Boyd Douglas-Davies, the brains behind Garden Re-Leaf, powers his way through 240 miles to raise money for Greenfingers on Garden Re-Leaf Day. 

"Well it seemed like a good idea at the time - run, row or ride between the garden centres on Garden Re-Leaf Day. We could do it on the Kettler gym equipment we're selling at Studley. Of course, we only had two centres in the group when I said this so it was just a 50 mile adventure," said the Hillview Group boss.

"But since then we've been busy and we now have eight centres in the group so the distance has grown hugely and it's now a 240-mile journey."

Staff members agreed to help Boyd's task but to make the task even harder, he agreed to spend the full six hours of the challenge on the gym equipment if £1,000 was donated before the start. Surprise, surprise, it was, and Boyd's marathon began.

Halfway through the challenge Boyd announced: "Don't expect me to loading many bags of compost in to cars on Saturday."

After 5 hours 38 minutes and 240 miles the challenge was completed!

An exhausted Boyd said "huge thanks to all of the Hillview GC team that kept me company throughout and to Sarah and Pat from Alexander Rose that came to do a half hour stint at the beginning but stayed with us all the way!"

The team have raised over £1,600 for the Greenfingers Charity so far and are still counting.

If you want to donate and help us get to the target of £2,400 then you can still donate to Boyd's marathon attempt. Visit www.justgiving.com/runrowride2014 

As a result of an internal restructure Danny Adamson has stepped down as Managing Director of the Retail Division for William Sinclair. He had been with the company for six years.

Chief Executive Peter Rush commented: “Danny has been instrumental in making Sinclair a well-respected and progressive horticultural business, one that is seen as being good to do business with.

"As a result, the business has grown and also expanded into new categories. We thank Danny for this and wish him every success in the future."

Meanwhile, Danny Adamson said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sinclair and have relished working within the horticultural industry.

"Our Division has made some excellent progress over the past six years and is now well placed to take the next step.

"The successful development of SuperFyba, the construction of the world class facilities at Ellesmere Port and the huge investment that is being made in re-branding should ensure Sinclair once again leads the market.

"There is an impressive team in place at Sinclair and I wish them all the very best for what should be a very exciting future.”

Danny, pictured at the GIMA AGM and Day Conference at Dobbies Milton Keynes on Thursday, left the company yesterday (Friday).

Fears that a hiccup in the new delivery hub logistics adopted by The Garden Centre Group would cause a shortage in the garden centre network’s vital plant trolley hire system have been dismissed by the operators.

TGCG have handed responsibility for their two-hub delivery system to transport and logistics specialists Norbert Dentressangle in a deal believed to result in ultra-significant cost savings.

However, Container Centralen say rumours of confusion over how TGCG’s empty Danish trolleys were to be returned to their central pool have proved to be unfounded. “We have assurances from The Garden Centre Group that sufficient trolleys will be available to meet their commitments,” said a spokesman. “The system, is intact.”

The CC pools system – in which a guaranteed number of trolleys, mostly now electronically tagged, circulate between growers and garden centres via a network of CC depots – is regarded as vital for the continuous supply of fresh plants, especially at the spring and autumn sales peaks. It eliminates the need for capital investment by garden centres in new trolleys.

Following apparently successful trials over the winter, suppliers to The Garden Centre Group now deliver into just two hubs, from which Norbert Dentressangle distribute to the group’s 139 outlets. Sources close to the retailer say the new logistics contract could mean cost savings of “more than seven figures”.

Tesco and Dobbies said the site in Peel Park, East Kilbride, would create more than 400 jobs to the area and are asking South Lanarkshire Council to give them permission to go ahead with the plans. They claim it would generate opportunities for former students studying horticulture at South Lanarkshire College.

A public consultation into the plans has won widespread support. Tesco said a local consultation event held last December suggests 93% of locals support the plans.

Gardman CEO Stewart Hainsworth has created an eclectic group of talented managers to deliver the new corporate brand strategy of driving growth in wild bird care and gardening categories.

“Consumer brand development is at the heart of our business strategy and Gardman must focus on its efforts to enhance its Wild Bird Care and Gardening offer,” explained Stewart Hainsworth. 

“Our goal is to provide our retail partners with innovative products, ranges and offers to encourage garden centre customers to up-trade to higher value and quality purchases while still maintaining consumer choice with a complete value for money option. Gardman’s management team has been enhanced with a wider range of skills and expertise combining home grown and fresh talent from the gardening industry, FMCG and international expertise.”

Category management is under the leadership of new Category Director Tim Goff, who joined at the beginning of March.  With a background in FMCG, Tim combines expertise in pet and bird care with a detailed understanding of the way consumers think in a competitive retail environment.  

Reporting directly to Stewart Hainsworth and working alongside Duncan Ross, Garden Centre Sales Director, are new appointees Chris Clark, National Sales Director and Paul Murden, International Sales Director.  Chris Clark has a successful FMCG track record in Bob Martin, Nestle and Mars working with major national multiple accounts while Paul Murden has 18 years FMCG experience as a Commercial Director in International markets.  

Sarah Downing, Marketing Director, is leading the brand strategy aimed at driving greater sales value for Retailers. Scott Kilshaw, Supply Chain Director joins from Solus, a 16 year veteran of the Garden Industry and Mark Little, Finance Director completes the new senior management team.  

Stewart Hainsworth continued: “I am delighted after six months as CEO to announce the new members of the Management Committee.  Gardman is looking forward to driving continued growth throughout 2014 and our new recruits have the talent and expertise necessary to improve our offer to retailers and consumers.” 

New appointments have also been made at Category and Account Manager levels.  Reporting directly to Tim Goff is new recruit Henry Corbett, joining in mid-April from Solus.  Henry will lead new product development and merchandising with greater emphasis on brands including Moulton Mill, for premium tools, and the industry’s leading solar lighting brand, Cole & Bright. Newly promoted Ed Deane, Senior Category Manager is responsible for gardening. In addition, the senior sales team has been enhanced with new National Account Managers, Emma Clarke from Knauf Insulation and Adrian Aitken joining from Solus.  

Career histories

Tim Goff has joined from Phones4u where he was Head of Partnership Trading, responsible for the partnership stores within Curry’s.  Prior to this post he was Head of Buying for Pets at Home and Senior Ambient Buyer for Woodward Foodservice, a company within the Big Food Group plc.

New to the gardening industry, Paul Murden has extensive international experience in new market launches, distribution and brand building, most recently as CEO of Russian Vodka Holdings.  Working for Gallaher Group Plc, as Divisional Managing Director, Paul was responsible for operations in the Middle East, Africa, India, Pakistan, the Baltic States, Ukraine and Russia.  

Chris Clarke has a track record with International FMCG companies that includes the management of accounts with Asda, Tesco and Morrisons, and is the former Sales Director, Bob Martin UK.  

As the gardening season has now officially started – yesterday (Friday 14th) was Garden Re-Leaf Day – we’re at a critical point of the year and for once the weather appears to be doing us a favour...it’s warm, dry and sunny!

The scene is set for bumper sales throughout the rest of March, leading up to Mother’s Day, but are you ready? And, in particular, have your growers got sufficient plants on hold for you to meet demand. We predict high plant sales levels over the next two weekends so the supply chain will be well and truly tested.

We’d love to hear about suppliers who have gone that extra mile to help you keep sales going, so let us know your experiences over the coming fortnight...

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year

• Garden Products – down 23%
• Veg-2-Gro – up 13%
• Growing Media – up 14%
• All items index – down 2%

If you have ever wondered whether joining a marketing group was right for you, now is a good time to explore the opportunity offered by long-established Choice Marketing.

Choice has grown steadily since its foundation in 2002 and today has 28 members representing 33 outlets from Scotland to the South Coast with a combined turnover of more than £75m. Individual turnovers range from around £1.5m to £6.5m, making it an organisation clearly valued by independent garden centres of all shapes and sizes.

Current chairman Sam Bosworth (Bosworths Garden Centre, left) says the group made a conscious decision to grow slowly, to ensure it could deliver solid and sustainable benefits to members. But the group now believes the time is right for a modest expansion so that the value to members of its products and services can be developed even further.

The group’s primary objective is to ensure the continuing health and prosperity of the UK’s independent garden centres by:

* helping with profitability through enhanced terms and rebates

* providing cost effective professional marketing solutions

* creating a platform for friendship and networking between members

* working together to create buying power generally only enjoyed by multiple retailers, with all the associated benefits, particularly in current difficult trading times.

Choice accepts that some owners fear that their businesses will lose their own carefully-nurtured identity and independence by working under a group umbrella –  but is quick to dispel this as a myth. “Members retain full control of their businesses, just as they have always done,” Sam Bosworth says. “But Choice works in the background on the key tasks of buying and marketing, leaving members more time and energy for running their centres.”

The other often cited reason for “going it alone” is the desire to keep control over the stocking decisions. “The key to success as a Choice member is commitment,” Sam says. “We know this can be daunting at first but as many have proved over the years, once members begin to enjoy the benefits of our tried and tested co-operative approach to buying and marketing, they never look back.”

Choice stress that decisions are made by the membership and the board, not by any individual. Choice is a not-for-profit limited company in which all members are equal shareholders.

Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association Director Vicky Nuttall handed over the GIMA President's chain of office to Bosmere Sales and Marketing Director Steve Millington at the organisation's annual meeting held at Dobbies Milton Keynes on Thursday.

Other appointments to be announced at the meeting attended by more than 60 members were:

• Chris Ramsden, Retail Sales & Marketing Director of Suttons Consumer Products Ltd was voted in as Vice President
• Colin Wetherley-Mein of Vitax has taken on the role of Honorary Treasurer

Richard Pyrah from Kelkay remains in the post of Honorary Secretary.

The existing council members are:

• Matt Jackson, Briers Ltd
• Rainer Schubert, The Scotts Miracle-Grow Co. Ltd
• Richard Bence, Treadstone Ltd
• Alan Shepherd, Burgon & Ball Ltd
• Tara Truman, William Sinclair Horticultural Ltd
• Rebecca Fairbairn, Westland Horticulture Ltd
• David Carey, Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd

One new council member has been nominated to take on responsibilities of Council Membership representing the views of the members,  and that is Kate Ebbens, of Cadix Ltd.

In his opening address, Steve Millington reminded members that GIMA still represents the best value for money trade association in our industry, and vowed to continue to support all sizes of business no matter how big or small.  Buyer Connect events would continue to be developed and more ‘real business’ opportunities will be developed in the coming year.

The Association also reported a healthy financially position and while a small operating profit was recorded, this was mainly due to a number of extraordinary costs incurred due to relocation of the secretariat facilities and Director recruitment costs.

Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers, with a UK or European base, of products to garden retailer trade operators.

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



Pictured at the GIMA annual meeting, from left to right: Hon Secretary Richard Pyrah, Director Vicky Nuttall, President Steve Millington, Hon Treasurer Colin Wetherley-Mein, and Vice President Chris Ramsden.

GCA chairman Will Armitage has told the garden industry that it must start connecting with the older people of tomorrow.

"We shouldn't forget our existing customers, who are generally older people, but we must connect with younger people in a subtle way. I call them the older people of tomorrow," Will told delegates at the GIMA Day Conference at Dobbies Milton Keynes.

He explained the importance of the internet and social media in communicating with a younger audience. 

"If the customer wants to buy something they will first look online regardless of the time of year. And if people want information they will also search for it on the web.

"We, as an industry, must embrace this kind of behaviour because it is going to become even more relevant. Remember, there is more information online and it is accessible quicker."

Will said the industry must find ways of:

• Reconnecting with the customer, with social media being a valuable tool
• Learning more about the customer
• Building a personal relationship with the customer
• Providing message that are relevant and personal.

He revealed that the Your Armitages scheme used at his garden centres had now got 30,000 members after being launched two years ago. The scheme was aimed at surprising and delighting its customers.

• Over 50 years old
• 63% are female
• 92% have a back garden
• 50% have a front garden

• Invest in providing online content and extensions
• Work on creating products and displays that inspire or make it really easy
• Equip great people to give a great service
• Invest time in developing the right fulfilment capabilities.

Glee organisers i2i Events say the New Product Showcase for this autumn’s show (NEC, 14–16 September) is now open for entries.

The feature will give buyers instant access to 'what's new' in a centally located hub in the show’s new location, Halls 17 – 20.

The entries will be judged during build-up by a panel of recognised industry experts and a the Retailer’s Choice Award will be voted for by visitors to the exhibition.

Product categories include:

• Best Garden Care Product
• Best Landscaping & Garden Design Product
• Best Nursery & Planteria Product
• Best Garden Leisure Product
• Best Home, Gift & Clothing Product
• Best Retail Support Product
• Best Pet Product

A sneak-peek of entries will be available to visitors through Glee’s social media channels and event newsletters (follow @Glee_Birmingham for the first look). Entry is free to all exhibitors, who can download an entry form from the Exhibitor Zone (online at gleebirmingham.com).

Nordic Garden Buildings, a leading manufacturer of free standing PVC garden buildings, has launched the first-ever PVC double glazed greenhouse in the UK market. 

It aims to give the consumer the most efficient and low maintenance greenhouse on the market, challenging the dominance of wood and aluminium frames. 

The PVC Greenhouse, part of a larger Scanline range of garden buildings, has been designed to bring the thermal efficiencies of double glazing and the practicalities of plastic to the UK’s growing and cultivation market. It is useable all year round thanks to superior thermal efficiency, needs no planning permission and is quick and easy to install.

The Scanline greenhouse is available in two sizes - 2.4m x 2.4m or 2.4m x 3.2m. It has 1300mm frames to sit on a dwarf wall or 1700mm full length frame with clear double glazed, child friendly safety glass.  It is CE safety marked and can take heavy snow loads. A Scanline greenhouse will withstand the strong winds and will not be blown over even in coastal areas. The polycarbonate roof removes need for sun blinds in strong sun and there are a selection of optional extras including automatic electric window vents and black or white guttering. 

Every Scanline greenhouse comes with secure multipoint door and window locks. Designed and built in Wales, the Scanline Greenhouse is available in white or a choice of six colour finishes – rosewood, golden oak, black, grey or green. 

Nordic Garden Buildings director, Justin Williams commented: “This is a completely new concept in greenhouses, thoroughly tested in even the most extreme conditions through eight years successful trading in Scandinavia.  It’s now a fantastic UK retail opportunity – like anything from Scandinavia the design is fresh and the quality very high.  Consumers will never have to buy another greenhouse.  Prices start from just £2100 for self assembly with extra charge for professional installation.”

Garden retailers interested in joining the Nordic Dealer Network should act quickly to secure exclusive territories that once taken will lock others out of the local market.  The Nordic Dealer Network benefits from dedicated account managers, online and offline direct marketing support, sales training and installation support as well as fantastic sales incentives for dealership staff. 

Interested retailers should call 07717 710 062 or contact justin@nordicgarden.co.uk.

The boss of Ambleside’s Hayes Garden World has resigned after being jailed for lying to police and the courts.

A shadow was cast over the future of the family-run business when managing director Thomas Richard Hayes was imprisoned for 18 months at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week.

It took just 30 minutes for a jury to find him guilty of perverting the course of justice after lying about who was driving a car which crashed in November, 2010.

His barrister Lisa Judge said jailing Hayes could lead to the closure of the business.

“The implications are massive not just to his wife and child. This is about the potential demise of a business,” she said.

But Hayes’s mother Elizabeth, who is the majority shareholder at the Lake Road business, dispelled the claim.

She told The Westmorland Gazette: “While this has been a difficult time for us, we want to assure customers and the community we are committed to driving Hayes Garden World forward through a strong management team that has the full support of myself as majority share-holder.”

She said: “Hayes Garden World is a family business that has a strong heritage in Cumbria spanning over 200 years and we place great importance on our standing.”

Before sentencing on Monday, Ms Judge told the court: “There is potential for collapse, leading to mass unemployment and an impact on the local community.

“There are a lot of people who rely on a man who cares deeply about maintaining employment in his local area.” Hayes, 46, of Crook Road, near Kendal, was found guilty following a six day trial.

The trial arose after questions were raised over who was driving a luxury Porsche Cayenne when it narrowly avoided a head-on collision and flipped on Hollins Lane, Burneside on November 21, 2010.

The court heard that Hayes used his ‘power and influence’ to collude with Henderson to spin the web of lies in an attempt to avoid the consequences.

The pair remained silent as judge Michael Hayton QC also sentenced Henderson to one year in jail.

Katie Nicolson, senior prosecutor for CPS North West, said afterwards: “A jury has seen through their lies.”

Prosecutor Brendan Burke told the court: “Fearing the consequences of prison or a ban, Hayes used his position of power and influence, whether with money or the threat of less work, to force Henderson to say he was driving.”

Hayes was previously convicted of getting behind the wheel while nearly four times the drink drive limit. He was jailed for 18 weeks after an appeal was rejected.

Both men stood accused of lying between November 2010 and July 25, 2012, including during police interviews and three court appearances.

Henderson, a contractor who had worked at the garden centre, told police he was driving – but he made no mention of the near miss with oncoming motorist Terrance Willan.

The GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart reflects the fact that gardeners are becoming more active as the good weather continues, although volume sales are significantly down on the same week in 2013 and 2012. 

The highest climber continues the trend, as Bayer Toprose 4kg jumps 25 places to No 17. and the highest new entry is Westland Aftercut All in One Box.

The highest re-entry is Gardman Solar Mosaic Border Lights at No 13.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Fakenham Garden Centre has invested £100,000 into modernising its cafe, which features a new floor, new seating and an extended seating area, new counter equipment and new lighting and heating...

Owner Martin Turner said: “The feedback from the customers has been fantastic.

“The coffee shop has become a lot busier since we reopened it three weeks ago, so we’re looking to take on one extra member of staff and it could lead to more jobs in the future as well. We did this work because it had been suggested by customers and the specialists we brought in have done a great job.”

Cafe manager Ross Watson said: “The difference now to how it was, is like chalk and cheese.

“The cafe had become a bit claustrophobic and outdated but now there is a much more modern feel about it.

“The food is largely the same as before, all made on site, but now it is displayed in a more appealing way.”

Fakenham Garden Centre, based at Mill Road, Hempton, was opened in 1985 by Mr Turner’s parents, Gordon and Brenda Turner, who are still involved in running the business.

It has become one of Norfolk’s most well-known garden centres and currently employs 53 staff.

An extension to the garden centre was built in 2008 and won an award for its ‘Outstanding Craftsmanship’ from the Norfolk Association of Architects.

Mr Turner said: “We only started making plans to refurbish the coffee shop in October, so it’s all happened very quickly.”

He added: “I’d like to thank our customers for their patience while we closed for the first two weeks of February and I’m delighted that the new cafe is now ready as we approach our busiest time of the year.”

Proposals for a family-owned garden centre to increase the serving capacity at its cafe have been approved by planners.

The Sam Turner and Sons garden centre in Piercebridge, near Darlington, will increase the serving capacity in its cafe from 50 customers to 70 after members of Darlington Borough Council’s planning applications committee gave them the go-ahead.

Planning permission for the garden centre was granted in March 2012, with a condition stating the cafe could cater for a maximum of 50 people to safeguard nearby businesses.

The latest application had attracted objections from nearby residents who said that none of the conditions have changed and raised concerns that the premises would become a “destination cafe” to the detriment to other businesses nearby in the village.

Nearby residents also said that increase in customers could lead to an increase in food smells affecting their properties.

Speaking at a meeting of the committee, Charlie Turner, whose family also own garden centres in Northallerton, Leyburn and Stokesley, strongly refuted claims it was becoming a destination cafe.

Instead he said the garden centre is simply becoming busier and, as a result, customers often have to queue for a table in the cafe at peak times.

He also said he has been working with neighbours to tackle any possible kitchen smells, and has planted 40 beech saplings to hide the business from the view of its closest neighbour.

Planning officer Dave Coates said: “It is a victim of its own success. Because it is so successful people want to visit the garden centre and there is increased demand to go and have a cup of tea or something to eat.

“It is a natural reaction for the business to make.”

Permission was granted subject to the creation of extra parking spaces.

Morayshire garden centre Christies of Fochabers has been shortlisted for a business award.

Established in 1820 by Thomas Christie, the business, now run by the fifth generation of Christies, has been nominated for the Family Busness of the Year award, organised by Family Business United magazine.

The centre and its tree nursery – the largest independent family run business of its kind Scotland – is run by Christine Christie and managed by Sam Dowdall. The Forestry Nursery, run by MD Ronald Christie and his son Neal, supplies hardwood and softwood trees throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

 “We are very proud of our family business and feel honoured to have our 194 years in business recognised”  said Ronald Christie.

The awards judging panel includes Alexander Scott (chairman of SanAire), Paul Kelly –(MD of Kellys Bronze Turkeys) and Claire Ayling (MD of Harrison Catering Services). There is also a public vote.

KinderGarden cell plants have been selling well, and the company has seven varieties in the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart this week, headed by Tomato Gardeners Delight at No 2.

The company has the highest climber in Tomato Tumbling Tom, rising 22 places to No 7, and the highest re-entry in Hot Pepper Apache.

At the top of the chart Allensmore Rhubarb Timperly Early has returned to top spot while there are four onion sets from Taylors in the Top 10. 

There are also two seed varieties selling in high numbers – Suttons Beetroot Boltardy and Thompson & Morgan Tomato Sweet Aperatif.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Sue Sharp has joined Smart Solar as Customer Services Manager. Sue, who has over 25 years’ experience including 21 years at Gardman, is well known and respected in the garden centre industry.

Sue will be visiting customers across the UK, providing valuable field based support to our sales and head office customer service teams, together with undertaking other selective projects.

She said, “I’ve joined Smart Solar at a very exciting time. As the company grows it is important to ensure that our trade customers continue to receive an outstanding customer experience across all areas of the business.”

Sue brings a wealth of expertise from sales and account management, new business development and negotiation to promotional campaigns and merchandising displays. 

Jonathan Stobart, Smart Solar’s managing director, commented, “We are delighted to have Sue on board to play such a vital role in our team. She will be the link between the customer and the sales admin team, providing proactive support to our trade accounts as we expand.”

The steady growth of compost sales continues this week with 43 products in the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart showing increases in sales compared to the previous week.

Total volumes are up by nearly 14% on the same week last year but still lagging behind 2012.

A star performer is Westland Multipurpose with John Innes, the highest new entry at No 36.

Other star performers in the Growing Media chart include:

• Scotts Levington Decorative Chipped Bark, 60 litres
• Arthur Bowers Topsoil 25 litres
• Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost, 56 litres
• Westland Lawn Seeding Soil, 30 litres

Bolsius, Europe’s leading maker and supplier of candles, has just appointed James Ruault as Business Development Manager for the UK. He will be responsible for optimising the company’s position in specific retail channels, developing new business and working with existing customers.

James joins Bolsius (UK) Ltd from EYE Spy Promotions where he worked in Sales Development and Sales Management. James has extensive experience in National Account Management and in Business Development and has worked with supermarkets, footwear and sports brands. He also has experience designing bespoke ranges for key UK retailers. James will report to UK Sales Manager John Barthorpe.

For further details or to become a stockist of Bolsius candles contact our UK sales team on 0800 169 5126, visit www.bolsius.com or contact the company's distributors Junction 18 Customer Services team on 0870 442 0731.

The award winning BioStretch garden tie will be distributed by Bosmere for the 2014 season. 

BioStretch was winner of the Glee 2013 ‘New Product Award – the Green Award’ and was a finalist in the 2013 GIMA ‘Awards for Growing and Planting Equipment and Sundries’. The soft, strong and stretchy BioStretch plant tie is biodegradable and naturally drops off the plants and decomposes in the ground after approximately 18-24 months outdoors depending on weather conditions. 

BioStretch can be used for all sorts of jobs around the garden for anything that needs gentle but firm support. Common uses include supporting tomato plants, securing runner bean canes and attaching to young staked plants and trees. 

Commenting on this new addition to the Bosmere range, Steve Millington, said “The BioStretch planting tie complements the extensive Bosmere Twine & Ties range. The green credentials of this award winning product make this a particularly attractive proposition for our retail customers”. 

BioStretch is available for immediate delivery from Bosmere in attractive shelf ready display outers. 

The new edition of The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs – a ‘bible’ for countless information desk managers – has been compiled with input from Royal Horticultural Society experts for the first time.

The fully revised and updated edition will be available at the end of March.

An additional 1,500 new plants have been added to the edition, which now describes in detail more than 12,000 plants across more than 650 genera, ensuring its place as the definitive work on hardy woody plants.

By ensuring all plant names correspond directly with those in RHS Plant Finder, the input of the RHS should result in the most user-friendly edition to date. Readers will be able to cross refer to entries in Plant Finder to help locate some scarcer plants not readily available in traditional outlets.

James Armitage, RHS principal botanist, said the RHS had drawn on its unique resources to harmonise the 10,500 entries in the previous Hillier Manual with those used in Plant Finder. “We've written over 1,500 new entries and updated information on tree heights, recent introductions of plants from the wild into gardens and plants holding the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM),” he said.

Andrew McIndoe, MD of Hilliers, says the Hillier manual,  published in the 150th year of Hillier Nurseries  is an important part of the nursery’s heritage. “It is wonderful to see it progress to the next stage in its history in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society,” he added.

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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.