GTN April-May 2026 Garden Trade News UK

APRIL/MAY 2026

gardentradenews.co.uk

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS Advice & information for garden centre professionals

GTN’s 7 page spring Sustainability Directory

Leaders of influence

Exclusive interviews with Fran Barnes and Vicky Nuttall

JUMPING FOR JOY

Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2026

STORY-TELLING PLANTS Planteria

CAPTAIN’S LOG

Blue Diamond’s sci-fi awards message

New National TV and Digital Campaign in 2026 12 week campaign, across all major channels Miracle-Gro® is a trademark of OMS Investments, Inc. and is used under license from OMS Investments, Inc.

Comment

Hard work and determination

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his issue goes to press as the Glee Roadshow at Gates Garden Centre Oakham takes place and it was great to see so many garden centres in attendance covering a wide range of centre sizes, both independents and groups.

Feedback from all the retailers is that it has been a good April, not the best ever, but some have matched last year, with plants selling especially well. All we are waiting for now is a spell of warmer weather so that gardeners across the country can spend days and evenings in the garden which will drive more furniture and BBQ sales.

Hard work, determination and staying in contact on the shop floor were key messages from both Nigel Gates and Martin Turner of Fakenham Garden Centre. The difference in scale of both Gates and Fakenham is enormous, Gates Oakham turns over £16m, covers 20 acres and has 700 car parking spaces. Whereas at Fakenham they only have a 1.75-acre site, 65 car parking spaces but still achieve a £4.5m turnover. The similarities in how

In this issue...

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they operate and their family ethos are fantastic illustrations of why independent garden centres both large and small are so great across the country.

During May the team of intrepid Greenfingers Charity supporters that will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this summer will be completing their final training and preparations. They start their climb on Friday June 12th and Greenfingers are asking as many supporters in the industry as possible to join a special Floral Friday wearing as much floral apparel as possible.

We can also help them get even closer to their £150,000 fund raising target by sponsoring using this link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ greenfingers-kilimanjaro2026 For sure we will be joining in and wishing them all well in their quest to reach the ‘Roof of Africa’ and raise funds to build another new garden at a children’s hospice.

Trevor Pfeiffer

Thriving horticultural businesses, growing and 35 One summer, a swallow does not make HTA Viewpoint retailing, exclusive interview with Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive Vicky Nuttall, retiring Director of GIMA on how Advertisers in this issue the garden industry sector has developed 2 Evergreen Garden Care 7 Eco Tiffin Get ready to play, register for the SOLEX 2026 After Party 11 Durstons 12 SOLEX 2026 – The After Party Sea, sand and sci-fi, winners from the annual Blue Diamond Awards 14 Museums & Galleries Industry gets together for and another 16 Hartman Outdoor Products FUNdraising Garden Re-Leaf Day 17 Burton McCall Captivating curves from Fordingbridge 24 Woodmansterne 27 Melcourt Sustainability in focus, seven pages of GTN’s spring Sustainability Directory 29 Sipcam 30 RocketGro Shared perspectives from around the world, Adapt or Die 31 Handy Distribution 36 SOLEX 2026 Story telling plants – GTN Planteria

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EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Garden Trade News Potting Shed Press Ltd Dairy Drove Thorney Peterborough PE6 0TX Tel 01733 775700 www.gardentradenews.co.uk THE GTN TEAM Editor Trevor Pfeiffer trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk Features Editor Anisa Gress anisa@pottinghsedpress.co.uk Advertising Sales Alan Burdon Alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk Digital Editor Neil Pope neil@pottingshedpress.co.uk Subscriptions Karen Pfeiffer karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk Design & Production AT Graphics Ltd www.atgraphicsuk.com Lucy Carnell – Design Alun Jones – Production Manager Robert Tipping – Managing Director James Tipping – Technical Director Printing CG Print Ltd Do you qualify for a copy of GTN?

If you’d like to be added to the GTN distribution list, please send your details to Karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk to see if you qualify to be included.

Alternatively, if you prefer your Garden Trade News digitally, sign up for GTN Xtra, our weekly e-mail newsletter at www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Potting Shed Press Ltd Garden Trade News is published by Potting Shed Press Ltd who also publish: GTN Bestsellers, GTN Xtra, Glee Daily News and the Glee Catalogue, and the Solex Sun. Potting Shed Press also supply Garden Radio to over 100 garden centres across the country.

Director Trevor Pfeiffer

SMALL PRINT: All material © Potting Shed Press Ltd 2026. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information supplied in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Potting Shed Press Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cassation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.

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Interview

Behind every plant is a business

Fran Barnes, HTA CEO talks to GTN about how the association is working to ensure horticultural and garden centre businesses thrive.

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he remit of the Horticultural Trades Association is vast.

Covering all sectors of horticulture it spreads itself across all business aspects within growing, landscaping and retailing. Plants are the common thread and their valued and vital place within the environment, health and wellbeing and the UK economy, fuels its work. But first and foremost, it is a membership organisation, with their needs and requirements a priority.

“If you are not member focused, then you have no right to be a trade association,” states Fran Barnes, HTA CEO, who took up the post in 2023. “And that means being trusted, inclusive and collaborative. I believe we're living and breathing those values.”

One of Fran’s first projects was creating a clear three-year strategy, Grow 2026, which she believes has, so far, beaten every target. It wasn't just about numbers, although financial resilience was important, it was about growing its membership, its voice in Westminster, Senedd Cymru and The Scottish Government and making sure the people and infrastructure were in post to deliver. “When I arrived at the HTA, each

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person was focused on their own different area, for example, our membership team was either growing or retail focused. We've changed that because some businesses do both and it’s important we get the whole supply chain represented,” she says, and adds that geographical restructuring of the member-facing team has proved successful.

“Today, the whole team is laser focused, making sure we're a 21st century, fit for purpose trade association, which is delivering for our members.”

For retailers When any organisation has so much area to cover, it can, perhaps, be hard to appreciate benefits to specific sectors. For retailers one of the most obvious is the HTA’s National Garden Gift Card scheme, which locks £40m into horticultural retailing and drives two million instore visits. Fran believes this is something the industry should be proud of and adds that expanding gift card sales into supermarkets is now opening horticulture to new demographics.

“If somebody's going to buy a gift card, they will buy a gift card. It’s competitive

out there and we want them to spend it in horticulture and not, for example, Currys. It drives footfall and added value. Our model demonstrates that if you're a net seller then you're making money, but members who are net redeemers benefit from the added transaction value and additional spend for bigger baskets.”

Funding generated from the sale of gift cards is significant, accounting for 60% (in 2023) of the HTA’s total income of £5.669m (2022-2024). “Without this we wouldn’t have the resources to do our lobbying including our recent work to get plant health included in an SPS agreement. This was purely down to HTA lobbying and will save the industry millions in time and stress.

We’ve been told in some cases, it will save some businesses full stop,” says Fran.

The bigger picture Collective representation to promote environmental horticulture, is another

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Interview

“But it’s not just Defra, it's also departments for trade, energy, employment, health and the environment.

The drive to net zero can’t be achieved without our sector. It doesn’t deliver instant results, but we have really stepped up our lobbying. We've now got a small London office, essential if we're going to be face-to-face with and influence civil servants, officials and ministers,” adds Fran.

Regular changes within parliaments and the long-term nature of horticulture means lobbying is constant. “Civil servants don't tend to change in the same way as politicians, which is why it's important we speak to people at every level in every party. Our role is to pre-empt changes and make sure we get as much coverage and as much buy-in as we can,” Fran explains.

“In a world which is slightly unstable, we've got to invest in what makes this country good for the future. Our challenge, and this refers back to changing ministers, is it's hard to get people interested in the long game because they are likely not to be there in ten-year’s time.”

But members can do their part and the HTA offers support to help them keep in contact with their local MPs.

Bringing people together Historically, industry members made up HTA Council, but this has now been disbanded with efforts directed to bringing members together at regional way members appreciate the work of the HTA. One lone voice trying to appeal to governments is unlikely to be heard, but HTA engagement and connections ensure horticulture is considered within national decisions.

Environmental horticulture and the vital need for green space within the UK’s planned New Towns has been recognised by the government, and the HTA is working to lobby for the creation of an Office for Green Spaces. It also continues to challenge issues such as National Insurance, Inheritance Tax, and National Living Wage changes.

An example of this engagement is the recent Plants in Parliament event in London, with HTA members inviting their local MPs and a presentation from Mary Creagh (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defra and Labour MP for Coventry East).

The room, which had to be larger than last year due to the popularity of the event, was filled with plants and more than 140 MP's, Peers and their teams turned up. Each went away with seeds or a plant for their

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office or garden. “We had a queue around office the corridor of people wanting to come in, engage with us, and get a plant. For me that clearly shows people love this sector, so it’s not a hard fight. fight. The challenge is people take it for granted. They don't acknowledge gardens and green spaces need managing and that behind every plant is a business.”

Fran has also recently had a meeting with Angela Eagle, Minister of State for Defra.

“She understood about food parsnips and carrots - but hadn't had the opportunity to see or hear about the importance of environmental horticulture trees, plants, gardens, and the businesses behind our green spaces. Without us being there we would get overlooked, so we must ensure everyone understands and takes into account the impact of our sector.

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Interview

Opportunities

More than 140 MPs attended the recent Plants in Parliament event, with guest speaker Mary Creagh MP. L-R: Fran Barnes, Mary Creagh, Gerald Ingram from Planters Garden Centres and Ben Goldsborough MP.

events. Last year 40 such events were held alongside 120 APL cluster meetings for our landscaper members, offering opportunities for networking, finding new suppliers and buyers.

“Regional events are an effective way of speaking to a wider group of members.

Many former Council members were involved too so it’s a better use of their time, rather than dragging them into one place for a meeting. We have much more interaction with our members at grassroots level than perhaps we had before and I think, Council also came to the view that this is a better way. There was broad support within Council, so it wasn't a controversial decision.”

The HTA also runs Business Improvement Schemes (BIS), and the retail meetings are particularly strong. “For some, it has transformed their business. They would not be in the position they are now without that scheme, and they're still in it because

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they want to help other people come on board,” explains Fran. “I don’t know many other industries where you could get people together who would be so generous with their knowledge and genuine support. To have a group of your peers assess your garden centre and offer help and real solutions for any issue is so powerful.”

Considering 90% of HTA members are SME’s, being able to come together with people from like-minded businesses is hugely valuable especially when facing recent and future challenges. “Many are dealing with Business Property Relief, as well as Agricultural Property Relief, rises in the national living wage and national insurance, rateable values and changing trade patterns…and then you chuck in the weather! Retail is a pressured industry and although garden centre sales were up 9% last year, they need to be up by 10-15% this year just to stay even.”

With plans for five to seven new towns in the UK, there is a need for horticulture to be included at the very start. Milton Keynes has been a success because of its green space and has proved that it doesn’t have to be all about private gardens. “There has to be access to green space and our industry can step up, but without certainty of trade deals, what the market is going to look like and who might be the end users, it’s very hard to plan for.”

Fran can also see how a training academy or similar would work for horticulture. “I am very aware of the constant need from our members to have people who are trained in horticulture, because that's a real skills gap. But it’s not that simple.”

She explains although there is a general want for apprentices, it needs to be mirrored by access to training providers, and this part is generally missing. “There should be a way for the industry to come together and either create some kind of apprenticeship or training provision that brings people through. Relying on the education sector to train people is a vulnerable thing to do.”

Fran recalls her days at the NFU when she set up the Student and Young Farmer Ambassador Scheme, and NFU Education, which introduced farming to school children. “We didn’t rely on the National Curriculum. But we can help ourselves. I recently saw a poster in a garden centre saying, ‘Staff Required’. We should be saying: ‘Do you want to work in a friendly industry and be part of one that delivers on health, wellbeing and the environment for our country? And do you want the choice of working outside and to meet some fantastic people?’ If we are not selling ourselves in the first place, how can we expect careers advisors to point people in our direction? We need to recognise our unique selling point, what we can offer people, and how we can keep the good ones and develop their skills. The HTA has a role to play in developing people already in our industry, because we don't want them to leave.

“It’s not horticulture, its horti-culture.

I’ve not met a single person who is not bothered about their job or has a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude. In this industry, people don't only care about their job, but they also believe in it and they love it. You could say it’s a love for plants, gardening and green spaces and if we could bottle that and take it to every career’s advisor, then that’s what we would do.”

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Interview

Preparing to leave a privileged position As Vicky Nuttall prepares to leave GIMA, she talks to GTN about the highlights of her time as Director, changes in the industry and the ripples caused by the increasing instances of global chaos.

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or the last 12 years, Vicky Nuttall has been the friendly face of the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA), encouraging, supporting and working to help suppliers to the industry succeed. “Covering up to 15 product categories we represent choice and a gateway to opportunities,” says Vicky.

Before her days at GIMA, Vicky recalls her first ‘proper job’ with Marley Building Materials. Product development for roofing products, particularly clay roofing tiles, was her niche speciality and the six years spent here were not only informative but also generated life-long friendships.

When the post for marketing and product development at Forest Garden came up, Vicky took a chance. “It was a leap of faith, but I’m quite good at doing that,” she says.

During her 13 years at Forest, the business saw changes in ownership, restructuring and emerging sales channels so her time there was extremely busy and rewarding. It also enabled her to become familiar with gardening and horticulture, and from these become involved with GIMA as a member of the Council.

One of her fond memories at Forest was the launch of LifeSpace. A contemporary garden building which went on to win several awards but didn’t achieve the commercial success it deserved. “It was a fantastic product and beautifully designed

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and I remember it being part of a Hillier exhibit in the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. But it was almost too contemporary and perhaps a bit ahead of its time,” recalls Vicky.

Heading up GIMA It was in 2014 that Vicky became GIMA’s Director, taking on the role from Neil Gow. “GIMA was a good, solid association with some key milestones and events in the diary. There were probably more true independent garden centres then, with some brands who have since disappeared, but new ones have evolved, and there were not so many buying groups. I see more professionalism in the industry today when it comes to buying and negotiating, and of course, there are obviously advancements in technology. Compared to now, it’s like everything changes but nothing changes,” says Vicky.

“With the younger generation, has come different methods of communicating, and more recently we are seeing a greater emergence of online marketplaces. These are currently having less of an impact on garden centres, but in terms of retail distribution, it is affecting the big high street and DIY brands, many of which are or have disappeared. Garden centres can’t ignore the digital world especially as many consumers now opt for the convenience of buying online, but garden centres obviously

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Interview

bricks and mortar retailers, we work to help members understand what different retailers want.”

Proud achievements

offer a great visitor experience. The sights, smells and choice are hard to beat.

“When I think about membership and how it’s changed, GIMA perhaps has fewer owner operated businesses and more bigger companies with a corporate structure or part of a global or European business. When I first started only a few Council members represented these bigger organisations. That’s not the case now,” says Vicky.

GIMA now has more than 220 members supplying everything a garden centre needs, with the exception of plants. “We stop at plants as they need a different level of more technical support, and the HTA does that really well. It has the horticultural know-how and it’s important to recognise that and stick to your areas of expertise and spheres of influence.”

At its heart, GIMA is all about gardening and this is where it’s knowledge, expertise and contacts sit best, and it welcomes anyone from the sector. “That’s not to say this might change. We are always looking at ways to grow the membership beyond gardening” says Vicky. “With the recent addition of Gardenex, we are now looking at how our international profile might grow. But there is still the opportunity to continue to build and grow our existing core membership base at the same time” Vicky believes.

For some new companies entering the sector Vicky can see it’s not easy. “With the

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growth of buying groups and some of the big suppliers covering multiple categories, have really strong business models making it hard for smaller suppliers to break in.

But, at the end of the day, consumers want choice, and we don’t want to make every single centre look exactly the same, so there is room for everyone.”

Member benefits

The annual Garden Press Event, which celebrated its 20th event this year, is now co owned and run by GIMA and the HTA, and this is something Vicky is really proud to have been a part of.

Started by Richard Jackson and Guy Burtenshaw, with encouragement from Peter Seabrook, its remit was to provide a place and day where gardening businesses could be directly in touch with the media. “I remember someone saying that GIMA should run it because most of our members were exhibiting,” says Vicky. “And that always stuck in the back of my mind.”

When new organisers for the event were being sought, Vicky expressed an interest and, along with the HTA, the show became jointly owned in 2016. “As an industry event, it made sense for us to work Vicky with together and I’m really proud of how it has Kate Smith, worked out,” says Vicky. “It’s important Association Administration to have it in our armoury, and it works Manager and to promote gardening and our members Tony Kersey, brands to media and wider influencers. Our Membership members benefit from a discount at the Ambassador. event and any profit generated is ploughed back into GIMA (and the HTA) to continue to build membership services.”

Vicky has also nurtured communication

In the last year, GIMA has delivered At Polhill Garden Centre and facilitated more than 400 buyingg in Kent, Vicky with Kate Ebbens (GIMA council E appointments and events, which Viccky sayEb s, member) and Jenny is invaluable. Being a member also off ffersDouthwaite from Primeur D discounts to exhibit at trade events, but former GIMA President.

Vicky has worked hard to make sure thiis isn’t the top line benefit. “What members get from GIMA is contacts, knowledge, expertise and breadth of experience. We deliver this through our five pillars which are connecting, promoting, representing, supporting and saving whether that’s at events or exchange rate benefits. We connect members across the sector or with retailers either formally or informally; promote members within the wider industry for example through the GIMA Buyer’s Guide or press event; represent suppliers by being a voice for the sector; support through insights, training and advice, social media articles, PR and behind the scenes influence; and financial savings.

Whether with new emerging Marketplace retailers, which is all about distribution and maximising your listings, to traditionall

April/May 2026 9

Interview

Vicky with Craig Hall, GIMA's President from Deco Pak. Journalists gather for the opening of the 2026 Garden Press Event.

At Meadow View Stone with Sarah Hill, GIMA Council Member and Jess Dabell.

and relationships between other trade associations including LOFA and the GCA and was the first Director of GIMA to also be on the board of the HTA. “It’s all about working across the industry. Before I started there wasn't that cross-industry collaboration we have today,” explains Vicky.

In hindsight, another crucial move was when GIMA joined the CBI about a year before the Covid pandemic. “During the pandemic, CBI was hosting daily webinars, and it was like a hotline to government. We were there right at the start feeding in the challenges of our members, and we were getting information back, not only from government but from other businesses and organisations. We were able to pass on crucial information in real time and actively asking members about their pinch points so we could ask the CBI and government.

GIMA was also providing crucial supply

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chain updates across the sector as well as being there in support of the lobbying activity, headed by the HTA, to reopen garden centres.

“That channel of communication across the industry is still open today, and although we are back to being a very commercial and competitive sector, I believe that buyers and retailers are much more attuned to the pressures and the dynamics of the supply chain.”

Then there is the evolution of the GIMA Awards, now a much-anticipated event in the diary and held yearly in Wales. “It’s so efficient now especially considering we are a relatively small team,” says Vicky.

White flag events One of the biggest challenges for the sector are termed as ‘white flag events’ – global or other events that impact on the industry which are out of anyone’s control.

Obviously, the covid pandemic was one such event, but recent wars in Ukraine and Middle East affecting haulage and fuels costs are an example but there’s also the grounding of the ship Evergiven in March 2021 which blocked the Suez Canal.

“We’ve always got the unpredictability of the weather to cope with as a sector and establishing how we can support members during these white flag events is always an interesting challenge, but we do what we can where possible.

“When I look to the future I truly believe that gardening is in a really good place. It gives people a sense of calm and control, especially with everything going on in the

Martin Ward, GIMA's new Director.

world. A lot of people enjoy retreating to their homes and gardens, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. That said, not everyone will choose gardening, some people may prefer other activities that feel a bit less demanding but still offer a similar sense of relaxation and escape.”

Vicky is passing the mantel of Director over to Martin Ward, who many know from his days at Solus, Hozelock, Westland and David Austin Roses, and although she is still in post, she can already see that, most of all, she will miss the people. “I’ve been incredibly lucky and privileged to hold this role. I’ve met so many amazing people and businesses along the way. I’ll genuinely miss the GIMA team and the events; they’ve been such a big part of the experience and always great fun. That said, I feel like I’m leaving GIMA in a really strong place, and I’m pleased to be handing over to Martin to take on the mantle and lead things forward.”

GTN is delighted to announced that Vicky will be joining the team of judges for this year’s New Product Awards at Glee 2026.

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SOLEX WORLD CUP Awards Night 2026 Concourse Suite, NEC Birmingham Tuesday 7 July 6.30pm - 11.30pm

First Half

Solex Awards Hosted by Paul Sinha

Half Time

Hot Food Music & Networking Foosball Tables

Second Half

Round 16 Live World Cup Match - shown on large screens

Strictly limited to 350 guests Book via registration portal £100 non-attendance fee applies

Promotion

Get ready to play SOLEX World Cup Awards Night 2026 kicks off in championship style.

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ummer starts here — and SOLEX is kicking things off in feel-good style.

The SOLEX Awards & Afterparty returns for its third year on Tuesday 7th July 2026, bringing the celebrations to the Concourse Suite at the NEC, Birmingham – this time under the banner of the SOLEX World Cup Awards Night.

Limited to just 350 guests and with a World Cup 2026 theme setting the tone, this is your chance to swap the show floor for the spotlight and celebrate the outdoor living industry in true SOLEX style — great people, great atmosphere, delicious food… and a brilliant night out.

Football focus The evening begins with welcome drinks from 6.30pm, before the spotlight turns to the main stage for the SOLEX Awards Ceremony. Hosted by comedian and broadcaster Paul Sinha. Expect laughs, energy and a proper feel-good vibe as Paul takes to the stage as MC and helps present the SOLEX Awards, recognising excellence and creativity across the outdoor living sector.

Following the awards guests move into half-time enjoying fantastic food, music and relaxed networking. Football tables will be in play throughout the interval, adding a light-

The sporting theme for the SOLEX awards night continues following the successful F1 evening last year to coincide with the Grand Prix at Silverstone.

hearted, competitive element to the evening and encouraging exhibitors and industry colleagues to connect.

The second half sees guests take to their seats for a live screening of a World Cup Round of 16 match on large screens, bringing shared tournament drama to the SOLEX audience.

The event wraps up at 11.30pm, making it the perfect way to kick off SOLEX with an unforgettable celebration.

Book your place

Tickets must be booked in advance via the SOLEX website registration portal.

Attendance is strictly capped at 350 guests, with a £100 non-attendance fee applicable to confirmed bookings not attended.

For more information and to secure your place, visit the SOLEX registration portal. www.solexexhibition.com

April/May 2026 13

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Blue Diamond Awards 2026

Sun, sea, sci-fi and awards

A night of seaside fun in Bournemouth as Blue Diamond recognises its top performing centres.

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ver 800 people attended the 2026 Blue Diamond Awards at the Bournemouth International Centre where Newbridge won the Oak Garden Centre of the Year for the third year running, Sanders won the Young Oak Garden Centre of the Year Award, Harlow won the Sapling Garden Centre of the year and Orchard Park are the Acorn Garden Centre of the Year.

During the sparkling evening, MD Alan Roper told his teams and key suppliers that in 2025: 6 new centres were added, £395m turnover created a new industry sales record, £27.85m was spent on acquisitions and £10.56m spent on refurbishment

He went on to announce that Elveden Garden Centre in Suffolk would open in March 2027 and that works were starting on the Peak Gateway Garden Centre. Just last week the acquisition of Holt Garden Centre in Norfolk was announced.

A highlight of the evening was the debut showing of an Alan Roper directed and inspired AI video production telling the story of 2025, told as a ‘Space Odyssey’ mixing in Star Trek, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Star Wars and even a touch of James Bond. You can watch the video for yourself using this link: https://youtu.be/ XnhRWJHyoUI In a spoof, AI generated sci-fi movie, Alan Roper projected a vision of Blue Diamond’s future.

Blue Diamond Awards 2022 - The Full Results Garden Centre of the Year • Orchard Park - Acorn • Newbridge - Oak Garden Centre of the Year The Sapling Award • Harlow Garden Centre of the Year The Young Oak Award • Sanders Profit Gap Improvement • Orchard Park - Acorn • Cadbury – Oak Profit Gap • Redfields Centre Security • Cardiff Customer Experience • Trelawney – Acorn • Brambridge – Oak Home • Brambridge - Becky Pettigrew – Acorn • East Bridgeford - Adam Smith – Oak Fashion • Weybridge - Lydia Marcar - Acorn • Coton Orchard - Donna Gee - Oak

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April/May 2026 15

Blue Diamond Awards 2026

Christmas • Trelawney - Dennis Risdon – Acorn • Sanders - Suise Keate – Oak The Magic of Christmas • Harlow - Lisa Dellar - Acorn • Derby - Amanda Higham & Richard Hind - Oak Garden Leisure • Hereford - Scott O’leary-Harris – Acorn • Bridgemere – Craig Redford - Oak Gardening • 3 Shires - Sophie Turner & Worcester Jonathan Fry - Acorn • Great Amwell - Naomi Jeakins - Oak Seeds and Bulbs • Nailsworth - Daniel Underhill - Acorn • Percy Throwers - Richard Shuker - Oak

C O M FO R T . D E S I G N . Q UA L I T Y .

Wild Animal • Rake - Gaynor Oakes - Acorn • Sanders - Ben Smith - Oak

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Blue Diamond Awards 2026 Seasonal Plants • Rake - Richard Meads & John Clark - Acorn • Grosvenor - John Moxon - Oak

Barista of the Year • Derby - Charlotte Hassall

Hardy Plants • Rake - Richard Meads - Acorn • Harlow - Dean Elliot - Oak

Head Chef • Orchard Park – Jessica Pitman - Acorn • Brambridge – Adam Gelender - Oak

Indoor Plants • Cardiff - Dev Bambhania – Acorn • Chenies - Anette Dexter - Oak

Pastry Chef • Chenies – Katie Chapman - Acorn • East Bridgeford – Francescca Onorato & Peterborough – Tony McLean - Oak

Food retailer • Evesham - Siam Gisbourne - Acorn • Cardiff - Jo Nicholls - Oak

Origins of the Year • Cadbury Restaurant of the Year - The Acorn Award • Orchard Park - Acorn • Percy Throwers - Oak Restaurant of the Year - The Sapling Award • Hereford Restaurant of the Year - The Young Oak Award • Mere Park

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

April/May 2026 17

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2026

Get together for Greenfingers

Time is racing towards 10th June when the 24-strong team of Greenfingers supporters take on their challenge to climb 5,895m to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. So far, they have raised more than £108,000 which will go towards the new hospice garden at Naomi House & Jacksplace in Winchester, one of the charity’s biggest projects in 2026. Some of the team knuckled down for extra training by taking part in the Garden Re-Leaf North Walk

Well over 150 garden centres and 83 walkers took part in this year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day to FUNdraise for the Greenfingers Charity.

G

roups of intrepid walkers set off from BGC Tring in Hertfordshire for the South Walk and The Pickled Pheasant at Holme in West Yorkshire’s Peak District for the North Walk to raise funds for Greenfingers Charity on Garden Re-Leaf Day in March.

Walkers could choose from a 10 mile or 25km (15.5mile) circuit starting and finishing at the garden centre in Tring, while 22 people took part in the North Walk and covered and impressive 13 miles.

18 April/May 2026

British Garden Centres All 78 stores which are part of the British Garden Centres family, took part in Garden Re-leaf day to help achieve its aim of raising £100,000 for Greenfingers during 2026 (almost double its 2025 target). Teams hosted a diverse range of activities including raffles, bake sales, pot painting, dog photo shoots, and hamper giveaways and collectively raised a whopping £34,875.91.

Some also took on additional challenges including the sponsored walk and a virtual indoor cycling challenge. Members from both the Harrogate and Leeds centres also climbed Mount Snowdon.

Fundraising continued with the BGC marketing team running the London Landmarks Half Marathon and teams from Brigg biking the distance between all the garden centres.

Blue Diamond Although traditionally just a one-day event, teams at all 53 Blue Diamond centres decided to hold a full week of gardenthemed activities.

More than 300 children got involved with the Create a Mini Veggie Planter event and Blue Diamond’s Group Relationship Manager Jill Kerr says: “It was wonderful to see so many children from across the country taking part in the veggie growing event and being so proud of their mini planters.”

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2026

Blue Diamond also donated £1 from every sale of its special Greenfingers ‘Friends’ charity roses which it will continue to sell throughout the year. These fragrant hybrid tea roses boast beautiful buttercup-yellow flowers and dark green glossy foliage.

Garden Re-Leaf cupcakes were sold in the group’s main restaurants with all proceeds from the sale of the cakes going to the charity. Each garden centre also had a JustGiving QR code at every till point for customers to scan.

Across the UK

• QVC had three dedicated Garden Re-Leaf shows hosted by Greenfingers founder, Richard Jackson which raised £12,000.

• The Old Railway Line Garden Centre raised £813 from its Quiz and Curry Night. Just over £300 came from the half-time raffle.

• Woodmansterne embraced the day by hosting Floral Friday and bake sale.

• Members of the Glee team took part in the walks while others back in the office hosted a bake sale.

• Hozelock also hosted a bake sale.

• Haskins garden centres held instore raffles.

A massive thank you to everyone who took part in the day. The final amount raised during Garden Re-Leaf Day 2026 will be announced at The Greenfingers Charity Summer Ball on 2nd July.

This will go towards Healing Hands, Helping Hearts, the latest appeal to raised £1m annually. www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

April/May 2026 19

Promotion

Captivating curves How an elegant, bespoke horseshoe canopy from Fordingbridge, has elevated outdoor retail at Haskins Garden Centre.

W

hen Haskins Garden Centre A no-hassle space that delivers in spades approached Fordingbridge to enhance the outdoor plant area For the Haskins team a key benefit was at its West End centre, the ambition was clear: Fordingbridge’s fully managed, turnkey a showstopping display area that encouraged delivery. From removal of existing structures, through to foundation works, exploration in all seasons, while enabling irrigation, canopy design, manufacture open-air browsing on fair weather days. and installation. Fordingbridge managed A solution with standout every stage, ensuring minimal disruption Fordingbridge’s solution? To utilise existing and clear communication to help make foundations to create a bespoke 101m long, the project run smoothly and efficiently.

13m wide timber and steel horseshoe canopy The result? A standout canopy that that connects the main building and outdoor has already increased both footfall and area. Curving around the space, the striking dwell time. canopy draws visitors into the area and Why leading garden centres perfectly frames the centre’s vast seasonal choose Fordingbridge plant displays.

• Decades of extensive sector experience.

The curved structure provides robust • Trusted by the UK’s most respected weather protection while subtly enhancing garden centre brands. the flow and visibility of the outdoor space • Design-led solutions that maximise and increasing dwell time within the area. year-round trading potential.

• Turnkey, stress free design and delivery.

The outcome of Haskins’ brief is far • All weather performance that more than a canopy. It’s a longlasting retail asset that increases transforms customer experience usable display space and creates and protects stock. aesthetically pleasing areas that will • Sector-leading 25-year guarantees last for decades. for long-term peace of mind.

20 April/May 2026

If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor retail space, get in touch today to arrange your complimentary site visit. Our expert team is ready to help you imagine what’s possible!

Visit: www.fordingbridge.co.uk Tel: 01243 554455

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Sustainability Directory 2026

Susta a inabill ity ty Directory 20 026 The GTN 2026 Sustainabiliittyy Directory ry is the place to find and choose suppliers who embrace su ustainability ty as an every ryday consideration. www.gardentradenews.co.uk

April/May 2026 21

Sustainable products

Setting sustainability standards

Each year, the GIMA Awards champion companies and their products for their commitment to sustainability. The most recent winners will be great additions to any retail offering.

Long lasting and strong

Get into composting

Growing media booster

Retailing at around £69.00, the Elho Green Basics Composter with a capacity of 200L, is aimed at getting more people into home composting. With its rounded shape, soft green colour and easy to open lid and hatch, it looks perfectly at home near a house, on the patio or a garden in any rural or urban setting.

Adhering to Elho’s exacting sustainability credentials, the composter is made from 100% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. Elho has an arrangement with Dobbies stores to host bins for collecting customer plastic pots and trays and has B Corp status, with products made in the Netherlands using wind and solar energy. Not only does the composter have great sustainable credentials, it helps the environment further by encouraging the recycling of brown and green waste turning it into something useful for plants and the garden, and reducing the waste sent to municipal recycling depots.

Enriched with rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi and benefi cial beneficial Empathy Bioactive bacteria, Compost Improver by PlantWorks Ltd is easy to add to any peatfree growing media to encourage plants with stronger roots, vibrant growth, and more flowers flowers and fruit.

A perfect linked sale, it is backed by three years of trials data in peat-free growing media. Containing PAS100tested green waste, plant-derived amino acids, and beneficial microbes it is sold in recyclable, weatherresistant packaging. By supporting microbial life, the product enhances long-term soil health and structure key to regenerative and sustainable growing practices. It also reduces reliance on synthetic inputs, aligning with eco-concious gardening and can be mixed directly into bags of growing media or incorporated directly on to raised beds.

22 April/May 2026

Stronger, tougher and more durable than high-carbon steel, Burgon & Ball’s BoronGreen RHS-endorsed gardening tools each come with a 25-year guarantee.

Long used in the automotive and agricultural sectors, the boron steel used in BoronGreen tools delivers a range with performance above and beyond that of a like-for-like carbon steel tools. Steel made from 80% recycled materials, is partnered with wood handles from sustainably managed FSC®certified resources. Packaging is certified minimal and card used is recycled.

From bottles to cushions The waterproof fabric used for the Woodlodge Eco Cushions is made from recycled water bottles with the label of each clearly specifying the number of 500ml plastic bottles used for each one.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Sustainable products

Growing for nature Johnsons Lawn Seed Nature’s Lawn enhances lawn ecology and supports biodiversity by combining UK native perennial wildfl ower wildflower seeds with lawn grasses to attract and sustain pollinators like butterfl ies and butterflies bumblebees. Resulting lawns are low maintenance, drought and shade tolerant and require no feeding or herbicides.

Slow growing grasses reduce the need for mowing and once established, lawns provide a rich habitat for pollinators, attracting them for up to six months each year. Johnsons produces its own native wildflower seed without pesticides using GPS-guided sowing and hoeing to virtually eliminate herbicides.

and long-lasting value. Offering superior durability (leading to fewer replacements) for high-traffic areas, each mat has been made from recycled materials, offering a solution for consumers who want to maintain a functional home while supporting sustainability. Designs include barrier matting, rubber scrapers and colourful machine washable mats and runners to give consumers the perfect blend of sustainability, practicality, and style – all at a competitive price point,

Garden beauties Year-round interest in the garden comes from L V Bespoke with its Glass & Steel Garden Feature Stakes Collection. Made in the UK, they offer retailers another sales opportunity be organising photographic competitions of pictures taken through glass orb. Made from UK steel components and hand finished in Norfolk reduces air miles.

Liberty brings colour and style Being water wise

Shed solution

SealStop by SealStop is an automatic water shut-off device to prevent overflow and subsequent water waste when filling up buckets, containers, or troughs. The entire concept is built around only using the water you need, reducing waste, and promoting responsible water use. SealStop is manufactured entirely in the UK, supporting local businesses and reducing the carbon footprint associated with overseas production and transport.

Every aspect of the business has been carefully considered to minimise environmental impact, from the recyclable valve to the fully recyclable packaging and local production.

Premium and lightweight, the Liberty pots from Woodlodge Products have a high-end glazed ceramic effect and are perfect for indoor and outdoor use. Made from 100% recycled materials and fully recyclable after use, pots are also transported in ecoconscious PET wrap packaging. Available in 10 stylish colours and three versatile sizes, they offer customers choice, aesthetic appeal and affordability.

More than just a storage solution, the Keter Potting Shed can also be a dedicated workspace and vibrant creative hub for any hobby. Its hybrid roof design features a translucent section to bring in natural sunlight, and an opaque section to protect plants and tools from unpredictable weather. Five user-friendly windows open for ventilation while two fixed corner windows, help make for a bright and airy environment. All components are resin and 100% recyclable.

Making a bee line towards sustainability Primeur’s Mighty Mats Eco Doormat Collection is a stylish, sustainable range designed to deliver high performance

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

April/May 2026 23

Sustainability is at the heart of all the decisions we make at Woodmansterne.

As a family business, we understand the importance of protecting our environment for future generations to enjoy.

We continually inspire new ways to improve our sustainability efforts by working with leading suppliers, whilst researching and investing in new skills and technologies. We’re committed to improving processes sustainably, while preserving the quality our retailers love.

•

100% plastic-free and recyclable cards and gift packaging

•

Greeting cards designed and printed by us in the UK

•

Vegetable inks used on paper from only FSC® certified sustainable forests

•

Envelopes made from 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper

•

Distributed by us from one of the greenest warehouses in the UK

SELECT

C AT E G O R Y M A N A G E M E N T

A seamless end-to-end managed service for your greeting card and gift packaging displays, already enjoyed by many of the very best retailers across the country.

From planning to presentation, you can expect: •

Tailored planning and bespoke assortments created for your store

•

Access to multiple publishers. Woodmansterne ranges plus trusted partners

•

Expert merchandising with professionally designed and regularly updated displays

•

Cost & environmental benefits realised by efficient stock management and replenishment

Contact us to find out how we can help your business flourish

01923 200600 sales@woodmansterne.co.uk

Sustainability Directory 2026

SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORY FOR 2026 GTN’s 2026 Sustainability Directory provides an easy way to find suppliers committed to improving their green credentials in the workplace and producing eco-sensitive products.

AutoPot Watering Systems AutoPot Watering Systems allow growers of all abilities to grow any plant, anywhere, power-free, with zero waste, and no mains water required. These economical, sustainable, environmentally-friendly innovations are RHS endorsed and produced in the U.K. from 100% recycled plastics. www.autopot.co.uk Bulldog Tools All Bulldog tools are designed and built to last. This is fundamental to Bulldog Tool’s sustainability strategy, ensuring its tools last for years so they don’t need to be replaced very often (if at all). www.bulldogtools.co.uk

Durston Garden Products, a family-run Somerset business with 35+ years’ experience, offers innovative, exclusive peat-free growing media, outperforming competitors in trials while meeting UK garden retailers’ diverse demands. www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk Elho We are a Dutch family business with more than 200 passionate green fans who produce sustainable design flowerpots and everything that goes with them. Everything to make sure that people surround themselves with as much greenery as possible.

And we’ve been doing so since 1964. www.elho.com.eu Evergreen Garden Care prioritises environmental protection by its transition of Miracle-Gro and Levington ranges to be 100% peat-free. They have invested over £7 million, providing sustainable alternatives that preserve peatlands. www.lovethegarden.com

Khloris Watering Systems

Durstons Advanced

Khloris is the first automatic, power-free, fully-responsive plant watering system to be designed for living rooms, balconies, and conservatories. Available in three colours, it combines a tasteful, sculpted, interior-friendly aesthetic with highly effective, easy-to-use irrigation technology.

Durstons Advanced is a high-performance, future-ready peat-free compost range independently proven to deliver vigorous growth and abundant blooms. It includes Multi-Purpose Compost, Organic Peat-Free Multipurpose, Grow-in-the-Bag and other speciality mixes, all enriched with Gro Boost and Gro Fibre for superior water retention and nutrients. Ideal for modern gardeners seeking sustainable, top-performing growing media.

This RHS Endorsed irrigation solution requires no electricity or mains water and creates zero waste.

Because the system is controlled entirely by uptake, every drop of water and fertiliser goes to the plants making it a truly economical and ecologically sustainable innovation.

Duston Garden Products RRP: POA www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk

Khloris by AutoPot Watering Systems RRP: £89.95 www.autopot.co.uk mail@autopot.co.uk

The beige colour is new in the Made in Holland collection. Adding a natural colour to the assortment. A basic colour that fits into any environment but still gives your home or garden a fresh look.

The pots are made in Holland and come with a lifetime warranty.

Available in different textures, models and sizes.

From £ 47,99

Made in Holland.

Beige colour

26 April/May 2026

Capi Europe BV (Via Treadstone) www.capi-europe.com Tel: +44 (0)1978 664667 Email: sales@treadstoneproducts.com

NEW COLOUR

Miracle-Gro® Compost – All Purpose Our premium, nutrient-rich compost is proven to grow healthier plants - at least twice as big as those grown in ordinary compost. Miracle-Gro® compost enables strong root development with improved water and nutrient absorption, resulting in bigger plants, more flowers and fruits and greener, healthier leaves – guaranteed, giving gardeners confidence to grow all around the garden Evergreen Garden Care RRP £7.99 (40L) www.lovethegarden.com evergreen@vccproar.com

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Peat-free compost your customers can trust

Why stock Melcourt?

Recognised 27 times as a Gardening Which? best buy since 2015 Endorsed by the RHS Official Supplier to Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh (YouTube Channel) Proud holders of a Royal Warrant from HM The King Supplying professional growers for over 25 years

Call or email now to place your order T: 01666 502711 | E: mail@melcourt.co.uk

The Royal Horticultural Society. Trade marks of The Royal Horticultural Society (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) used under licence from RHS Enterprises Limited.

EP Barrus Town & Country from Barrus is recognised as one of the UK’s leading gardening brands and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of gardening gloves, footwear and accessories. www.townandco.com Firestorm Heaters Firestorm Heaters utilise British wood pellets sourced from Scottish trees. All the trees are reforested and ‘Grown in Britain’ certified. It uses 100% recyclable packaging to ship its products. www.firestormheaters.co.uk Formbar Ltd Reduce, reuse and recycle are at Formbar’s core.

Supplying quality products that have longevity, supporting through maintenance and using recycled material. From first step to checkout, Formbar supplies sustainable equipment. www.formbar.co.uk Goodlifegateway Liquid Organic Plant food, made sustainably from plants for plants, with 100% recyclable packaging and zero waste in production, storing and shipping. The BEST Organic Plant Food on the market. www.goodlifegateway.com Hortiwool Hortiwool is a family business which has worked with natural materials for almost two decades. Hands down, our absolute favourite is wool. Our dream is that everyone comes to love wool as much as we do, along with benefitting from its awesome properties as you cultivate and create in an around your home and garden. www.hotiwool.com Johnsons Lawn Seed Established in 1820 Johnsons Lawn Seed is the oldest lawn seed brand in the UK with a long and prestigious record of product innovation and grass breeding. www.johnsonslawnseed.com

Keter Keter has designed all its products to be 100% recyclable and is on an ambitious trajectory to increase the use of recycled content in its products from 40% in 2020 to 55% in 2025. Because the earth is our home and our workplace - we like it and the people who live here. www.keter.com LAVA-LITE® provides retailers with sustainably focused horticulture and pest control products, combining responsible sourcing, reduced environmental impact and reliable performance to meet growing consumer demand for greener, compliant retail solutions. www.lava-lite.co.uk Melcourt Melcourt has always taken the protection of our planet seriously. In fact, it has been carefully blending science and nature for over 40 years. www.melcourt.co.uk Pelsis Doff Pelsis is committed to delivering sustainable and innovative solutions, providing peace of mind, protecting public health, and working in harmony with nature. With environmentally conscious pest management and garden care brands, including Green Protect and Green Fingers. www.doff.co.uk Primeur Ltd Pioneers of recycled rubber, Primeur has helped to divert millions of tyres from reaching landfill, with each one reimagined to become part of a multi-award-winning garden product range. www.primeur.co.uk RocketGro With unmatched eco-story, including the completion of a brand-new CO2 capture plant RocketGro, a British organic peat-free brand, is on track to become the UK’s first climate positive growing media supplier. www.rocketgro.co.uk

elho

LAVA-LITE NO-GNATS

elho, the market leader in sustainable plant pots, has expanded its indoor range with three new collections. Facet is a design-led round pot, available in multiple sizes and sophisticated colourways. The gradient collection features soft, earthy tones with a ceramic-look finish. Vibes returns with its signature ribbed texture, refreshed in contemporary colours - linen white, fern green and anthracite to meet evolving consumer tastes.

LAVA-LITE NO GNATS is a sustainable natural mineral soil topper that prevents fungus gnats and promotes healthy plant growth. Available in 1 litre and 3 litre pouches, it is reusable, mess free, and shelf ready. Perfect for houseplants and greenhouses, it offers retailers high margin potential, encourages repeat purchases, and appeals to eco conscious customers seeking effective plant care solutions.

elho RRP: Facet from £6.29, Gradient £12.49, Vibes from £6.49 Website: www.elho.com/en Email address: david.nicholson@elho.nl

RRP 1Litre £9.99 RRP 3 Litre £15.49 www.lava-lite.co.uk enquiries@lava-lite.co.uk

AceLawn

Peat-Free Multi-Purpose Compost (50L)

Ace Lawn from Johnsons Lawn Seed is a lowmaintenance lawn mix designed to work with nature. Combining perennial ryegrass, red fescue and Microclover®, it requires no fertiliser, needs less mowing and stays green naturally. Droughttolerant and hard-wearing, Ace Lawn also supports biodiversity by providing valuable forage for pollinators when allowed to flower.

RocketGro’s Peat-Free Multi-Purpose Composst is a bio-active, nutrient-rich blend designed fo or versatile garden use, and provides at least 12 weeks of feed thanks to the inclusion of Orga anic Fertiliser Superfood. Suitable for pots, beds, borders, containers, and planting out fruit tre ees, it enhances plant health and yields. This compost is peat-free, chemical-free, and animal productners. free, offering a sustainable choice for garden

Johnsons Lawn Seed RRP: £10.99 (to cover 20sqm) www.johnsonslawnseed.com

28 April/May 2026

RocketGro RRP – from £6.00 hello@rocketgro.co.uk www.rocketgro.co.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Sustainability Directory 2026 Sipcam Trusted by gardeners, loved by plants, and backed by science, ecofective® doesn’t do poisons or pointless plastic. Every product is packed with care, powered by nature, and proven to make your garden bloom. www.sipcamuk.co.uk Treadstone The award winning ClipGlove range now features up to 40% recycled content per pair. For an even stronger eco message, why not try our Bottle Glove range, with liners made from 95% recycled plastic bottles. www.treadstoneproducts.com UK Greetings Our world means the world to us, we are committed to sustainability from the products we create and supply to the service we provide. www.ukgreetings.co.uk Vitavia Sustainable aluminum greenhouses from Vitavia are durable, corrosion resistant and recyclable. This gives the greenhouse longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacement and the recyclability lessens the environmental impact by promoting a circular economy. www.vitavia.co.uk Vitax Vitax offers a comprehensive range of organic and sustainable products from fertilisers such as 6X, to pest control with Slug Gone. Recent additions include a new organic house plant feed. www.gardenworld.co.uk/trade

Webb Garden Power Bringing to the market the Webb EcoFriendly Cordless Garden Tools, designed for optimal performance with a super-fast battery recharge. The 20V Webb Eco cordless range provides an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to traditional petrol options. Quiet to use and cordless in design, the new range offers complete freedom with no power cables to get in the way or hold you up. Now available to order from British garden equipment manufacturer Webb. www.webbgardenpower.co.uk Woodmansterne As a third-generation family business, Woodmansterne understands the importance of protecting our environment and safeguarding it for the future. It is committed to using sustainable materials and practices wherever possible. www.woodmansterne.com Zest Committed to the environment and ethical sourcing, together with supply partners, Zest is collaborating on a 10,000acre replanting scheme in Eastern Europe. All products are made from slow-grown softwood from PEFC certified forests. www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk/our-story/sustainabilityenvironment/

RocketGro Composts The RocketGro story is the biggest eco story at scale to come out of the UK compost producing industry since modern production of compost began.

• Peat-Free & Coir-Free • Soil Association Approved Organic • 100% Sustainable • 100% British • Endorsed by River Cottage • Powered by Digestate fibre and an added Organic Fertiliser Superfood for a full 3-month+ feed Visit www.rocketgro.co.uk for more info or contact Managing Director Toby Thomas on 07936 928 981 / hello@rocketgro.co.uk 30 April/May 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Leading the way

ecofective® Nourish & Bloom Nourish & Bloom is fast, simple, and effective with pure plant power in every drop.

This fast-acting liquid formula is perfect for busy gardeners who want visible results without fuss. Healthy plants start with healthy soil, but even the best soil needs support. SoilActivator is the magic blend in Nourish & Bloom Granular Plant Food containing seven strains of beneficial bacteria that create richer soil, stronger plants, and more blooms.

Nourish & Bloom All Purpose Granular Plant Food – 1.2 Ltr (RRP £8.99) Nourish & Bloom All Purpose Liquid Plant Foor Concentrate – 350g (RRP £6.99) & 800g (RRP £9.99) www.ecofective.uk.com enquiries@sipcamhg.co.uk

ClipGlove - Now with Recycled Content!

The Gardens Group is once again leading the way in providing customers with sustainable Christmas decorations and gift offers. It’s three centres of Castle Gardens, Brimsmore and Poundbury took home several accolades in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards which were presented in February at Spring Fair.

For a full account of all winners see the February and March issues of GTN and to keep ahead of all things sustainable, sign up for the GTN Xtra newsletter at www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Always Stylish, Always Practical, Always Dependable. The award winning ClipGlove range now features up to 40% recycled content per pair, and with 4 Gardeners’ World Best Buys in our range you can be confident our gloves are the very best for your customers. For an even stronger eco message, why not try our Bottle Glove range, with liners made from 95% recycled plastic bottles.

ClipGlove - Always a pair, never apart!

Treadstone Products www.treadstoneproducts.com sales@treadstoneproducts.com

GARDEN POWER

NEW FOR 2026 GREAT RETAILER MARGIN

40V LITHIUM 20V + 20V

MADE FOR

BRITISH GARDENS

Entrry Petrol Lawnmower

Cordless Larger Gardens

Webb 39cm Petrol Lawnmower

Webb 40V 47cm Self-Propelled Brushless Law wnmower

Ideal as a first petrol step-up for homeowners moving from electric, this model delivers dependable petrol performance in a lightweight, easy-to-handle format suited to smaller and medium gardens.

This 40V 47cm self-propelled lawnmower offers powerful cordless performance for larger lawns, wiith 4Ah dual batteries & charger , 3-in-1 cutting versatiility, LED lights, and upright space-saving storage.

WEV20X2LM47SPB4X

WER16DV130

For retailers, it is a strong entry-level petrol product with clear value positioning, appealing to customers seeking an affordable, reliable mower that combines ease of use with the benefits of petrol power.

SSP £169.99

BECOME A

TRADE SUPPLY: Contact

STOCKIST – APPLY FOR AN TRADE ACCOUNT

Trade: www.handytrade.co.uk www.gardentradenews.co.uk

SSP £419.99 TRADE SUPPLY: Contact

40V Multi-Tool 4-IN-1 WEV20X2LM47SPB4X Supplied with 30cm brushcutter/line trimmer, 20cm pole saw, 40cm hedge trimmer, dual 4Ah batteries, and charger.

4 IN 1

SSP £249.99 TRADE SUPPLY: Contact

www.webbgardenpower.co.uk

Email: sales@handys.co.uk Telephone: 01793 333220 April/May 2026 31

Adapt or Die

Shared perspectives

Dries Jansen, Sid Raisch and John Stanley offer an international perspective on what garden centres around the world can learn from each other, backed up by data analysis.

G

arden centres are places of routine and ritual.

People visit them on quiet mornings, between errands, or as part of a weekend habit. They are deeply rooted in local life, shaped by climate, seasons and long-standing customer relationships. Yet when garden centres from different countries are viewed side by side, something unexpected becomes clear. The further you look beyond borders, the more familiar customer behaviour begins to feel.

This observation lies at the heart of a shared perspective developed by Fred de Rijcke and Dries Jansen who are based in The Netherland and connected through GardenCenterAdvice. Their work across Europe, North America and the Middle East has shown that while garden centres may differ in scale, style and culture, the way people experience them follows remarkably consistent patterns.

Wherever a garden centre is located, the first moments inside are decisive.

Visitors instinctively assess whether the

32 April/May 2026

Data mining identifies the density of the population who garden and are located around garden centres. When plotted on map, it is easy for independent garden centres to identify areas where marketing opportunities exist.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Adapt or Die

space feels welcoming, understandable and calm.

Light, scale and movement are registered before individual products are noticed. Within seconds, a quiet judgement is made, does this place invite me to stay, or encourage me to move on?

These reactions are not shaped by nationality.

They are human. While habits differ between countries - how often people visit, what they grow and how much they spend - the need for orientation, comfort and trust appears everywhere.

Keep it logical to make shopping easier Across markets, one insight continues to surface.

People buy more easily when a garden centre feels logical. Not because everything is explained, but because the space quietly guides them.

When visitors sense where they are, where to go next and what kind of offer to expect, they slow down. They stay longer, explore more freely and make decisions with less hesitation.

Understanding these patterns requires a particular way of looking.

Without relying on fixed models, this approach allows insights to surface that would normally remain hidden from view. It shifts attention from isolated numbers or trends to the relationships between space, behaviour and context.

Data can support this way of seeing, but only when treated with care. Turnover figures alone rarely explain much. They become meaningful only when viewed alongside floor space, location and surrounding population. Used this way, data does not judge performance. It provides perspective, helping outline what might reasonably be expected in a given setting.

These are not dramatic revelations, but subtle shifts and recurring signals — small inconsistencies between space and performance, or similarities between seemingly unrelated locations. Data mining, in this sense, is less about prediction and more about observation. It helps reveal how people actually behave, rather than how we expect them to behave, and it brings structure to insights that would otherwise remain intuitive or unnoticed.

Taken together, the data offers a realistic sense of how much untapped potential may exist.

In other words, it becomes possible to estimate how much room there is for improvement in a given garden centre, not as a promise, but as a grounded indication of what might already be within reach. When a garden centre struggles to meet expectations, the cause is rarely singular.

More often, it is a question of coherence.

The entrance may promise inspiration while the interior delivers complexity. When space and function support each other, visitors rarely notice. They simply feel comfortable.

Looking internationally, the garden centre sector is clearly evolving. Businesses are becoming larger and more professional. Investors are taking a closer interest. Attention is shifting from total turnover to return per square metre. At the same time, flexibility is increasingly important, as seasons, product categories and customer expectations change more quickly than before.

These developments are not instructions to follow, but signals worth reflecting on.

Every garden centre has its own identity, history and environment. What is universal are the questions that remain relevant everywhere. Does the whole still make sense? Do space, assortment and service reinforce each other? Would the shop feel intuitive to someone visiting for the first time?

Garden centres that continue to ask these questions tend to remain relevant. Not by chasing trends, but by paying close attention to how people actually behave once they walk through the door.

Perhaps that is the most consistent lesson visible across borders: people may differ in culture and habit, but the way they experience space — and make choices within it is surprisingly similar.

“The further you look beyond borders, the more familiar customer begins to feel."

Data mining An important part of uncovering these patterns lies in the way data is explored. Rather than using data to confirm assumptions, the focus is on data mining: carefully searching through large sets of information to see what naturally emerges.

By combining figures on turnover, floor space, location, catchment areas and store characteristics, relationships become visible that are difficult to spot in daily operations.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

John Stanley: John has been a consultant to the industry since its origins 50 years ago. He is an author of numerous books on garden retailing and operates in 35 countries. John is based in Western Australia, where, along with his wife, Linda, they operate an award-winning sweet chestnut agritourism farm. john@johnstanmley.com.au

Sid Raisch: Sid has worked with garden centres across the USA for many years and is based in California. Sid and John have joined many times to present workshops across the USA. Sid has the capability of challenging your thinking and will bring that insight to the articles. sid@advantagedevelopment.ai

Dries Jansen: Dries, along with his business partner Fred, are the owners of Garden Center Advice, an international advisory company to garden centres based in the Netherlands. They have advised on garden centres from Iceland to Dubai. info@gardencenteradvice.com

April/May 2026 33

Planteria

Story telling plants In this month’s Planteria page, we bring new introductions which all come with great opportunities for themed displays.

Farplants keep sales racing

Steph and her daughter Evie promoted apple Eric’s Rainbow at the Garden Press Event in February.

Grow a rainbow

Popular Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’ has been joined by ‘Ascot Petite’, which brings pops of colour to the smallest space. Reaching a height of width of just 30cm, this roundedshaped perennial has bright lime-green flowers which shine against the dark green foliage and purple stems.

For garden centres near horse racetracks or equine centres, it’s another plant to promote when there’s a race day planned, or with a picture back drop as Farplants has demonstrated.

Oliver Dixon

Farplants continues to bring garden centres introductions with great opportunities for themed planteria displays. One of its new plants for this year is Ajuga reptans ‘Midnight Mystery’ found as a seedling by Adrian Bloom at Bressingham Gardens, Norfolk. In spring, spikes of pink flowers contrast well with glossy, dark bronze foliage while its vigorous habit makes it a great candidate for ground cover.

But that’s not all, it also creates a statement in a container and its name lends itself perfectly to being promoted as murder mystery themed display.

Frank P Matthews celebrates an impressive milestone this year with 125 years of growing trees. A yet unnamed apple will be unveiled later on this year to help commemorate the anniversary, but in the meantime, Steph Dunn James, Sales Director, is promoting a new apple called Eric’s Rainbow. “It’s an interesting novelty and a bit of fun – something you don’t normally see,” she says.

Bred in Croatia, fruits have stripy skin, stripy wood and slightly variegated leaves.

Late to ripen, picking time is end of October into November, and fruit stores well into February. The flesh is white and doesn’t brown when cut making it a great choice for salads and for gardeners too.

A trio of clematis Clematis Queen’s Nurse, for the National Garden Scheme, is one of three new cultivars coming to the market from world renown expert Raymond Evison. Being launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, Queen’s Nurse stands out for its

34 April/May 2026

blooms with a deep rosy-pink central band, pale edges and primrose yellow anthers.

It is joined by Clematis Ithemba, with bright white blooms with a delicate pink bar and ruffled edges, and Clematis Eliza displaying pale violet/blue flowers maturing to pure white.

With big, yellow trumpets, the new Narcissus ‘Hever Castle’ is as traditional style daffodil but with modern attributes. Initially only available in relatively small numbers from Taylors Bulbs through its specialist online channel (bulbs.co.uk), the plan is for stocks to be bulked up over the next few years for garden centre sales hopefully from 2028. ‘Hever Castle’ has improved disease resistance compared with older cultivars such as ‘King Alfred’, it is robust and a strong multiplier making it an excellent choice for brightening up large areas.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Viewpoint

One summer, a swallow does not make Will Armitage, HTA President

A

vid viewers of my HTA vlog (a benefit of HTA membership) will know that earlier this month, I spotted my first swallow of 2026 here in the North Peaks, and we’ve also got a blooming marvellous display of spring colour in the garden.

At time of writing, I’ve just photographed some beautiful apple blossom and the prominent, colourful larch flowers. But right on cue, we’ve now experienced frosts, hail, rain, snow, and another cold blast of air.

Just as the warm weather arrived, we were also reviewing the retail sales figures for March and comparing them to 2025, which did not make for encouraging reading. The few warm days at the start of April provided the emotional boost we all needed; however, we mustn’t get disheartened, as this is typical UK spring weather. When comparing the retail figures to 2024, 2026 looks promising and serves as a reminder of how lovely the start of spring was in 2025.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

In times like these we must be brave and put the ongoing success of the business first.

Cost increase tirade The other hot topic currently being discussed across our sector, and many others, is the imminent burden of the increases in employment costs and the costs of doing business. I know most of us have been budgeting and scenario planning or ‘war gaming’ (for those playing business jargon bingo) for the past 12 months, but none of us were quite prepared to be hit with the price of energy increasing the way it has.

In the past, a healthy business-wide Gross Profit has been the buffer to ride these increases until inflation catches up, but the recent tirade of cost increases has eroded this buffer, and it’s a hard line to tread.

Businesses are accused of being greedy if

they make too much, or of being ‘zombie organisations’ if they don’t make enough.

In times like these we must be brave and put the ongoing success of the business first. Rather than implementing large, broad, company-wide prices, we should consider smaller inflationary raises on selected products, which can help ease the issue.

What more can you offer to justify an increase that will appeal to the customer and not cost you the earth? Are there alternative product ranges or categories you can try?

Now is the time to give it a go; after all, necessity is the mother of invention.

Find out more

The Horticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation and welcomes all sectors of environmental horticulture.

To learn more, please visit www.hta.org.uk or to enquire about membership please email: membership@hta.org.uk

April/May 2026 35

TRADE EVENT

Who’s ready for summer?

The relaxed and friendly outdoor living exhibition 7 - 9 July 2026 NEC, Birmingham solexexhibition.com Garden Furniture | Barbecues | Shading | Outdoor Living Accessories | Garden Decoration Garden Leisure Buildings | Outdoor Heating | Outdoor Health | Outdoor Entertainment