In a season that has been challenging it appears that plant sales are holding up which is great news for the HTA National Plant Show and Nursery Supply Show which take place next week (19 and 20 June) at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. With over 140 companies represented across the two shows (198 stands) is it the place to visit for all your plant needs.

The National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, brings together plant producers from across the UK, providing an unprecedented opportunity to view the very best plants from the UK supply chain. As ever there is a big focus on new plants enabling visitors to view the very latest plants that will be available for next season. This year’s New Plant Awards, sponsored by the RHS, have attracted in excess of 100 entries and so this year’s judges will be spoilt for choice. Visitors can have their say in the Visitor Vote, sponsored by Floramedia, – and so make sure you speak up for your favourite!

This year sees the return of the award for Best Plant Concept for Retail. This will showcase creative concepts that will help retailers sell more plants. The 2017 winner of the award was the Plantbutler plastic cover pot and Water Wick from Javado.  Visitors are also able to vote for their most inspiring stand in the ‘Planting the Seed’ Award last year won by Profit Plant for their Bohemian room setting which saw the innovative display of plants at different levels.

We are delighted that this year Hortipak are also supporting the Retail Concept Experience. Adjoining the Hortipak Hub this area will be filled with inspiring retail ideas for visitors to takeaway.

The seminar theatre, sponsored by Sinclair, provides some added interest covering a variety of topics – make sure not to miss out on these free, interactive and inspiring seminars.

Tuesday 19 June
10 am - the Forest Research team will be on hand to update everyone on the phytothreats project findings so far (to be repeated on day two).
11 am – New Plant Awards announcement – a talk through the winning plants and their attributes
1pm – A plant health update from HTA Director of Horticulture Raoul Curtis-Machin
3pm – A panel session led by George Bullivant of Garden Forum who will explore ideas around sustainability and the environment in the context of horticulture.

New for 2018 the Nursery Supply Show introduces a series of free mini workshops, led by headline partner, ICL. Head to the ICL Grow, Nurture, Protect Hub to find out more about the stops on the tour which cover ‘The key to healthy plants,’ Pest and disease controls’, Printing trends and developments’ and ‘Business knowhow’.  They will run at 10, 12 and 2 on each day of the show. Workshop participants will receive a voucher for a free hog roast roll.