The Gardens Group, which is made up of three garden centres across Dorset and Somerset, is celebrating a total of 19 accolades following the recent Midlands, Wales and West Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards.

Among a long list of achievements for the independent garden centre group, include a first placed finish for Yeovil-based Brimsmore Gardens, and second place for Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester, in the Garden Centre of the Year category at the Local Garden Centre level, while Castle Gardens in Sherborne took third place in the Garden Centre of the Year category, at the larger Garden Centre level.

During a very successful evening for The Gardens Group team, Castle Gardens achieved first place in the Environmental and Sustainability category, with Brimsmore Gardens coming second, reflecting the organisation’s long held and continued commitment to making sure that gardening can be a force for good, in terms of both people and planet.

Across department-specific awards, the team impressed the judges in all areas. At the Local Garden Centre level, Brimsmore Gardens took first place in five categories, including Houseplants, Food Hall & Farm Shop, Indoor Lifestyle & Giftware, Outdoor Living, and the Ruxley Rose award (Best Plant Area, Hardy Plants & Bedding Plants), as well as second place in the Restaurant category. Poundbury Gardens achieved second place in three of these categories, namely Ruxley Rose, Houseplants and Outdoor Living, while also picking up third place in the Indoor Lifestyle category. At the Garden Centre level, Castle Gardens was awarded second place in categories including Ruxley Rose, Houseplants, and Outdoor Living, while also collecting third in the Indoor Lifestyle category.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, commented: “It was a fantastic night for The Gardens Group at the regional GCA Awards this year, and we’re truly delighted to see our team’s efforts recognised in so many competitive categories. As our customers know well, we take great pride in our commitment to planet-friendly gardening, so to achieve first and second place in the Environmental and Sustainability award means a lot to us. The long list of first, second and third prizes for all three garden centres is testament to the shared vision, commitment and hard work that can be found in all corners of our organisation, as we try to do better for our visitors, partners and the wider community. It's important to savour these moments, and then push on to strive for even better next year!”