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GTN's Greatest Plant Retailing Team Awards have been revealed at the HTA National Plant Show, in a ceremony hosted by GTN's managing director, Trevor Pfeiffer and HTA chief executive Carol Paris.
As part of The Greatest Awards 2016, Garden Trade News celebrated excellence in garden centre plant retailing by hosting and presenting their awards in the following categories: - The Greatest Linked Sales Team
- The Greatest Pot and Plant Sales Team – Top of the Pots
- The Greatest Plant Advice Team
- The Greatest Plant Supplier of the Year
- The Greatest Plant Retailing Team
Check out the winners in this Special Greatest Awards edition of GTN Xtra.
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Poppies Oban, Timmermans and Scotsdales Cambridge all picked up golds in GTN's prestigious Greatest Plant Sales Teams categories sponsored by the HTA.
Below: the Gold and Silver award winners in the mid-sized garden category.
The Greatest Plant Sales Teams
Finalists
- Altons
- Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange
- Baytree
- Bents
- Burston
- Castle Gardens
- Coolings
- Cowells
- Fresh@Burcot
- Fron Goch
- Haskins Ferndown
- Jacksons Nurseries
- Mains of Drum
- Notcutts Woodford Park
- Perrywood
- Poppies Oban
- Raemoir
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Scotsdales Fordham
- Timmermans
- Trentham Blue Diamond
- Twenty Pence
- Woodside Plant Centre
Bronze Awards Small Centre Plant Sales Teams: Fresh@Burcot Mid Sized Centre Plant Sales Teams: Mains of Drum Large Centre Plant Sales Teams: Perrywood, Barton Grange
Below: Fresh@Burcot received their Bronze award in the small garden centres category.
Silver Awards Small Centre Plant Sales Teams: Scotsdales Fordham Mid Sized Centre Plant Sales Teams: Cowells, Alton Large Centre Plant Sales Teams: Coolings, Burston Gold Awards Small Centre Plant Sales Teams: Poppies Oban Mid Sized Centre Plant Sales Teams: Timmermans Large Centre Plant Sales Teams: Scotsdales Cambridge
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Burston picked up gold to clinch the Greatest Linked Sales Team sponsored by Briers...
The Greatest Linked Sales Team
Finalists
- Aylett Nurseries
- Baytree
- Burston
- Coolings
- Cowells
- Fron Goch
- Haskins Ferndown
- Poppies Oban
Bronze Award: Poppies Oban and Aylett Nurseries
Silver Award: Haskins Ferndown and Coolings
Gold Award: Burston
Below: The Bronze and Silver and Gold linked sales award winners with Jackie Eades (second right) of cagtegory sponsors Briers.
Burston were the Top of the Pots as they picked up a second gold in the Greatest Pot and Plant Sales Team category sponsored by Elho. The Greatest Pot and Plant Sales Team - Top of the Pots
Finalists
- Barton Grange
- Bents
- Burston
- Cowells
- Fron Goch
- Mains of Drum
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Timmermans
Bronze Award: Timmermans and Fron Goch
Silver Award: Bents
Gold Award: Burston
Above: The Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winning pot and plant sales team receive their awards from Elho's David Nicholson.
Cowells and Fron Goch were jointly crowned The Greatest Plant Advice Teams.
The Greatest Plant Advice Team
Finalists
- Barton Grange
- Bents
- Castle Gardens
- Cowells
- Fron Goch
- Perrywood
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Trentham Blue Diamond
Bronze Award: Castle Gardens and Trentham Blue Diamond
Silver Award: Barton Grange and Perrywood
Gold Award: Fron Goch and Cowells
Above: Trentham Blue Diamond, Perrywood and Fron Goch after receiving their awards from Morten Andresen (second right) from category sponsors More People.
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Bransford Webbs picked up the prestigious Greatest Plant Supplier of the Year Award...
The Greatest Plant Supplier of the Year
Finalists
- Frank Matthews
- Y&S Nurseries
- Pacific Nurseries
- Farplants
- Woodlark
- Veen Plants
- Bridge Nurseries
- Allensmore
- JB Plants
Bronze Award: Chapel Cottage Plants
Silver Award: Hilliers
Gold Award: Bransford Webbs
Above: Bransford Webbs, Hilliers Nursries and Chapel Cottage Garden Plants after receiving their awards from Kimberley Hornby (second right) from category sponsors Hornby Whitefoot PR.
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Salvia Blue Marvel from Darby Nursery Stock has been crowned best in show at the New Plant Awards on the opening morning of the HTA National Plant Show at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.
The New Plant Awards, sponsored by the RHS, are the beating heart of the show and create an area bursting with inspiration for our visitors.
Salvia Blue Marvel is a striking deep blue Salvia with the largest flowers of this type of Salvia. It re-blooms reliably over a long period.
Judging Panel member Jim Gardiner, Executive Vice-President of RHS comments: “As a panel of judges we were really thrilled with the large number of new plants put forward. The quality and vibrancy of new plant introductions is in good hands in this country.”
He adds: ”The judges were really excited by the quality of all the category winners. However, the best in show, Salvia Blue Marvel, was for all of us a revelation in breeding of an already established herbaceous plant. The flower quality and in particular the size of Salvia Blue Marvel was quite exceptional. This plant will see uses far beyond the herbaceous border.”
The winners are:
Annuals
Gold and Best in Category – Petunia Tumbelina Maria Channel Island Plants UK
Gold Calibrachoa Rave Pink Pentland Plants
Gold Begonia Funky Pink Benary
Gold Bella Fuchsia Lydia Javado UK
Gold Bella Fuchsia Olivia Javado UK
Silver Nemesia Aroma Yellows Rhubarb & Custard Channel Island Plants
Bronze Petunia Chic Collection Raspberry Stripe Earley Ornamentals
Bronze Petunia Chic Collection Rose Star Earley Ornamentals
Bronze Petunia Tumblelina Francesca Channel Island Plants UK
Bronze Calibrachoa Caloha Bumble Bee Channel Island Plants UK
Bronze Nemesia Aroma Yellows Plums & Custards Channel Island Plants UK
Herbaceous Perennials
Gold and Best in Category – Salvia Blue Marvel Darby Nursery Stock
Gold Geum Scarlet Tempest Allensmore Nurseries
Silver Tiarella Angel Wings Seoint Nurseries
Silver Geranium Miss Heidi Johnsons of Whixley
Bronze Geranium ‘Foundlings Friend’ Kernock Park Plants
Bronze Salvia guarantica Black & Bloom Javado UK
Bronze Cirsium Frosted Magic Fairweathers/Lowaters
Bronze Salvia Joy Darby Nursery Stock
Bronze Salvia nemorosa hort. Rianne Javado UK
Houseplants
Gold and Best in Category – Begonia Elatior Valentino Pink Garden Centre Fresh
Silver Phalaenopsis Tinkerbell Profitplant UK
Silver Saintpaulia Blue Wave Javado UK
Silver Oncidium Claudia Black Eye Javado UK
Bronze Clerodendrum Thompsoniae Helios Profitplant UK
Bronze Spathiphyllum Romeo Cupido Garden Centre Fresh
Bronze Brassia Shelob Tolkien Javado UK
Shrubs and Climbers
Gold and Best in Category –Rose Lovely Parfuma Rosemasters
Gold Clematis Nubia Evipo59 Darby Nursery Stock
Silver Pieris Japonica Polar Passion Profitplant UK
Silver Hebe Celebration The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Silver Buddleja x Blue Chip Junior The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Sliver Buddleja x NC20102 Pink Micro Chip The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Silver Hydrangea macr Magical Ruby Tuesday Garden Centre Fresh
Silver Lavandula Meerio Fairweathers Nursery
Silver Rosa Pretty Parfuma Rosemasters
Silver Rosa Royal Parfuma Rosemasters
Silver Rosa Secret Parfuma Rosemasters
Silver Rosa Lovely Parfuma Rosemasters
Silver Hibiscus Magenta Chiffon Farplants
Silver Hydrangea macr. Charming by Magical Lisa Javado UK
Silver Hydrangea macr. Charming by Magical Lisa Blue Javado UK
Silver Hibiscus syriacus ‘America Irene Scott’ Sugar Tip The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Bronze Rhododendron Golden Green Gift Garden Centre Fresh
Bronze Lonicera nitida ‘Van Gogh’ Profitplant UK
Bronze Hydrangea Tutti Frutti Darby Nursery Stock
Bronze Clematis Pamina New Leaf Plants
Trees and Conifers
Gold and Best in Category – Betula pendula ‘Fastigiata Joes’ EU20141206 - Frank P Matthews
Silver Prunus domestica ‘Toptaste’ Kulinaria Frank P Matthews
Silver Acer platanoides ‘Sensation’ Ulmers Sensation Frank P Matthews
This year’s judging panel include Marcus Cousins from Aylett Nurseries, David Mitchell from Wyevale Garden Centres, David Hurrion from Gardeners World Magazine, Michael Perry from Thompson & Morgan and Jim Gardiner from RHS. All the entries were validated by Joy of Plants.
In addition to the formal announcement in the New Plant Awards area on the opening morning of the show we will also have a seminar session focussing on the winners where Andy McIndoe along with our judging panel will highlight the victorious plants and give you the background on their benefits and how these can bolster your plantarea offering.
All New Plant Award entries can be viewed at the show and visitors too can have their say by taking part in the Visitor Vote Awards, sponsored by Floramedia. The winner of the Visitor Vote Award will be announced on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 June.
For more information visit www.nationalplantshow.co.uk
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Visitors to the HTA National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, have voted Clematis Nubia Evipo59 from Darby Nursery Stock as best in show at the New Plant Awards. The Visitor Vote Award, sponsored by Floramedia, proved extremely popular and with over 100 entries in this year’s awards visitors were spoilt for choice.
Clematis Nubia Evipo59, bred by Guernsey Clematis, is a stunning compact free flowering Clematis with striking deep red flowers with red anthers.
Full Visitor Vote results were:-
Best Shrub & Climber and best in show – Clematis Nubia Evipo – Darby Nursery Stock
Best Annual – Nemesia Aroma Yellow Rhubarb & Custard – Channel Island Plants
Best Herbaceous Perennial – Salvia Joy – Darby Nursery Stock
Best Houseplant – Oncidium Claudia Black Eye – Javado UK
Best Tree and Conifer – Acer platanoides ‘Ulmers Sensation’ – Frank P Matthews
It was double success for Darby Nursery Stock as they also won yesterday’s judged New Plant Awards, sponsored by RHS, with Salvia Blue Marvel, also bred by Guernsey Clematis.
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Due to a family bereavement it was not possible to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts for week ending Sunday 12th July and the GTN Bestsellers weekly newsletters last week.
Normal service will be resumed this week. Apologies to all of the GTN Bestsellers subscribers.
Watch out for more details about the winners of GTN's Greatest Plant Retailing Awards in future editions of GTN Xtra and Garden Trade News.
Our team of experts travelled the length and breadth of the UK to meet all of the nominated plants team in the search for The Greatest for 2016.
Along with the judges comments we will publish as many of the photos we took on our visits, so you should get some great inspiration for your own great plant retailing activities.
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Plantarea Assistant Bedding Plants (ref:DS8419)
Location: Essex
Salary: Depending on experience
Date: 03 Jun
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is seeking a Plant Area Assistant (Bedding Plants) to be a full-time member of their Plant Area team that has won numerous awards. They grow the majority of their bedding and seasonal plants on site in the nursery, and set high standards for the quality of plants which they grow and sell.
They create displays which help their customers to purchase, and thus increase sales. They are looking for someone who can combine knowledge of bedding plants and gardening with excellent customer service skills. As part of this role you will be working in the greenhouses moving and displaying plants, plant care & maintenance and of course delivering great customer service.
The Role
Key duties:
- You will undertake daily watering, maintenance and stocking up of the bedding plant areas.
- You will confidently answer customer queries and be knowledgeable about planting combinations and looking after plants.
- You will create commercial displays, which inform and inspire customers and encourage linked sales. When needed you will assist in other areas of the business, including nursery production.
The Candidate
Your capabilities:
- You'll have a passion for plants. You must be able to thrive in a fast paced environment, be commercially aware and understand how to care for plants in a retail environment.
- You understand what makes a high quality shopping experience for your customers.
- You are creative, and know effective planting combinations.
- Ability to bend and lift plants, and to pull/push trolleys and barrows requirements.
- Horticultural experience essential, whether that's in the form of a relevant qualification and/or experience of working in a garden centre, plant retail or a similar environment.
- Good plant knowledge essential
- Good customer service & communication skills - essential
- You'll need to work five days a week, including one day at the weekend.
- You'll need to work some bank holidays (as part of a rota with other assistants), but will be given a day's holiday in lieu and paid time and a half.
- Report into the Assistant Supervisor (Bedding).
- Work closely with Assistants in the Plant Area (Outdoor, Bedding & Houseplant), Nursery and Retail areas.
- Occasionally work with other supervisors and office staff.
Package:
- Hourly wage to be discussed (paid time and a half at weekends). In addition you will receive the following benefits:
- Discount after one year - employees are entitled to receive discount for the garden centre (some exceptions apply).
- Paid holiday holiday entitlement is 20 days per year, plus bank holidays. Restrictions apply.
- Bonuses are discretionary according to business performance, in Summer and at Christmas.
- Part-uniform provided
- Training & development, as required
To apply for this role click here
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Sales & Marketing Exec Landscape Amenity Sector (ref:DS8417)
Location: Lincolnshire
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000
Date: 03 Jun
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Based in Lincolnshire but working across the UK, this newly established Tree & Shrub Nursery is currently looking to recruit a Field Sales & Marketing Executive to sell their plants into the Local Authority, Amenity and Landscaping Markets. They strive to grow and supply exceptional quality plants to the landscape sector and garden centres, while providing outstanding customer service.
The Role
- The successful candidate will be part of this expanding team and will be responsible for increasing the customer data base around the country by cold calling and business developing.
- The Field Sales Executive will be required to work a 50/50 split between field /office so may be based partly from home. Though they will need to be present in the office during the week as well so should be no more than one and a half hours from the office.
The Candidate
The Ideal candidate will need to have: - Good plant knowledge and business acumen to develop the business with existing and new customers.
- Ideally they will already have a portfolio of clients to start with from previous roles.
- Additionally, candidates should have the ability to put together and deliver professional presentations.
- The position could require a large amount of travelling visiting clients or representing the company at trade shows so they must be prepared to get out on the road and also stay overnight if necessary.
- A good level of computer literacy in Microsoft office would be required.
- Candidates must also have a full driving licence.
Salary: £30,000 -£35,000 DOE + Car & Commission
To apply for this role click here
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Soft Landscaping Team Leader (ref:DS8398)
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £18,500 - £22,500
Date: 26 May
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Based out of their Ware Depo in Hertfordshire, this UK based Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Company is looking for a skilled and experienced soft landscaping Team Leader to work on various projects around Herfordshire and the neighbouring counties.
Reporting to the Landscape Contracts Manager
The role
- Supervise a team of staff carrying out landscaping schemes on corporate and commercial sites. Mainly soft plantings but there may be some elements of hard, such as paths, paving or fencing as well.
- Be responsible for all equipment on site
- Be responsible for ensuring that Health & Safety standards are observed and reporting any issues to the Contracts Manager
- Liaise with the client on site and also the Contacts Manager to ensure that projects are carried out in accordance with the clients wishes.
The candidate
For this role they are seeking an experienced supervisor with good hands-on skills within the soft landscaping sector who has experience managing teams of 3 or more operatives.
Good plant knowledge and the ability to read planting plants / design schematics
Full Driving Licence and Trailer/towing Licence
Salary
£9-11.00 per Hour depending on skills and experience
Overtime is also available and expected
To apply for this role click here
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with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox. The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.
Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
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With bookings for this year’s GIMA Awards exceeding all expectations those lucky enough to have bagged a spot will be entertained by top comedian, TV celebrity and actor Tim Vine.
A regular on the comedy circuit since the 1990’s Tim has won numerous awards throughout his career, but is just as well known for his TV appearances on ‘Live at The Apollo’, ‘QI’, ‘Celebrity Mastermind’, ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Let’s Play Darts’.
As well as appearing in various comedy acting roles, he famously appeared alongside Lee Mack in five series of the award winning TV show ‘Not Going Out’.
Tim will be hosting the hotly contested GIMA awards, entries for which are now closed. The winners will be announced at the GIMA Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 14th July, which return to the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport South Wales.
Places are filling up fast, so don’t miss out on joining us to see who’s won this year’s top honours.
To book places at the Gala Dinner visit www.gima.org.uk/gima-awards.
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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that Carol Klein is to be an Ambassador for the new fifth garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester. In this new role, the renowned gardener will champion RHS Garden Bridgewater as it evolves and eventually opens to the public in 2019.
Speaking yesterday at the site in Worsley, Salford, Klein said: “When I heard about the future RHS Garden Bridgewater I couldn’t believe it: my grandfather's first job was as a garden boy at the garden - it felt like real serendipity. I am thrilled to be an RHS ambassador for this unique place, and I cannot wait to see how it develops.”
Klein, a much-loved presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World
and gardening writer, joins Floella Benjamin, Alan Titchmarsh, Mary Berry, Nick Knowles, Chris Beardshaw, Jekka McVicar, Adam Frost, George Hassall and Jamie Butterworth as RHS Ambassadors.
Klein continued: “I hope everyone loves this garden as much as I know I will and I look forward to the people of Manchester and Salford having somewhere close at hand to celebrate gardening.”
The 154-acre RHS Garden Bridgewater is planned to open in 2019 as part of the RHS wider 10-year £160 million investment programme to achieve its Vision to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
World-class landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, who was appointed to create the garden masterplan in November, has already shared his initial proposals for the 154-acre garden, which include:
o An arrival experience planted as a perennial meadow with a network of web-like paths guiding visitors to the historic walled garden.
o The magnificent ten-acre walled garden, one of Worsley’s most impressive original features.
o A new lake, linking the visitor building to the heart of the historic landscape of the garden which is formed by the Nesfield terraces and the original lake.
o A large open café terrace to the east which will allow visitors to enjoy refreshments while looking over the water and into the heart of the garden.
All plans at this stage are subject to lease and planning permission. The RHS is working with the owners of the historic estate, Peel Land and Property, and Salford City Council to bring the historic garden to fruition.
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 Alyson Haywood has started her new role as General Manager of Van Hage, Great Amwell, and is looking forward to taking on this prestigious position in the garden industry.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Alyson told GTN Xtra. “I’m sure there will be many challenges ahead but I’m determined to put Van Hage Great Amwell back at the forefront of the garden centre industry where it belongs."
Alyson has over 25 years of knowledge and experience in the industry. Over the years she has been Managing Director of Moreton Park Garden Centre plus Regional Operations Manager and Head of Horticultural Quallty Control for Wyevale Garden Centres.
Managing Director Chris Roberts said: "I am delighted that Alyson has joined us."
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One of the UK’s fastest growing trade shows – Harrogate Christmas & Gift – appointed Malcolm Naish, managing director of Lema Publishing, as its new chairman during its AGM in London.
Malcolm (pictured left) is a well known figure in the gift industry publishing magazine titles such as Gifts Today; Christmas in January and February; Toys n Playthings and Greetings Today to name just a few. The role of chairman was handed over by Robert Anslow (pictured right) who was thanked for his contribution and commitment to the show during his two-year term. Malcolm commented: “I am delighted and honoured to represent Harrogate Christmas & Gift as chairman. The show has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is fast becoming one of the most important trade events of the year not only for companies in the Christmas sector, but those in gift, garden and home ware too. Robert has done a sterling job as chairman and I look forward to contributing to the continuing success of the show.” Harrogate Christmas & Gift is at the Harrogate International Centre from 8th to 11th January 2017. For more information visit: www.harrogatefair.com
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The June issue of Garden Trade News is packed full of advice and information for garden retailing professionals.
- Exclusive SOLEX Preview.
- Rreview of Chelsea Flower Show - Spotlight on new plant varieties.
- Garden industry has its say on the EU Referendum.
- Look ahead to the HTA National Plant Show.
- Great retailing tips from Rising Stars.
- Insights into property and planning.
- How a GIMA Award can launch a product to great success.
To find out how you can receive your copy of Garden Trade News every month email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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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 printed newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers. Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.
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Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post 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 £120m.
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.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.
Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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