The Garden Centre Association has announced the regional winners of its Ruxley Rose competition.

Eleven garden centres were named as winners in the competition, which recognises excellent quality and range of plants.

Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the regional winners in this year’s Ruxley Rose competition. They were as follows for the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) and Garden Centre (GC) categories: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) in Preston and Lady Green Garden Centre (GC) in Liverpool in the North West.

“Cowell’s Garden Centre (GC) in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North East, Webbs of Wychbold (DGC) in Droitwich Spa and Fairways Garden Centre (GC) in Ashbourne in the Midlands. Trelawney at Wadebridge (DGC) and Bernaville Nurseries (GC) in Exeter were winners for Wales and the West.

“Van Hage Great Amwell (DGC) in Ware and Sunshine Garden Centre (GC) in London won in North Thames and Squires Garden Centre – Twickenham (DGC) and Squires Garden Centre – Hersham (GC) were crowned winners for South Thames.”

The Ruxley Rose is a GCA annual competition that focuses specifically on outdoor plant areas.

The judges of the Ruxley Rose competition looked at the quality, range and presentation of plants. They also considered the layout including overall impression, access and use of demonstration areas. Labelling, including directional signs and bed and plant labels were also taken into consideration.

Peter added: “Garden centres are judged on their staff’s knowledge and customer care, the promotions that they run and special features, such as new varieties. The judges were also looking for the wow factor.

“The regional winners will now go through to the national final, which will be judged by Kevin Waters, Co-Founder of The Garden Works. The overall winners for each category will be announced at our annual conference in January.”