A new location for the show, a new location for plant suppliers; the atrium has provided a light environment- perfect for showing plants off to their full potential, and right in front of all visitors on their way into the halls. With the weather still pulling customers in the garden centres, the show has proved a good time to showcase its ‘Green Heart’, giving the opportunities for centres to be prepared for next spring as well as finding good impulse items for additional sales now.

A wide choice of product has been on view at the show a few highlights being:

Key Essentials: Under the ‘Love Tillys’ brand, this company  has revamped the presentation and retailing of airplants- an ideal opportunity for many garden centres. The range is targeted at specific customer sectors- with ‘air plant monsters’, ideal for a child to start their own collection, through to stylish gift ideas  set at key price points and bringing a modern feel to a well known product.

Lovania Nurseries have been represented, bringing along a good display of  ‘ready now’ alpines. In addition, production has been extended into impulse shrubs and herbaceous lines. The team explains, “it is difficult for many retailers to take complete load of alpines at all points in the season, the addition of other items will help make orders possible- ensuring benches are full of fresh, saleable stock  just right as pick up lines”. The team continue “ this point in the year gentians are in full flower ( and are of excellent quality), this mixed approach allows centres to take advantage of this without overstocking”.

The Gardeners Kitchen team, long established exhibitors at GLEE, have showcased 1 litre herbs to add to their extensive range of young veg and herb plants. As regular customers will know, the nursery take additional care in the management of the growth of their young plants; conditioning them to maximise nutrients and therefore shelf life in the centre.

Extremely pleased with the response to their GLEE New Product award-winning Petunia, the Channel Islands Plants stand is probably the most colourful. Showcasing a range of new and established flowering plants aimed at the bedding and patio markets. Paul Jackson on the stand reports lots of interest and enquiries for the 2015 bedding season.

Other highlights include a strong display from NewLeaf Plants, who are still providing well-furnished climbers in flower, ready for late impulse sales.  Customers in 2015 will see the introduction of new plant pictures, helping the sell plants over a long season.