The Queen’s visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, gave gardening a boost of positive media attention this week and your planteria staff will no doubt be getting requests for the regal red and purple flowered plants that stood out amongst the bright whites and lush green foliage of the show gardens.

Overall sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers database were static week on week compared with 2021 when sales dipped in the third week of May. Another week like that in the run up to the Jubilee and sales for the month could still reach parity with last year.

At Chelsea, Bramblecrest reported good levels of sales and we’ve had reports from centres who said they had a burst of pre-Jubilee outdoor leisure purchasing.

In the background the GTN team are very busy getting ready for Glee, with compilation of the Glee Daily News, the Glee publications and entries for the Glee New Product Showcase. Judging by the entries we’ve already seen for Glee 2022, the first in June, it could well be a vintage year for innovation in our market. We look forward to seeing you there.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 20.

• Garden Products Top 50 – static 0%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 7%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 11%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 13%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 20

• All Plants with Barcode index – up 5%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 24%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

In the May 2022 issue of GTN magazine:

• Coming of age for Cherry Lane
• Garden centre ambulance for Ukraine
• Make your own vinok - aid ideas from Ukraine
• Glee Buyers Power List Nomination Form
• Get ready for a summer of trade shows
• GTN meets the suppliers – Zest
• Greenfingers Ty Hafan garden opens
• LOFA Column – Excited for SOLEX 2022
• HTA Column – Veg led revolution
• GIMA Column – The great juggling act of 2022.

Read on-line here:

Read GTN's Sustainability Directory 2022 here:

GTN’s Guide to Sustainability Innovations for Garden Centre Retailing.

In this issue:

• Encouraging customers to make the switch to peat free gardening - comment from RHS, Millbrook, Buckingham, The Gardens Group, Hillier, Cherry Lane, Pughs, Alton's, Groves, St Peters, Monkton Elm, Lakeside Plant Centre, Planters, Notcutts, Green Pastures, Summerseat & Bradley Fold Garden Centres.
• Taking Charge – Garden Centre EV Charging.
• LOFA members Improving green credentials.
• Get ready for new EPR regulations.
• Green commitment at Highfield Garden World.
• Small steps, big difference at The Gardens Group.
• Plant Hope at Perrywood.
• New Sustainable Products.
• Sustainability Directory 2022.

Read on-line here:

Read GTN's May 2022 Issue here:

Gardening accessories brand fenceBUDDY was created by Kim O'Brien who designed products for her own plot despite struggling with mobility issues.

Kim takes up the story: “As someone who always wanted a lovely colour-filled garden but had little time, when I retired through my own mobility struggles I searched for garden accessories that would help me bring life and colour to our garden without the need for tools and no bending or kneeling as I struggle to not only get down but also get back up again!

“I soon realised that there wasn't anything suitable, so began designing myself. I had a local fabricator make me samples and when friends and neighbours saw the designs they wanted to know where they too could buy them. That's how fenceBUDDY was born and retirement ended.

“My products are no-tools required, recyclable, multipurpose, long-lasting and for every level of gardener to bring colour and interest to their gardens all year round. Not only can plants be grown up the trellis but the new design S Hooks mean that decorations, planters and more can be hung from the trellis or over the fence panels. 

“The fenceBUDDY trellis is made of powder-coated aluminium so is weatherproof and lightweight, can be moved around your fences and won't damage the panels. There are a couple of other products in the range currently, my goal is to build a brand with year round products to appeal to and decorate gardens for all seasons.

“To ensure the best value and quality for all my designs, I have sourced manufacturing abroad.  With approx 18% of the UK population having some kind of mobility impairment, a further 6% with more serious disabilities, and 100% of gardeners looking to enjoy easier gardening, the market potential is huge.”

You can see fenceBUDDY products in the Innovators Zone at Glee (stand: 19H44).

Timber garden furniture experts, EKJU, have been responsible for developing many popular furniture sets since they were established in 1992. In the last 30 years the company have developed a reputation for not only quality products but innovative designs. 

In what’s been a year of celebrating their 30^th birthday, there has also been a continuation of developing products that are ready for ecommerce channel sales as well as traditional retail. The EKJU range has always been user friendly and for several years the focus has also been ensuring their products are as easy for customers to sell, no matter what segment of the market they are.

Modern products for the modern world

As well as having traditional furniture favorites, EKJU have products that offer differentiation when compared to competitors. One of the more contemporary product options available from EKJU is the V-FRO collection, a designer garden furniture range like no other.

With curved base seats and sturdy V shaped legs, this collection provides a combination of ergonomic design and solid craftsmanship. V-FRO provides the user with a supremely comfortable experience with the bonus of having a uniquely stylish look. The range is finished in a stained grey paint which is applied to durable FSC Pine and Spruce.

Designed by gardening product designer Matthias Froböse, all the seats feature tilted inverted seat boards which create a bowl-like support for users to sit into and relax. All furniture sets are space efficient being well suited to modern homes that are now typically built with smaller gardens or balconies.

The V-FRO Garden Table can be accompanied by any of the benches in the range. This modern-looking table is lightweight yet robust in its design. Featuring a 28mm thick table-top, the garden table is a perfect family outdoor dining table for use during the spring and summer months.

The table is especially complimented by the V-FRO Large Bench which provides a deep two-seater garden bench with three angled timber boards to make an ergonomic curve base seat. This seat makes for a very comfortable bench seat to accompany a dining table, ideal for alfresco entertainment with loved ones. With a sturdy build, the bench comes flat packed with an easy to assemble design.

For a handy seating solution, the V-FRO Chair is a functional take on a classic design. With a solid back support, the base seat boards are curved inwards which offers extra stability and comfort to users. Its small footprint also makes it a very space-efficient item that can easily be moved around the garden wherever it is needed.

Consumer ready

Since 1992, the EKJU product standard has been a marriage between high quality and user-friendly designs.

In a world of multi-channel routes to market that retailers operate in, EKJU make huge efforts to ensure the product is not just consumer ready but also seller friendly. This is why ranges like the V-FRO collection are supplied in a ‘ready to take home’ and ‘ready to home deliver’ format. This is achieved by using compact packaging, clear product labelling and easy to assemble products.

It doesn’t matter how you sell, because EKJU ensure the product is ready for you and have the sales solution available for your retail requirements. To tailor a range suitable for your business, speak to EKJU today. EKJU will be celebrating their 30^th birthday at the upcoming Glee exhibition at the NEC Birmingham 28^th-30^th June (stand 6H40-J41). Contact Austris Intenbergs now (austris.intenbergs@ekju.lv) to discuss your requirements and to arrange a visit to the Glee stand.

For further company information please visit - www.ekju.com.

Reducing single-use plastic has been a key driver for Treadstone’s Recycled Pot range. Now in its second year, the ranges’ popularity is growing and growing and so is the product offering.

Made in Italy, the recycled plastic pot range by The Good Life brand, has less environmental impact than standard plastic pots by producing no plastic waste - being 100% recycled and 100% recyclable.

Growing range, growing sustainability

For 2022 the content of the raw material was upgraded to have a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled waste. This means the Treadstone Pot range features more material from plastic that has been used to manufacture an item, which was then discarded, recycled and reprocessed. This type of waste material closes the circular economy loop, meaning the waste never touches landfill and contributes towards a new purpose or product. 

To reinforce Treadstone’s commitment to reduce single use plastics the whole Recycled Pots range also has zero plastic packaging.

Stylish pots for all garden styles

With a unique patented textured surface the Recycled Pots have a premium authentic look without the heavy weight of a stone planter. Twinned with a choice of three on-trend colours, they are the perfect companion for both flowering and foliage plants. The Terracotta range is great for the traditional English garden. Urban Grey offers a contemporary style to any outdoor space but is most suited to modern gardens or balconies. For a softer more subtle tone, the Latte collection is great for accentuating the colour of flowers and plants.

With three great colours, there are four product variations available at affordable retail prices. This includes Cube and Cylinder Pots from £3.79 RRP, available in five sizes from 20cm to 40cm diameter. To match the pots, Round Saucers are available from £1.99 RRP. Troughs with assorted depths, widths, and lengths give the perfect option for many requirements, from windowsill planters to deeper troughs for stunning floral displays. Troughs come supplied with a saucer, a self-watering feature and are available from £3.19 RRP. Finally, a range of Bowls from £4.79 RRP provide an adaptable planting solution in three sizes, which are perfect for small plants and bulbs.

Impactful Retail Displays

To help spread the message of reducing environmental impact and less plastic waste a timber framed Recycled Pot Stand is available. This three-tiered merchandiser holds the full pot range for the colour style listed. This includes impactful POS headers and shelf edge strips which help sell the sustainability and uniqueness of the range.  

The Recycled Pots range offers easy to use, great looking products that are more sustainable than ever.  

DARE TO SELL DIFFERENT and contact us for more information and pricing – sales@treadstoneproducts.com.

It really was a family affair in the true sense of the word at the first Business Eye Family Business Awards, as Alan Mercer of Hillmount attended the glittering awards ceremony accompanied by his three month old daughter.

The event was meticulously executed in typical Business Eye fashion, with toe tapping and crowd pleasing entertainment, and the atmosphere created by the 400 strong audience, made up of the best of businesses from across Northern Ireland, was palpable.

Speaking about being named Large Business ‘Next Generation Family Business Leader’, Alan Mercer, fourth generation Managing Director of Hillmount, said: “I am absolutely honoured and humbled to be awarded the title of ‘Next Generation Family Business Leader’ as the competition was certainly strong in this category.

“At Hillmount we are a family business in the true sense of family and in that spirit it was fitting that my guest at the awards was our three month old daughter! I think she’s the youngest guest ever to have attended the Business Eye Awards!

“I want to pay tribute to the staff at Hillmount for their dedication and who have assisted our family for the past 82 years in making Hillmount the multi award winning business that it is today. My great grandfather would be so proud of what we have achieved since he established the business in 1940. And I want to congratulate Richard and Brenda Buckley on the first Family Business Awards. It was a spectacular evening and an incredible opportunity for business leaders to celebrate their successes during what is probably one of the most difficult and challenging of times that businesses here have found themselves operating in.”

Hillmount is a fourth generation garden lifestyle business established by Hill Mercer in 1940. Their portfolio includes three garden centres in Northern Ireland - Bangor, Belfast and Ards - and a newly opened garden lifestyle store in Cheshire, England.

www.hillmount.co.uk, www.facebook.com/hillmount, www.instagram.com/hillmountbelfast

Leading landscaping products supplier, Boughton has celebrated the opening of its new depot in Hinckley, South-West Leicestershire.

The expansion signals a significant investment by the company and is part of its five-year growth plans to better cater to rapidly-growing demand for natural and sustainable landscaping products.

The move will improve service to customers in Birmingham Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Derbyshire, creating new opportunities for the supplier.

The new site in Hinckley has increased Boughton’s capacity and enabled the company to offer customers greater availability, plus extremely competitive rates on BLS2 Screened Natural Topsoil, BLS20 Natural Topsoil (natural topsoil blended with 20% compost), and BLS40 Natural Topsoil (natural topsoil blended with 40% compost).

The Hinckley depot is a welcome addition to Boughton’s operations, which already include a soil production facility in Kettering and hardcore recycling facility in Boughton, Northamptonshire. To bring the new project to fruition, Boughton partnered with Powners Farm in Hinckley to make use of some of its land and resources, including staff, a telehandler, and drying shed. 

Boughton has installed a screen onsite and trained staff to screen and blend soil to its exacting standards, ensuring that the high quality Boughton’s customers have come to expect is maintained. The site already had a weighbridge system, which Boughton has updated with new technology to link seamlessly with its current systems; providing a smooth transition. 

Boughton managing director Simon Hedley commented: “We were delighted to open our new Hinckley depot this spring. It is an important next step in our growth plans and will help position the business, so that it is better placed to meet the huge increase in demand that we are seeing for natural and sustainable landscaping products.”

He continued: “The site in Hinckley is a great location for us, as it has enabled us to offer more competitive pricing for customers in Birmingham, Warwickshire and Derbyshire, thus opening us up to exciting new business opportunities. With the current price of diesel and haulage, in general, the plan with this new site in Hinckley is to reduce our customers’ costs, whilst also slashing product miles. We look forward to what the future holds and how the Hinckley depot will enhance the service we can provide. The new depot is already outperforming expectations”.

W: www.boughton.co.uk

T: 01536 510515

Poor weather in April affected sales in core categories at garden centres across the country according to the latest Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report.

Sales in outdoor plants were down -15.21%, houseplant sales were down -17.16% and seed and bulb sales were also down -14.99% compared to the same month in 2021.

GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “We have had a bit of a wet start to the year weather-wise, which has led to the season being slightly delayed, which is why we believe we have seen sales in core categories being affected.

“We hope the last of the bad weather is behind us as May has definitely seen some improvement, possibly proving there is some truth in the age old saying ‘April showers bring May flowers.’”

The category with the biggest drop in sales was hard landscaping, which was down -32.67% compared to the same month in the previous year (2021).

Iain added: “During the 2020 lockdown and continuing into the spring/early summer of 2021, many garden projects were completed while people were staying at home. Some of these were brought forward, which means there is currently less to do this and next year in the garden and with restrictions being lifted, people are out and about more than they have been in the last two years, hence the bigger decrease in sales.”

Sales in garden sundries were down -20.83%, furniture and barbecue sales were down -22.62% and food hall and farm shop sales were down -14.51%.

Gift sales were down -7.49%, pets and aquatic sales were -10.21% down and clothing sales were up at 12.73%.

Catering sales were up 372.28%.

Iain continued: “It is difficult to compare catering sales in 2022 to 2021 and 2020 and we would need to look at sales from 2019 to get any meaningful comparison, however, the way many centres operate now is very different to 2019. Lower footfall but a greater spend/transaction value is a common thread from our member garden centres in relation to catering.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

The formal relaunch of Bridgemere Show Gardens, located within the grounds of Bridgemere Garden Centre, attracted hundreds of guests and VIPs, as well as the original founder of the gardens, John Ravenscroft. 

The Gardens were opened by Mr Ravenscroft and Blue Diamond’s Managing Director, Alan Roper. 

The day was filled with live music, happy gardeners, and a real sense of excitement for the future of the Gardens. Proceedings were captured on the video below.

Bridgemere Show Gardens are set in 6 acres and is home to 13 stunning individual gardens, seven of which are Gold and Silver Medal award-winning gardens from the RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Flower Shows. 

The garden has a collection of 9 nationally and county important Champion trees, including Cercidiphyllum, japonicum Pendulum, commonly known as the Candy Floss tree, because of its fragrance, as well as over 120 rhododendrons, including the stunning variety Christmas Cheer.  A significant collection of spectacular magnolias, including Iolanthe and Manchu Fan. 

The Founder of the Gardens, John Ravenscroft, holds the Royal Horticultural Society Veitch Memorial Medal which is awarded to "persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of the science and practice of horticulture". 

He was awarded the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2008, which is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the UK whom the RHS Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society.   

He received it "for his plantsmanship, entrepreneurial talent and encyclopaedic knowledge of plants."  

He also won a lifetime achievement award from Garden Retail in 2007. 

Find out more about the show gardens and how to visit 

at https://www.bridgemereshowgardens.co.uk/

Judges from the horticultural industry will evaluate entrants for the New Plant Awards the day before the Horticultural Trades Association’s National Plant Show (June 20, 2022) and one sponsor says sustainability may be prominent this year.

Following the HTA’s competition rules, the judges must look at plant quality, suitability for the market and improvements and/or originality compared with currently available similar plants.

Terri Jones, Managing Director at Joy of Plants, who is sponsoring the New Plant Award, said: “The judges for 2022 are Laura Jackson, General Manager of Swarkestone Nursery & HTA Council Member for East Midlands, Andy Smith, Head of Buying at Klondyke Strikes Garden Centres, Chris Young, Editor of The Garden magazine and Jane Moore, Head Gardener at The Bath Priory, TV presenter, writer, lecturer and garden designer.

“I wonder whether this year there will also be comments from the judges about sustainability, following industry trends and concerns – how much water the plant will likely need, whether it will perform well in peat free and free draining compost, how drought, downpour and pest resistant it is.

“Crucially, plants must be ‘new’, that is they must not have been commercially available before January of 2022 or have been entered in new plant competitions prior to the National Plant Show. This part of the judging happens weeks before the show and will be done by myself, as the New Plant Award sponsor.

“It’s sometimes quite hard to tell whether a plant is ‘new’ or not. A plant can be available from a breeder many years before it is actually available to buy in garden centres in the UK.

“The variety may first be given to young plant growers like Seiont Nurseries, or other growers who take on new varieties, companies like Wyevale Nurseries, Bransford Webbs and Fairweather's Nursery. They may grow trial quantities of a plant for a period of time and you might see some of these ‘trial’ plants on their stands at shows if they are looking for a bit of initial feedback from their peers.

“It’s only after a new plant can be grown reliably at volume with the desired quality that they can be made commercially available. And it’s at that point the plant is ready to be entered into the New Plant Awards.”

The awards provide a valuable role in raising awareness of new plants in the trade, and giving breeders and growers the critical feedback they need from judges and visitors alike.

Terri continued: “Looking back through my records of judging from previous years I’d pick these characteristics as ones that tick boxes for the judges every time – great colour, novelty in colour or habit, how the plant looks in a pot on a sales shelf (is it good-looking and fulsome, a good-sized plant with sales appeal?), a marketable name that’s easily memorable, a genus of plant that’s a favourite for consumers, plants that are edible and ornamental, and of course compactness and suitability for container growing on patios and balconies.

“I can’t wait to see all the new varieties in real life. Fortunately, I’m on stand 98 just next to the New Plant Awards, so I’ll easily be able to get over and see them all! We’ll have our Plant Finder touchscreen kiosks and bed cards on display, showing how retailers are being supported to sell the best plants from last year’s show with online plant information and point of sale. And all this year’s New Plants in the Awards will be added too, after the Show.

“I’d encourage everyone who can to come to the show, as it’s a fantastic opportunity to see the best new plants coming from growers all over the UK and to meet the people who bring them to us.”

Joy of Plants’ mission is to make plant information easy and accessible to all. It has created a library of more than 15,300 UK garden plants and trees and offers a platform of tools to help garden centres, retailers, growers and breeders maximise their plant sales and income.

It provides this information in many products including an Image and Text Library for ecommerce sites, a Plant Finder for websites and Touchscreen Kiosks, and print on-demand Bed Cards.

For further details about Joy of Plants, please call 07717 532323 or visit www.joyofplants.com.

After experiencing disruption because of the pandemic, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show returned in full force, with members of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) scooping up several coveted awards.  

Gardens promoted a range of important issues relevant to the entire industry, including sustainability and peat-free.  

This year saw APL members hauling an impressive range of medals, including eight gold, five silver-gilt, seven silver, and one bronze, as well as three five-start rated trade stands.  

Landscape Associates won Best in Show, Landform Consultants won Best Construction and Big Fish won Best Balcony/Container Garden.  

Boyd Douglas-Davies, President, Horticultural Trades Association, said: “My congratulations go out to all the winners at what is promising to be a very successful RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022. This is going to be a great week for our HTA and APL members with so many of them getting the recognition they deserve. The displays have been phenomenal.”  

The awards are as follows: 

Show Gardens 

BEST IN SHOW – A Rewilding Britain Landscape 

Built by Landscape Associates, exhibited by Urquhart & Hunt Landscape Design  

GOLD – A Rewilding Britain Landscape  

Built by Lanscape Associates, exhibited by Urquhart & Hunt Landscape Design  

GOLD – The Morris & Co. Garden 

Built by Garden Builders, exhibited by Ruth Willmott Associates 

GOLD – MEDITE SMARTPLY Building the Future 

Built by Landform, exhibited by Sarah Eberle  

SILVER – Brewin Dolphin Garden 

Built by BIG Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Paul Hervey-Brookes Associates  

SILVER – The Perennial Garden ‘With Love’ 

Built by Stewart Landscape, exhibited by Richard Miers Garden Design  

Sanctuary Gardens 

GOLD – The Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden 

Built by Jamie Butterworth and Form, exhibited by Sarasin and Partners / Jamie Butterworth  

GOLD – A Garden Sanctuary by Hamptons 

Built by Garden Club London, exhibited by Garden Club London 

SILVER GILT – The Plantman’s Ice Garden 

Built by Keyscape (Ruper Keys), exhibited by The PlantMan & Co  

SILVER – The SSAFA Garden 

Built by Arun Landscapes, exhibited by Catfoot Garden Designs and sponsored by CCLA 

Balcony/Container and All About Plants Gardens 

BEST BALCONY AND CONTAINER GARDEN – The Still Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Jane Porter Gardens  

GOLD – The Still Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Jane Porter Gardens 

GOLD – The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution 

Built by Conquest Creative Spaces, exhibited by Smith-Williams Garden Design 

SILVER GILT – The Potting Balcony Garden  

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by It Will Grow, sponsored by Biking  

SILVER GILT – The Cirrus Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Cloud Gardener UK  

SILVER GILT – Wild Kitchen Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Ann Treneman 

SILVER GILT – The Enchanted Rain Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Beatrice Tann  

SILVER – The Blue Garden 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Tom Wilkes-Rios  

SILVER – MANDALA, MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS GARDEN 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Border in a Box  

SILVER – A Mediterranean Reflection 

Built by Landform, exhibited by Mallorca Garden Design  

SILVER – The Mothers for Mothers Garden 

Built by This Too Shall Pass Landscraft, exhibited by Pollyanna Wilkinson Garden Design  

BRONZE – JAY DAY 

Built by Big Fish Landscapes, exhibited by Alison Malouf  

Floral Awards in The Great Pavilion Awards 

GOLD – A display of ericaceous trees and shrubs 

Burncoose Nurseries  

GOLD – A display of fragrant English Roses 

David Austin Roses Ltd  

GOLD – Old fashioned and contemporary roses set in a garden scene  

Peter Beales Roses  

GOLD – A display of daffodil flowers 

Taylor Bulbs 

SILVER – The Enchanting Peony 

Primrose Hall Peonies  

RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year 2022 

Dobbies range of peat-free John Innes 1,2 & 3 composts  

For more information on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show.  

Chelsea Flower show 2022 would have been the 70^th year Peter Seabrook was involved in creating a display at the world’s most prestigious flower show.

For the majority of those years, Peter was designing and creating displays, often pushing the barriers of what was expected, be that creating raised walkways above Sun Flower Street or introducing new plants often with more colour and annual flower than was really understood by the judges.

The plans Peter had submitted for what he said would be his last ever display at Chelsea (those of us who worked closely with him had been hearing this for probably 20 years!) never received approval before Peter’s sudden death in January of this year.

A team of people, led by Val Christman, who had worked on displays at many events over the years with Peter have pulled together and self funded a tribute display at this year’s show, with some help on space in the Great Pavilion from the RHS.

Val told us:“Everything we have used in the display has been to Chelsea before with Peter. The pergola, the paving and a number of the planters have all been renovated and used in this display. Peter used to talk about recycling flowerpots long before it became fashionable, so I think he would approve of what we have created!

"All the plants have been to Chelsea before too. Some we have dug out of Peter’s garden, others like the Allium Lavender Bubbles, Peter gave to me after the show last September when he introduced it as a new plant. Peter Beales lent us a Rose Chevy Chase for a display 10 years ago so it is wonderful they have done the same again in memory of Peter. Every plant has a story associated with it some going back many years others more recent like the Verbena Margaret’s Memory which peter introduce last year and was such a hit with show visitors.

"We have even sneaked in a few of the Chrysanthemum Poppins grown again by the students from Pershore High School, that formed the centre piece of the pyramid Peter created at the show in September last year.

"The only thing which will be new on the stand is the lovely oak bench that has been purchased and will have a memorial plaque on it. I think Peter would be proud of what we have achieved and perhaps even a little humbled by the effort the industry has made to honour his years of work and commitment to our industry. I must say a huge thank you to all the growers and suppliers who have helped us pull this together in such a short time.”

Peter’s daughter Alison and son Roger will be attending Chelsea on Monday 23^rd May when the display will also be used by the charity Peter was a founding Trustee of the David Colegrave Foundation to make an important announcement at 11.00am with some of the friends of Peter’s from the trade gathering for a picture.

In light of the RHS banning artificial grass from this week’s Chelsea Flower Show, leading brands Cobra and the Grass People have offered their comments.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, commented: "We’re thrilled to see the RHS standing against artificial grass. We, of course, celebrate lawns and all the benefits that they bring. A freshly cut lawn can’t be beaten. It is the centrepiece of a garden and is aesthetically pleasing but the benefits go far beyond that; lawns can boost drainage and help prevent flooding, they can boost biodiversity, absorb carbon dioxide and encourage nature and wildlife to gardens. Not to mention the mental health benefits that the feel and smell of freshly cut grass brings! Lawns, and green spaces, have been proven to reduce stress and improve mood, with the smell of freshly cut grass releasing endorphins.

"It's such a shame to see lawns being dug up and replaced by plastic alternatives. In a time when we’re all trying to reduce plastic usage, it makes no sense for gardens which are meant to enhance the planet, to be filled with unnecessary and unsightly plastic. Artificial grass is expensive, and not as maintenance-free as people first think as they can get damaged and will ultimately need replacing. Artificial grass creates a barrier to the soil, removing habits for burrowing insects and worms, starving them of food sources and creating a wholly inhabitable space. We support the RHS’s stance and hope to see an ongoing celebration of lawns for many years to come."

Experts at The Grass People have weighed in on the debate, with Chris McIlroy saying: “Although plastic grass is convenient, it doesn’t last forever. It looks good instantly but can wear badly and is then very hard to recycle. Not only that, high quality plastic grass is expensive and requires more maintenance than many people realise. 

“Plastic grass can get very hot as it absorbs heat and can even cause burns. It can also cause injury through friction burns if kids (or adults) are playing on it which means it isn’t always a family friendly option. It can also be tricky for families with pets as cleaning up after them can be difficult.

“Plastic grass also contributes to local flooding as there isn’t any drainage so large volumes of rain water can be displaced and cause problems elsewhere. The production and disposal of plastic grass can also create pollution and destroy spaces for wildlife. 

“On the other hand, real grass is 100% natural, can help with pollution and provides a home for wildlife. A 50x50 foot lawn releases enough oxygen for a family of four, while trapping harmful gases produced by pollution. It’s safe for children and animals to play on and doesn’t need to be cleaned. It’s also great at absorbing noise which is helpful for those living in louder areas or who have noisy neighbours. 

“Although the grass does need to be mown frequently in the summer - during winter a lawn is fairly low maintenance. It can also help improve the quality of the soil and ease the risk of flooding. 

“Some homeowners do face challenges with their grass, such as shade and clay soils which may encourage them to purchase artificial grass, however this can be easily solved with the right seed and know-how.” 

British Garden Centres family have launched their new signature Hydrangea Red Butterfly at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Hydrangea Red Butterfly has a wonderful colour and is named to celebrate the company’s recent logo refresh. 

The Hydrangea Red Butterfly has launched as an RHS Chelsea Flower Show exclusive and will be launched in the garden centre later in the year. The plant is also supporting Greenfingers charity, as £10 from each plant sold at the show will be donated to the charity. 

Hydrangeas are always a popular plant at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as they look so good at this time of year. Tom Cook, Plant Buyer at British Garden Centres, secured this plant for the group. He has created many magnificent Hydrangea displays in the Floral Marquee and even won a Gold Medal Winner for them with his father. 

Tom said, “Hydrangeas are a beautiful plant and have a lot of meaning behind them and to me personally. When looking for the perfect plant to launch as the group's signature at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a red hydrangea was the only option. It links to the group's symbolism for passion through the colour and name, which is the Red Butterfly.”

In March 2022, British Garden Centres launched their new logo design with a hand-crafted Butterfly sitting front and centre and becoming the image for the brand. The new logo continues to represent the family-led group, and as the business continues to grow and evolve, the butterfly will perfectly represent the transformation and development the business is going through. 

Talking about the new logo, Boyd Douglas-Davies, PR, and Communications Director, said, “Just like our garden centres, butterflies are wonderfully unique and come in all shapes and sizes. Whilst they are all different, they are instantly recognisable as butterflies. 

"We feel the same about our 61 centres, as they are unique, and all designed to best serve their local community. Whilst they are all completely different, they do have several instantly recognisable features as British Garden Centres because of the wonderful teams, great plants and products, exceptional value and delicious food and drink."

Dobbies has received a trio of awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including the RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award, the RHS Assessors’ Award for Retail Innovation, new for 2022, and, a five star rating for its trade stand.

This year marks the third year that Dobbies has been awarded five stars for its trade stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The stand features a stunning wildlife living wall packed full of hardy ferns and plants for pollinators; a wildflower meadow roof; an easy to grow patio herb garden; lemons, grapefruit, and lots of other container planting ideas to inspire gardens indoor or out.

Used throughout the planting on the Dobbies’ stand is the garden centre’s own-brand peat-free compost and the new John Innes Young Plant, Potting-on and Mature Plant peat-free compost range which won the RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year award at this year’s show.

Dobbies CEO, Graeme Jenkins commented: “It’s fantastic that our ‘green sanctuary’ themed stand has been awarded five stars after our team, suppliers and partners worked so hard to bring our vision to life. We’ve had a really positive response from people visiting and it’s been great to shine a light on our commitment to sustainability.

“We are delighted that our John Innes peat-free compost range has been recognised by the RHS’ judges. We began developing our own-brand product in 2018 and are now championing our 100% peat free status in 2022 as we only sell peat-free bagged composts.

“It was also an honour to receive the RHS Assessors’ Award for Retail Innovation, in its first year.”

Dobbies’ stand features contributions from a range of suppliers including Evergreen, Westland, Capi, elho, Contemporary Fencing, Carbon Gold, Harrowden Turf, Ergrownomics, Hozelock, EverGreen Landscapes, Burgon & Ball, Lava Lite, Gardena, Twool, Felco, Coco & Coir, Bradstone, Growing Revolution, The Little Botanical, Floreac, Farplants, Allensmore, Woodlands, BASF and Artmetal.

Dobbies’ Brand Ambassador and This Morning presenter, Daisy Payne will be hosting a special episode of the Dobbies podcast live from Chelsea with Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director. This will be shared on: www.dobbies.com/podcasts.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed the winner of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year at the opening of the world-famous show, sponsored by The Newt in Somerset.

Competing against 19 other shortlisted plants, × Semponium 'Destiny' from Surreal Succulents was selected as the winner, with second place going to Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Dreamland’ (Dreameria Series) from Stonebarn Landscapes and third place to Salvia Pink Amistad (‘Arggr17-011’) from Middleton Nurseries Ltd.

The winning entry was selected by a panel of over 100 plant experts with the annual competition celebrating the work of breeders and nurseries in developing and growing new plant varieties.

The winning plants and the finalists are on display in the Great Pavilion (stand GP224) at RHS Chelsea from 24 to 28 May. Limited tickets are available from www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

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As we reach peak bedding season, a look back on past years’ Plants of the Week shows us that the Top 4 plant bestsellers have been the same since 2019 with Zonal Geraniums dominating sales ahead of Petunias and then Begonias only just outselling Tomato plants.

The Top 10 changes since 2019 are Lobelia, which has moved up each year to be the No 6 bestelling plant this year and Nemesias which have re-enterd the Top 10 after dropping out in 2021.

• Last week the plants that had the highest percentage sales increase in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data were Nasturtiums, up 60% to be No 45 in the chart.
• Platycodon’s were the highest re-entry at No 39.
• Heucheras climbed nine places up the chart to No 40.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

A slight tailing off of Top 50 Growing Media sales volumes week on week hides the fact that sales were up on 2021 levels for the same week, only just below sales levels wehen we first re-opened in 2020 and most importantly they were 17% ahead of the weeks average in the six years pre-pandemic.

• Westland New Horizon Veg Compost 50L was the highest chart mover, up 8 places to No 16.
• Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Performance Organics & Peat Free Multi 40L was a new entry at No 45.
• The Real Soil Company Super Soil Garden Topsoil 25L saw a 30% increase in sales to move up 6 places to No 35.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

The UK exhibitor group at this year’s Gardenex-organised British pavilion within spoga+gafa is offering buyers from across the world a multitude of new product launches at the show.

Spoga+gafa, the world’s leading trade fair for the garden and leisure sector, returns to Cologne, Germany on 19-21 June 2022 after a two-year absence caused by the pandemic.

The British pavilion will be located in a prime spot in Hall 9 (stand D-046a), where the experienced Gardenex team will be manning the industry information stand within the pavilion, offering comprehensive export advice to suppliers and market information plus new product information to show visitors.

When spoga+gafa was last held in 2019, the organisers reported attendance levels of more than 40,000 trade visitors, made up of top decision-makers from 124 countries, underlining the international significance of gafa+spoga.

The spoga section of the event covers garden and leisure (barbecues and outdoor kitchens, heaters and garden furniture); while the gafa element covers all aspects of practical gardening, gift and decoration.

The show attracts garden product buyers from garden centres, DIY stores, webshops/mail order, supermarkets and a diverse assortment of other retailers that include gardening within their range.

The British companies and their products are as follows:

Catwatch by Concept Research Ltd

(Hall 9, Stand D-042a)

Proudly manufactured in Great Britain, PestFree + is two great deterrents in one unit. It releases ultrasonic sound bursts, resulting in the pests retreating from the protected area, and also features two LED lights which simulate a predator’s eyes. The product emits a wide range of ultrasonic signals and so deters more than one type of animal. Cats, foxes and marders will be deterred by this product, protecting birds,flower beds, lawns and cars. Area coverage is up to 88sq m and the power supply is 1x9v high-quality battery or one can use the optional mains adaptor for increased performance. It’s inaudible to humans and harmless to all species.

Emelda Grace Outdoor Furniture

(Hall 11.2, stand M-029)

Emelda Grace designs and manufactures sustainable, luxury outdoor furniture. It uses world-leading technical materials and time-honored British craftsmanship to create all-weather, low maintenance luxury outdoor furniture that delivers a refined comfort experience. 100% made in Britain, Emelda Grace offers consumer and commercial clients outstanding green solutions. Built to last, its furniture is ideal for second-life so Emelda Grace offers to buy back its clients’ furniture to apply TLC before reselling in its used marketplace. In a comparison to similar Asian made furniture, Emelda Grace returned 91% lower transportation and 52% lower raw material manufacturing CO2 emissions.

Gardenex

(Hall 9, stand D-046a)

The Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers Ltd is the UK export trade association that brings together UK suppliers and international buyers. Gardenex provides a free supplier and product sourcing service for international buyers, and its sister division, PetQuip, offers similar services in the petcare product sector. Free refreshments are available on the stand for overseas buyers, and visitors can obtain their copy of the 60th anniversary special edition of the Federation’s Guide to British Gardening & Pet Products and Services.

Gardenskill

(Hall 9, stand D-040a)

Unique, innovative gardening and outdoor products for home, urban gardens and allotments. The company’s gardening range includes pop-up greenhouses for garden and balcony, bird netting plant covers, raised beds, anti-insect protection, tomato frames and grow tunnels. The pet range includes chicken runs, poultry houses and rabbit enclosures. All products are quick to build, easy to use and simple to store – ideal for both amateurs and professionals. Made to the highest production standards by the Gardenskill’s in-house design team with over 50 years of manufacturing and engineering experience.

G Plants Ltd

(Hall 9, stand E-048)

‘Bee Friends With Nature’ is a complete garden and gift range, designed to help gardening for wildlife become a fun and easy option for gardeners everywhere. Ranges include seed shakers, seed bombs and complete seed starter kits. The company is a proud producer of sustainable garden products which contain no chemicals, pesticides or genetically modified seeds.

Grow Sow Simple

(Hall 9, stand D-048)

Grow Sow Simple will be launching its range of exciting grow-your-own products. SeedCell is the latest innovation in grow-your-own. SeedCell is a biodegradable seed pod which you plant. It’s the only kind in the world, made from 100% recycled materials and 100% plastic-free. Micro-grow is a self-watering, soil free, fully hydroponic all-in-one microgreens kit with a refill pack available. Micro-grow is guaranteed to grow and yields incredible results. It’s perfect for the kitchen windowsill or an office desk to capture the urban gardening market. This device needs little space, just some water and a little sunlight.

Home 2 Garden Ltd

(Hall 9, stand E-043)

Home2Garden provides a wide range of garden ornaments, unique solar lights, innovative wind spinners and mesmerising water features. All products are designed in England. The company specialises in working with TV and mail order companies, as well as garden centre chains.

Hydria Life

(Hall 9, stand E-041)

Hydria™ is the world’s first all-in-one water battery-powered fountain kit that fits any planter, instantly turning it into a beautiful feature for garden or home. With a cord-free/solar-free setup gardeners can place the water feature anywhere they choose and enjoy the soothing sight and sound of flowing water. Harnessing the latest in battery technology and power management.

Jardinopia Ltd

(Hall 9, stand D-048a)

Jardinopia produces a unique multi-award winning range of home and garden gifts. Its Eco Pots are made from bamboo and recycled plastic bottles. It also produces Disney and Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit branded garden wear and tool ranges, for both adults and children (over 150 SKUs across four franchises). The range includes: garden aprons, gloves, gauntlets, kneelers, garden tool bags, along with various hand tools, forks, rakes, and secateurs. Diffuser Décor is a fun new diffuser accessory, shortlisted for ‘Gift of the Year 2022’, designed to glam up your reed diffusers. Pot accessories include the award-winning Potty Feet, Cane Companions and Feeder Friends and the very popular range of Pot Buddies.

Kent & Stowe

(Hall 6, stand C040-D039)

Kent & Stowe is synonymous with the quintessential English garden. It combines expertly the classic look and feel of traditional gardening hardware with the latest manufacturing techniques to ensure the best quality product on the market. Kent & Stowe makes great products even better and is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Eversharp secateurs range. The range has been specifically developed to be the sharpest and hardest on the market. All Eversharp secateurs come with a 10-year warranty.

Loud and Clear Safety

(Hall 9, stand E-043a)

A combination ear defender and eye protector with an award winning unique, patented design, which provides true ear protection combined with eye safety. Manufactured in the United Kingdom, it is suitable for gardeners, DIYers and professionals. Easily adjustable with a one-size-fits-all design, it has easy-slide adjustable arms to ensure comfort and correct fit and can be worn with a hard hat, peaked cap, or brimmed hat. With a durable construction for long product life, it has a stylish and innovative design, providing unprecedented comfort and safety for long periods of use. The product conforms with relevant health and safety standards.

Mr Fothergill’s

(Hall 9, stand D-042)

Mr Fothergill’s will show visitors how it makes more money for English garden centres by developing ranges for a wide range of customers. It has products for consumers who want to save money on growing their own vegetables but are new to gardening. Its seed packet ranges cater for gardeners who want to grow the very best varieties, buyers who want to save money on cut flowers, and people who want to easily understand the varieties that create a home for wildlife.

Panacea Products Ltd

(Hall 9, stand E-049)

Panacea, a large family business for 50 years, is a brand-leading manufacturer of decorative garden products and proud to be renowned for high quality and exciting product development which introduces extensions of its contemporary Urban Gardener™ brand into a fast-growing trend – Bringing the Outdoor Indoors. The company offers extensive and competitively priced garden décor, grow-your-own, landscaping, fencing, arches, trellis, obelisks, hanging baskets, raised beds, planters, unique birding items and the highly successful Open Hearth™ Fireside Accessories range. Products are also made from the highest quality galvanized tubular steel for lasting anti rust and UV protection.

Red Gorilla

(Hall 9, stand E-047)

Red Gorilla, formerly known as Tubtrugs and Faulks & Cox, specialises in superior quality, innovative products with millions of uses! Tubtrugs was originally created in 1996. Since then, the company has expanded, offering a variety of 13 colours in eight different sizes, and it continues to develop. Products are food grade, eco-friendly, child safe and animal safe, meaning they are practical for every use possible.

STV International Ltd

(Hall 6, stand D-045g)

Alongside the hugely popular The Big Cheese range of rodent and vertebrate control, STV International will be presenting its new selection of Zero In outdoor living pest control products, including citronella, outdoor flying insect control and poison-free solutions. The company will also present its Defenders Garden protection products and professional strength Ultra Power range. STV has a solution for every pest – if you don’t believe it, visit the company’s stand and put its products to the test.

Tildenet Gardenware Ltd

(Hall 9, stand D-040)

Tildenet Gardenware is the home of quality garden ware brands with an ethos on sustainability, quality and choice. Brands include: Tildenet, Growers Choice, Bosmere, Haxnicks and Mainframe – all designed with the gardener’s needs in mind. The company has a number of new innovative products for 2022 with an emphasis on recyclable packaging, sustainable sourcing and competitive pricing.

Trimetals Ltd

(Hall 6, stand A-043g)

Trimetals has been established for 50-plus years and is firmly placed as Europe’s leading producer of quality metal storage buildings. Trimetals is returning with its ever-popular bicycle store with generous height and width dimensions to store most types of mountain or racing bike, accommodating up to three bikes. Trimetals also manufactures garden boxes where lawnmowers, barbecues, tools and furniture can be stored tidily. Complementary to its range, visitors will be able to see the excellent ‘Guardian’ range of exclusive garden buildings designed by the company’s Japanese partners. This range features a contemporary design, ideal for the modern garden.

Whitefirze Ltd

(Hall 9, stand D-052g)

Whitefirze Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of high-quality plastic products for the garden and home and has been established for over 44 years. Its extensive garden range includes propagation and composting lines, water butts and watering cans, planters and pots, as well as garden accessories and seasonal lines. Whitefirze manufactures all of its products in the UK and its impressive warehousing capacity ensures excellent stockholding and industry leading levels of order fulfilment. Whitefirze is delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022 for demonstrating outstanding growth in export markets.

Wildlife World Ltd

(Hall 9, stand E-041a)

Wildlife World will be displaying its ranges of environmentally friendly, ethical and sustainably produced wildlife habits. As Europe’s premier designer and manufacturer, the company always maintains a solid commitment to offering a wide range of environmentally-friendly and sustainable wildlife products that are fit for purpose as well as being designed and tested by company experts.

For further information on the British exhibitor group at spoga+gafa please contact Katie-Mai Smith at katie-mai@gardenex.com.

For details of Gardenex membership and it’s comprehensive services to UK manufacturers and international buyers, please e-mail info@gardenex.com or visit www.gardenex.com

Veg-2-Gro sales continue to thrive with sales last week up 11% on 2021 and up 17% on the average for the same week over the six pre-pandemic years.  

• Cheers Courgette Ambassador 9cm re-enters the GTN chart at No 2.
• Cheers Sweetcorn Earlibird 12 Pack is a new entry at No 12.
• Cheers Tomato Black Cherry 9cm moved up 25 places to No 25.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Plant care is the name of the game at the moment with core plant care products dominating the GTN Garden Products chart.

This week only three garden decoration lines make it into the Top 50, one of those being the Fountasia Union Jack Windmills, which drop down to No 4.

• Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1L + 20% Extra Free moves back up to No 1.
• Evergreen Garden Care Slugclear Ultra 3 658g is the highest climber, up 12 places to No 20.
• Smart Garden Briers All Seasons Gardener Gloves Aubergine re-enter at No 32.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Wild Bird Care sales almost held their own week on week but still remain down versus pre-pandemic levels. Is this an area of discretionary spend that we are seeing pinched by the economic situation?

• Gardman Seed Mix 12.7kg moves up 3 places to No 1
• As does Marriages Honeyfields Calciworms 1kg moving up to No 2.
• Johnston & Jeff Mealworm 1kg is the only new entry of the week at No 48.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

As we near the Jubilee Bank Holiday, garden centres saw boost in sales of Jubilee related products. Union Jack garden windmills topped the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart, Royal Hydrangeas and bedding packs sold in high volumes, with napkins, bunting, tea towels, breakfast tea and shortbread also among the garden centre Jubilee bestsellers.

GTN Bestsellers Jubilee Products Top 10, Week ending 15^th May 2022

1. Fountasia Medium Union Jack Windmill 
2. Hydrangea macrophylla Royalty Collection
3. Garden Cocktail Jumbo 6 Pack - Royal Jubilee
4. Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Paper Chains
5. Fountasia Mini Union Jack Windmill
6. Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Bunting 3m
7. Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Napkins
8. New English Teas Platinum Jubilee Breakfast Tea Tin
9. Eddingtons Union Jack Tea Towel
10. Walkers Shortbread Queen's Jubilee Tin

Overall sales volumes jumped back above last year’s levels for the week ending Sunday 15^th May, only bettered in the GTN Epos data records by 2018 when we had such a late start to the season that created a massive mid-May peak of activity.

After some welcome rain during this week, we could be in for another bumper weekend as everything in the garden, including weeds, puts on a growing spurt. And there’s also Chelsea Flower Show next week, so media attention about gardens and gardening will be on the increase.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 19.

• Garden Products Top 50 – up 25%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 16%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 33%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 11%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 19

• All Plants with Barcode index – up 12%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 9%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

When the industry gets together at the NEC in June this year Glee will once again be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.

To acknowledge the continued pressure buyers are still experiencing and the high levels of professionalism across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are twelve Glee Buyers Power List categories this year and nominations can be made in any of the categories for buyers from independent garden centres and retailers, buyers of high street and DIY retailers and buyers from on-line retailers.

Nominations are now being sought from growers, suppliers, agents, wholesalers and retailers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:

1. Plants buyer/buying team of the Year
2. Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year
3. Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year
4. Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year
5. Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year
6. Pet buyer/buying team of the Year
7. Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year
8. Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year
9. Online buyer/ buying team of the year
10. Overall Multiple Retailer Buying Team of the Year – (hardware, DIY, high street)
11. Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more
12. Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Nominations close on Friday 10th June 2022 after which voting will commence to decide the winners of the Glee Buyers Power List for 2022.  Nominations can be made using this form or by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.  All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence.

The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015.  Last year’s winners included:

Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries, Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre, Darran Oakley – Squires, Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres, Emma Davis – British Garden Centres, Chessington Garden Centre, Claire Bryce - Barton Grange, Longacres, Chris Slack – Frosts, British Garden Centres, Aylett Nurseries.

The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2022 will be announced live at Glee 2022 on Tuesday 28^th June 2022 at 5:00pm, just before the Glee party!

Nomination Form:

I nominate the following buyers/buying teams for the Glee Buyers Power List 2022:

Plants buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Pet buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

On-Line buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Overall Multiple Retailer Buying Team of the Year – (hardware, DIY, high street)

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nominated by:…………………………………………………….of:………………………………………………………………

e-mail address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence

Send your completed nomination form to Glee Buyers Power List c/o GTN, Potting Shed Press, Dairy Drove, Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0TX or e-mail your nominations to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk by 10^th June 2022 or vote on line using the On-LIne Glee Buyers Power List 2022 form 

Think you know AMES UK, then get ready to think again as at this year’s Glee, (28th-30th June, NEC Birmingham, stand 6C40-F41), the outdoor living experts behind the leading Kelkay, La Hacienda and Apta brands are ready to showcase a whole new chapter for the company; a chapter that is designed to offer garden retailers more value than ever.

Empowering retail

AMES UK’s presence at Glee will be centred around empowering and enabling its retail customers.  Since its launch into the UK market, the AMES UK team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure longevity for its brand portfolio, supported by significant investments to double manufacturing capacities and safeguard stock holding with increased warehousing and delivery capabilities. With confidence in these processes now holding firm thanks to meeting consistent service demand throughout 2022, it is time for AMES UK to show the wider industry what else they are capable of and how this will offer significant benefits to its customers.

Partner of choice

On a mission to showcase why AMES UK should be your retail partner of ‘choice’, the company’s stand will be packed full of new products, exciting new innovations and added-value content, demonstrative of AMES UK’s commitment to an even brighter future for the garden retail sector. Part of this will also include shining a light on AMES UK’s roadmap to becoming a more sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturer, which has already begun with the introduction of recycled packaging and partnerships with waste recycling experts. 

Visitors will not only see Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda fully represented – in fact, this edition of Glee will be the first time the full breadth of the AMES UK portfolio will be available to see in one convenient location – but they will also be able to use time spent on-stand to learn more about the AMES UK proposition. This includes a wide range of support tools that have been put in place to help drive sales, increase profitability, and inspire consumers with AMES UK’s specially curated point of sale and merchandising support. A self-proclaimed ‘war chest’ of marketing collateral will also be available to pick up and discuss with the team, once again, all designed to deliver an enhanced service for customers.

Newness offers enhanced growth opportunities

Retailers looking to source newness to differentiate their retail offering in 2023 will be pleased to learn that the internal teams at Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda have been busy creating new range additions, with much of this innovation taking centre stage at Glee.

Each brand has undergone a full review, with bestsellers clearly identified and celebrated. This data has then been further supported by the latest future trend reports to ensure that all innovation is brought to market in direct response to what the market wants and needs for the coming seasons. At Glee, the latest additions will be on display across Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda, together providing a true showcase of the best the industry has to offer. Targeting everything from urban gardeners to the creation of that lux holiday feel at home or bringing the inside-outside, the combined portfolios will be a must-see part of Glee.  In addition, the AMES UK team will showcase how each brand can also provide standalone profitability, or how cross ranges can increase profitability through the creation of a more definitive outdoor living proposal.

Talking about Glee, AMES UK Managing Director, Paul North, said: “Glee 2022 is a significant milestone for AMES UK as it will be the first time we present ourselves to the industry since undertaking significant changes and upgrades to strengthen and enhance our proposition.

“We want retailers that join us to be inspired by what we have to offer and understand why AMES UK can fulfil the role of ‘partner of choice’; a role which we believe we are incredibly well placed to satisfy. From our products and merchandising support to our service and supply levels, we have worked hard to listen to industry feedback and respond accordingly. We are proud of what we have achieved and are excited about what the future holds. We also believe that our passion shines through in what we will showcase and are confident that our customers will be just as excited as we are. We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to our stand.”

Find out more

Further details regarding AMES UK’s market leading brands can be found at www.kelkay.com, www.lahacienda.co.uk and www.apta.co.uk.

For more information on The AMES Companies visit www.global.ames.com

GIMA has announced the election of Jenny Douthwaite of Primeur as GIMA President, supported by Kate Ebbens of Capi Europe as Vice President following its AGM held virtually on Friday (May 20).

Following her election Jenny gave a short address during which she thanked Simon McArdle of Westland Horticulture for his Presidency during the challenges of the pandemic.  She went on to say “No other trade association in our industry supports its members like GIMA and so I wanted to be a part of this incredible group and try to give back some of the support I have received.  One of my main objectives for the year ahead will be centred around ensuring all members, large or small, understand the benefits of their GIMA membership and help to increase greater participation across all areas of the offer.”

Jenny will be joined by Capi Europe’s Kate Ebbens who was voted in as Vice President, and continuing in their roles of Secretary and Treasurer will be Mark Butler of Vitax and DLF’s Guy Jenkins respectively.   The members also voted for Edd Cantle of Gardena to join the GIMA Council officially following his year of being cop-opted following the resignation of Richard Pyrah during 2021.

The full GIMA Council for 2022/2023 will be made up of the following representatives:

• Jenny Douthwaite, Primeur - President
• Kate Ebbens of Capi – Vice President
• Simon McArdle, Westland Horticulture –Past President
• Guy Jenkins, DLF – Honorary Treasurer
• Mark Butler, Vitax - Honorary Secretary
• Craig Hall, Deco-Pak
• Chris Ramsden, Hozelock
• Dan Durston, Durston Garden Products
• Martin Tompsett, Rollins Bulldog Tools
• David Nicholson, Elho
• Phil Harrison, Evergreen Garden Care.
• Edd Cantle of Gardena

GIMA Treasurer, Guy Jenkins gave a short report on the 2021 GIMA year-end accounts, reporting a profit after tax and depreciation of £15.6k for the year.  Commenting on the accounts, Guy said “Following a tough loss-making year in 2020, I’m pleased to announce that we are once again reporting a profit at the end of 2021 and that we are in a good position to continue to strengthen our healthy reserves for GIMA and its membership.”

Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of products to the garden retail sector, with a UK or EU base.

For further information about GIMA and the benefits membership brings visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk

Following the successful return of the annual GIMA Awards in 2021, the garden retail industry is already getting ready for the 2022 edition, with another influential judging panel.  With the deadline for entering a new product or marketing initiative for consideration now fast approaching (June 1st), suppliers are urged to get their entry in now to avoid disappointment. 

Taking place on Thursday, October 20th at the ever-popular Celtic Manor Resort, the awards will celebrate the latest product innovations and marketing initiatives that have shaped the 2022 season and kept the tills ringing throughout the year.

This year all entries will be judged by a panel of leading industry experts on July 13th at Warwick Racecourse. Confirmed for the 2022 panel areWill Blake, St Peter’s Garden Centre; David Danning, Blue Diamond Group; Kate Eckley, The Old Railway Line; Neil Grant, Ferndale Garden Centre; Sarah Hayden, John Lewis & Partners; Chris Moorhouse, Wickes; Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Trade News; Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus; Pete Sandhar, eBay; and Nicola Seager, Primrose.

The awards roster remains largely unchanged for the 2022 event. However, judges will now also select an overall Sustainability Award winner based on sustainability champions selected from the 13 product and marketing categories. As always, the Sword of Excellence, GCA Supplier of the Year and Gardenex Export Achievement Awards are all up for grabs. No doubt, last year’s winners, elho, Meadowview Stone, and Wildlife World will all be waiting with bated breath to see if they can make it a two-year winning streak.

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said: “Time is running out for those suppliers who want to enter the 2022 GIMA Awards, so we are urging interested parties to get their entry forms in as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

“Being part of the GIMA Awards, whether as a nominee or winner, holds great kudos and can help brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Because of this, we see brands come back year after year to enter their latest innovation in the hopes of bagging one of the coveted awards. We’ve no doubt that the 2022 event will be another strong showcase of the best our industry has to offer and how suppliers have continued to innovate and diversify to meet the ever-changing demands of the consumer. We look forward to seeing what is entered this year and to crowning our winners later in October.”

To enter this year’s GIMA Awards, please visit www.gima.org.uk/gima-awards

Book your place now!

With just short of 500 people in attendance, the 2021 event was a sell-out in record time. GIMA is urging interested parties to secure their tickets for the 2022 event now to avoid disappointment.

Prices for GIMA members: £329 + VAT per person, or £3,099 + VAT for a table of 10, whilst non-member costs are: Non-Members:  £399 + VAT per person, or £3,799 + VAT for a table of 10 (all costs include dinner and accommodation).

There are also several sponsorship opportunities available, including award sponsorship, table and drinks sponsors, and marketing support sponsors. To find out more, please contact the GIMA team directly for more information.

Find out more

For further information about GIMA and its wide range of member benefits, please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk

Chelsea Flower Show 2022 would have been the 70^th year Peter Seabrook was involved in creating a display at the world’s most prestigious flower show.

For the majority of those years, Peter was designing and creating displays, often pushing the barriers of what was expected, be that creating raised walkways above Sun Flower Street or introducing new plants often with more colour and annual flower than was really understood by the judges.

The plans Peter had submitted for what he said would be his last ever display at Chelsea (those of us who worked closely with him had been hearing this for probably 20 years!) never received approval before Peter’s sudden death in January of this year.

A team of people, led by Val Christman, who had worked on displays at many events over the years with Peter have pulled together and self funded a tribute display at this year’s show, with some help on space in the Great Pavilion from the RHS.

Val told us: “Everything we have used in the display has been to Chelsea before with Peter. The pergola, the paving and a number of the planters have all been renovated and used in this display.

"Peter used to talk about recycling flowerpots long before it became fashionable, so I think he would approve of what we have created! All the plants have been to Chelsea before too. Some we have dug out of Peter’s garden, others like the Allium Lavender Bubbles, Peter gave to me after the show last September when he introduced it as a new plant.

"Peter Beales lent us a Rose Chevy Chase for a display 10 years ago so it is wonderful they have done the same again in memory of Peter. Every plant has a story associated with it some going back many years others more recent like the Verbena Margaret’s Memory which peter introduce last year and was such a hit with show visitors. We have even sneaked in a few of the Chrysanthemum Poppins grown again by the students from Pershore High School, that formed the centre piece of the pyramid Peter created at the show in September last year.

"The only thing which will be new on the stand is the lovely oak bench that has been purchased and will have a memorial plaque on it. I think Peter would be proud of what we have achieved and perhaps even a little humbled by the effort the industry has made to honour his years of work and commitment to our industry. I must say a huge thank you to all the growers and suppliers who have helped us pull this together in such a short time.”

Peter’s daughter Alison and son Roger will be attending Chelsea on Monday 23^rd May when the display will also be used by the charity Peter was a founding Trustee of the David Colegrave Foundation to make an important announcement at 11.00am with some of the friends of Peter’s from the trade gathering for a picture.

Treadstone Products, who are known for innovative gardening brands, have achieved a promising sales performance this year for their award-winning Pot Trellis from the Good Life gardening range. This has resulted in hundreds of garden retailers selling the product in 2022, with solid repeat orders occurring every week.

The success follows the launch of the product at last years’ Glee exhibition, where Pot Trellis won best new product. Liked for its versatility and ease of installation, Pot Trellis & Trough Trellis is a range of durable steel trellis that can be adapted to a planter or even a bedding area. By pushing the clever stability plate into compost, this design enables users to install a solid plant support within a matter of minutes.

The solution to a long-standing gardening problem

The most unique product in the range is the Pot Trellis that is designed for round pots. Unlike the straight Trough Trellis, the Pot Trellis is curved to follow the shape of pots, a feature unseen in the market, until now. This solves a problem that gardeners have had for many years and now the solution is available to planting climbing plants in existing round pots. This solution is especially ideal for those with small gardens or balconies.

But its not just round pots that this applies to, as the Trough Trellis also enables consumers to quickly install trellis into troughs and rectangular planters. This saves spending money on expensive trellis planters and means less waste utilising existing equipment.

The design and build of the range are also well thought out, with tubular steel construction and an antiqued textured paint finish that helps plants grip to the trellis. As well as providing sturdy support for climbing plants, the Trough Trellis can be combined with plants to create stylish screening around a patio, decking or balcony area.

Sizing to suit, merchandising to sell

Whether using the range in new pots or existing pots there is a size to suit any area of outdoor space. The straight Trough Trellis is available in Small 95cm x 64cm (RRP £29.99), Medium 136cm x 75cm (RRP £34.99), and Large 136cm x 99cm (RRP £39.99) sizes.

The curved Pot Trellis, specifically designed for round pots, also has three sizes - Small 109cm x 40cm (RRP £24.99), Medium 128cm x 45cm (RRP £29.99), and Large 148cm x 50cm (RRP £34.99).

Not only is Pot Trellis at affordable retail price points but there is in-store merchandising support available for Garden Centre stockists. In fact, all six variations of Pot Trellis can be supplied on a space-efficient merchandising stand supplied by Treadstone.

Pot Trellis is not only turning heads in the gardening industry; it is making growing climbing plants more practical and affordable to the end user. The team at Treadstone are proud to supply another inspirational product from the Good Life brand, making life easier for gardeners.

DARE TO SELL DIFFERENT and contact us for more information and pricing – sales@treadstoneproducts.com.

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Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

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