John Robinson Houseplants moves and changes name to House Plants Direct

John Robinson Houseplants has moved from Romsey to West Parley, near Bournemouth International Airport, and has changed its name to House Plants Direct Ltd.
The sister company to the Golden Acres Group now occupies space at the group’s main nursery.
House Plants Direct imports and sells a variety of house plants and is best known for its own-produced ranges of coloured sand planters – called Simply Sand – which are hand-produced onsite.
The company employs nine staff, plus additional pre-Christmas temporary staff.
Director John Robinson said: “The move will allow for greater efficiencies and improved service.”
House Plants Direct was the original limited company name while it traded under the brand name of John Robinson Houseplants.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk   Photography by Phil Dowding

GAN: early exhibitor bookings are positive

Among the first exhibitors to book for GAN 2011, which takes place on February 9, are Kernock Plants, LBS Horticulture, H.Smith Plastics and Woodland Horticulture.

Plant propagator Kernock Plants says GAN is a key show in its calendar: “It is an excellent time of year for us to show some of the alpine and spring range of plants at their best... and an excellent opportunity to showcase our new additions.”

Horticulture product distributor LBS Horticulture has attended the show for a number of years and: “... we find it an excellent way to touch base with some of our local customers as well as finding a few more. The success of this show means we always re-book straight after.”

Horticultural container manufacturer H. Smith Plastics books early for GAN in order to obtain a stand in its usual place so that existing customers can find them easily. “We think it is a reasonably-priced show held early in the year so growers can use any new products for that spring.”

And growing media supplier Woodland Horticulture says it has always found GAN provides an ideal platform for meeting landscapers, growers and garden centres located throughout the Wessex area: “The friendly and informal atmosphere has enabled us to effectively develop new business.”

GAN show director Simon Edwards said: “The 2011 event is shaping up extremely well and its range of plants and products will be wider than ever. Exhibitors are very positive for next season and the show’s timing fits so well in their marketing plans.”

The one-day southern horticultural trade show GAN will place next year on Wednesday February 9 and its website is now live with full exhibitor’s information and online booking.

It takes place at Dorset’s Golden Acres Nursery near Bournemouth International Airport. For information visit www.ganshow.com

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Picture:  Kernock Plants will introduce four new Erysimums at GAN 2011 along with the new pink Iberis ‘Absolute Amethyst’, pictured.

Golden Acres: garden centres invest in new training diploma

Garden centres are investing in a new training diploma that will help them provide the best customer service and advice.
Staff from Golden Acres' four garden centres at West Parley, Three Legged Cross, Landford and Cadnam are studying for the Horticultural Trade Association’s (HTA) newly-launched Garden Retail Diploma.
Group plant area co-ordinator Emma Green said: “It’s a brand-new qualification and covers every aspect of running a garden centre. We are keen to develop our staff for the future good of the business as well as to provide the best service we can to our customers.
 “The diploma will give staff a broad understanding of the whole of the retail operation and improve their horticultural knowledge, all in one qualification.
“We know that businesses who invest in training for their staff are more efficient, have less waste, and are able to assist their customers better. You are only as good as your staff, so we are very happy to add this new diploma to the range of training we offer our people.”
The HTA’s new diploma is the only specialist qualification in the garden retail industry and gives garden centre staff the opportunity to develop the specialist knowledge and skills they need to become sales professionals.

www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk    Photography by Phil Dowding
www.the-hta.org.uk

Picture:   (left to right:) Michelle Savage, Chris Woods, Gemma Sparrowhawk and Alix Gibbins from the Golden Acres group of garden centres, who are studying for a new garden retail qualification - the HTA’s Garden Retail Diploma. With mentors David Goble and and Emma Green.

GAN awards now open for entries

Exhibitors heading for GAN 2011 on February 9 are being invited to enter for the show’s range of awards.
The three award categories are:
• Best New Plant Variety, including new flower, plant or plant material in any form, for example seeds, young plants and plugs;  
• Best Technical Product or Service, which includes professional products such as machinery, equipment, materials and services;
• Best New Retail Product, including equipment and services for garden centres and products for resale;
Entry for each section is free to exhibitors and will be judged on the day, with awards presented in a ceremony during the afternoon of the show. Judges will also tour the stands to make the ‘Best Stand’ award.
Director Simon Edwards said: "New plants and products are a vital element of GAN and are of major interest to visitors. We love the enormous range and variety of new items on show.”
The one-day southern horticultural trade show GAN will place next year on Wednesday February 9 and its website is now live with full exhibitor’s information and online booking.
It takes place at Dorset’s Golden Acres Nursery near Bournemouth International Airport.
For information visit www.ganshow.com
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Picture: Winner of best new plant at GAN 2010 was Kilworth Conifers with its hardy Podocarpus ‘Guardsman’, a new conifer with a distinctive erect, conical shape to be released for sale in 2011. It was seen for the first time at GAN.