Leading UK commercial grower, Wyevale Nurseries, sheds light on the winning formula for the Best Overall Plant Area, sponsored by them, at the Garden Centre Association’s GCA Ruxley Rose Award. Presented at the GCA’s annual conference, the prestigious award celebrated excellence in garden centre plant displays. This year, Cowell’s Garden Centre in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) Category and Squires Garden Centre, Hersham, in the Garden Centre (GC) Category took top honors.
Andy Johnson, Managing Director of Wyevale Nurseries, emphasizes that winning plant areas go beyond quality plants. They showcase innovative displays, utilize effective signage, and prioritize staff training. Passionate about plants, these centres also excel in customer care. “As a keen GCA Associate Member and a key supplier to garden centres nationwide, we were delighted to sponsor this prestigious award, which highlights not just garden centres with top quality, interesting plants, but those who take the trouble to display them well, to use good signage and information, to support and train staff, who are passionate about plants, and offer engaging and excellent customer care to those that need their advice and assistance.
“We’d like to congratulate Cowell’s and Squires, Hersham on their overall win and also to applaud the runners up in both categories for their hard work and commitment to outdoor plants too.”
Johnson congratulates Cowell’s and Squires, Hersham, while applauding the runners-up in both categories for their dedication. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree, and Aylett Nurseries secured second and third place in the Destination Garden Centre Category, while Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury, and Squires Garden Centre, Woking, achieved recognition in the Garden Centre Category.
GCA Inspector Alyson Haywood, responsible for judging, outlines key criteria. The best plant areas are vibrant, colorful spaces offering a comprehensive plant range with top-notch quality, innovative presentation, and knowledgeable staff. Cleanliness, weed-free zones, and informative displays also contribute to success.
She explains: “The Ruxley Rose competition focuses on determining which garden centres nationally have the best plant areas. What makes the best plant area? They are vibrant, colourful, places with comprehensive ranges of plants, which offer first-class quality, and are beautifully and innovatively presented, with cameo displays. They also provide great service to their customers from engaged and knowledgeable staff.
“In addition to this, it is important that the best are also immaculately clean and tidy, with no weeds or plant debris, and provide information and inspiration for all customers, from novices to more experienced ones.
“Cowell’s demonstrated a great range authority, superb plant quality, excellent presentation, and inspiration, all in addition to first class retail execution. Squires at Hersham offered a comprehensive outdoor plant range, outstanding quality, it was immaculately clean and tidy, with great presentation, and creative cameo displays to inspire customers. Both centres provided simple helpful plant information for all visitors too.”
Cowell’s impressed with its range authority, superb plant quality, and outstanding presentation. Squires, Hersham, stood out for its comprehensive outdoor plant range, exceptional quality, cleanliness, and creative displays.
The awards ceremony took place at the GCA’s 2024 annual conference, where Cowell’s Garden Centre and Squires Garden Centre, Hersham, received their well-deserved accolades.
Peter Burks, GCA CEO, expresses gratitude to Wyevale Nurseries for sponsoring the coveted award. The nursery’s high standards in propagation, innovation, plant care, and biosecurity make them an ideal partner for this prestigious accolade.
For more information about Wyevale Nurseries, contact 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.