John Ravenscroft, the founder of Bridgemere Garden World, joined Blue Diamond MD Alan Roper at the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show Award winning Octavia Hill garden that has become the 16th show garden at Blue Diamonds Bridgemere Garden Centre.

On Friday 9^th May, Alan Roper the Managing Director of Blue Diamond, officially unveiled the newest addition to Bridgemere Show Gardens, ‘The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond Garden Centres’.

The Garden celebrates Octavia Hill, the pioneering co-founder of the National Trust, who believed green spaces and gardens were vital in everyone’ life. It features 3,600 native and non-native plants working together for biodiversity and beauty with bold, pollinator-attracting planting throughout the garden.

Over 400 visitors joined the team from Blue Diamond throughout the day to celebrate the unveiling, along with special guests including John Ravenscroft, the original owner and founder of Bridgemere Show Gardens, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, Clare Armstrong, a cousin of Octavia Hill, children from the local Bridgemere Church of England Primary School, along with members of the press and radio. Visitors were also entertained with live music from the Jake Leg Jug Band, and interactive entertainers.

The Garden had originally been showcased last May at RHS Chelsea Flower Show where it was awarded the augural Children’s Choice Award, People’s Choice Award and a Silver-Gilt medal.

It has then been lovingly, but painstakingly removed and rebuilt over several months, to its now permanent home, at Bridgemere Show Gardens, in Nantwich, Cheshire. Leaf Creative carried out the construction work and then the gardeners from Bridgemere, led by Samanatha Farr, completed the enormous task of planting up the garden.

Longevity of Octavia’s legacy and sustainability are at the heart of the Garden and as such the planting scheme replicates, so far as it is able, the planting scheme at Chelsea. Most of the plants in the garden are those that featured in the original Chelsea Garden, having been carefully looked after by Blue Diamond owned, Bridgemere Nurseries, with only a handful having to be replaced where they had not survived the move.

All the key features in the Garden are those seen at Chelsea except for the metal work birdbath which unfortunately was stolen a few months ago!

The new Garden is the 16^th garden to join those already at Bridgemere, (9 of which are RHS award-winning).

Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres said: “ Having visited Bridgemere Show Gardens over the years, both during John Ravenscroft’s time and thereafter when the Gardens went into decline during their ownership under Wyevale Garden Centres, when the opportunity to buy Bridgemere Garden Centre and the Show Gardens came about, I jumped at the chance! Although the Show Gardens make no commercial sense, as they cost much more to maintain than the income they generate, these gardens are a piece of history, and I wanted to not only honour that, but also to add to that history with the addition of new show gardens”.

Jill Kerr, Group Relationship Manager for Blue Diamond Garden Centres added: “I have been incredibly lucky to have been involved in this Garden from its conception. The idea to build a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, based upon the life and ethos of Octavia Hill was first voiced by our Managing Director, Alan Roper, at the very first meeting I attended and I was then involved in managing the project on behalf of Blue Diamond, both through to it being showcased at Chelsea and thereafter being rebuilt at its permanent home at Bridgemere Show Gardens. Standing in the Garden at Bridgemere on Friday, I felt quite emotional. The Garden feels to me, like it did at Chelsea; its heart and soul having followed it to its now permanent home.

“We had a tremendous turnout on Friday to celebrate the Garden’s official unveiling, and we would like to thank all who attended and all those involved in the rebuild of this Garden."

Celebrations continued at Bridgemere on the 10^{th of} May, with a visit from best-selling author Joanne Harris who hosted a talk about her new novel “Vianne”, the prequel to Chocolat which was made into an Oscar nominated film in 2000, featuring Jonny Depp.

This talk was the first of Joanne’s book tour which takes place throughout May and Blue Diamond were delighted to secure advance copies of Joanne’s new book, ‘Vianne’ (officially launched the week of 19^th May), which many who attended the talk, eagerly purchased.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres will launch a new and exclusive rose for Joanne at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show to coincide with the launch of ‘Vianne’.

Rosa ‘Vianne’s Chocolat’ bred by Rosen Tantau is a nostalgic style, Hybrid Tea rose which produces deep purple, highly fragrant blooms that repeat flower throughout the season, with a bushy upright growth.

Joanne has synaesthesia that allows her to smell colours and her new rose smells, to Joanne, aptly of chocolate!

See GTN Xtra's photo's from the opening, the show gardens and a tour of Bridgemere Garden Centre below

Belvoir Castle's unique retail village sits at the foot of the impressive Regency Castle in Leicestershire and the site, once the Engine Yard to the Castle, has been sympathetically restored from charming 19th century estate buildings to a centre of excellence for local food, drink and artisan shopping.

We have a ground floor retail unit available which would be very suitable for a garden centre due to the 1,345 sq ft of indoor space which includes a glasshouse and an outdoor courtyard.

At Belvoir Castle we have a passion for perfection in everything we do, promoting the countryside, championing artisan crafts, and fostering a self-care and wellness culture. We are looking for an experienced garden centre operator to complement our Bistro, Farm Shop, Gift Shops and independent artisan crafts shops. The Belvoir Retail Village shops also benefit from an ongoing year-round events programme to drive our footfall.

Belvoir Castle is a popular tourist destination in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, attracting an array of high-end corporate and private clients.

Rent: E30,OOO PA +VAT and service charge

Service charge is an additional 20% of the base net rent before VAT plus landlord building insurance.

For all enquiries please contact info@belvoircastle.com or call 01234 5678.

After 10 years in the role Dame Mary Berry is stepping down as the President of the National Garden Scheme. She is handing the baton to Alan Titchmarsh, one of Britain’s best-loved gardeners, writers and television presenters. 

Commenting Dame Mary Berry said: “It has been a privilege to serve as President of the National Garden Scheme, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. My husband Paul and I opened our own garden in support of the charity for more than 20 years, so I was very familiar with the charity’s extraordinary offering of enjoyment for visitors and charitable impact. During the ten years of my presidency that impact has expanded massively thanks to the efforts of so many people.

At the same time the charity has championed the remarkable benefits of gardens and gardening to everyone’s health and wellbeing. I am delighted to be handing the baton to my dear friend Alan who I admire with great affection, a proper hands on gardener who will bring warmth and enthusiasm to the role and I am thrilled that the Trustees have kindly asked me to stay involved as President Emeritus.”

Speaking about his appointment, Alan Titchmarsh said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to become President of the National Garden Scheme and honoured to be stepping into the elegant shoes of my dear friend, the peerless Dame Mary Berry. In my opinion there is nothing quite like the National Garden Scheme, either in the world of gardens and horticulture or beyond. Not only does it offer visitors thoroughly affordable enjoyment and education – and at the same time championing the varied gardening skills of the British nation; it also raises and distributes quite extraordinary sums of money. More than £4 million raised and £3.5 million distributed in 2024 alone. Bravo! It has been doing this for nigh on one hundred years and that I will be the charity’s President when it celebrates its centenary in 2027 is something for which I am immensely grateful and to which I will give my all.”  

New Chief Executive

Taking the charity towards its centenary year, Alan will be joined this autumn by a new Chief Executive, Dr Richard Claxton. 

Richard has worked as a GP for 25 years and throughout his career has used time spent in his garden to unwind and manage his own stress, and to maintain his mental and physical wellbeing. He has also been a longstanding advocate of nature-based therapies for his patients, and in 2023 launched an NHS Therapy Garden in Tonbridge.

Convinced that the health of both individuals and society is enhanced by gardening and connecting with the natural world, Richard founded the charity Gardening4health, which operates as both a network for those providing therapeutic horticulture, and as a hub for conferences, education and sharing of best practice.   

As well as his GP work, Richard has written for Gardens Illustrated and Hortus Journal, worked in Garden Design - specialising in gardens for healthcare settings - and been a volunteer guide at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, and a Trustee of Greenfingers Charity, which funds and builds gardens for Children's Hospices. 

Commenting on his appointment Richard said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the new Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme. As a charity it’s the perfect fit for me: combining beautiful gardens and the wonderful generosity of their owners opening their private sanctuaries for us all to enjoy. As garden visitors, we join in with this generosity and together we all make a huge and valuable contribution to a range of brilliant causes across the country, with supporting nurses and improving healthcare at the forefront. The National Garden Scheme is a champion of the impact that gardens and gardening can have directly on people’s health, which is a cause very close to my heart.

“It's a huge challenge and one I am looking forward to. I’m all too aware of the shoes I have to fill; for fifteen years George Plumptre has led the charity from strength to strength, raising its profile and the level of its donations to new heights – and maintaining its impact in spite of garden closures in the pandemic. I look forward to building on this incredible foundation. The National Garden Scheme’s work underpins the vital links between gardens, generosity, health, and community – all of which we need now more than ever. I couldn’t be prouder to contribute to this amazing charity.”

National Garden Scheme Chairman, Rupert Tyler adds: “Filling these two vital roles at the National Garden Scheme was always going to be a huge challenge, but we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Alan Titchmarsh and Richard Claxton. The Board of Trustees looks forward to them continuing to strengthen and build on the legacy established by their predecessors and, together with our fabulous garden owners, volunteers and staff, taking the charity confidently into its next 100 years.” 

Do you have the next gardener’s favourite or top garden centre seller on your nursery? If so, then why not enter the HTA New Plant Awards.?

This Friday, (16th May) is the deadline for entering the HTA New Plant Awards which are the beating heart of the HTA National Plant Show taking place at the NAEC Stoneleigh on Wedn

The New Plant Awards are an opportunity to celebrate new plant varieties and gain maximum business exposure. The entry process is quick and easy and there are seven different categories available to enter.

To submit your entry and find the full list of entry requirements, visit https://hta.org.uk/national-plant-show/new-plant-awards

Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil, which are both part of The Gardens Group, have become the first garden centres in the country to stock a brand new peat free compost called Wonderfuel.

Designed to help gardeners of all ages and abilities grow more sustainably, Wonderfuel has been created by Treasure Gardening, a purpose-driven social enterprise, in partnership with Durstons in Somerset.

Wonderfuel, a nutrient rich alternative to traditional compost, is a blend of green compost, coir, a by-product from the coconut industry, wood fibre from furniture cut offs, and composted bark from the forestry industry. It has been rigorously developed over eight years and comes in two formulations - Stage 1 for seeds, cuttings, young plants, and houseplants, and Stage 2 for pots, baskets, containers, and garden plants.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains: “The launch of Wonderfuel is another great example of how gardening is a force for good when it comes to people and planet. We are proud to be the first garden centre to stock this exciting new product and we look forward to helping our customers introduce it to their growing. Growing with peat free compost can pose new challenges, but we have lots of helpful tips and advice, including our free Peat Free Guide, which can be downloaded from our website.”

Wonderfuel Stage 1 and Stage 2 are available at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil and Castle Gardens in Sherborne, as well as online atwww.thegardensgroup.co.uk.

We’re just two months away from the highly anticipated Solex 2025 Exhibition – taking place on 8th - 10th July at the NEC Birmingham.

If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to register your attendance and secure your place at the UK’s premier outdoor living trade show. 

Register by clicking here

Don’t miss the Outdoor Living Zone, open every day throughout the exhibition, where you can see top brands in action and experience the best in outdoor cooking and entertaining.

On Wednesday 9th July, things really heat up as we welcome The Shropshire Lad (Adam Purnell) – outdoor cooking expert and BBQ personality – who’ll be firing things up, mingling with visitors, and cooking live alongside:

• Kadai
• Primo Grill
• Grillstream (LeisureGrow)
• Enders
• Char-Broil
• Blackstone

The BBQ Mag guys will be on hand throughout the three days,  hopefully the sun will be shining and you can enjoy the chilled summer vibes bringing the full outdoor lifestyle experience to life.

Getting to the NEC:

The NEC is centrally located with excellent transport links:

• Train: Direct services from major cities to Birmingham International Station (just a short walk from the venue)
• Car: On-site parking is available – postcode for satnav: B40 1NT
• Air: Just minutes from Birmingham Airport

Book Your Accommodation:

Hotels around the NEC fill up quickly. We recommend booking soon to guarantee availability at competitive rates.

https://www.solexexhibition.com/accomodation/

The Greenfingers Charity has announced that work has officially begun on the brand-new Kitchen Garden at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in Arundel, West Sussex.

This specially designed garden promises to be a truly transformative space. As well as providing fresh produce for the hospice kitchen, the garden will be a sensory-rich environment where children can explore the wonders of nature and learn about growing their own food. Crucially, it will also offer a peaceful, reflective space where families can spend valuable time together, talk, and connect in a calming outdoor setting.

Earlier this week, the team from Baylis Landscape Contractors Ltd – the landscaping firm tasked with bringing this project to life – visited the site to make final preparations. Their work will be guided by the inspiring vision developed by the award-winning garden designers at Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer. Joining the Baylis team were Greenfingers Charity’s Operations Director, Neil Sewell, and project funder Roger Head, who visited the site ahead of its transformation into what promises to be a lasting legacy for the hospice community.

Neil Sewell, Operations Director at the Greenfingers Charity, said: “We are pleased to see work starting on the Kitchen Garden at Chestnut Tree House. This space will be one of nourishment in every sense – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are incredibly grateful to Roger Head for his generous support, and to the brilliant teams at Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer and Baylis Landscape Contractors Ltd for turning this beautiful vision into reality. We’re confident this garden will bring joy, comfort, and inspiration to the children, families, and staff for many years to come.” 

Find out more

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity, and how to get involved in a range of fundraising events please visit www.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. 

Dobbies Garden Centre in Cadnam has relaunched as part of a nationwide store refurbishment programme which is underway. This is the second in Dobbies’ extensive programme of investment across the store estate.

At Dobbies Cadnam, the team has worked closely with new and existing suppliers to increase its plants and gardening ranges while also introducing brand new products across home, gift and spa. Thanks to the success of Regatta, the fashion offering has been extended and Klass Clothing has been added.

Space for 64 additional customers has been created in a new seating area for the restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as there being a new seasonal menu now available. This is all in a new store layout with a brand-new entrance.

General Manager, Dean Mumford, said: “We’re really proud of our refurbished store and can’t wait for customers to see the work that’s been done. We have many loyal customers who have visited us every week for years, as well as new customers who are discovering Dobbies – they’ve all been front and centre of our plans. A big thanks to everyone who has supported us on this project.”

The Cadnam refurbishment closely follows on from Brighton, which was the first store involved in the programme. Early indications from the improvements at Brighton are positive, with an increase in footfall and NPS over the spring period to-date.

The refurbishment plans, developed in collaboration with the store teams, are focused on delivering the best possible customer experience for each store. The plans include improving the fabric of the stores, freeing up space for larger and new ranges and making it easier for customers to shop.

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re making really good progress with our refurbishment programme and it’s great to share the news that our second store is now complete. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and through using our data and insights we’re tailoring each store improvement plan to deliver a better store experience for our customers.”

See gallery of pictures from the store opening below:

Doff Portland, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of garden care products, has launched a new exclusive programme to support independent garden centres.

The Doff VIP Club recognises and rewards both new and existing retail partners who commit to a qualifying level of stock, offering exclusive benefits designed to enhance in-store performance and the shopper experience.

Doff is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of sustainable garden care products and the only UK manufacturer of slug control pellets.

The company produces a range of branded and private label products for major retailers across the UK and EU, having been awarded a King’s Award for International Trade. These brands include Doff, Portland Garden, Power Up, and Pest-Stop.

Members of the VIP Club will gain access to a bespoke suite of point of sale (POS) materials to enhance shelf visibility and improve both shopper navigation and customer experience.

In addition to the POS material, VIP Club members are also package identified as 'chosen retailers' by Doff.

The programme underlines Doff Portland’s ongoing commitment to the independent garden centre community, offering tangible support to help retailers drive sales, strengthen customer loyalty and grow their business.

Commenting on the VIP Club launch, Kim Huynh, head of marketing at Doff Portland, said, “It’s fantastic to launch our new, exclusive programme and support independent garden centres across the UK in improving their in-store experience.

“Our solutions help cut through the noise, making it easier for customers to find what they need, while simultaneously positioning retailers as reliable sources for garden care essentials."

Doff is part of the Pelsis Group, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of specialist brands in the pest and garden care sectors.

For more information about the Doff VIP Club, or to enquire about joining, please visit

https://doff.co.uk/contact-us/

Wildlife World have entered into a sales and distribution partnership with the WHM Pet Group, bringing together some of the UK’s leading brand names in garden wildlife food and habitats.

WHM Pet Group is a family-run business based in East Yorkshire, proudly supplying a comprehensive range of premium wildlife and pet products nationally. Their portfolio includes high-quality wild bird food, animal feed, feeders, and accessories under the trusted brands of Honeyfield’s, Marriage’s, and RSPB. As two of the UK’s leading names in wildlife care, WHM Pet Group and Wildlife World, we have joined forces in a new distribution partnership that brings together our shared values of quality, reliability, and trust. This collaboration means it will now be easier and more efficient for retailers to access a complete range of wildlife products, from nutritious wild bird feed to award-winning habitats and feeders, all from a single source.

Wildlife World MD Mark Pitman said: "In joining forces, we can now offer an unparalleled service to our customers. From a much more practical standpoint, this partnership streamlines your ordering process - allowing you to access an even broader wildlife range from one supplier, via a single transaction. It also means reaching minimum order values becomes quicker and more convenient.

"From the 2nd June we will have a combined sales brochure and from that date WHM Pet group will be undertaking the fulfilment and sales of Wildlife World products and orders. The WHM Pet group will begin the transition of Wildlife World customers into their account systems, so their accounts and sales teams will be in touch very shortly to introduce themselves and get you seamlessly set up in their systems for trading to commence 2nd June 2025.

"For some Wildlife World customers there may be no change; your account, account manager and order fulfilment will stay in-house, and we will contact you to confirm that very shortly.

"We are justifiably proud of our heritage as the UK’s foremost designer and manufacturer of wildlife-friendly garden products. Our award-winning range includes innovative habitats and feeders for birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects, developed with input from leading wildlife experts, including TV’s Simon King. We are one of the few suppliers to manufacture products in their own UK workshop, with sustainability and ethical sourcing at the heart of what we do.

"Thankyou for your continued dedication to supporting wildlife, and we look forward to continuing to supply you with quality fit-for-purpose wildlife friendly garden products, alongside WHM Pet Group and their wide range of feeds, feeders and accessories."

Following the overwhelming success of Glee 2024, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show is riding high, with industry-wide recognition of its value as the place to launch new products, forge lasting relationships, and stay ahead of the curve. 

Now, as excitement builds for the 2025 edition – taking place at the NEC from 16th – 18th September – the show organisers have confirmed an unprecedented wave of fresh talent will be taking to the halls, including a host of never-before-seen brands, as well as many returning to the fold after time away.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “One of Glee’s greatest strengths has always been its ability to showcase newness. Garden retailers are increasingly looking for ways to differentiate from the high street and offer something truly unique to their customers. That starts by sourcing fresh, exciting products that give people a reason to keep coming back. Every new brand at Glee represents an opportunity to spark that journey of discovery for both the buyer and the end customer.

“It’s also fantastic to see so many well-known names returning to Glee this year. There’s been a real shift in sentiment as the industry noise around Glee’s value grows louder with each edition. For many, the fear of missing out has become too big to ignore, and our growing exhibitor base is testament to that.”

New names making their debut

A raft of new brands have already signed up for 2025, including many that have never exhibited at any trade event before. This injection of fresh ideas, innovations and creativity means buyers will have more choice and inspiration than ever before.

Among those confirmed are A Little Bird Company, Biolan Oy, Buzz Into Beekeeping, Coffee King Ltd, Donkey Works Ltd, Einhell UK, FENTO Knee Protection, Grow-Genius Ltd, Hoppy Pets Ltd, Inspirational Gifting Ltd, James C Brett, John Cotton Group Ltd, Kefi Textiles Ltd, Kirsty Todd Illustration, Long Clawson Dairy, Mediterranean Pottery, Nisa Retail, Paper High, Smoked Bishop, Sowvital, Spike Innovations Ltd, The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, The Evergreen Agency, The Happy Garden Ltd, Twisted Vanilla Ltd, Visions Innovation Co., Ltd., Welford Trading Inc, Yolo Inc 1  – to name but a few.

Welcome back!

Alongside the impressive number of newcomers, Glee 2025 will also see a raft of returning names, some for the first time in several years, a further endorsement of the event’s growing momentum and reach.

These include a wide spectrum of suppliers from garden care and machinery to outdoor leisure, gifts, seeds, and retail solutions, all eager to reconnect with the UK garden retail sector. 2025 returning brands include Andermatt, Anglo Eastern Trading, EP Barrus Ltd, Handy Distribution, Gorse Lodge Ltd, Kings Seeds, Leisure Grow, Monty Miracle, NedFox Ltd, SBM Life Science Ltd, Sincere UK Ltd, Sound Leisure Ltd, and The Helping Hand Company and Thompson and Morgan.

To find out more about all of these brands – plus many more confirmed for Glee 2025 - visit the exhibitor area at www.gleebirmingham.com

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Chris Durston, Managing Director of Durston Garden Products, celebrates an extraordinary 60 years of service to the family business in 2025, a legacy that spans generations and has helped shape the landscape of the UK horticultural industry.

Chris’s story began in 1965, fresh from boarding at an agricultural technical school where, coincidentally, he studied alongside future HTA Past President, Alan Down. At just 16, Chris returned to the family’s Somerset farm and began what would become a lifelong career working alongside his father, Stan Durston.

“I still remember my first day. We were laying concrete, and I hadn’t a clue what I was doing,” recalls Chris. “I was very inexperienced, so I relied on my dad to show me the ropes.” His early years involved a mixture of hands-on work including milking cows, hay making, and helping to produce just 1,200 tonnes of sod-cut peat annually on 120 acres of land.

But it didn’t take long for Chris to spot the future. “I quickly grew to dislike milking and saw more opportunity in peat,” he says. His instincts proved right. By 1973, he persuaded his father to sell the dairy herd and focus solely on growing the peat business. It was the first of many forward-thinking decisions that would transform Durstons from a small rural operation into an evolving player in garden retail.

Together with his brother Steve, who joined in 1970, Chris began the work of mechanising the entire operation. The purchase of their first Steba sod-cutting machine from Germany marked a significant leap forward, followed by Hymac excavators and large-scale drainage systems to modernise peat harvesting. That same year, their parents made them both 25% partners in the business, a move that fuelled a major growth phase, increasing production from 2,000 to 10,000 tonnes within three years.

By the late 1980s, with their parents stepping back, Chris and Steve took full ownership. That same year, Chris was also wrapping up his successful involvement with Round Table, where he’d served as Area Chairman in Somerset. “I needed a new challenge,” he recalls, and that came in the form of investing in the business’s first automated bagging line. A step that would help propel Durstons into national distribution.

With Chris leading sales and Steve overseeing production, Durstons entered a new era. “I travelled the country, attending trade shows and building a national sales force, while Steve managed operations back home.” Their teamwork paid off: a second, then a third bagging line was installed. Durstons now produces over eight million bags of growing media annually, across a wide range of peat-based and increasingly peat-free products.

Innovation remains central to the business. Around five years ago, Durstons shifted its focus to sourcing and processing peat-free materials. “We now use over 80% peat-free ingredients in our mixes, from a wide variety of raw materials. Our new peat-free range has even outperformed peat-based composts in recent growing trials.”

This innovation is underpinned by investment in the future. With the current site at capacity, Durstons recently acquired the former Fisons compost works, a major move that Chris is spearheading. The new site is being transformed into a state-of-the-art production facility that will help future-proof the business and support its growing peat-free portfolio.

As the company prepares for an exciting next chapter and expansion into its new site, Chris remains as passionate about the future as ever. “The new factory will open up new opportunities for us, particularly as demand for sustainable, high-performing products continues to grow. We’re ready to lead the way.”

Today, Chris works closely alongside his nephew, Dan Durston, who now serves as Sales Director, helping to steer the business through its next phase of growth. Chris also says that without the help and dedication of the office admin team, none of the ongoing growth would be possible.

Amidst the growth and change, Chris’s core values remain steadfast: “Produce a quality product, deliver professional standards, and pay your bills on time – that’s what we’ve always stood for.” These principles have earned Durstons a reputation for reliability, integrity, and value for money, qualities that have seen them remain a trusted supplier to garden centres and retailers nationwide.

Looking back, Chris has plenty of stories to tell – from the early days of producing bagged product, when an entire order of compost bags arrived with mismatched print: one side reading ‘Multi Purpose Compost’ and the other ‘Rich Garden Peat’ – and vice versa on the second batch! But for Chris, the most rewarding part of the job has always been seeing others embrace the Durston philosophy: “We’ve built a fantastic team who understand what we’re about and carry that forward in everything they do.”

Find out more
Visit www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or call 01458 442688 to find out how Durstons can help your business thrive.

One year ago the UK implemented significant changes to border checks under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), causing immediate and ongoing disruption for environmental horticultural businesses importing vital plants and plant materials. A year on, the Horticultural Trades Association is repeating its urgent call for action, stating that the shift from checks at nurseries and growers to bottlenecks at under-resourced border control points continues to inflict severe damage on the industry both in terms of costs as well as biosecurity risks in their supply chains.

The HTA highlights that this unnecessary overnight change has created persistent chaos in the supply chain. Businesses report alarming increases in haulage costs, with some seeing rises of over 25%. The uncertainty and difficulty of navigating UK border operations have led to international suppliers ceasing trade with the UK horticulture sector altogether. Over the past year, trading has been fraught with issues, including loss of stock due to handling damages at borders, frequent communication failures preventing businesses from getting clear updates on their goods, and significant cost hikes, including ‘Brexit fees’ from suppliers and hauliers.

UK environmental horticulture relies heavily on international trade, with imported plants and plant material being absolutely vital to the industry’s supply chain and underpinning the domestic production sector. These goods are categorised as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and subject to specific trading requirements. 79% of UK nurseries and growers depend on plant product imports, with 99% originating from the EU. Overall, 90% of HTA growers and garden centre members regularly import plant products.

The HTA has repeatedly presented the government with clear, constructive proposals to alleviate these pressures. On this anniversary, the trade body reiterates its calls for urgent action, including:

• Taking immediate action to improve communication channels and trading systems access, including broader access to the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) and the publication of transparent, real-time data on border movements and checks.
• Removing barriers for businesses trying to access the Control Point (CP) system, which allows checks to happen on-site.
• Recognising BCPs limitations for handling plants and trees and facilitating access to alternative arrangements such as Authorised Officer Status (AOS) and flexible 'Place of Destination' (POD+) systems for eligible businesses.
• Improving pest and disease testing capability and biosecurity measures at the border.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented: “While the HTA fully backs the ambition for resetting the UK’s relationship with the EU and delivering a comprehensive SPS agreement inclusive of plant health, we cannot afford to wait for this to resolve the immediate problems at our border. We need action here and now. We have set out our asks frequently, clearly, and constructively over the past year. We remain dismayed that the expertise required to implement this complex system effectively seems to be either disbanded or severely under-resourced.

“The changes introduced a year ago, shifting checks away from our members, many of them experts in the health of plants and wanting to be fully in control of their supply chains, have resulted in an overnight operational nightmare. It has and continues to be all pain, with no tangible gain for biosecurity or efficiency. We receive daily reports of delays, damage and distress for SMEs, who work day in and day out to manage leaps in costs, variable weather and not knowing when their goods will arrive.

The HTA continues to explore every route to find solutions to the issues and work collaboratively to sustain supply chains in the near term whilst we support work for a longer-term resolution on EU-UK trading issues.”

Yorkshire Garden Centres directors celebrated the success of the 10 Values Champions winners with a lunch at the Mezzanine Restaurant at Tong Garden Centre.

Throughout 2024, the team at all seven Yorkshire Garden Centres sites voted for their colleagues to be recognised as monthly Values Award Winners in the seven categories of Team, Honest, Respectful, Excellence, Accountable, Climate and Community and Positive. The management team then selected the ten overall champions from the monthly winners.

The annual awards are organised by the group's People and Culture team. Its director, Neil Barwise-Carr, said: "While we usually host a big annual awards evening, we switched things up this year with local breakfast ceremonies at our sites, which created a real sense of pride and celebration".

"With 548 nominations, 61 shortlisted team members, and 10 incredible champions crowned, we've truly seen the spirit of our values shine through.

"Huge congratulations to all our nominees and a massive shoutout to this year's Values Champions — we're proud of each and every one of you!"

The awards were presented to:

• Team Values Champions Ian Hoyle, Chef who was formerly at Tong and is now at Pennine Garden Centre and Richard Kettlestring, Retail Supervisor at Dean's York.
• Honest Values Champion Louis Shepherd, Mission Out Team Leader at Tingley
• Respectful Values Champions Marina Janetta, Catering Manager at Otley Garden Centre and Karen Hopkins, Retail Supervisor at Tong
• Excellence Values Champion Emily Edmond, Buyer for the Group
• Accountable Value Champion Andy Bradley, Centre Manager at Otley
• Climate and Community Values Champions Lynsey Dyson, Retail Supervisor at Otley and Chantelle Brayson, Customer Service Assistant at Tong
• Positive Value Champion Sarah Mark, Catering Assistant at Tingley 

Respectful Values Champion Mrs Jannetta chose theatre tickets as her prize so she could go with her family. She said: "I am so unbelievably grateful not just for the gift, but for the support, the belief and the recognition that I am doing a good job and more importantly that I am a good person, doing a good job."

The Yorkshire Garden Centres Group employs 615 people at its garden centres at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, Pennine plus Dean's York and Scarborough.

The future of urban and rural green spaces took centre stage as the Garden Museum in London hosted a live-broadcast panel event focused on the proposed Green Spaces Bill. The Green Spaces Question Time discussion, chaired by broadcaster Evan Davis, featured Caroline Voaden MP, the Bill's proposer, alongside a distinguished panel including Reverend Giles Goddard, Arthur Kay and gardener John Little.  

The event, attended by a prominent audience of experts and industry leaders advocating for green spaces, served as a platform to discuss the key themes of the Bill. It aimed to identify practical steps to enhance and expand Britain's green infrastructure and address the obstacles to growing our urban green spaces. 

Focusing on promoting the value of green spaces, particularly their role in improving environmental and social health and wellbeing, the Green Spaces Bill seeks to elevate the importance of green spaces by addressing the policy gaps that currently hinder their development and protection. A central proposal within the Bill, which echoes the Horticultural Trades Association's manifesto, is the creation of an Office for Green Spaces. This dedicated office would aim to deliver structural change within government, ensuring a coordinated, cross-departmental approach to maximise the immense environmental, social, and economic benefits derived from green spaces, gardens, and horticultural businesses across the country. 

Green spaces contribute billions to the UK economy, with environmental horticulture alone generating £8.4 billion in tax revenues and supporting over 720,000 jobs. Yet, these essential spaces and the industries that sustain them often fall between policy gaps. A coordinated, cross-government approach is needed to ensure their benefits are fully realised. 

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented: “We were delighted to support the Garden Museum’s debate on Green Spaces and to promote the Bill, which recognises the need for policymakers to work in a new way to maximise the opportunity of environmental horticulture and green spaces in tackling climate change, improving public health, and driving economic growth. The UK’s gardens, parks, and green corridors are not just nice-to-have amenities but essential infrastructure.  

“The HTA has long called for an Office for Green Spaces, which, if established, would oversee and champion these spaces, secure their future and unlock their full potential for communities and businesses alike. We at the Horticultural Trades Association look forward to growing our campaign and working to deliver change to support UK environmental horticulture to flourish.” 

Speaking at the event, Caroline Voaden MP (Liberal Democrat, South Devon) commented: “As the MP for South Devon, I am acutely aware of how vital green spaces are to my constituents and communities nationwide. I initiated this Bill to stimulate debate on how to better coordinate different parts of the Government to champion green spaces, especially in urban areas. We know these spaces are critical for mental health, physical wellbeing, environmental resilience, and creating green jobs. Tonight’s discussion has significantly advanced this conversation, and I hope this is an ongoing conversation that results in actions by policy-makers to do more to deliver green spaces.” 

Christopher Woodward, Director of the Garden Museum, added: “The Garden Museum was very happy to host an event which showed how horticulture reaches everyone, and to see how a new generation of gardeners really does believe that gardening can change the world.” 

The event highlighted the growing momentum behind recognising and enhancing the value of green spaces and the urgent need for dedicated government focus to ensure their future sustainability and expansion. 

To find out more about the event and the Garden Museum visit: https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/ 

Perennial is once again bringing the horticultural community together to celebrate our supporter’s efforts and to ask you all to dig deep to raise vital funds for your industry charity.

From arborists, foresters and tree surgeons to gardeners, growers, landscapers, garden centre employees and nursery staff to greenkeepers and grounds staff the aim is to raise funds to support you and your family’s future.

With one million people working in or retired from horticulture across the UK, Perennial’s services are in considerable demand. The shared goal at this event is for everyone to raise essential funds so Perennial’s services can continue to provide a lifeline to those who dedicated their lives to growing and caring for the green spaces that enrich our lives.

Whether you’ve already held your own fundraising activity, or you are planning to this year, we encourage you to celebrate your efforts and network together with other like-minded supporters at Perennial’s fundraising lunch.

Join colleagues, fundraisers and supporters and feel proud of your good deeds on Friday 10 October from midday to 4:30pm (...feel free to cheer yourselves on into the evening!) at The Cumberland, London. The ticket price of £145 per person includes a glass of “cheers to you” fizz on arrival and a celebratory three-course meal with wine, plus a heartfelt “thank you” from Perennial President Alan Titchmarsh CBE VMH.

This year’s event will be hosted by award-winning garden designer and TV gardener Manoj Malde, who will be joined by professional gardener and radio personality, guest speaker, Matthew Biggs. We will once again be celebrating the efforts of those who have gone above and beyond for Perennial with our Silver Shovel Spotlight Awards and of course asking you to dig deep during the envelope raffle and in our live auction led by The Charity Auctioneer, Mark Head. This year’s auction includes some old favourites and exciting new lots such as a day’s consultancy with horticultural business consultant Neville Stein, an Exclusive Hotel Group package, a Wembley Stadium Hospitality package and many more. The Plantman & Co. are supporting the event once again by supplying fabulous floral table centrepieces.

Jamie Gault, Perennial’s Chief Executive comments: “Every year, our supporters dig deep, taking on challenges, hosting events, opening their gardens and much more to raise funds. People should feel so proud of their fundraising efforts which help Perennial deliver our vision to build better futures for people in horticulture and their families. Our fundraising lunch and awards recognise all their wholehearted contributions and commitments and keeps up the momentum by raising even more funds. Let’s come together as a community for this fundraising lunch, which will go towards helping people during the winter period and beyond. Tickets are on sale now, so please put the date (10thOctober) in your diary, dig deep all year and join us!”

Every time Perennial's supporters dig deep, they make a real difference to the lives of people in horticulture and their families. There are lots of reasons why people turn to the charity, such as bereavement, the impact of an accident, health issues or a family breakdown. As the only UK charity helping everyone working in or retired from horticulture and their families, Perennial relies on support from the industry.

This is the event of the year to get together with friends and colleagues for a lively afternoon of anticipation, bidding banter and networking, all in support of your community.

Book your spot at perennial.org.uk/lunch – book a table of 10 and get the 10th place free!

The Environment Agency has urged water companies to do more to safeguard water supplies after the driest start to spring in 69 years. 

The environmental regulator convened a meeting of the National Drought Group today (Wednesday 7 May 2025) and said more needed to be done to cut leakage and help customers use water more wisely. 

In England, March was the driest since 1961 and April received just half its normal rainfall. Farmers have had to start irrigating crops earlier and reservoir levels are either notably low or exceptionally low across the North East and North West of England. Both these regions have seen their driest start to the year since 1929.   

Representatives from the EA told the meeting - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers and conservation experts – that while no area is currently officially in drought there is a medium risk of one this summer without sustained rainfall.

Chairing the meeting, Environment Agency Deputy Director of Water, Richard Thompson, said: "The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades. The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England but drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared. It’s heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and roll-out smart meters."

Whilst there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans, if the prolonged dry weather continues, water companies may need to implement their dry weather plans in the weeks and months ahead.   

The EA is closely monitoring water companies’ implementation of these plans, especially high-risk locations, as well as working with farmers to help them plan for irrigating their crops. It is also preparing dry weather advice and information for the public, including small steps they can take to reduce usage. 

Water Minister, Emma Hardy, said: "Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of under-investment. Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply. The Government has secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs to secure our future water supply into the decades to come."

The National Drought Group will meet to discuss action regularly in the coming months. At today’s meeting, attendees heard about the current water resources situation:

• A dry start to the year means farmers have had an earlier start to the irrigation season and have seen an increased demand on their on-site storage reservoirs.   
• Reservoir storage across England is 84% of total capacity. This compares to 90% at the end of April in the 2022 drought year.
• River flows are currently below normal or lower for this time of year across northern and central England.   
• Chalk groundwater levels are generally in a good position.   
• Wildfires have been reported in Cumbria, Derbyshire and Dorset as vegetation is dry.   

The EA has called on the group’s membership to take action to ensure they are prepared for drought. This includes:  

• Water companies stepping-up action on leakage and preparing their dry weather plans. 
• Water companies communicating with customers about current risk and supporting them to use water wisely during this dry period.  
• Farmers to work with NFU to assess their water needs this summer and take action now to ensure they have enough to last the summer  
• EA to work with fishery owners to have ensure plans are in place to manage dry weather.  

 The public can play their part too by reducing individual water consumption, such as installing a water butt in the garden to harvest rainwater, taking shorter showers, and turning off taps when not in use.  

According to EA figures, by 2050, England will need to find an additional 5 billion litres of water a day to meet demand for public water supply. This is more than a third of the 14 billion litres of water currently put into public water supply.  

Water Saving Week (12th to 16th May) is an initiative led by Waterwise, a not-for-profit organisation encouraging people to use water efficiently. The awareness week serves as a timely reminder that by making small changes at home, we can protect one of our most valuable natural resources. Over recent years, the UK has experienced an increasing amount of fluctuating weather patterns and extreme heatwaves so it’s more important than ever to manage how we use water, particularly in the garden.

Rachel Smith, Plant Team Leader at Haskins Garden Centres, shares ten practical tips for saving water outdoors. Rachel said: “It’s essential that we all do our bit to preserve water in the garden, particularly during heatwaves. At our Roundstone centre, we water our plants using water extracted through a borehole from a natural source underground. This allows us to reuse what we can and reduces our reliance on mains water supplies. Domestically, this may not be a viable option, but there are plenty of other simple steps people can take to avoid wasting water.”

1. Water at the right time of day
“Avoid watering plants during the hottest parts of the day, as most of the moisture evaporates before it reaches the roots. Early morning or late evening gives the water more time to soak into the soil where it can have the most impact.

2. Focus water where it’s needed
“Use a watering can with a rose attachment and apply water directly to the soil around the base of your plants. This prevents evaporation and avoids leaf scorch, especially in sunny weather.

3. Collect and reuse rainwater
“Install water butts to collect rainwater from roofs and downpipes. It’s free, better for your plants than treated tap water, and reduces your reliance on the mains water supply. If your space allows, you can also direct rainwater runoff from patios or driveways, so it trickles into beds and borders.

4. Mulch to keep moisture in
“Adding a layer of mulch helps the soil retain water, reduces evaporation and suppresses weeds. In patio pots, decorative stone chippings can be used as an alternative mulch to stabilise the soil and lock in moisture.

5. Move containers to a shady spot
“During hot or dry spells, move pots, tubs and hanging baskets into a cooler, shaded area to help them retain moisture for longer and reduce the frequency of watering required.

6. Add water-retaining gel to compost
“Mix water-retaining granules into compost when planting containers to extend the time needed between watering and help your plants thrive during dry periods.

7. Feed your plants well
“Well-fed plants use water more effectively. Provide your plants with a regular supply of nutrients to encourage strong root growth and help plants draw up moisture more efficiently.

8. Keep weeds under control
“Weeds compete with your plants for both water and nutrients. By removing them, you ensure more of the available moisture goes to the plants you want to grow.

9. Reuse grey water
“Leftover water from washing vegetables, rinsing dishes or cooling the kettle can be reused in the garden, so long as it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. It’s an easy way to reduce waste and give your plants an added boost.

10. Choose plants that need less water
“Alternatively, choose drought-tolerant plants such as lavender, rosemary and thyme. These hardy varieties thrive in dry conditions and still bring colour, texture, fragrance, and even cooking ingredients to your garden.”

For more expert gardening tips and advice, visit https://www.haskins.co.uk/.

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the local charities and community organisations set to benefit from its support this year, helping them to create, enhance, or revitalise their indoor and outdoor green spaces — including schools, nurseries, care homes, allotments and community gardens.

Over 600 groups applied to Dobbies Community Gardens when it opened in March. Each Dobbies’ store selected a local project to support from the nominations that were made. Nominated projects were invited along to their local in-store free Grow How session on Saturday 3 May where the winner was announced.

Dobbies’ Dunfermline store selected Crossgate Primary School to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens. They have a small school garden area which is much-loved by the pupils, and plan to develop a sensory-rich garden space with support from colleagues at the Dunfermline store. This space will help promote positive social interactions and encourage curiosity and learning in nature.

Friends of Courtneys Lodge Sheltered Housing for people with dementia was selected by the Milton Keynes store. The team is made up of staff, residents and their families, who all come together to raise funds for activities to keep their minds stimulated and help prolong independence and a normal lifestyle. Gardening is a great way to alleviate stress, boredom and anxiety, and taking part in physical activity like gardening can stimulate the senses. Dobbies' support will help Friends of Courtneys Lodge Sheltered Housing with tools, equipment and plants for their gardening club.

Jean Todd Close has been selected by the Antrim store to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens. Jean Todd Close is a supported living scheme for adults with learning disabilities and have a communal sensory garden that the service users can enjoy together or use during family visits. This is a place they can give gardening a go, and with Dobbies' support, the team hope to equip the residents with tools, plants and some vegetables for the existing polytunnel, allowing residents can start growing their own produce.

All winning groups will now receive a one-on-one session with Dobbies’ Green Team in their local store to kick-start the activity. The team will support the winning groups throughout their projects with products, tools and plants, along with volunteer hours to help bring each green space to life and keep it thriving.

Katie Coughlin from Courtneys Lodge said: “Gardening can be a great way to alleviate stress, boredom and anxiety for our residents. We are incredibly grateful to Dobbies for their support in creating a community garden and a space for them to come together.”

Nigel Lawton, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, said: “We are really pleased to have had so many community groups reach out looking for support with their green spaces. We're committed to supporting the local communities around our stores, and the mix of winners showcases the many ways people and communities can benefit from garden living.

“We’re looking forward to seeing these spaces flourish and supporting the groups as they create welcoming green areas for their communities.”

To find out more about Dobbies Community Gardens and see this year’s winners, visit www.dobbies.com/community-gardens. 

Autumn Fair, the UK’s largest B2B retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion of the season, returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, bringing together over 800 leading brandsand 12,000+ retail buyers for four days of high-impact product discovery ahead of the busiest season in retail.

At the heart of this year’s edition is a powerhouse line-up of industry favourites and bestselling brands across ten curated destinations who use the show as the perfect stage to unveil new products.

Retailers can expect to source from the likes of Candlelight Products, Bedeck, Ty UK, Gingko, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Sass & Belle, Bomb Cosmetics, Five Dollar Shake, Baby Republic, Ohh Deer, Powell Craft, My Gifts Trade, Casa Verde, Hot Tomato, Hill Interiors, Trampoline, Quirky Barn, Ancient Mariner, Walton & Co, Indra Importer, Inside Out, Nordic Style, Malini, The Otters Brook Collection, Bronte By Moon, Blooms by Samuel Baker, Present Time, Elle Sport, Lighthouse Clothing, and Big Metal London, with many unveiling new seasonal collections for the first time.

In Gift, retailers will find a treasure trove of contemporary designs and trend-led ranges to unique, personalised and licensed gifts from a host of leading brands, as well as the latest must-have new products in the Kids, Toys & Play, Beauty & Wellbeing, Greetings, Stationery & Wrapping, and Everyday destinations. Look out for big name brands including Candlelight Products, Joe Davies, Ty UK, Gingko, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Sass & Belle, Bomb Cosmetics, Five Dollar Shake, Baby Republic, Ohh Deer, Powell Craft, The English Soap Company, and Fikkerts.

Home and lifestyle buyers will find fresh inspiration from Hill Interiors, Trampoline, Quirky Barn, Inside Out, Ancient Mariner, Walton & Co, and Indra Importer in the Home, Living and Décor destination.

Paul Nel, Commercial Director of Hill Interiors, who celebrate their 50th year in business, says “We are thrilled to be exhibiting again this year at Autumn Fair, a firm favourite among our customers and a standout event for connecting with new ones. It’s the perfect stage to unveil our exciting new products, including the rapidly growing Outdoor Living collection, stylish new furniture ranges, and so much more.”

Don’t miss new brands including Hedgeroe Home - an interiors lifestyle brand with a wonderful range of homeware, lighting and furniture - and Atolia Designs which makes its debut showcasing an exquisite collection of sustainably-sourced homeware and gifts including handcrafted wooden tableware, table linen, home décor, soft furnishings, Christmas decorations and thoughtful gifting items, all just in time for the holiday season. Visitors will also be the first to preview the Summer 2026 Collection, featuring vibrant citrus accents and tropical-inspired designs perfect for an interior-focused retailer or a lifestyle store.

Rachana Khandelwal from Atolia Designs says, “Autumn Fair is the perfect gateway for Atolia Designs to debut and connect with retailers who appreciate quality craftsmanship and sustainable design. With the festive season and Christmas approaching, we’re excited to showcase our new collection of wooden tableware, table linen, home décor, and soft furnishings to boutiques and lifestyle stores seeking unique, story-rich products.”

The Summer House Edit returns with a curated edit of high-end furnishings, décor and gifts. From Scandinavian influence, to rustic, chic and even artisanal and quirky styles thrown in to the mix, The Summer House Edit is a must-visit destination at Autumn Fair. With its finger firmly on the pulse of emerging trends, this sector is the beacon of taste showcasing unrivalled design and elegance from international and UK brands.

For coveted products that stay on buyers’ wish lists all year-round visit show favourite Casa Verde/Terrace & Garden. Founder, Nick Ronald says, “We cannot wait for this year's Autumn Fair where we will be launching our new Basque Country Christmas - a heady mix of rustic meets country with the occasional hint of modernity, inspired by the lakes and mountains of Northern Spain.”

Exhibiting for the first time at Autumn Fair, don’t miss Bedeck who have been creating beautiful homeware collections for over 70 years with an extensive portfolio of licensed and house brands including the launch of its Land & Shore homeware collection.

My Gifts Trade makes a welcome return with its incredible range of brands including Tokyo Design Studio, Dutch Décor, Cosy Home, Costa Nova, Countryfield, and Rose & Tulipani.

Kevin Mitton from My Gifts Trade says, “My Gifts Trade are delighted to return to Autumn Fair to showcase bestsellers, last minute must-haves for the important pre-festive period and a first chance to see newness for Spring Summer 2026. With products from leading European homewares brands and amazing sourcing facilities, our designers have curated selections which are both visually awesome and highly commercial.”

Autumn stimulates a sense of comfort and warmth, perfectly reflected in soft luxurious throws and cushions by Dutch Décor, natural and highly giftable handmade decor by Cosy Home using recycled materials and reflecting the warm tones and textures of nature. Tokyo Design Studio continue to drive the growth in Asian cooking and dining. As the year comes to an end, thoughts are more festive – crisp white dining settings from Costa Nova, twinkly Christmas decorations and stand out home décor by Countryfield. For Spring, Rose & Tulipani offers colourful outdoor dining with the launch of lemon design melamine and a colourful spectrum of drinkware to match. Coastal themes continue to be a big seller, including seasonal ceramics from Costa Nova, the popular Sea Life by Rose & Tulipani and washed mango decorative items by Cosy Home.

Nordic Style, Hot Tomato, Malini including their sought-after collaboration with Paul Moneypenny, The Otters Brook Collection, Bronte By Moon, Blooms by Samuel Baker, Inis – Energy of the Sea, and Present Time with their Leitmotiv and Karlsson brands will also present their latest collections.

Visit the growing fashion destination Pure x Moda, to discover the latest clothing, footwear, fashion accessories, and jewellery & watch collections with the hottest trends and styles from the most creative brands and designers such as Lighthouse Clothing, Elle Sport, Nina Murati, Decollage, Isle & Stars, Luella, Girl in Mind, Goose Island, Big Metal, Zsiska, Nomads, Lisa Angel, Miss Sparrow, Long & Son, Glen Appin of Scotland, Peace of Mind, Anabella Moore, Suzie Blue, Gold Trip, Lucy Kemp, Reeves & Reeves, Goodlookers and many more.

The accessories and jewellery offer continues to grow with a bonanza of buyer favourites. Powder returns to Autumn Fair with its vibrant and decadent collection of fashion accessories, and the new Bellarosa collection blending glamour and bespoke design - perfect for eye-catching merchandising.

Bill Skinner brings his eponymous collection of remarkably charismatic and distinct costume jewellery inspired by nature. The September show will see the launch of the new Blackberry and Mouse Collection, embodying the essence of the designer’s craftsmanship and creativity.

Head to Everyday for thousands of branded and unbranded product lines from housewares, health and beauty and pound lines to gifts, cleaning, and catering products from leaders in the market including Arix Europe, Hovemint, RTC Direct, TF Cash & Carry, Ultimate Products, Universal Garments International, Wimpex, and Winners Europe.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back such an exceptional calibre of exhibitors,” said Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director for Autumn Fair. “This show has always been a destination for serious retail buyers and independents, and this year is shaping up to be our most compelling edition yet, offering retailers a key opportunity to refresh their product ranges ahead of the peak shopping season.

“Autumn Fair matches buyers with ready-to-ship suppliers, putting essential collections on the shop floor in no time! Whether you’re a retailer looking to make high-volume purchases or a supplier that supports small minimum orders, Autumn Fair facilitates fit-for-business partnerships by making connections that last. With 85% of floor space already sold and a 10% increase in event footprint, Autumn Fair is building on the momentum of the successful 2024 show, which saw a 34% rise in new buyers in attendance.”

The show’s exclusive partnership with Faire continues to enhance the experience for both buyers and suppliers, enabling independent retailers to take advantage of streamlined ordering and curated discovery. Bridging the gap between online and offline buying by offering UK brands and retailers the opportunity to simplify buying processes, expand networks, discover unique products and grow their business.

Whether restocking for Q4, discovering new ranges, or forging new supplier relationships, Autumn Fair remains the essential event for the retail trade calendar.

Autumn Fair takes place 7–10 September 2025 at the NEC Birmingham.
To register or find out more, visit www.autumnfair.com

We are currently seeking a Supervisor for our Garden Sundries department; working five days a week to include Saturday. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with retail experience in Garden Sundries. The role includes the purchasing of selected product ranges including Christmas Lights along side the department manager.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining the department standards
• Driving sales and profitability
• Regular reporting against targets
• Managing stock rotation and control
• Placing orders across product ranges
• Exploring new product lines and ranges
• Maintaining the appearance of visual displays and department housekeeping
• Delivering an exceptional level of customer service at all times

About you:

• Retail experience in garden sundries, DIY and gardening
• Experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Work well in a team
• An eye for detail
• Great self-motivation and a can-do attitude
• Be well presented

Sundries includes products in these areas:

• Garden Machinery
• Tools
• Fertilisers and Chemicals
• Watering
• Garden Hardware
• Garden Accessories
• Pots
• Christmas Lights 

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking

Salary:

• Negotiable based on experience.

Applications and CV to Nigel Wallis: nigel@baytree-gardencentre.com

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A celebration of the UK’s nurseries and growers will take centre stage in the Great Pavilion as UBS, the largest truly global wealth manager, returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2025.

The RHS x UBS: Moments of Reflection installation, designed by Maximilian Parker-Smith, will feature plants from four nursery exhibitors to highlight their skills and expertise as specialist growers. Lincolnshire Pond Plants will provide aquatic plants for the exhibit’s water features, houseplants will be provided by Dibleys (Denbighshire) with perennials from Green Jjam Nurseries (Worcestershire). Kevock Garden Plants (Midlothian) will provide woodland plants and also inspired the design’s Scottish theme.

Imagined as a walk into the mountains and lochs of the Scottish Highlands, plants are designed into an array of distinctive environments to showcase the plants of the nurseries. Visitors will be able to journey from manicured avenues of clipped hedging and a formal water rill, through verdant woodlands, ascending momentarily into the highlands, past a rambler’s rest, housing tender plants, and finally arriving at a colourful and explosive planting scheme, including ragged robin and primulas.

Through these contrasting areas, the design will highlight the beneficial effects plants can offer. Whether through a walk in nature, a potter in the garden, or proximity to a houseplant, the exhibit will celebrate how all settings have potential for positive impact on our mental wellbeing.

From thatched archways to dry stone walls, to specialist plants big and small, the installation features the skill and workmanship of many craftspeople highlighting the importance of experience and technique.

The featured nurseries are funded by UBS to support their exhibit at RHS Chelsea and to showcase their skill as growers. After the Show, the exhibit will be relocated to one of UBS’ partner schools to provide children growing up in an urban environment with access to plants and green space.

Sarah Poll, RHS Head of Shows Development, said: “This year’s Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea will host over 80 growers and nurseries all displaying their expertise and specialist knowledge through beautiful floral displays. This year at the heart of the Pavilion, and through the generous support of UBS, we are able to showcase the excellence of four UK growers, and we hope this feature will inspire more people to support independent nurseries and to discover more about their wonderful plants.”

Beatriz Martin, President EMEA and UK CEO, Head of Non-core and Legacy, and Group Executive Board Lead for Sustainability and Impact, at UBS said: “We’re delighted to partner with the Royal Horticultural Society to welcome over 145,000 guests, including many UBS clients and staff, to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We firmly believe in maximising our impact both locally and globally, and we’re excited to support and partner with four nurseries that use their craft to drive change and put impact at the heart of their business. With this in mind, we’re proud to once again give our garden a second-life by relocating it after the show to one of our partner schools, giving the future generation an opportunity to seek inspiration from nature.”

RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 20-24 May 2025 and tickets are available online at rhs.org.uk/Chelsea

Peter Beales Roses will unveil its latest rose breeding introduction, ‘Ashton Wold’, a radiant yellow shrub rose, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025.

Combining old-world charm with modern performance, ‘Ashton Wold’ features soft, buttery-yellow blooms with an appealing fragrance and an elegant, shrub habit. Specially bred with pollinators in mind, this insect-friendly rose is a haven for bees and other beneficial insects, making it as good for the garden as it is for the environment.

Hardy, healthy and repeat-flowering, ‘Ashton Wold’ is a robust and versatile shrub rose suited to borders, mixed plantings, or as a standalone feature. Peter Beales Roses head breeder Michael Baldwin comments that 'Ashton Wold has a lovely habit with strong shiny foliage, with multiple flower buds forming in abundance' 

What's In A Name?

'Ashton Wold' was the family home of Charles Rothschild (1877–1923), a pioneering naturalist and early advocate for wildlife conservation. A member of the prominent Rothschild family, Charles dedicated much of his life to the study and protection of Britain’s natural habitats. In 1912, he founded what would later become The Wildlife Trusts and proposed the UK’s first network of nature reserves. His passion for biodiversity is still felt today, and Ashton Wold itself remains a treasured site for wildlife and ecological preservation.

Whilst 'Ashton Wold' will take prominence in this years display at Chelsea, it will be surrounded by nearly two thousand of Peter Beales’ most stunning roses. Designed to display the range and diversity  of roses and the benefits they can have to enhance wildlife. Offering countless photo opportunities for Instagram enthusiasts and plant-loving visitors.

“We are incredibly excited to launch ‘Ashton Wold’ at Chelsea,” says Ian Limmer, Nursery Manager at Peter Beales Roses. “It’s a rose that not only offers exquisite beauty, but also reflects our commitment to supporting wildlife and sustainable horticulture.”

‘Ashton Wold’ will be available to order online and at the Peter Beales nursery from May 2025 following its Chelsea debut.

Excitement is growing as the Horticultural Trades Association announces its seminar line-up for the HTA National Plant Show 2025, taking place at the NAEC Stoneleigh on Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 June. Celebrating the best of British horticulture, the show brings together leading growers, suppliers, and retailers to showcase excellence, sustainability and innovation across the sector.  

Expert led seminars in the Sinclair Seminar Area 

Sponsored by Sinclair, this year’s seminar programme features two days of insightful sessions delivered by industry experts, covering the latest trends and challenges in horticulture. 

• New Plant Awards Highlights: Join Pippa Greenwood, HTA Horticulture Manager and the judging panel to discover the winning plant varieties and their potential impact on garden centre sales. 
• EU Reset: What to Expect: Jennifer Pheasey HTA Director of Public Affairs and Sally Cullimore, HTA Technical Policy Manager will guide attendees through key developments, trade opportunities, and policy implications critical to the future of the industry.
• Plant Protection in the Balance: Simon Conway, CEO of Horticulture Crop Protection (HCP), will explore the importance of voluntary contributions and how current initiatives will shape the future of crop protection across ornamentals. 
• Nursery Management Systems: Practical Insights: Gain valuable knowledge on effective nursery management practices. 
• Achieving Net Zero in Garden Centres: Learn from a live interview hosted by Planet Mark, focusing on how garden centres can reach net-zero goals. 
• Plant Biosecurity: Safeguarding the Future: Malcolm Catlin, Project Director of Plant Healthy, will share essential strategies for managing plant health risks. 
• Young People in Horticulture Networking Event: Connect with emerging talent and future leaders in the industry.   

Register Now – It’s Free! 

Registration is free and now open at nationalplantshow.co.uk. Secure your place today and get ready to be inspired by the best of British horticulture. 

For further details about exhibiting at this year’s show, please visit nationalplantshow.co.uk or email events@hta.org.uk 

Scotland’s national garden show, Scone Palace Garden Fair, has announced Dobbies Garden Centres as the main sponsor for this year’s event, which runs from 30 to 31 May.

Now in its fourth year, the garden show features a mix of gardening displays, plant sales, hands-on activities from the Royal Horticultural Society, the popular Scottish Garden Design competition, and a series of expert talks from leading industry experts, which will include Dobbies’ Senior Houseplant Buyer and RHS Chair of Assessors, Claire Bishop.

The event is set against the picturesque backdrop of Scone Palace and is set to welcome in the region of 7,000 visitors over the two days. Dobbies’ team will be on-hand during the event with expert advice, practical gardening ideas, and tips on how to make the most of garden living.

Speaking about the partnership with Dobbies, Viscount William Stormont of Scone Palace commented: "As Scotland's national garden show, we are on a mission to share our passion for plants, to inspire wellness through horticulture, and to create a home for the Scottish gardening community, as we endeavour to make gardening approachable and accessible for all.

“We are delighted, therefore, to welcome Dobbies on board as a main sponsor. Their dedication to gardening aligns perfectly with our values, and I know they will play a key role in bringing the 2025 Garden Fair experience to life.”

Emma Leek, General Manager at Dobbies Perth, commented: "We’re thrilled to be supporting Scone Palace Garden Fair, especially as this year we’re celebrating 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow.

“The team at Dobbies Perth love connecting with our local community and helping them bring their gardens to life. We’re looking forward to meeting our fellow garden fans at the Garden Fair and connecting over our shared passion for plants and gardening.”

Tickets for the Scone Palace Garden Fair, running 30 and 31 May, are now available to buy from www.sconepalace.co.uk

Spring reaches its colourful crescendo at Keukenhof with a striking floral display by JUB Holland: a bold bulb planting designed as a colourful still life.

Titled A Mysterious Dutch Still Life, this year’s theatrical border was created by garden and landscape designer Carien van Boxtel. Rich in detail, the design invites visitors to zoom in and explore, challenging the eye and sparking the imagination. Van Boxtel drew inspiration from the 17th-century still lifes of Willem van Aelst – a master of asymmetry, chiaroscuro and poetic stillness.

In a Keukenhof season where seven million flower bulbs burst into bloom across 32 hectares in an eight-week botanical spectacle, JUB Holland once again stands out with a distinctive planting vision. “As one of Keukenhof’s earliest contributors and located just down the road in Noordwijkerhout, we see the park not only as an international showcase, but also as a practical test garden,” says Robbert Uittenbogaard, Director of JUB Holland. “It’s where we present our newest mixes and demonstrate how flower bulb designs can be artistic, thoughtful, and enduringly attractive in public landscapes.”

A Design Like a Painting
Since 2019, Carien van Boxtel has been the creative force behind JUB’s Keukenhof borders. Recently named an RHS Bulb Expert, she pushed her own boundaries this year with a daring colour palette of deep red, gold, yellow, and porcelain white. The planting is still in full bloom now, featuring dark-toned tulips such as ‘Sarah Raven’, ‘Queen Rania’, the fiery Tulipa acuminata, the painterly ‘Rem’s Favourite’, and the late-blooming Narcissus poeticus recurvus. The composition immediately evokes the drama of the Dutch Masters. “It’s like composing with time,” Van Boxtel explains. “I treat flowering moments like notes on a score – a slow crescendo, culminating now, in this final week, in a visual climax.”

Planting as an Art Form
What makes the design truly remarkable is not only its aesthetic power, but also its layered complexity. Van Boxtel plays with height variations, architectural structure, and uses the foliage of anemones and daffodils, as well as the seed pods of Fritillaria persica and Fritillaria imperialis, to create rhythm and rest. “Sometimes you need to ‘cool down’ the flowers with green,” she explains. “So the whole composition breathes – almost like a pointillist wildflower meadow.”

In doing so, the focus shifts beyond the plants themselves to the craft of planting: the interplay of form, colour, bloom time and context. The knowledge gained through these designs is directly translated by JUB Holland into applicable mixes for public green spaces – from urban verges to bespoke landscape projects.

From Show Border to Urban Green
Each year, JUB’s show designs are made commercially available after their Keukenhof debut. These unique bulb mixes are now widely used by landscape professionals across Europe. With carefully staggered bloom sequences and a focus on biodiversity, the designs are not only beautiful but also forward-thinking.

“A good bulb mix begins with flowering, but it only succeeds when everything comes together – the rhythm of the landscape, the maintenance, the biodiversity,” Uittenbogaard says. “That’s what we design – based on practical knowledge.” He adds, “We’re seeing that the story behind a design – the play of colour, bloom timing, the cultural theme – truly resonates with landscape architects, municipalities and green space managers. We want to inspire them and support them with ready-made solutions that are visually impactful and ecologically sound.”

JUB Holland | Royal supplier of colour - Dutch family business, since 1910, mastering its craft from breeding and cultivation to offering designer inspiration and services, like the bulbs/seeds concept The Vibrant Verge and mechanical planting to realize large scale landscaping projects. JUB Holland proudly cultivates its bulbs as sustainable as possible and specialises in creative mixtures, aiming for biodiversity and prolonged flowering, while spreading the most beautiful bulb-grown flowers worldwide through gardeners, landscapers and retailers. www.jubholland.nl / www.thevibrantverge.co.uk

As of 31st August 2025, ScanCom UK Ltd and LifestyleGarden UK will cease trading and close.

In a statement, the company announced:

“Firstly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support and confidence in the LifestyleGarden brand. In recent years, it’s fair to say that the Outdoor Living market, like many other industries, has faced numerous challenges due to the state of the economy. We hope that we have alleviated some of these pressures by offering local support, smaller quantity distribution, and a flexible, varied range.

“As we all know, running a business—especially one that ships and stores goods—presents challenges. We at ScanCom are no different, and as a result, we’ve been in consultation over recent months, analysing our business model and performance. After much careful consideration, ScanCom has made the very difficult decision to close the LifestyleGarden distribution centre in the United Kingdom to ensure the long-term success of the broader ScanCom operations. Additionally, we will be closing the LifestyleGarden UK showroom.

“Of course, these closures will impact our dedicated team members, some of whom have been with ScanCom UK Ltd and the LifestyleGarden UK team for over 20 years. We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of them for their years of service and unwavering commitment to ScanCom and to you, our valued customer.

“As of 31st August 2025, ScanCom UK Ltd and LifestyleGarden UK will cease trading and close.

“Please rest assured that all committed orders will be fulfilled as planned. ScanCom International will continue focusing on mixed container orders shipped directly from Vietnam to customers in the United Kingdom. If you would like to explore mixed container options, please contact your representative, who will connect you with a member of our sales team.

“After 31st August 2025, please direct inquiries related to after-sales to aftersalesuk@scancom.net, where a team member will be happy to assist you. In the meantime, please feel free to continue reaching out to us in the usual manner, and if you have any short-term concerns, the UK team will be happy to support you.

“We wish you continued success and happiness.”

Raglan Garden Centre has announced the sad passing of Jean Davies, beloved wife of Martin, co-owner of the centre. Jean was a devoted mother to Sarah and Alex, and a cherished grandmother to three.

Jean passed away peacefully after a short illness and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all the staff and customers of the centre.

A commemorative service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held on 12th May at 12.30pm at St. Cadoc’s Church, Raglan, Monmouthshire.

The family are sincerely grateful for the kind words and support received during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Cancer Research UK:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/in-memory-of-cora-jean-davies

Hozelock has launched its new Wellbeing Hub —a free dedicated online space designed to highlight the positive impact gardening can have on both mental and physical health.

Now live on the Hozelock website, the Wellbeing Hub is a devoted space offering expert advice, practical guides, and inspiration on mindful gardening, relaxation, and creating a personal outdoor sanctuary. It features a variety of content, including step-by-step guides, garden-to-table recipes, and access to external support resources, making it a valuable tool for gardeners of all experience levels.

As part of this initiative, Hozelock is also collaborating with Thrive, the UK’s gardening-for-health charity. Thrive has been helping people improve their physical, mental, and social wellbeing through therapeutic gardening for over 40 years. This partnership will see Hozelock supporting Thrive’s work, including promoting their new Cultivating Wellbeing app—a digital tool designed to help people use gardening to enhance their mental and physical health.

Additionally, Hozelock will be donating watering systems to Thrive gardens across the UK, ensuring those who benefit from therapeutic gardening have the tools they need to nurture their green spaces.

Alina Gordon, Marketing and Communications Executive at Hozelock, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the Wellbeing Hub and partner with Thrive to highlight the positive impact gardening can have on our everyday lives. Gardening isn’t just about maintaining outdoor spaces—it’s about creating a sense of calm, connection, and purpose. By sharing practical resources and supporting Thrive’s incredible work, we hope to encourage more people to discover the joys and benefits of gardening.”

Commenting on the partnership, Ben Thomas, CEO at Thrive, said: “Gardening is such a rewarding way to improve health and happiness, showing positive effects on both our mental and physical health - we see this every day in our Thrive gardens.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Hozelock to support their Wellbeing Hub and share some of the therapeutic gardening activities from our new cultivating wellbeing app. We hope that together we can help people to experience the benefits of time spent in nature.”

The Wellbeing Hub is now live and can be explored at:

https://www.hozelock.com/wellbeing-hub/

Dobbies Garden Centre in Brighton has had a major refurbishment unveiling its biggest ever gardening range; a new coffee shop and outdoor seating area; new outdoor furniture, clothing and toy ranges, all in a new store layout.

The refurbishment at Brighton is the first in Dobbies’ extensive programme of investment across the store estate. The plans, developed in collaboration with the store teams, are focused on delivering the best possible customer experience for each store. To deliver this, the plans include improving the fabric of the stores, freeing up space for larger and new ranges and making it easier for customers to shop.

Dobbies has worked closely with new and existing suppliers and partners to increase the plants and gardening ranges and displays, as well as the outdoor furniture ranges. There are new outdoor toy ranges, and the home, gift and spa ranges have increased by 20%. Building on the success of having Regatta in the store, Klass Clothing and Weird Fish have been added to the fashion offering.

A new 56-seater coffee shop has been created for customers looking for light refreshments, alongside the existing 100-seater restaurant. There’s also a new landscaped outdoor seating area, where up to 60 people can enjoy the stunning views.

General Manager, Jason Cowell, said: “We’re really proud of the refurbished store. There are lots of great new facilities and we’ve had really positive feedback so far. We have our biggest ever gardening range, which has been hit with our customers, and the front of the store has also been transformed to create a warm welcome.”

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re really pleased with the changes we have made at our Brighton centre. Early indications from the improvements we’ve made are positive. Investing in the fabric of the store, creating a new coffee shop and new outdoor seating area, as well as expanding and developing the ranges, has all been worked through with our local customer front of mind. Thanks to everyone who has supported this project and we look forward to sharing news of our next refurbished store.”

Picture gallery from the store opening below...

Resolva, the trusted and effective solution for garden weeds from Westland Horticulture, returns to TV screens for a 14^th year of high-profile media presence from the 5^th of May 2025. 

The creative taps into the frustration gardeners feel around persistent weeds, positioning Resolva as the fast, no-fuss solution that helps gardeners take back control. With an early spell of warm spring weather already drawing people into their gardens and visiting garden centres, the stage is perfectly set for increased demand.

The 2025 campaign represents a significant media investment, targeting ABC1 adults aged 45+ through a powerful mix of traditional and digital TV channels. Shoppers will see Resolva during primetime viewing on ITV1, Channel 4, Sky, and Amazon Prime, including hit shows like Clarkson’s Farm. For the first time, the campaign extends to BVOD (Broadcaster Video On Demand) with Sky and Channel 4, offering precise targeting of garden-interested consumers. 

Christine Myers, Brand Manager, for Resolva, commented: “Year after year, our investment in TV keeps Resolva front-of-mind with consumers when weeds become a problem. It’s a trusted brand with a proven track record, delivering superior performance from spot treatments to large-scale applications. Our retail partners will benefit not only from the strong brand awareness, but also the increased category participation our continued media presence drives during the peak gardening season.” 

In common with all Westland products, the Resolva range can be ordered 24/7 via Westland Live, and frequent top-ups are easy as part of a Westland weekly delivery. 

GTN April 2025. In this issue: The war for talent – More People on how to secure the best candidates, Backing the brand – RHS Licensed products maximise sales, Country Forge – RHS-endorsed from Tildenet, Bramblecrest blossoms with the RHS, Stars come out for Blue Diamond, Plan ahead for spoga+gafa 2025, New beginnings for centres part 2, Best foot forward for Greenfingers – Garden Re-Leaf Day 2025, Floral farewell – GTN interview’s Stuart Lowen, Bedding and seasonal bonanza - GTN Planteria, Addressing misconceptions about SOLEX – LOFA Viewpoint, Boosting business development - HTA Viewpoint, Sunshine, sales and supply – GIMA Viewpoint.