The Garden Centre Association has announced the 11 regional winners in its 2013 Ruxley Rose planteria competition.

The award, contested by garden centres and destination garden centres in separate categories, aims to recognise outstanding outdoor plant quality and range.

The regional winners were:

Destination garden centres:

South Thames - Coolings; North Thames - Van Hage Great Amwell; Wales and the West - Trelawney Wadebridge; Midlands - Van Hage Peterborough; North East - Armitages Pennine; North West - Barton Grange.

Garden centres:

South Thames - Squires Hersham; Wales and the West - The Old Railway Line; Midlands - Planters Tamworth; North East - Cowells; North West - Lady Green.

The judges looked at the quality, range and presentation of plants. They also considered the layout, including overall impression, access and use of demonstration areas. Labelling, including directional signs and bed and plant labels were also taken into consideration.

Staff knowledge and customer care were also assessed, along with promotions special features (new varieties, for xample) The judges were also looking for the overall wow factor.

The Ruxley Rose competition focuses specifically on GCA members’ outdoor plant areas and is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards.

GCA Chairman Peter Burks explained: “This year our judging criteria was different, with 50% of the overall mark coming from the spring inspections, which happened earlier this year and 50% from the recent visit.

“A new form was used for the autumn inspections, which looks similar in style to the spring inspection form but it had a number of criteria that were unique to enable the judges to assess creativity and commerciality."

The regional winners go through to the national final, which will be judged by Roger Crookes. The overall winners for each category will be announced at the GCA’s annual conference in January.

See the picture below for pictures of some of the regional winners planterias, Armitages Pennine, Barton Grange and Old Railway Line taken by GTN Xtra whilst out and about during October.  With special attention to displays of containers with plants in them!