With the great and good from the garden retail gathered at Celtic Manor, the winners of the highly-anticipated 2023 GIMA Awards were revealed. Here we hear from the brands who celebrated in style.

This year, the GIMA Awards winners were carefully selected by a panel of industry experts, made up of Gary Carvosso, Coolings Garden Centre; Shelley Bou Chrouch, Scarlet Opus; Mairi Devlin, B&Q; Ian Hodgson, Garden News; Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Trade News; Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, Choice Marketing; Nicola Pugh, Pugh’s Garden Centre; Nicola Seagar, Primrose; and Tristan Sissons, Hillier Garden Centres.  As always, innovation, thoughtful design and carefully curated content came together to create a roster of entries that gave the judges plenty of food for thought. However, after much debate and discussion a final list of winners was created, which tonight has been announced by celebrity host, Gethin Jones.  

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said of the event: “What a night! Every year the awards keep getting better and better. We continue to see more guests joining us and also see the competition heating up as brands from across the industry hope to be the ones to take the trophy home. Tonight’s event has been truly superb. We’ve seen new names climb the winner’s podium and together have celebrated the best our industry has to offer. Thank you to all that attended, and thanks also to our judges and sponsors for their contribution.”

GIMA AWARDS 2023 – THE WINNERS

One of the most coveted accolades is the GIMA Sword of Excellence, and this year it was Sipcam Home & Garden who walked away with the honour for its Organic Superfood for Peat-Free Compost. The judges said: “The single biggest issue that we face as an industry is the move to peat-free compost and this helps to address this challenge.  It's also well-presented and has great commercial opportunities.”

What the winner had to say: “We launched it at Glee in 2022 and spent at least six or eight months before that with our Spanish and Italian colleagues. So it's been a group effort for us to try and get a solution to an issue we've got on the market.” Nigel Thompson, Head of Sales and Marketing.

Elsewhere, the team from Smart Garden Products celebrated being awarded the GCA Supplier of the Year Award, having just missed out on the accolade last year. The team pipped 2022 winners, Meadow View Stone, and Woodlodge to the win. The GCA said of Smart Garden: “Our reasons for selecting Smart Garden Products as the 2023 GCA Supplier of the Year are simple. They are extremely reliable with great availability and prompt delivery and offer products that are well presented and sell well. Together this all makes them a joy to work alongside.”

The 2023 Gardenex Export Achievement Award was presented to Grow Sow Simple for its campaign alongside Winco Foods in the US, with VegTrug and Wildlife World enjoying finalist status. Talking about the success of Grow Sow Simple, Gardenex said: “This was a very professional and successful operation and a very worthy winner of the Award for their outstanding achievement.”

What the winner had to say: “I couldn’t be more thrilled. Seeds is a sector that suffered through Brexit. Thankfully we were able to work with Gardenex and open up the American market, which has been so important to us. We initially started with a couple of trade shows, and from there we met a big client and got our first order. This year we exported to seven, 40-foot containers. We got into a company called WinCo Foods on the West coast of America with four ranges into its 133 stores, and our 42 staff worked 24 hours a day in our warehouse in Newcastle to put the put the order out in short time. It's done really well. We can't wait for next year.” Dan Robson, Managing Director.

Sustainability was also celebrated with Treadstone Products walking away with this year’s HTA sponsored Sustainability Award for its Rope Trellis.  The judges remarked: “Sometimes the simplest of ideas are the best and this rope trellis provides consumers with a great sustainable solution for climbing plants.”

What the winner had to say: “It’s been a very busy night for us. We have won six awards and we are very, very pleased. “The rope trellis has been an idea that's been buzzing around in the back of my head for many years and it’s something a bit different. It’s one of these things you tend to get a feel for when lots and lots of people, young and old, male or female universally seems to be attracted to it. That’s when you know you're onto a winner.”  Dean Winters, Product and Marketing Director.

GIMA AWARDS 2023 - PRODUCT AWARDS

Garden Care - Sponsored by Decco

Winner: Sipcam Home & Garden - Organic Superfood for Peat-Free Compost

Finalists: STV International - The Big Cheese Poison Free Range, Westland - John Innes Peat-Free Compost Range, Hygeia - Nature Safe Seaweed Enriched Feed

Category Sustainability Champion: STV International - The Big Cheese Poison Free Range

About the winner: It’s an organic product users can mix into compost, or around the base of plants, resulting in up twice the crop yield and bigger brighter blooms within their peat-free gardening projects. With the benefit of high-efficacy and being environmentally friendly retailers finally have a solution that encourages increased use of peat-free compost. 

What the judges said: “This has delivered a solution for peat free growing where consumers are struggling with performance.”

Growing, Planting Equipment and Sundries

Winner: Autopot Global - Tray2Grow

Finalists: Treadstone - Rope Trellis, Elho - Green Basics Growpot and Growtray All-in-One, Hozelock- Wonderhoze

Category Sustainability Champion: Treadstone - Rope Trellis

About the winner: One system, five uses. Tray2Grow allows growers unrivalled scope to cultivate using different methods within the same system. This unique versatility is born out of Tray2Grow’s innovative layout, instinctive adjustability, and the incorporation of the patented AQUAvalve water control device, which provides Plant Controlled Irrigation for truly responsive growing.

What the judges said: “Really well thought out design and function. Excellent packaging which is super informative.”

What the winner had to say: “Really pleased to get this award because of the innovation and the technology and the three years of hard work that's gone into getting it ready. And because of its water saving issues, recycled plastic, organic inks that we use on the boxes for the recycled packaging.” Jason Ralph-Smith, Owner of AutoPot Global.

Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements – Sponsored by eBay

Winner: Burgon & Ball - New RHS-endorsed trowels

Finalists:  Gardena - MicroCutting Range, Westland - Kent & Stowe Eversharp Garden Snips, 

About the winner: These new trowels are unique in the market as Burgon & Ball are the only garden tools suppliers endorsed by the RHS. Planting tools are the top-selling stainless category, and these trowels offer exciting design choices for different types of planting, inspiring even those gardeners who already own an everyday trowel.

What the judges said: “A lovely addition to a really comprehensive range of quality hand tools.”

What the winner had to say: “We came up with the range because not everyone wants to use a standard trowel. There are different types of planting and different plants. So we looked into what those were and made sure we had a solution for every type of planting. It's been wonderfully received by the trade, so we're really proud to get the award and the recognition. And the sales have been good. The feedback and the distribution wins we've had from it is one of the easiest we've had in years. We should have done it a long time ago.” Ruth Posey, Sales Director.

Outdoor Leisure 

Winner: Zest Outdoor Living - Garden Bar Set

Finalists: Primeur - Eco Trend Recycled Rubber BBQ Mat, Maze Outdoor - Bali Rope Weave 8 Seat Oval Dining Set with Interchangeable Cushion Covers, Hozelock – Outdoor Shower

Category Sustainability Champion: Primeur - Eco Trend Recycled Rubber BBQ Mat

About the winner:  In a market full of converted garden sheds or open lectern style bars, this product is like no other. It folds from a features packed bar to a super compact footprint in seconds, securely storing the drinks and stools ready for next time.

What the judges said: “A clever multifunctional design and a great addition to any outdoor living space.”

Plants, Seeds and Bulbs

Winner: Westland – Nature’s Haven Easy Wildflowers Shady Mix

Finalists: Westland – Unwins Gardener's Seed Box, Tildenet - Haxnicks Wildflower Seedballs

Category Sustainability Champion: Tildenet - Haxnicks Wildflower Seedballs

About the winner: Nature’s Haven Easy Wildflowers Shady Mix combines flower seeds as well as seed sowing granules handpicked to be perfect for shady areas. The seeds include native British Isles wildflowers for a nectar rich and colourful wildflower garden.

What the judges said: “An easy way to sow seeds and a good specific mix for shady spots.”

Garden Landscaping

Winner: Treadstone Products – Rope Trellis

Finalists: Primeur – EZ Border Recycled Rubber Mower Edge, Forest Garden - Slatted Arch

Category Sustainability Champion: Treadstone Products – Rope Trellis

About the winner: Inspired by traditional cargo nets, this natural trellis feature is hand woven using clever non-slipping knots. Available in five sizes, the trellis can be used on fences and walls or simply suspended between two posts to create natural screening. It can be easily lifted off a fence to allow access for painting.

What the judges said: “'This is a superb natural climber support with great sustainable credentials.”

Garden Clothing & Gifts

Winner: Phoenox Textiles - Hug Rug Rainbow Trust Charity Mats

Finalists: Treadstone Products – ClipGlove Recycled Bottle Glove, EP Barrus - Memory Foam Folding Kneeler

Category Sustainability Champion: Phoenox Textiles - Hug Rug Rainbow Trust Charity Mats

About the winner: These new Hug Rug designs allow customers to make a feel-good purchase that also gives back. Not only are these designs useful for gardeners but they are also responsible, environmentally friendly products, that support a worthy charity – Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.

What the judges said: “Lovely design, great quality and a wonderful story behind these rugs.”

Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products

Winner: CJ Wildlife - National Trust Kids Range

Finalists: Fauna Bird (Singing Friend) - YARA 100% Recycled Fat Ball Feeder, Westland - 'Peckish Complete Paper Packaging

Category Sustainability Champion: Fauna Bird (Singing Friend) - YARA 100% Recycled Fat Ball Feeder

About the winners: These products were developed as a complete start-up range to engage with children and encourage them to take an interest in wildlife. The range start at affordable ‘pocket money’ prices and whilst the build-your-own kits may cost a little more they are great gifts that encourage teamwork, imagination and, most of all, fun!

What the judges said: “A great way to get kids outside and engaged with nature.”

What the winner had to say: “We're really proud of it. We wanted the range to not just be something they buy and take home, but something they could build, decorate, and colour. And then watch the birds use them as well so children are learning through fun.”

Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation 

Winner: The Solar Centre – Slimsafe Solar Security Light

Finalist: Capi Europe - Hydria Water Feature Kit with Planter, The AMES Companies - Easy Fountain Ango Falls, The Solar Centre- Gemini Solar Wall Light

Category Sustainability Champion: The Solar Centre – Slimsafe Solar Security Light

About the winner: These lights use microwave motion sensors and magnify the solar energy to its panel to maximise the power gained and the light emitted.

What the judges said: “A brilliantly bright solar security light, made to last.”

Decorative Pots & Planters 

Winner: Capi Europe - Groove Recyclable Planter 533

Finalist: Primeur - Tierra Verde Recycled Rubber Trough Collection, Forest Garden - Living Screen Planter

Category Sustainability Champion: Capi Europe - Groove Recyclable Planter 533

About the winner: This new planter is now made from recyclable material and has seen its manufacturing move from China to Europe in a move to reshore productions and cut energy consumption. What’s more, it is a beautiful pot.

What the judges said: “A great example of recycling, in this instance sawdust, into great looking pots.”

GIMA AWARDS 2023 – MARKETING AWARDS

Best Point of Sale Material

Winner: Wildlife World - Artisan Nester Display Tree

Finalists: Westland - G.E.M.S - Gardening Essentials Merchandising Solutions, Elho - The Ocean Collection Octagon Stand, Treadstone Products - Rope Trellis Display Stand

Category Sustainability Champion: Elho - The Ocean Collection Octagon Stand

About the winner: The new Artisan Nester display trees have been handmade in Wildlife World’s workshop using its CNC machine. Made from OSB board, with holes for wooden dowel, the display tree has been designed to hold and/or hang the company’s Fairtrade handmade Artisan Nesters and comes complete with hanging Fairtrade signs. 

What the judges said: “A great bit of retail theatre that brings the product to life whilst, at the same time, allows the product to be the star.”

What the winner had to say: “This is a team effort. Our sales team came up with the concept. We brought it back to the workshop, showed it to one of the workshop designers. He created it and we made it. We now have over 150 [in stores] and sales are going up by three, four, 500% by using it. Sales are just astronomical and in a very small footprint of around two-foot square.” Mark Pittman, Managing Director.

Best Sustainable Product Packaging

Winner: Westland - Peckish Natural Balance Local Seed Mix

Finalists: Westland - Peckish Complete Paper Packaging, Altico - Recycled Water Feature Packaging

Category Sustainability Champions: Westland - Peckish Natural Balance Local Seed Mix

About the winner: Through the sourcing of local ingredients to plastic-free packaging, Westland is committed to a sustainable future. The new improved recipes include varieties that contain more seeds for more birds and are locally sourced. The best-selling brand in the market, making a difference with sustainable new packaging solutions.

What the judges said: “Great bit of sustainable packaging design without losing the strong brand identity.”

Best Marketing Communication & Social Media Award

Winner: Gardena- GARDENA ReTh!nk @ Chelsea Flower Show

Finalists: Elho - 'The Ocean Collection’ online media campaign video, Wildlife World - Print Your Own POS, Evergreen Garden Care, Grow Your Own on a Budget Campaign

About the winner: The powerful message of the ReTh!nk garden is built on the Circular R’s: Reduce, Repair, Recycle. Gardena quantify and qualify how sustainable each of its products are and the company aims to create more circular innovations to help consumers make conscious and sustainable decisions.

What the judges said: “Great use of the Chelsea Flower Show to underline brand values and launch products. A well-rounded campaign to appeal to new gardeners.”

What the winner had to say:  “Sustainability is a massive factor within our industry, a massive factor within our business. The ReTh!nk campaign was basically a task of an individual to see what they could change in their daily gardening life that would make an impact to the earth and environment. It has made people think a little bit more about what they were doing and we're very, very delighted to win the award today.” Edward Cantle. Channel Sales Manager - Garden Centres and Independent Retailers.

See GTN Xtra's gallery of photos from the evening below.