As a trade show, Glee offers a good vantage point to observe the industry’s business focus, future trends and (new) players on the market. With sustainability in mind, it was good to see that the majority of exhibitors have heeded the urgent calls for environmental responsibility, with some commendably adorned with Planet Mark and B Corp certifications. Though sadly, walk on a couple of paces and one is still faced with vast arrays of plastic flowers, artificial hedges and (plastic) clutter with little purpose or promise of any longevity. One can only appeal to the industry’s commercial buyers and consumers to limit their selections to sustainable products.
The show’s floor chatter was focussed on the noticeably high prevalence of Chinese exhibitors at the show this year, exhibiting diverse wares from garden tools, pots, decorative items to garden furniture. Not really surprising as China is one of the world’s largest exporters of garden tools (OEC 2022) and paraphernalia, but we’re more familiar to seeing their products appear on the market, under more recognisable brand names. Not so today. They’re at the table now, in their own right, under their own name, actively working the UK gardening market – naturally ringing alarm bells for those currently occupying this domain.
In no particular order, herewith a few of our highlights of Glee 2024 which will most likely appear in good garden centres in the near future.
Goodlifegateway is a small company specialising in organic plant food. Established 18 years ago, by Gwen Petitpierre whom with her admiration of early Victorian gardeners and their knowledge of natural soil improvers, decided to create a range of organic plant foods. All are produced on her farm in East Sussex and are Organically Certified through Organic Famers and Growers. They are safe for children, pets and wildlife, and contain ingredients known to deliver; comfrey, nettles and worm leachate. Products available through the company website and in a few garden centres.
Working to circular economic principles, Onnu biochar produce biochar in the UK from green waste, poultry litter and woody waste to create distinct products for trees, lawns, horticulture, agriculture and construction. Often referred to as ‘black gold’, Biochar improves soil health, supports a vibrant microbial ecosystem, and increases (agricultural) yields while sequestering carbon. Made through a process called pyrolysis. which involves heating the material to high temperatures (typically between 300°C and 700°C) in a chamber with little to no oxygen. Instead of burning, it decomposes into several different substances, one of which is biochar. The company offer biochar online to consumers, but mainly cater for the trade and commercial partners looking to enhance soil improvers with biochar.
Bulldog Tools, rightfully put me (and the press in general) in place for predictably asking “What’s new?” and thereby wrongly assisting our insatiable materialistic appetites. Opting instead not to focus on the perpetual ‘next launch’ Bulldog focus on the manufacture of their range of impressive tools, which are made to last. An English company, Bulldog Tools was established in 1780 and is still a family run business, based in Wigan, Lancashire. All their tools are 100% manufactured in the UK – with materials sourced as much as possible from the UK, though where needed components are carefully sourced from countries such as India.
Delighted to see the Germie Seed propagation kits exhibited at Glee. Simple yet well designed, reusable professional quality seed germination tray for both beginners as well as experienced gardeners. Made from 100% recycled plastic, the Germie seed kits are made in France from recycled food plastic and sourced locally to limit the carbon footprint. The unique design cunningly eliminates the need for thinning, and promotes quick and uniform growth. Young plants are easily ‘unmoulded’ without any damage to roots, and the kit is easily is easily reassembled for re-seeding. Available in 3 sizes to accommodate 13, 25 or 41 plants. Now also available with bamboo tray to fit the kit, as well as a grow light with nifty heat mat.
On the ‘Future Plants’ display by Michael Perry the Agastache ‘Beelicious’. The result of over two decades of work by Rob van der Voort at Van Hemert & Co Seeds, a Dutch wholesale seed company founded in 1876. Compact and bushy, with flowers that appear over several months from midsummer, to the delight of bees and butterflies. Available as Agastache rugosa Beelicious Purple which stands tall and Agastache rugosa Beelicious Pink tends to spreads out a little. Growing to a height and spread of 30-45cm, they can withstand heavy rain in the summer and were bred for fungi and mildew resistance. In the UK, Agastache Beelicious is available from Crocus and Hayloft Plants.
Westland’s gardening tools brand, Kent & Stowe have launched the Capability Digging Spade, designed to tackle tough gardening jobs. According to the company, this elegant spade has a breaking strain (maximum amount of tensile stress it can withstand) of 130kg – the UK standard is 55kg. The spade’s strength is due to the extended shank, which has been reinforced with a hardened stainless steel pin and hardened steel bar welded inside the head, so it can withstand the strain of heavy duty gardening. Comfortable large tread edge, the new Capability Digging Spade is made from stainless steel, FSC® certified ash wood and comes with a bold, 20-year guarantee.
Launched in July this year, Pooch and Paws exhibited their charming handcrafted dog Teepees which are made in Pilton, Somerset. The former creators of Glastonbury festival teepees, founders Ryan Saunders and Fay Rickwood use the same high-quality, waterproof canvas for their dog teepees as seen on the famous festival grounds. Made in the UK, with 100% sustainable cotton, the fabric is durable, washable and even replaceable to ensure longevity. Easy to put up, fully waterproof with solid wood poles, the teepees provide rain/sun shade in the garden for the family’s furry friend or can be used indoors.
FeatherSnap is a wifi-enabled smart bird feeder for on-the-go birdwatching as it takes photos and videos of visiting birds and sends them directly to your smartphone. An ornithologist has ensured the AI is able to aid in accurate bird identification. Either wall or pole mounted, FeatherSnap is solar powered with rechargeable battery, though USB-C is optional. Manufactured by Bird Management OpCo, LLC in the USA, whom are launching their bird feeder camera to the UK and European markets for the first time.
Neve’s Bees specialises in natural skincare made from sustainably sourced, organic plant oils, butters and essential oils, blended with their Oxfordshire based, pure beeswax. Created by Julie Macken, a chemist and beekeeper with over 20 years experience in skincare and inspired by her bee-loving daughter, Neve. Apart from their Oxfordshire sourcing and production, their ranges are waterless and hence don’ require (artificial) emulsifiers, thickness and preservatives often found in skincare. Practical, yet attractive, metal packaging to avoid plastic waste.
British Flowerpots was newly established in 2024, the result of a merger Naylor Industries and Smith & Jennings. Naylor’s is a 4th generation family business, known for manufacturing clay pipes and ceramic products since 1890, with its Yorkshire Flowerpots range established in the 1990’s. Smith & Jennings, also family-run, was established in South Wales in 2013. The new, Cawthorne based, British Flowerpots is now the largest producer of British-made garden pottery in the UK, offering a good range of glazed and terracotta flowerpots, complemented by a select small selection of imported items – mostly from Spain.
In addition to producing their classics, Haws are paying particular attention to the burgeoning houseplants market. In 2022, Brits spent £6.1 billion on plants, equating to approximately 46% of Brits having purchased a houseplant (2022). Enthusiasts are known to spend thousands on rare cultivars, even more desirable if adorned with genetic defects that give rise to interesting and rare traits. Just launched at the show, Haws have produced a range of attractive beaten, copper planters (8 inch) called ‘Aston Glimmer’, which will retail for around £50 (tbc). The planters are being launched as a limited edition pre-Christmas in the UK, after which they are expected to appear in shops from early 2025. Gauging from the steady stream of admiration at the show, these will be popular…
In partnership with Growmore, Urban Wyrm have launched a 30% worm cast enhanced, peat-free Black Gold Organic All Purpose Compost. Based in North Yorkshire, Urban Wyrm was founded by Ashley Day and Chris Holgreaves. The company produce a natural range of composts, soil improvers, seedling mixes and liquid feeds made from worm casts, natural microbes and plant-based materials. Worm casts, also known as vermicast or vermicompost, are the byproduct of earthworm digestion. As earthworms consume organic matter such as decaying plant material, they break it down in their digestive systems, extracting nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. The resulting waste material, known as worm casts, is excreted by the earthworms and deposited in the soil. These casts are packed with essential nutrients, organic matter and microbes, making them a potent soil amendment for gardeners. Urban Wyrm won Glee’s 2024 Sustainability Award.
Created by conservation scientists, the not for profit rewilding company, Seedball is on a mission to help increase British wildflowers across the country. The company, know for their wildflower seeds encased in a protective ball of clay, compost and chili, have produced extensive ranges of products in colourful, environmentally friendly 100% recycled cardboard and metal tin packaging. Beautifully illustrated, the flower and wildlife focussed ranges have great appeal as gifts, or for those seeking a simpler way to sow wildflowers in their gardens.