national plant show
Plant Focus breeds success! The National Plant show was a hit with all.
There can be no doubt that the inaugural National Plant Show held at Stoneleigh Park at the end of June achieved its main purpose - to focus purely on plants! This was met with great enthusiasm from exhibitors and visitors alike.
O
ver 1500 visitors came along to the two-day show, which really was a
celebration of plants. With over 100 UK-based plant suppliers exhibiting it provided a great opportunity for plant buyers to meet with existing suppliers as well as identify new ones showcasing their ranges in such an outstanding way. There was a definite buzz in the aisles and an expectation amongst growers that a good proportion of the enthusiasm shown will be converted into orders. Amongst the nurseries to report their delight at the two events were Pulborough -based New Place Nurseries who achieved Gold in the new Provar sponsored Plant Awards for their Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise’ as well as winner of Best Shrub in the category award section. The Bransford Webb Plant Company won Silver in the new Plant Awards for its Gazania ‘Apache’. Allensmore Nurseries stole the show with Best Annual and Best in Show from the five Gold Winners with their Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’. This also won the Floramedia sponsored Visitor Vote Award.
Vibrant atmosphere! Exhibitor Richard Lawton from Hilliers Nurseries said, "I think it worked really well: British suppliers all under one roof at the time when the buyers are looking to assess their requirements for the forthcoming season,” and Andrew Spilsbury from Whetman Pinks, added, "The show had a great vibrant feel and the venue was good. In a short space of time we made a number of really good new contacts”. Visitors to the show from independent garden centres and larger chains agreed that it met their needs. Iain Wylie from Grosvenor Garden Centre said, "It was a great show and it did what it said on the tin - the show was all about plants! Any garden centre retailers that haven't come along have really missed out". Neil Fishlock, category manager for Plants, Dobbies Garden Centres, said, "The show exceeded my expectations by a long way. The standard of displays was really strong and the event provided us with the opportunity to talk with lots of suppliers who we would not normally get to see." Nicholas Marshall, CEO of Garden Centre Group, said, "A fantastic show! We think it is very important to support UK growers and in the future we will put greater emphasis not only on UK suppliers but regional suppliers where our focus will be on quality and depth of range". Robin Upton, managing
director of Hortipak, principal
supporters of the show commented, “This first National Plant Show has been a stunning success. Feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike has oozed energy and is a clear omen for future success. Hortipak is extremely proud to be able to support the industry by sponsoring the event and looks forward to continuing to do so in years to come. This is clearly an excellent event that will become a key milestone in the horticultural calendar and
By Phil Evans
go from strength to strength in the future.”
Alongside the plants, added inspiration was provided by merchandising displays focusing on conifers and roses. The PlantforLife campaign highlighted its current Scentsational initiative illustrating some of the merchandising ideas based around the scent of plants and launched the new Plant of the Month calendar for 2011.
20 Garden & Hardware News - Retail Plants & Shrubs
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