GARDEN centre teams from across the country are celebrating after receiving awards at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference today (Monday, January 26, 2026).
They were presented to the highest scoring member garden centres during a special ceremony at the Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire, as part of the GCA’s 60th anniversary year celebrations.
Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “Our annual inspection process, and the awards that follow, clearly demonstrate that our member garden centres operate to some of the highest standards in the industry. Year after year, members continue to raise the bar, with competition for the top accolades becoming increasingly competitive. We’re delighted this year to have also introduced three new awards – Clothing, Construction and Pots & Ornamentation.
“Every winner and runner-up across all categories should be immensely proud of the standards they set. I would like to warmly congratulate them all for their exceptional commitment to delivering a consistently positive and rewarding experience for customers.
“We are very grateful to Kaemingk for sponsoring our conference on Monday, as well as to our headline sponsors Evergreen Garden Care, Westland Horticulture and Smart Garden Products. I would also like to extend my thanks to all of our category award sponsors for their valued support this year.”
The full list of winners announced on Monday, January 26 were:
GCA GROW Training Award
- GCA GROW Training Award – Squire’s Garden Centre Hare Hatch
Dick Allen Award (Most Improved Garden Centre)
Winner
- British Garden Centres – Tring
Second & third place winners
- The Hertfordshire Garden Centre
- Thompson’s Garden Centre, Canterbury
Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Creativity and Innovation
Winner
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Second & third place winners
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
- Haskins Garden Centre, Forest Lodge
Paul Cooling Environment and Sustainability Award
Winner
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
Second & third place winners
- Castle Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
- Brimsmore Gardens, part of The Gardens Group, and Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree =
Customer Service Award – Best Customer Service
Winner
- Coolings Nurseries
Second & third place winners
- Fron Goch Garden Centre
- Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Catering Award
Winners
- Catering Award (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Catering Award (Garden Centre Category) – Klondyke Garden Centre, Astbury Meadow
- Catering Award (Local Garden Centre Category) – Raglan Garden Centre
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
- Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown
Garden Centre Category
- Klondyke Garden Centre, Wilmslow, Tingley Garden Centre, Fairways Ashbourne, Poplars Garden Centre and Meadow Croft Garden Centre =
- Henry Street, St Peter’s Garden Centre, Old Railway Line Garden Centre and Thetford Garden Centre.
Local Garden Centre Category
- Brimsmore Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
- Webbs West Hagley
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer
Winners
- The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Garden Centre Category) – Old Railway Line Garden Centre
- The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Local Garden Centre Category) –
Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Planters Garden Centres, Tamworth
- Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
Garden Centre Category
- Poplars Garden Centre
- Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne
Local Garden Centre Category
- Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside
- Millbrook Garden Centre, Staplehurst
Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup
Winners
- Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
- Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup (Garden Centre Category) – Cowell’s Garden Centre
- Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup (Local Garden Centre Category) – Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Webbs of Wychbold
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Garden Centre Category
- Aylett Nurseries
- Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne, Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend, Ransoms Garden Centre, Squires Garden Centre, Milford and Meadow Croft Garden Centre =
Local Garden Centre Category
- Millbrook Garden Centre, Stapelhurst and Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group =
- Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer
Winners
- The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (Garden Centre Category) –Fron Goch Garden Centre
- The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (Local Garden Centre Category) – Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Perrywood Garden Centres, Tiptree
- Barton Grange Garden Centre
Garden Centre Category
- Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
- Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Local Garden Centre Category
- Brimsmore Gardens
- Webbs West Hagley
The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer
Winners
- The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Garden Centre Category) – Fron Goch Garden Centre and Poplars Garden Centre =
- The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Local Garden Centre Category) – Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Bents Garden and Home, Webbs of Wychbold and Scotsdales Garden Centre =
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill, Barton Grange Garden Centre, Cadbury Garden Centre and Gates Garden Centre =
Garden Centre Category
- Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne =
- Haskins Garden Centre, Forest Lodge
Local Garden Centre Category
- Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group
- Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award – sponsored by Fieldfare
Winners
- Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award (Garden Centre Category) – Old Railway Line Garden Centre
- Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award (Local Garden Centre Category) – Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
- Gates Garden Centre
Garden Centre Category
- Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre and Coton Orchard Garden Centre =
- Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
Local Garden Centre Category
- Dunbar Garden Centre and Pugh’s Garden Centre, Wenvoe =
- Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford
Ruxley Rose Award for Best Overall Plantaria sponsored by Allensmore Nurseries Ltd
Winners
- Ruxley Rose (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
- Ruxley Rose (Garden Centre Category) – Cowell’s Garden Centre
- Ruxley Rose (Local Garden Centre Category) – Thompson’s Garden Centre Welling
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Garden Centre Category
- Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
- Planters Pacific Garden Centre
Local Garden Centre Category
- Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth
- Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside
Christmas Competition – sponsored by Gisela Graham
Winners
Christmas Competition (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Bents Garden & Home
Christmas Competition (Garden Centre Category) – Garson’s Garden Centre, Titchfield
Christmas Competition (Local Garden Centre Category) – Brimsmore Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Gates Garden Centre, Oakham
- Garson’s Garden Centre, Esher
Garden Centre Category
- Sunshine Garden Centre
- Fron Goch Garden Centre
Local Garden Centre Category
- Poundbury Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
- Pugh’s Garden Centre, Wenvoe
NEW AWARD FOR 2026 – Clothing Award – sponsored by Klass
Winners
- Clothing Award (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Clothing Award (Garden Centre Category) – Fron Goch Garden Centre
- Clothing Award (Local Garden Centre Category) – Simpsons at Happy Plant
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
- Blue Diamond Garden Centre, Grosvenor
Garden Centre Category
- Garson’s Garden Centre, Titchfield
- Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne, Poplars Garden Centre, Hillier Garden Centre Three Legged Cross =
Local Garden Centre Category
- Thirsk Garden Centre
- Dunbar Garden Centre
NEW AWARD FOR 2026 – Garden Construction Award – sponsored by Meadow View Stone
Winners
- Garden Construction Award (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Chessington Garden Centre
- Garden Construction (Garden Centre Category) – Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend
- Garden Construction (Local Garden Centre Category) – Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
Garden Centre Category
- Poplars Garden Centre
- Bell Plantation
Local Garden Centre Category
- Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers and Klondyke Garden Centre, Livingston
- Squires Garden Centre, Crawley
NEW AWARD FOR 2026 – Pots & Ornamentation Award – sponsored by Woodlodge
Winners
- Pots & Ornamentation(Destination Garden Centre Category) – Chessington Garden Centre
- Pots & Ornamentation(Garden Centre Category) – Poplars Garden Centre
- Pots & Ornamentation(Local Garden Centre Category) – Webbs West Hagley and Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers =
Second & third place winners
Destination Garden Centre Category
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
Garden Centre Category
- Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
- Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne and Thurrock Garden Centre =
Local Garden Centre Category
- Thompson’s Garden Centre, Newchurch and Plymouth Garden Centre =
- Pugh’s Garden Centre Wenvoe, Coolings Nurseries, Webbs of Wych Cross and Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside =
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.
Source Rachel Burks, Porcupine Pr
