endless gratitude to all those that joined us at this year’s Charity Fundraising dinner. The dinner isn’t just about raising money, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the amazing work that our wonderful supporters undertake to help Greenfingers create stunning garden spaces at hospices throughout the UK. Every penny raised by our supporters is so gratefully received.  We cannot thank our friends enough for choosing Greenfingers as the horticultural industry’s favourite charity”

Linda Petrons, Greenfingers’ Director of Fundraising & Communications added: “I’d like to echo Sue’s sentiments. We never get over the fact that so many individuals and brands take the time to support Greenfingers, whether by giving their time, digging deep into their pockets or taking on massive personal challenges. Every penny we receive is put to very good use, and I can assure you that the life-limited children that call a hospice ‘home’, as well as their families and friends, appreciate every precious moment these gardens help to create.” 

Find out more

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity, and how to get involved in a range of fundraising events please email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

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.

As the autumn and winter months arrive, customers’ thoughts turn to cranking up the cosiness inside their home. Inspiring displays of colourful plants, such as poinsettias, play a big role in this. The marketing experts at SfE show you how to create striking presentations with poinsettias – perfect for in-store or window displays – to keep your customers coming back for more.

Use your competitive advantage

Did you know, poinsettia season actually begins in September and October? This is when the more unusual autumnal colours, such as salmon, peach, terracotta, yellow, and blush tones are available, with traditional reds and whites coming later in autumn and winter. 

In the earlier months, specialist retailers and small business owners have a competitive advantage, as most large corporate companies need to place bulk orders for standard poinsettias well in advance, and they don’t have the flexibility to stock such a diverse range of varieties. Make the most of this advantage by purchasing from the range of colourful, unusual varieties, and secure early sales among customers looking for something novel.

Offering these special, modern poinsettias in-store early makes them the perfect plants to carry customers’ homes from autumn into winter and through the festive season with a more muted, on-trend colour scheme.

Tips to create succesful displays

Keeping your in-store displays a cut above the competition is the best way to show people what can be done with these versatile plants. SfE asked the famous German TV florist Michael Frings for his top tips on store displays to attract customers’ attention. 

“In my opinion, the most important thing is to excite your customers with something they don’t know yet. For example, using poinsettias as a cut flower or using them in an unusual way, such as in an Advent wreath.”

Michael offers a simple display idea that works in any store or shop window, regardless of space. “Cut poinsettia stems and sear them by first dipping them briefly in 60°C hot water and then in cold water. Remove the tops of some festive baubles, place a cut poinsettia stem inside and fill with water. Use decorative wire or ribbon to hang them on a Christmas tree or branch.”

Show the whole product range

When planning a window or in-store display, use it to show customers that you stock all they need for Christmas, and make it cohesive, Michael explains: “Pick a colour or a theme for your display, such as beige and cream for an office style, for example. Then elevate your poinsettias with matching pots and a selection of additional decorative elements that your customers can put together themselves as a craft project.”

With that in mind, SfE presents three step-by-step in-store presentation ideas that will not only boost your autumn and winter plant sales but will delight your customers too

In this store, poinsettias are displayed together with other products, such as lanterns and vases, to attract more impulse sales.

3 step-by-step display ideas to setup in-store

Hanging Kokedama balls

Kokedama is a Japanese tradition, where a plant’s root ball is wrapped in moss to create a sphere. Poinsettia kokedama suspended from the ceiling in a shop window or standing on a table in-store will make an impressive display. Just follow this simple step-by-step guide.

In this specialist garden centre, poinsettias are displayed using the Kokedama technique, hanging together with small chalk boards showing their variety names

You will need flat moss, decorative silver wire, thread or twine and a standard size poinsettia.

• Step 1: Remove the poinsettia from its pot and wrap the root ball with moss.
• Step 2: Wrap the moss ball with the wire, thread or twine and knot the ends together.
• Step 3: Create a loop of wire or thread and hang it up.

To keep this design looking fresh, water plants sparingly from above, for example, with a spray bottle. Alternatively, every few days, place the moss ball in a container with a little water so it can soak it up. Let it drain well before hanging back up.

The kokedama idea can be adapted as a modern table centrepiece for a display stand on the shop floor. Make five or six kokedama, using the same colour poinsettia but in varying sizes, including mini ones. Place them next to one another in a large shallow bowl and fill in the gaps with dried flowerheads, foliage or baubles or leave them bare for a minimal feel. Create different versions by varying the moss, wire/twine and poinsettias you use. Natural reindeer moss (Cladonia rangiferina), neutral twine and white or pale-toned poinsettias, placed on a blond wooden platter, give an on-trend Japandi feel (Scandi-style mixed with Japanese).

During the main season from November onwards, when traditional red varieties are more readily available, you can change it up with red poinsettia kokedama in high-gloss, gold containers, teamed with ilex berries or red and gold baubles. Place stocks of all the ‘ingredients’ used in your display nearby, so customers can help themselves to all they need to recreate your Christmas design.

Hanging Wire Christmas Tree

A quick, simple display idea that has plenty of impact on any shop floor. For this mini hanging Christmas tree you will need craft wire (1-2mm thick), wire-cutters, flat nose pliers, juniper twigs, mini baubles, fine ribbon, silver reel wire, three test tubes and three mini poinsettias.

• Step 1: Cut a 50-60cm length of wire using the wire-cutters. Use the flat nose pliers to make a small loop at one end for hanging.
• Step 2: Starting from the loop, form the wire into a spiral one circle at a time. Add another loop at the other end of the spiral.
• Step 3: Bind juniper branches onto the craft wire spiral with silver reel wire.
• Step 4: Attach the mini baubles and test tubes to the juniper-wrapped wire with ribbon and hang the mini Christmas tree in your chosen spot. Fill the test tubes with water and place cut poinsettias inside. Tip: The poinsettia stems will stay fresh for up to two weeks if, immediately after cutting them, you first dip them briefly in 60°C hot water and then in cold water.

Depending on your space, you could make several trees in varying sizes hung together at different heights. Odd numbers work best, so try groups of three, five, or more.

This idea makes a great window display too, as the trees move and turn once hung which attracts attention from outside your store, but remember, poinsettias don't like draughts, so keep them away from open doors or windows.

Beneath your display, add containers of all the materials and plants needed to recreate the design, making it easy for customers to buy the complete package.

Use this idea from October onwards, adapting it to an autumn window display by replacing the baubles with clusters of fresh seasonal berries and covering the spiral with seasonal foliage instead. Pick an autumnal coloured poinsettia too, such as salmon, terracotta, or warm blush pink.

Wooden Advent star

This Scandi-style Advent star is a simple, modern alternative to the classic circular wreath, and would look especially striking in a window display.

The minimalist neutral wooden doweling beautifully sets off the star-shaped, red bracts of the cut poinsettias.

You will need lengths of pale wooden doweling of different thicknesses, a fine-tooth handsaw, a mitre box, a cardboard star template, hot glue gun and glue stick, scissors, four taper candles and candleholder for each, a drill, three test tubes, cut poinsettias, and small decorative wooden stars and hearts.

• Step 1: Use the mitre box to cut a total of 100-120 pieces of different lengths from the doweling. In the example shown here, the pieces are 4.5, 5 and 5.5cm long.
• Step 2: Glue the lengths of doweling onto the star template with hot glue. Alternate different lengths and thicknesses. Once the glue is dry, cut away the excess card around the star template.
• Step 3: To place the candleholders and test tubes, drill holes in four of the thicker pieces of wood to secure the candleholders. Slide the test tubes into gaps between the pieces of wood and secure with hot glue if necessary. Place the candles in the candleholders and glue the decorative hearts and stars onto the wooden star. Finally, fill the test tubes with water and place the cut poinsettias in them.

Like everyone, your customers are busy during the festive season but people still love Christmas craft projects. Increase sales and make the project quicker and easier to achieve by printing out little cards with the instructions on and putting them in a kit including a bag of pre-cut doweling, decorative elements and the star template. Make sure you also have a selection of candles and holders nearby that match the poinsettias on sale, so people can create the co-ordinated look without having to shop elsewhere.

For more information on poinsettias and lots of ideas for decorating with them, visithttps://www.starsuniteeurope.eu.

Stars for Europe

Stars for Europe (SfE) is the marketing initiative of the European poinsettia growers Dümmen Orange, Selecta One, Beekenkamp Plants and Syngenta Flowers. The initiative was founded in 2000 with the aim of promoting and securing long-term poinsettia sales in Europe. SfE activities currently exist in 22 European countries. From 2021 to 2024, marketing activities will be supported by the EU as part of the "Stars unite Europe" campaign in seven countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Spain.

Steve Potter, Managing Director of Katie Blake Furniture Glencrest Seatex, celebrated his 50th Birthday recently and marked the occasion by donating 50 luxury Christmas trees to The One Love Project Soup Kitchen & Foodbank.

Twenty of these Christmas trees were offered for purchase for a minimum donation of £25 each, to help raise vital funds for The One Love Project.

The trees will be available this coming Monday 28th November between 10am - 6pm from the One Love Project, Hollybrook Site, Southend - SS2 6LR

The remainder were set aside to decorate The One Love Foodbank & Soup Kitchen and also gifted to families in need this Christmas.

www.katieblakefurniture.co.uk

The Lawn Association has claimed that Defra is letting down the country when it comes to addressing the ‘plastic grass’ debate.

The association’s chairman David Hedges Gower said: “Due to inaction by Defra and other governing bodies (not to mention MPs), our outdoor spaces are being increasingly carpeted in plastic. That’s right – carpeted gardens – try explaining that to the wildlife losing its habitat and food. 

“Not only is it the kind of non-recyclable and oil-based product we need so badly to reduce – it also strips away essential but fragile ecosystems, massively damaging our attempts to combat climate change, promote biodiversity and maintain human health.

“This inexplicable failure to lead leaves us with nothing more than hope – that’s right, hope – no plans, no standards, no goals, just hope that somehow people might change their behaviour and put an end to this destructive trend.”

The Lawn Association said good information is need to educate the public, which could then be left to make up its own mind responsibly.

David Hedges Gower added: “What would convince our governing bodies finally to grow a spine and be proactive in sharing simple, obvious and strategically important information? There’s certainly no shortage of incentives.

“Money? Well, that’s easy. The entire UK horticultural industry is worth some £24 billion. But however big the contribution from the plastic grass sector, it is hugely outweighed by the combined revenue power of all the products and services supporting sustainable gardening. So, HM Treasury, if you want to back the right horse and keep growing this successful industry, get Defra to help with education about living gardens, not dead ones.

“Climate change? What a fantastic win-win this should be for the government and horticultural agencies! Up and down the country people are crying out for guidance on how to do their bit for tackling climate change and its impacts right here in the UK. And what could be simpler – and more popular - than helping people to understand their choice between sustainable living grass and inert oil-based plastic?

“Biodiversity? The living natural world is an increasingly popular banner for politicians of all colours wanting green credentials. Yet when was the last time – or even the first time – you heard one talk about the environmental perils of plastic grass, or promote appreciation for the simple lawn and its contribution to stronger biodiversity?

“Plastic trees? Of course not, but hear me out. Trees, quite rightly, capture the imagination of Westminster, agencies, horticultural organisations and the like of you and me because we see and admire them; we see the birds nesting in them; we know of the rain forest and its role in keeping us all alive.

“Well, here’s something you should be hearing loud and clear from all horticultural organisations and governing bodies – grass does exactly the same! So now is the time for grass to receive the same respect and the same energy and commitment to promoting accurate information and education and better-informed choices.

“Without this, all those responsible for inaction during the continued decline in living outdoor spaces and the catastrophic consequence of this in the future will share a shameful legacy of failure.”

Evesham-based New Leaf Plants and Worcester’s Bransford Webbs Plant Company are working together to host a retail focused event at Bransford across two days in February 2023.

The event will take place at Bransford Webbs on 15th & 16th February next year. Each day attendees will hear from experts on how peat reduction in growing media will impact on plant retailing, and how the increased use of biological controls will produce more sustainable plants for the end consumer.

David Higginson Managing Director of New Leaf Plants commented, “We are delighted to be working with the team at Bransford Webbs to deliver this event and are looking forward to a positive and informative day for our customers”.

A key part of the day will be a tour around the nursery at Bransford Webbs where retailers can view up-coming crops and highlight the sustainable business practices adopted at the nursery, from solar panels to rainwater harvesting. As part of the tour, workshops will take place demonstrating best practice for 2023. In this unique collaboration, visitors will get the opportunity to view and order the best topical stock from both nurseries, in a mini trolley fair.

The event will be split between the Bank House Hotel and Bransford Webbs nursery with stock and staff from New Leaf on hand throughout the day.

The Real Soil Company has called on retailers to take time to review their growing media offer and consider whether they are actively providing customers with sustainable solutions that will significantly improve soil health and promote biodiversity in their gardens and allotments.

According to the United Nations, World Soil Day 2022 (December 5th), aimed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

Considering the rate at which the World’s topsoil is disappearing, it has never been more important for garden retailers to advise customers about these topics and provide them with products that will help make a difference to their growing environment and the planet.

Sustainably sourced ‘gold dust’

As the industry moves away from peat, companies have strived to find growing media solutions that still deliver great growing results but have less of an impact on the environment. This has resulted in a mixed bag of products, including some that aren’t necessarily as ‘green’ as they claim or that don’t do an awful lot for soil health, once a consumer digs them in.

Fortunately, The Real Soil Company was able to draw on the legacy and experience of its parent company, Boughton. From its headquarters in Northamptonshire, Boughton has been supplying organic ‘as dug’ topsoils commercially for decades, thus inspiring The Real Soil Company’s garden retail offering, which includes SuperSoil, Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil, and SuperLawn.

 The material used in all The Real Soil Company’s topsoil products is typically sourced from pre-construction and construction sites surrounding Northamptonshire. Not only are these topsoils completely natural, organic and peat-free but, if Boughton didn’t remove them, they could end up being used inappropriately or even sent to landfill.

The re-purposing of this natural, biodiverse topsoil – a real gardening gold dust – creates horticultural products that offer outstanding growing potential, whilst making sure this valuable natural resource isn’t wasted or lost.

Improving Soil Health

Not only does the sourcing of raw materials for The Real Soil Company’s products promote sustainable soil management but the products themselves work wonders for improving soil health and creating thriving ecosystems. You’ll find that many products on the market that profess to be topsoil are simply manufactured compost (you can usually tell by the weight of the bag) and can’t possibly offer the same benefits as natural single-source ‘as-dug’ top soil.

As the uppermost layer of soil, (usually the top 5-10 inches), topsoil boasts the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms. The decomposition of organic matter by organisms has a major influence on soil fertility, plant growth, soil structure, and carbon storage.  

That is why The Real Soil Company only selects the finest natural topsoils as the main ingredient in its SuperSoil, Fruit & Vegetable Soil and SuperLawn. Each batch is analysed by soil scientists and precisely blended, in accordance with the company’s stringent formula, to ensure optimum characteristics and performance. 

Natural boosters in SuperSoil and Fruit & Vegetable Soil help plants establish quicker and mean they are more resilient to pests and disease, while edible crops are nutritionally enhanced, healthier and provide a better yield.

SuperSoil is ideal for replacing border soil, replenishing raised beds or tackling new planting schemes, helping gardeners of all skillsets truly improve the soil health in their outdoor areas. Meanwhile, Fruit & Vegetable Soil helps get edible plants off to the best start possible and the latest addition to the portfolio, SuperLawn helps stimulate quicker lawn establishment and better reliance against drought, whilst also creating a thick and healthy lawn.

The Real Soil Company really does have a product for all applications and, by re-purposing and utilising natural topsoil, this British company is setting a new standard for sustainable gardening. This World Soil Day, ensure you are offering your customers the very best, whilst also making the best decisions for the environment.

The Real Soil Company portfolio

SuperSoil

The original SuperSoil from The Real Soil Company has been ‘super charged’ with organic single-source plant-derived materials that are expertly blended with the finest natural topsoil.  This exceptional formula consistently outperforms current market-leading topsoils in its phosphorous, potassium and magnesium content, plus organic matter which improves soil structure, water retention and drought tolerance. SuperSoil is also free of the low-quality inorganic fillers which so many soil brands rely on to bulk out their bags.

Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil

Teeming with organic nutrients for optimal plant health, specialist Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil perfectly blends 100% natural topsoil with 100% organic peat-free compost that is PAS100 certified. Entirely free of chemicals or artificial fertilisers, each bag incorporates slow-release nutrients, trace elements and minerals to continually boost plants throughout the growth cycle. Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil will also improve soil type and structure, helping it to retain more water whilst offering better resistance against pests and diseases.

SuperLawn

Brand new for 2023, all-in-one SuperLawn is a rich blend of natural topsoil, soil improver and horticultural sand, delivering the ideal ground for perfect garden lawns. Teeming with slow-release nutrients, trace elements and minerals, SuperLawn will improve the soil structure and give lawn grass the best possible start, without the use of artificial fertilisers or added chemicals. As well as opening up more opportunities for peat-free, organic gardening, SuperLawn will help extend the lawncare sales period into autumn.

To find out more about The Real Soil Company please visit www.therealsoilcompany.co.uk or email info@therealsoilcompany.co.uk

Christmas is starting early, with over 180 new products being added to the NOMA Christmas range that will shape the lighting trends for Christmas 2023.

Complementing our thousands of existing products, we are introducing several new collections of flexi lights, the future of lighting strings that are strong, durable and produce a powerful ambient glow.

Proof that flowers can really bloom this Christmas, our new Stardust Range includes holographic fibre optic flowers on a battery-operated light chain, adding that extra sparkle to the delicate stardust lights of the fibre optics.

NEON lights have been reworked, using plastic instead of glass for safety and powered by an energy efficient LED light.

Also new to market is the launch of our highly anticipated 'Nostalgia by NOMA', a collection of sentimental products from our childhood, magically re-invented and re-imagined for the modern customer.  

Seeing is believing - Book your advanced preview of the NOMA Christmas range by visiting our showrooms north of London.

Make the most of your visit, with the option of a complimentary BBQ (optional festive) from one of our Grillstream chefs, and not forgetting to see the new Christmas range from the team at Petface. Alternatively, you can arrange a virtual tour with one of our Area Sales Managers. Book your visit:https://www.noma.co.uk/contact-us

NOMA Trade Platform

NOMA has launched a trade platform as part of an online multi-site ordering system that enables you to order NOMA products 24/7. Within the portal, you can access detailed product information and assets, keep track of your online order history, invoices and account information. Find out more: https://www.noma.co.uk

More pictures from the NOMA Christmas range in the gallery below...

Dobbies Garden Centres across the UK took part for one of their key dates in the festive calendar, officially known as ‘Bring Your Christmas Tree Home Day.’ 

The first Saturday of December (Saturday 3 December) is the most popular day for buying real Christmas trees and this year was no exception as demand for real trees continues to grow, with trees available both in store and online.  

Dobbies is committed to protecting the environment and is shining a light on its sustainably grown Christmas trees. Not only that, but starting on Saturday 3 and running to Friday 9 December, the garden centre is offering all electric and hybrid vehicle owners 10% off their real tree when purchased in store, with Club Plus Members able to secure a further 5% discount, on top of their normal 10% discount. 

To take advantage of the offer all customers need to do is head to https://www.dobbies.com/bring-your-christmas-tree-home. 

The Nordmann Fir is the most popular Christmas tree in the UK because it loses very few needles, meaning your tree will remain green and full, with the right care. However, Dobbies offers a full range of freshly cut and pot grown trees, starting from £19.99, to suit every home size and budget, as the garden centre promotes great value this festive season. 

Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director and resident Christmas tree expert, provides his top tips for the best real Christmas tree experience. For selecting your tree, Marcus says: “To ensure your Christmas tree is the right size, come equipped with the height, depth and width measurements of the area where you picture your tree at home. Make sure the area has a plug nearby, for your Christmas lights - corners are ideal - as it will keep your tree safe from knocks and bumps. 

“Bringing a tape measure to the store and double checking the dimensions is a good idea to avoid any disappointment and save you a return trip to the store if you find that your tree is too big or small once you get it home. Dobbies’ team members will also be on hand to help you decide what tree is best suited to your space. Fear not, if your tree is a little too big, you can always trim it to fit the space.”

Marcus continues: “All of our trees are netted once selected, so they are as compact as possible. For most cars, the tree will be too long to fit in the boot. I’d recommend attaching it to your roof rack if you have one and, if not, recline the front passanger seat. Insert the tip of the tree into the car first and rest the stump in the footwell. Use the safety belt to secure it in position so you can drive home safely.”

Marcus adds: “Once you have your cut tree home, keep it outside in a sheltered area, cut 1” off the base of the trunk and stand in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors, this will help reduce needle drop. 

“Place your tree in its water holding stand and ensure the water reservoir is replenished on a regular basis. Your potted tree will be ready to slot straight away into your designated spot!”

All Dobbies’ trees are sustainably grown from specially selected seeds, taken from hand-picked cones which have been left to dry and nurtured into seedlings. Specialist pruning techniques are used to create a bushy, uniform shape with emphasis on each individual tree’s features. This work is done by hand which keeps any impact on surrounding wildlife to a minimum. Dobbies customers can be assured they were not cut down from wild forests but instead come from environmentally managed plantations across Scotland. 

For more information on caring for your Christmas tree and choosing the right one for your home visit https://www.dobbies.com/bring-your-christmas-tree-home

The Young People in Horticulture Association has announced David Austin Roses as its final YPHA key partner for the 2023-2024 term, joining Floramedia, Boningale, ICL and the RHS at the forefront of advocating for young people in our industry.

YPHA treasurer, Lilidh Matthews, described the partnership as a ‘great honour’ for YPHA, stating that “David Austin Roses are one of the few horticultural brands that could claim to be a household name globally, with their rose breeding, growing and brand power having raised the bar for the rest of the industry.”

Andrew Henry, Growing and Fulfilment Director for David Austin Roses, added: “We are delighted to launch this partnership with YPHA. The next generation are the future of Horticulture in the UK. I am thrilled that we can help support an environment in which young people can be inspired with likeminded people to help develop and expand their skills, knowledge, confidence, and experience. We are very pleased to be a Key Partner supporting YPHA as they inspire young people to pursue careers in horticulture to bolster our industry and innovate for the future.”

Partnerships such as this are the backbone of YPHA, facilitating opportunities, education, and empowerment for a membership approaching 350, and helping to strengthen the prospects of our industry in the process. Along with YPHA’s five Key Partners, the successful applicants for ten ‘Supporter’ level positions are soon to be announced; these will be selected from an expressions of interest process which garnered significantly more applications than available positions.

For more information on YPHA visit ypha.org.uk

For more information on David Austin Roses visit davidaustinroses.co.uk

Tying in with National Tree Week (26 November - 4 December), Lampton Services is getting tree planting season underway in Hounslow for Winter 22/23.

The winter months offer the right conditions for an extensive planting period and Lampton is supporting Hounslow Council’s commitment to plant 7,500 trees this year with 9,000 whips and 250 standard trees to be planted across over 30 parks throughout the borough.

When planning for the tree planting season, the expert team at Lampton Services considers which species suit the local area, taking into account factors such as how much water they need and their ecology. Lampton also plants trees with longevity in mind. As the climate changes, the team is selecting appropriate trees that will be able to thrive. The trees being planted this Winter are from a diverse range of species, including Hornbeam, Beech, Hawthorn, Yew and Laurel.

Of the 9,000 whips being planted, many of the new whips will be planted in mini forests in locations including Sutton Playing Fields and Bedfont Lakes Country Park.  In a new approach this year, whips will be planted using a weed membrane to suppress grass and weeds, reducing competition for water and allowing watering teams to work more efficiently. To maintain the trees, dedicated teams will water them throughout the summer and, in the event of another heatwave, additional teams will be diverted as necessary.

Lampton Services is also supporting the local community by collaborating with the council on its ‘Free Trees for Hounslow’ giveaway. The scheme sees 1,000 free fruit trees given away to residents, schools and allotment holders in Hounslow for them to plant to get involved with creating a greener borough.

In addition, Lampton is supporting Hounslow Council as it launches its new ‘Grow for the Future’ project, which will see unused land in the borough converted into new allotments, orchards and community gardens. Food grown on the transformed land can be donated to children as the cost of living remains high, and the project will also educate children on healthy living. 

Sam Leigh, Managing Director, Lampton Community Services, says, “We are delighted to announce all the positive work we are championing to create a greener borough for the benefit of the whole community. Our expert tree planting programme and the support we’re providing to the ‘Free Trees for Hounslow’ scheme are helping the council to meet its goal of planting 7,500 trees this year. We’re excited to continue our vital work in local green spaces by playing a key role in the new ‘Grow for the Future’ project.”

About Lampton Services

Lampton Services delivers essential services to the local community through Recycle 360, Coalo, and Greenspace 360.  Lampton Services is part of Lampton 360, a commercial business and wholly owned subsidiary of the London Borough of Hounslow, designed to deliver a financial surplus to the Council to be reinvested. 

The popular tile levelling system is getting a new look with bright, attractive new colours. The new system is manufactured exclusively in the UK, and components, including the packaging, can be fully recycled.

EASYTileAlign is a simple-to-use levelling system that incorporates a tile spacer and levelling cap, plus optional protective shield. After use, the screw caps and shields can be reused from job to job.

2023 will also see the introduction of a new 7mm tile spacer, perfect for some natural stone paving and those who prefer a wider joint for aesthetic reasons. 

With spacer sizes suitable for interior and exterior use, EASYTileAlign is the perfect solution to reduce tile lippage for all kinds of calibrated, ceramic, and porcelain tiles.

Jeff Carter, Associate Director, commented: “Azpects are proud to introduce more environmentally friendly products into our range. Our jointing compound tubs have been made from 30% recycled plastic since 2019, and we’re introducing this to the rest of our range where possible. Due to the strength requirements, EASYTileAlign cannot be made from recycled plastic, so we made sure that all elements of the system could be fully recycled. In this time of economic uncertainty, we believe that it's important to support British manufacturing, and we manufacture in the UK whenever we can.”

Visit the Azpects website to find out more at https://www.azpects.co.uk/products/easy-tile-align.aspx

Christmas is just around the corner. It does not matter if you are a fun-loving festive type or a total bah humbug, as soon as the nights start drawing in you just cannot escape Christmas decorations, songs, films, outdoor markets and of course the traditional Christmas dinner.

British Garden Centres aim to deliver a memorable yet affordable shopping experience for all households and the ultimate in-store experience. The weeks in the lead-up to Christmas are historically some of the most important for retailers and consumers, as people prepare for the big day.

Christmas is a busy time of year and we Brits love a good festive tradition, so each of the teams at 62 stores has joined together to give you the biggest BGC Christmas ever!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Choosing a Christmas tree for your family is a magical time at the beginning of the festive season and a real tree is a focal point and at the heart of the celebrations. Cut trees are the most popular at British Garden Centres with an astonishing 29,925 ordered and sold in the run-up to the holidays. The most favoured is the Nordmann Fir, grown in Ireland by Emerald Trees, and is renowned for its rich pine fragrance, bushy branches, and even shape and needle retaining ability. The cut Fraser Fir is a pyramid-shaped tree with dense foliage and dark green needles.

Our supplier pot-grown trees, the Norway and Blue Spruce bring Christmas into even the smallest home and 3,559 households will have one in pride of place in their front room.

For those households that invest in a life-like Christmas tree, your local British Garden Centre is the place to shop as the group has just over 25,200 ready for you to take home.

The Poinsettia is the world's most popular winter flowering plant, and it is easy to see why with its star-shaped leaves that are said to resemble the star of Bethlehem. They come in an assortment of sizes and colours including the traditional red, pink, white, creams and even variegated making them a much-loved festive houseplant. 16,872 poinsettias will be taken home from the British Garden Centres group across the country, all grown in Essex, UK.

Eat and be merry

What would Christmas be without a celebratory meal to mark the occasion and to share precious moments with loved ones? The restaurants across British Garden Centres are serving up a great festive menu and seasonal treats, so you can save yourself the last-minute stress of organising your Christmas meal.

This year, it is estimated that 15,000 hungry diners will book into the Gardener’s Retreat restaurants across the country. 15,000 Christmas crackers will be pulled, 13,500 pigs in blankets will be consumed and 10,500 portions of Christmas pudding will be dished out, with lashings of custard!

Deck the halls

To get the most out of this season, all British Garden Centres have put together some attractive decoration themes to add a festive look to your home. With our help, you will have a Christmas like no other!

Of course, Christmas just would not be Christmas without a sparkling-lit tree standing proudly in your living room. Instantly transform your home into a magical wonderland with our collection of LED solar string lights. Christmas lighting is big business, and we have 35 million energy-efficient LED lights in store which is equivalent to1,325,240 metres of lit length – that is 823 miles which is just more than the road distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Our Christmas stores are bursting with baubles with 581,750 in-store in every colourway imaginable to suit your theme. 65,785 garlands will adorn bannisters and doorways across the country whilst 32,825 wreaths will bring a warm and traditional welcome to your front door.

You can be sure that we have Christmas all wrapped up as our shoppers will use 158,026 metres, or nearly 100 miles of wrapping paper to dress up their gifts and presents.

Over the past few years, the UK has become a nation of gonk lovers. We love these little creatures as they are cute, festive, and fun and this Christmas, 14,893 of you will have a gonk in your home.

With over 100 exhibitors, Jewellery & Watch (J&W) is the biggest returning jewellery showcase in the UK bringing together the best in fine jewellery, silver jewellery, fashion jewellery, and jewellery designers.

Perfectly timed with the international calendar and buying cycle, J&W will be located in Moda at Spring Fair from the 5th – 8th February at NEC Birmingham, presenting new collections and a sparkling line-up of designers including Breuning, Gecko, Sea Gems, D&X London, Herbert Marx, MG Diamonds, London Pearl, Scream Pretty, Jackie Brazil, Kali Ma Designs, Perfection Jewellery, Love Kiki, and Reeves & Reeves.

Alejandra Campos, Event Director, Moda says, “I am delighted to announce that Jewellery & Watch is back.  The beginning of a new journey offering all the vital ingredients to fully support this exciting industry. Working closely with key stakeholders – from associations such as NAJ and key media to clients and buying groups – we are, together, building a strong international platform. With Birmingham’s history and heritage in the jewellery sector, there is no better place to host it than Moda @ Spring Fair 2023.”

Founded in 1927 in Pforzheim, Breuning is one of the leading manufacturers of wedding rings in Europe and is known for fine jewellery in gold and silver. Breuning stands for innovation and quality, with precise elaboration in traditional craftmanship and high-quality manufacturing creating contemporary designs made sustainably and fairly.

Gecko Jewellery was founded in London in 1991 and is the UK's most comprehensive “one-stop-shop” wholesaler offering customers eight collections, each with multiple new product launches a year, covering a wide variety of looks from classic through to fashion styling. Gecko are an RJC accredited supplier, committed to quality as well as design and customer services and 2017 winners of the Retail Jeweller 'Ethical Supplier of Year' award. With an enviable reputation for consistent excellence in customer service and innovation in product and brand development, its eight jewellery collections are refreshed at least twice a year, to ensure customers can include regular newness across their collections which spans 9ct gold, sterling silver and fashion jewellery catering to the men’s', women’s' and children’s' jewellery markets.

D&X London is defined by unparalleled style and elegance. Since 2008, they have been supplying high street stores, department stores, and independent boutiques with the latest trends in exceptional fashion jewellery. An in-house design team ensures that all its jewellery and accessories are unique, diverse, and of the highest quality. Each item in D&X London’s array of collections is hand-finished, bringing you and your customers the excellence you expect and deserve. Upon request, D&X London also have the capacity to provide customised pieces for high-volume wholesale orders. From elegant bangle bracelets to crystal earrings, from hair accessories to bold statement necklaces, there’s something at D&X London that will appeal to every taste.

Specialists in quality diamond, gold, gemstone and pearl jewellery, Herbert Marx returns to J&W offering the latest in jewellery trends and its recently launched handmade gold and silver chain collections.

London Pearl is an international leader in the supply of cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewellery, only sourcing directly from the pearl farms, with every type of pearl and pearl jewellery made in the UK in both silver and 9,14 and 18 carat gold. Its ranges cover the needs of every retailer from gift shop to "Bond Street" and a bespoke service is also available.

Reeves & Reeves are, at the heart, husband and wife team Heath and Caroline, who (with a small team of like-minded individuals) work from a converted blacksmith's forge in the idyllic grounds of Forde Abbey, in West Dorset. The setting, surrounded by beautiful gardens, beaches, horses, wildlife and countryside is a strong influence on our style, but their backgrounds in the fashion world and a love of travel also shine through.

Sea Gems Cornwall, an established family run jewellery and gift company with over 35 years’ design heritage, is launching brand new and exciting collections. Beautifully presented, high quality original products for boutiques, gift shops and jewellers who are looking for something different at affordable prices. Designed in Cornwall, Sea Gems create unique silver jewellery and gift collections that capture the essence of the iconic landscape, nature, wildlife and heritage.

British brand Scream Pretty bring a high-octane sophisticated edge to their new-season styling at Spring Fair with their brand-new Claw Collection. Featuring Huggies, Charm Hoops, Threader Earrings, Rings and piercing-free Ear Cuffs, the collection is crafted from Recycled 925 Sterling Silver, and 18 Carat Gold plated Recycled Sterling Silver. Perfect for everyday styling the Claw Huggies have a smooth curved band and a sleek pointed end bringing a sassy take on the classic hoop; whilst the Claw Charm Hoops has a dainty ‘tusk’ charm that hangs delicately for subtle movement.

Aside from the latest jewellery collections, there is a dedicated area for jewellery creation where precious and semi-precious stones, jewellery components and services can be found. With a treasure trove of fashion accessories, jewellery, footwear and womenswear, Moda is the ultimate fashion destination at Spring Fair offering over 300 brands and thousands of new products and collections. With live trend-led fashion shows and 4 days of inspirational and insightful seminars, Moda presents an essential hub for creativity, collaboration, and buying.

For further information please visit www.moda-uk.co.uk and www.springfair.com 

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The team at British Garden Centres has welcomed Scott McCabe as their Group Buying Director. Scott, with a wealth of industry experience, joined BGC on Thursday (December 1). 

BGC, with 62 garden centres, is the UKs largest family-owned group. The appointment of Scott fits with the company's aims to build long lasting partnerships with its current and future suppliers. The new role will see Scott supporting the existing buying team - many have been with the family for many years and helped deliver the rapid growth the company has enjoyed since it purchased a number of the Wyevale and Hillview centres. 

Welcoming Scott, joint MD Charles Stubbs said, "I have known Scott for many years and know that his skills and experience will complement the team we have developed in recent years. Building stronger relationships with suppliers is Scott's number one priority as we aim to be the industry's very best customer."

Scott, well-known to the industry from his roles as both a retailer and supplier, took the opportunity to reflect on his career to date "The garden industry has been a wonderful place to grow my career. Customers, many who have become friends, have been fantastic and I thank each and every one of them for their support through the years. The team at Ames have been brilliant over the last few years, particularly during the post-lockdown boom in all garden related activity, their support has been immense." Commenting on his return to retail, "I, along with the rest of the trade, have enjoyed watching the team at BGC take the business from a regional business to national player in the last few years. Joining, as they embark on the next stage of their journey, is very exciting and I'm looking forward to working with the award-winning Buying Team"

The BGC Buying Team has been declared GLEE Group Buying Team of the Year for the last 2 years - a fitting recognition of the work the team undertook to take the business from a turnover of £30m+ in 2018 to over £160m in 2021.

The team at British Garden Centres has welcomed Scott McCabe as their Group Buying Director. Scott, with a wealth of industry experience, joined BGC on Thursday (December 1). 

BGC, with 62 garden centres, is the UKs largest family-owned group. The appointment of Scott fits with the company's aims to build long lasting partnerships with its current and future suppliers. The new role will see Scott supporting the existing buying team - many have been with the family for many years and helped deliver the rapid growth the company has enjoyed since it purchased a number of the Wyevale and Hillview centres. 

Welcoming Scott, joint MD Charles Stubbs said, "I have known Scott for many years and know that his skills and experience will complement the team we have developed in recent years. Building stronger relationships with suppliers is Scott's number one priority as we aim to be the industry's very best customer."

Scott, well-known to the industry from his roles as both a retailer and supplier, took the opportunity to reflect on his career to date "The garden industry has been a wonderful place to grow my career. Customers, many who have become friends, have been fantastic and I thank each and every one of them for their support through the years. The team at Ames have been brilliant over the last few years, particularly during the post-lockdown boom in all garden related activity, their support has been immense." Commenting on his return to retail, "I, along with the rest of the trade, have enjoyed watching the team at BGC take the business from a regional business to national player in the last few years. Joining, as they embark on the next stage of their journey, is very exciting and I'm looking forward to working with the award-winning Buying Team"

The BGC Buying Team has been declared GLEE Group Buying Team of the Year for the last 2 years - a fitting recognition of the work the team undertook to take the business from a turnover of £30m+ in 2018 to over £160m in 2021.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) announces the three young horticultural professionals who have been selected as finalists for the second Young International Grower of the Year Award.

Last year, AIPH collaborated with Jungle Talks to introduce the Young International Grower of the Year category to the established International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards. This category celebrates vibrant individuals, aged 25-40, who will lead the industry into the future. Once again, participants of Jungle Talks’ Pro Manager Mastercourse who submitted an entry for the award have been assessed and three young professionals have reached the final.

Eliot Barden, UK, is the Production and Education Manager for Majestic Trees. Eliot had an interest in horticulture from an early age and began his education in the subject via a Royal Horticultural Society evening class at the age of 15. He subsequently studied at the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens before joining Majestic Trees in 2018.

Shane Wang, Chinese Taipei, is an R&D Manager for Royal Base. He also acts as Chairperson of the Taskforce of Automation. One of his goals is to pioneer AI and automation within the industry in Asia. He has already been successful in combating bacterial diseases in Royal Base’s Phalaenopsis, greatly reducing the percentage of loss in the last five years.

Tatiana de German Ribon, Colombia, is the General Manager for Flores La Conchita. With an MBA from Wharton, USA, she is an aspiring business professional who seeks to effectively adapt to the rapidly changing industry. Prior to joining Flores La Conchita, Tatiana was responsible for Cultural Affairs for the Colombian Embassy in Washington D.C.

The finalists will be interviewed by a distinguished international jury consisting of:

• Mr Leonardo Capitanio, AIPH President and Vivai Capitanio, Italy
• Mr Pablo Bazzani, Sales & Marketing Director, Plazoleta Flowers, Colombia and Winner of Young International Grower of the Year 2022
• Ms Karolien Tesselaar van Tilburg, Tesselaar Alstromeria, the Netherlands
• Mr Wouter Duijvesteijn, Owner of Beyond Chrysant, the Netherlands

The winner will be announced at the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards Ceremony on 24th January 2023 at the Atlantic Hotel in Essen, Germany. The evening event includes a drinks reception with a range of food to fill stomachs as guests network with others in the industry.

Tickets for the evening reception and awards ceremony cost only €50 (incl. VAT) per person. Groups of five tickets are available for the discounted price of €200 and groups of ten for €350. To secure your place, visit the AIPH Website. Tickets can be cancelled and refunded (minus a €10 admin fee) until 13th January 2023.

Engraving showing the Harrogate Arms, Bath House and gardens, c. 1857

The Royal Horticultural Society has filed a planning application to re-establish the historic landscape connection between RHS Garden Harlow Carr and the former Harrogate Arms, bringing the beautiful Grade II listed building back into use for the first time in a decade.

Originally built in 1844 by then-owner of the estate Henry Wright, the Harrogate Arms and the nearby Bath House were set in pleasure gardens which are now part of RHS Harlow Carr. Reconnecting the landscape to the buildings represents an important link with the garden’s past and the local heritage of Harrogate as a spa town.

The Bath House now serves as an exhibition and event space within the garden, while the former hotel will be converted for use as an RHS-run café with links to the Kitchen Garden. The surrounding area will be landscaped to emphasise views into the garden.

The charity was previously granted planning and listed building consent for the re-use of the Harrogate Arms as a café in 2019. The new application to redevelop the landscape and restore the connection between the hotel and the garden requires the diversion of a public right of way. If the plans are approved, this will be the final step in the process and work will commence in early 2023.

A number of local stakeholders have been kept informed of the process, including the Harrogate Group of Ramblers, which has indicated no objection to the proposals to move the public right of way. The RHS has also collaborated with a local college to look at menu ideas for the new café, which will make use of fresh, seasonal produce from RHS Harlow Carr’s Kitchen Garden.

Head of RHS Harlow Carr Liz Thwaite says: “We are delighted to be at the final stage of seeking approval of our plans for the Harrogate Arms. This project has been a long time in the making, as we wanted to create something fresh and exciting for our visitors that celebrates our rich heritage. We hope that our members and visitors will lend their support to our application.”

Interested parties can view the planning application and leave comments on Harrogate Borough Council’s website here: https://uniformonline.harrogate.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RM2IMIHYIM900&activeTab=summary

Very mild weather as autumn turns to winter is seeing an unseasonal abundance of flowers and the buzz of pollinators in the outdoor gardens at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Bumble bees, honey bees and hover flies – which mimic bees and wasps – are among the friendly insects hard at work hunting nectar and pollen in flowers that are lingering longer due to the higher-than-average temperatures.

Florence Mansbridge, living landscape educator, whose area at Eden includes the stunning South Africa Veld and Mediterranean Outdoors exhibits on the slopes of the former china clay pit, said that she and her fellow horticulturists are closely observing what has been labelled a remarkable “second spring” due to the warm weather.

Florence said: “There is much more insect activity than you’d expect at this time of year. There are more bumble bees and our own black honey bees, which live in hives around the garden, are also hard at work taking nectar from late-flowering South African heathers. 

“We are seeing several different species of hover flies which you can easily mistake for a wasp or bee.  They are helpful insects, being important pollinators, and their larvae chomp up aphids which would otherwise damage the plants.”

Among the spectacular flowerings are swathes of Euryops, bright yellow blooms which are members of the sunflower family, as well as a delicately-flowered golden butterfly bush Buddleja auriculata, which also originates in the veld.

Buds are forming on a spectacular range of proteas – signature plants from South Africa, a country now turning from spring to summer.  Cornwall’s generally mild climate and rarer frosts enable gardeners to grow proteas and other South African staples in the outdoors.

Yellow-flowered fennel, a member of the carrot family, is adding extra colour to what would otherwise be a more sombre pre-Christmas scene.  In the orchard nearby, apple trees are producing blossoms again.

Florence said: “It has been a freaky autumn, with November temperatures around two degrees warmer than usual and buckets of rain.   Nectar on late flowering plants invites insects to fly around and builds them up before winter hibernation, giving them a better chance of surviving the cold months.”

Florence said that the unpredictable flowering patterns and pollinator activity underlined the importance of growing a wide range of flowers in the garden if possible: “Whilst it is enjoyable seeing plants bloom this time year it is worthwhile noting that for those flowering out of season, this could be using up their vital resources which could affect them in the long run.”

Pollinating insects are essential for healthy ecosystems but have been in dramatic decline over the last 40 years.

Create a Buzz, a pollinator project based at Eden and funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation, raises awareness of the plight of pollinators and helps pollinating insects and their habitats to thrive.

HTA welcomes National Tree Week and focus on value of trees outside woodlands

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), comments:

“We are encouraged that Defra has taken into consideration carbon, regulating temperatures, flood resilience and reducing noise and air pollution when calculating the value of UK trees outside of woodlands. £3.8bn is a significant sum of money and this report highlights the hugely valuable contribution environmental horticulture makes to everyday lives in communities across the UK. These are some of the most topical challenges our country faces and our sector is playing a leading role in helping to solve them.

"On top of Defra’s calculation following National Tree Week, it is important to also consider the additional benefit that plants and flowers have. The UK’s tree and plant growers, and garden retailers are working hard to produce and market the flora we desperately need. But these are challenging times for horticulture businesses. The Horticultural Trades Association represents 1,500 such businesses across the entire UK supply chain. We have seen first-hand the impact of rising energy costs, uncertainty over a peat use ban and regulatory changes, difficulties importing plant goods and not being able to access the workforce required. Therefore, it is vital that Defra and the wider government – who have themselves calculated the huge benefit of just part of our sector – support and work with us to mitigate and resolve these difficulties for 2023 and beyond.  Environmental horticulture businesses need certainty on these key issues to be able to produce the trees and plants at the quality and scale that the UK needs.”

For more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/economic-value-of-the-uks-individual-trees-revealed-for-first-time

The Garden Centre Association has appointed its new Chief Executive Officer.

Peter Burks, who has a wealth of horticultural industry experience, having spent nearly 40 years working in the sector, and was a previous GCA Chairman, has taken over from Iain Wylie.

Tammy Woodhouse, GCA Chairman said: “We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Peter Burks to the role of Chief Executive of the Garden Centre Association. 

“We were inundated with more than 200 applications for the job and were helped to shortlist to five candidates by external recruitment consultants. 

“A recruitment day was held in London where we put the candidates through their paces, with group exercises, a presentation and interview panel. Peter brings a wealth of experience to the role, along with the passion and enthusiasm to take the GCA forwards.”

Peter has a degree in horticulture from the University of Bath and is well known in the industry.

His family also has an extensive background in horticulture. Peter ran garden centres with his parents until they retired and three other members of the Burks family work in the industry.

Peter said: “I’m very pleased to be involved with the GCA again, as I enjoyed my many years on the Executive Committee and as Chairman. We are very fortunate to work in a great industry with a good number of excellent businesses and characters.”

He helped to set up and went on to run the multi award-winning Sanders Garden World in Somerset for more than 10 years. The garden centre was named as GCA ‘Garden Centre of Year’ twice during this period.

Peter then went on to become Regional Manager for the south west for Wyevale Garden Centres, before becoming General Manager for Trelawney’s in Cornwall, and then managing Fermoys Garden Centre in Devon, which is part of the Blue Diamond group of garden centres.

Tammy added: “We are looking forward to Peter joining us in early January 2023 and will be working hard to settle him into his new role as quickly as possible in preparation for our annual conference and the new spring inspection season, which is not far around the corner.”

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

The GCA’s annual conference will be held at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Blackburn, Lancashire from January 22 until 25, 2023 and places can be booked via www.gca.org.uk.

The conference pages on the website will be updated with speaker announcements and full listings as the programme develops and exact timings are confirmed. There is also a dedicated email for any queries members, and those wishing to book for the event, may have: conference@gca.org.uk.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

The directors at a Bradford Garden Centre group have announced plans for one of the sites that it acquired earlier in the year.

YGC Group, the parent company of Tong and Tingley Garden Centres, bought the two Stephen H Smith's garden centres in Otley and Harden, near Bingley and will start work on the Otley site in January 2023.

Phase one of the development plans for the Pool Road site includes new fixtures and benches for the outdoor plant area, a refurbishment of the garden space, a makeover for Hattie's restaurant, a new roof for the giftware area and the creation of a Hearty's Food Hall to showcase Yorkshire food and drink.

Of the £500,000 investment in the first phase of Otley's revamp, YGC Group MD, Mark Farnsworth said: "When we acquired the Stephen H Smith's business in July, we wanted to take some time to understand how the centre operated and how we could most effectively enhance its offer for our customers. These redevelopment plans put gardening at the heart of the business, which is as it has always been. Our first investments in the centre are to improve the gardening offer and we hope our customers will notice a real difference by the spring. We also know that Edinburgh Woollen Mill is very popular, and we are delighted they will be relocating next to the refurbished restaurant.

"The existing team are very excited by the plans; the centre is very ready for these improvements, and we hope it will offer great career opportunities for our existing team as well as creating around 10 great new local job opportunities. We will be running a series of events in the early spring, but we will remain open throughout the whole period."

YGC Group founders, Mark Farnsworth (pictured above) and Tom Megginson bought Tong Garden Centre in 2015 and opened the £14m Tingley Garden Centre in September 2022.  There are also plans to redevelop the Harden site and they hope to have these finalised by the end of the year.

Following on from British Garden Centres’ Boyd Douglas-Davies’ valiant effort in 2021, it has been announced that  this year’s Most Jumperful participant is Abigail Stocker! 

Abigail, who works for Woodlodge Products, will follow in Boyd and Director of Happy Plants, Natalie Porter’s fashionable footsteps by donning an assortment of wonderful festive knits throughout December. Abigail has inherited her advent calendar of Christmas jumpers from Boyd and will sport Santa-related slogans and puns, fair isle beauties, sparkles, and novelty (and garish) festive designs to raise money for Greenfingers Charity. 

Abigail will document her journey on social media channels with the hashtag #themostjumperful but is also looking for sponsors for each day of her Joyeux jumperful journey.  The jumpers can be viewed in all their glory on the website https://themostjumperful.co.uk/. If you would like to claim a day during Abigail’s jumperthon, please email her directly at abigailstocker@woodlodge.co.uk

To show your support for Abigail throughout the month, please visit her dedicated JustGiving page https://justgiving.com/page/abigail-stocker-most-jumperful  to donate. Or you can text JUMPERFUL followed by your donation amount to 70460 to give that amount. Texts will cost the donation amount plus your standard network rate message.

Greenfingers, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2024 , is a national charity that creates magical gardens for life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices across the UK. The tranquil outdoor spaces are specifically designed for play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.

Abigail said: “The Greenfingers team does incredible work, providing beautiful gardens for those children who need it most in our local hospices. The Most Jumperful is such a fun and effortless way to get into the festive mood while doing something really important to support life-limited children and their families whilst boosting awareness of this incredible charity.”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications of Greenfingers Charity said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Abigail for putting the festive FUN into FUNdraising and for being this year’s good sport. So far, the Most Jumperful fundraiser has generated over £12,000 in donations and we are excited to see how the total will grow further this year.”

Despite half-term holidays falling in the last week of October with above average sunshine, this did little to increase garden centre sales. According to the HTA’s latest market update, overall sales were down -8% on October 2021. 

Meanwhile the actual quantity of goods sold was -8% too, indicating that the cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on consumers’ disposable incomes as they cut back.

More positively, catering has begun to show signs of recovery as catering sales were up +10% on October 2021, with volumes up on last year indicating growth. However, consumers eating out decisions are likely no longer influenced on the pandemic but rather by the economic situation, as 41% indicate they will spend less on eating out next year. This is reflecting in the catering Average Transaction Value (excl. VAT) that was down -18% on October 2021.

Consumers’ minds are strongly focused on the economy with one in two consumers expressing this as a concern to them in the Ipsos Mori index likely due to CPIH (a measure of inflation) reaching the highest level in 41 years to 9.6%.

Another threat to horticultural businesses is the availability of water supplies - after a long, hot, dry summer, rainfall significantly above average is required throughout the winter to replenish reservoirs and water storage to avoid drought conditions in the spring. With 14% of British adults concerned over pollution/climate change/the environment this would be an ideal time to highlight how sustainable gardening is and educate consumers on how to use less water for garden maintenance and care.

Shipping costs have decreased to pre-pandemic levels as demand levels off. However, this reduced expense has been counteracted by the weakened pound, higher fuel and energy bills for businesses. 

In addition, with the cost-of-living crisis many workers are expecting higher wages with the average wage increase at 6% putting further pressures on businesses with higher overheads to cover. Retaining staff may also be a challenge if businesses cannot afford to increase wages, as vacancies are high leading to increased competition for staff.

After another month of bleak financial news and outlook on sales, Christmas may be the saviour for a dull period for businesses and consumers alike. 

For the full HTA market update click here

As 2022 draws to a close Lava-Lite thought you should know how well the Lava-Lite collection is doing. 

We have continued to work hard to ensure our brand is recognised, trusted and the whole collection of products is available country wide. We have ensured that our advertising and brand promotion has continued helping our retailers.

We supported Dobbies Garden Centres at Chelsea Flower Show in May, continuing on to a new product reveal of our very own No Slugs, by Marcus Eyles (Horticultural Director), in a product demonstration to a famous green fingered Radio Two DJ.

With a hop, skip and bound we were back at Glee 2022. A new, bigger stand, a refreshed brand approach and another fantastic new product – Composter+. The perfect addition to compost bins and heaps across the nation.

We picked up an award for new start up in June too, recognising green credentials across our product collection.

Our Google ad campaigns have reached 11.2 million readers and our website has seen an exponential rise in views - up 60% on 2021 - resulting in vastly improved rankings across the whole Lava-Lite collection.

We have also ensured that our social life has been a very active one too!! Our following and reach across our chosen platforms have seen dramatic increases over the past 12 months.

@Mr Plant Geek has continued to work with us promoting our collection and more recently we are the series 9 sponsors of his Plant Based Podcast, with additional content by @Ellen Mary Gardening, which again has seen a marked increase in interest, generating website traffic.

Our products availability and sales have seen incredible growth during 2022, sales are up by 350% on 2021. We are now supplying many of the big horticultural wholesalers and have added a number of large independent national garden centre groups too.

We now look forward to 2023, excited to continue our growth, providing our collection to gardeners and horticulturists across the UK and beyond.

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

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

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

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

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

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

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

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

As World Cup media coverage builds GTN’s intrepid team of Greatest Christmas Awards judges have started their tours to visit great teams at 100 nominated garden centres and found this topical red and white Christmas display at Summerhill in Essex.

The first days Christmas judging for GTN's Features Editor, Anisa Gress, and GTN Editor Trevor Pfeiffer and the day included a journey through the Christmas decades at Perrywood, meeting a very competitive team at BGC Braintree, Bavarian curling at Meadowcroft, an England World Cup Christmas display at Summerhill and a surprise visit to see Santa at Alton Garden Centre.

Andy Campbell started with judging visits in Cornwall, Steve Myatt has his Christmas jumper ready for visits in the North West, Roger Crookes is heading south towards Hastings and awards coordinators Neil & Nicci Gow are all set for a full week of visits next week in Wales and the Midlands.

In total we’ve had a record 100 centres nominated for The Greatest Christmas Awards 2022 and we will be visiting them all to meet their wonderful teams between now and the middle of December.

Here’s the Greatest Christmas 2022 visit list.

• Altons
• Azure Garden Centre
• Barton Grange
• Baytree
• Bennybeg Plant Centre
• Bents
• BGC Arcadia
• BGC Bournville
• BGC Braintree
• BGC Bridgenorth
• BGC Brigg
• BGC Burford House
• BGC Harrogate
• BGC Hatton
• BGC Hornsea
• BGC Studley
• BGC Thatcham
• BGC Tring
• BGC Woodthorpe
• Birkacre Garden Centre
• Blue Diamond East Bridgeford
• Blue Diamond Fryers
• Blue Diamond Melbicks
• Blue Diamond Three Shires
• Blue Dimond Newbridge
• Brimsmore Gardens
• Caerphilly Garden Centre
• California Lodge Garden Centre
• Castle Gardens Sherbourne
• Caulders Cumbernauld
• Caulders Erskine
• Chasewater Garden Centre
• Chepstow
• Chessington
• Colne Valley Garden Centre
• Coolings
• Dobbies Cirencester
• Dobbies Edinburgh
• Dobbies Head Office
• Dobbies Livingston
• Dobbies Tewkesbury
• Dobbies Woodcote Green
• Downtown
• Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre
• Fosseway
• Fron Goch
• Garsons Titchfield
• Gates
• Glendoick Garden Centre
• Gordale
• Gouldings Santa Experience
• Groves Bridport
• Hetland
• Highfield
• Holt Garden Centre
• Keydell
• Klodyke Houghton Hall
• Klondyke Astbury Meadow
• Klondyke Garden Wise
• Klondyke High Legh
• Klondyke Mortonhall
• Klondyke Polmont
• Klondyke Stokesley
• Litte Dobbies Richmond
• Longacres Bagshot
• Meadowcroft
• Merryhatton
• Munroes Nurseries
• Newbank
• Newquay Garden Centre
• Palmers Leicester
• Pengelly Garden Centre
• Perrywood Sudbury
• Perrywood Tiptree
• Planters Bretby
• Planters Garden King
• Planters Tamworth
• Poplars
• Poundbury Gardens
• Pugh's Radyr
• Pugh's Wenvoe
• Raemoir
• Rosebourne, Aldermaston
• Rosebourne, Solihull
• Rosebourne, Weyhill
• Ruxley Manor
• Sapcote Garden Centre
• Scotts of Southend
• Silverbirch Garden Centre
• St Peters Worcester
• Stratford Garden Centre
• Summerhill Garden Centre
• The Garden Society
• The Grange Garden Centre
• The Old Railway Line
• The Plant Place
• Tingley Garden Centre
• Wentorth
• Whitehall Lacock
• Woodland Walk Garden Centre
• Woodlands Garden Centre

After all those visits and plenty of mince pies the judges will be meeting in early January to decide the winners of the 15 categories who will be announced on The Stage at Spring Fair, Monday 6^th February 2023, 5:00pm.  We look forward to seeing as many nominated teams and GTN readers there as possible.

Thanks go to our sponsors who enable all these judging visits to take place, plus they are giving valuable prizes to the winners of certain categories:

Kaemingk are offering two displays from the stand at Spring Fair for the winners of

The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team

The Greatest Christmas Community Event Team

Solex have 2 hotel rooms at Solex 2023 reserved for the winners of

The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team

DCUK will be giving £500 of stock to the winners of

The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team

Smart Garden Products are offering £500 of Three Kings stock to the winners of

The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team

Glee have 2 hotel rooms at Glee 2023 for the winners of

The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Marketing Team

Woodlodge will be giving £500 of stock to the winners of

The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team

Global Journey have £500 of stock ready for the winners of

The Greatest Gardening Gifts Sales Team