Nine, ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2014.

Selected from more than 270 entries on the afternoon before Glee opened, the winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges representing independent and multiple retailers, the media and international suppliers.

Entries were submitted into nine key garden retail categories, comprising Garden Care – Accessories; Garden Care – Chemicals; Fertilisers & Composts; Leisure Products; Machinery & Tools; Home, Gift & Clothing; Landscape & Construction; Plants, Seeds & Bulbs; Pet & Wildlife Products; and Catering & Speciality Foods. Relevant entries from each category were also considered for the additional Best of British, and Green awards.

Judges considered each entry on a challenging range of criteria, including innovation, design, quality, environmental credentials, pricing and retail potential – resulting in some hot debates and close Highly Commended in a number of categories.

On the judging panel were:
Allan Wilson, Group Sundries Buyer at Klondyke Group
Sharon McNair, Group Buyer at Armitage Garden Centre
Moira Peterson, Commercial Manager for Greenfingers.com
Rachel Doyle, from Arboretum Garden Centres and President of the IGCA
Carlos Bisbe from Digebis, Barcelona
Trevor Pfeiffer, MD of The Garden Communication and Media Company
Simon McDaniel, Garden Sundries Buyer at The Range
Roger Wale, general manager at Palmers Garden Centre.

Winners’ round-up (in alphabetical order of categories)

Catering & Speciality Foods

Winner:                        Retro Collection, by Bon Bon’s (Wholesale) Ltd

Judges’ comments:    Sharon McNair said: “Fabulous gift idea for everyone! Brings back childhood memories.”

Garden Care – Accessories

Winner:                        Haxnicks – EasyPath

Highly Commended:   Garland Products – Jumbo Kneeling Pad

Judges’ comments:    Moira Peterson said: “This is a truly innovative product, which can be easily packed away, and with a good price point.”

Garden Care – Chemicals, Fertilisers & Composts

Winner:                        Westland – Gro-Sure Tomato

Highly Commended:   Bord-Na-Mona - Chelsea Mix Compost

Judges’ comments:    Roger Wale said: “A great, innovative product for the new gardener.”

Garden Leisure

Winner:                        La Hacienda – Bakerstone Pizza Box Pizza Oven

Highly Commended:   Nest for Nature – Birch Candles (indoor & outdoor)

Judges’ comments:    Rachel Doyle said: “Can’t wait to buy this one! It is a great product that is well priced.”

Home, Gift & Clothing

Winner:                        Briers – Historic Palaces garden accessory range of wellies and gloves

Highly Commended:   Burgon & Ball – Sophie Conran Raspberry Collection

Judges’ comments:    Sharon McNair said: “This is a really nice product, well-designed and good quality. It would certainly tell a story on the shopfloor.  It’s also got great gift potential.”

Landscaping & Construction

Winner:                        Apta – GlazeLite Planters

Highly Commended:   Woodlodge – National Trust range of pots

Judges’ comments:    Trevor Pfeiffer said: “Apta GlazeLite might be lightweight but will be a heavyweight garden centre bestseller – provided it is merchandised in a way that accentuates its lightweight design.  Customers will love that they look just like ceramic.”

Machinery & Tools

Winner:                        Burgon & Ball – RHS Cutting Tools

Highly Commended:   Burgon & Ball – Weed Slice

Judges’ comments:    Sharon McNair said:  “This is a really comprehensive range, which features good packaging, and is offered at a good price point too.”

Pet & Wildlife Products

Winner:                        Wildlife World – Bee & Bug Biome

Highly Commended:   Wildlife World – Bee Mug

Judges’ comments:    Roger Wale said:  “This is an on-trend product, that is well-priced and has great gift potential.”

Plants, Seeds & Bulbs

Winner:                        Garden On a Roll – Garden On a Roll Gift Box

Highly Commended:   Channel Island Plants (UK) Ltd – Petunia Happy Magic Black Charcoal

Judges’ comments:    Trevor Pfeiffer said: “This would make a great border or basket plant, a real ‘thriller’.”

Best of British

Winner:                        Apta - Glazelite Planters

Highly Commended:   Burgon & Ball – RHS endorsed cutting tools

Judges’ comments:    Trevor Pfeiffer said: “A brilliant British design and functionality.  At last we have a lightweight pot that really looks and feels like a glazed terracotta pot. Top of the pots for sure.”

Green Award

Winner:                        Nest for Nature – Birch Candles (indoor & outdoor)

Highly Commended:   Funky Laundry – Funky Laundry Bags

Judges’ comments:    Rachel Doyle said: “I love these natural looking candles. A great product.”

The Glee Award 2014

This award is given to the product that stood out from all the others; the best of the best. Glee is proud to confirm that this year the award goes to Briers, with the Historic Palaces Garden Accessory range.

i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager confirmed: “We were delighted that so many superb, new products were entered for this year’s Glee New Products, and offer many congratulations to the worthy winners.  Our thanks also go to the judges who so kindly lent their valuable time and expertise.”