Managed in partnership by the Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) the 2025 Garden Press Event (GPE) featured some 100 exhibitors and was attended by approximately 400 members of the garden press and media.
In the face of the truly challenging economic headwinds, horticulture businesses continue to demonstrate positivity, resilience and determination, developing innovative products and services to enhance sustainability and customer experiences.
Standing out from the crowds of competition requires creativity, a touch of audacity and an eagle eye for new business opportunities – all of which was on show at the recent GPE. The exhibitor stands not only demonstrated product innovation, but also plucky determination, positive attitudes and a hopeful outlook for the new season.
Herewith, we highlight some of the best innovations and products seen at this year’s trade show.
Product innovation
- To provide solace for all those of us who regularly battle with hosepipes, Qwickhose® developed a range of UK made, connectors, that swap the (often) poor plastic teeth fittings for an innovative wing-lock system. The company’s unique locking system allows the user to push the hosepipe completely over the inner tube, clamp the wings shut, and screw the nut down to lock it. Thereby ensuring an easier, more secure connection, minimising the risk of connectors coming loose causing water loss (and gardener frustration). Qwickhose® is first brand developed by Rivendale Products, a family run business established in 2020. In 2022, Qwickhose® won the 2022 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund (GISCF).
- Portable battery-powered pressure washer by Stihl that can be operated away from a water connection. Weighing just 1.5kg, the Stihl RCA 20 battery-powered portable pressure washer allows for cleaning hard to reach areas using either the included portable water tank or ability to draw from a water butt, bucket or rainwater container. With maximum pressure of 24 bar, the RCA 20 offers plenty of power and allows for versatility, with the 4-in-1 nozzle providing rotary, fan or narrow jet and low-pressure cleaning options. Powered by Stihl’s AS 2 battery ensures compatibility with the Stihl AS System of tools and allows the RCA 20 a working time of up to 15 minutes per charge.
- Where repetitive pruning is required, or for those gardeners that lack strength, suffer from RSI or arthritis, battery powered secateurs can be a helpful solution. The Stihl ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs, compatible with their AS System, can cut through material up to 25mm in diameter. One charge will allow for 2000 cuts. Lightweight, weighing less than 1kg with ergonomic handle ensure it remains comfortable to use over long periods of time. Stiga also had cordless secateurs on show, the Stiga SC100e pruning shears which allow for progressive cutting with a choice of 3 cutting widths, up to 30mm. Also allows for 2000 cuts on a single charge.
Smart water & plant care
- The OKO Smart Sensor measures soil moisture, temperature, pH and air humidity to reduce plant care “guesswork”and providing real-time insights directly to the user’s phone.
- Plants are in control of their watering with the AQUAvalve in the AutoPot Watering System. The AQUAvalve meters out a supply of water to the container in which the plant is situated and only once the plant has exhausted the supply will the AQUAvalve reopen to admit a fresh fill. Patented and endorsed by the RHS, this watering system is gravity-led, zero waste and power-free.
- The Hozelock Solar Select Irrigation Kit provides a convenient, eco-friendly watering solution for up to 20 potted plants. Powered entirely by solar energy, the system is compatible with rainwater collectors and water butts, allowing for sustainable irrigation. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, beginners as well as experienced gardeners.
- Slow The Flow Rain Planter by the Dipping Tank Company, temporarily stores rainwater in order to release it slowly back into the system – or disperse into the garden, thereby helping to reduce the risk of flood.
Product reinvention
Seeds
The humble seed packet is experiencing varied intriguing incarnations, from new own brand ranges, artful photography and culinary imagery.
- Crocus presented their own branded seed range which included interesting, unusual varieties, such as Papaver rhoeas ‘Amazing Grey’, Papaver dubious subs. lecoqii ‘Alboflorum’, Papaver somniferum Hungarian Blue in addition to winning varieties such as the elegant banker, Digitalis purpurea ‘Sutton’s Apricot’.
- Co-founded by a landscape architect and Director of GAP Photos, the photography on the Stocks & Green seed ranges is expectedly impressive and exudes market appeal. Launched in 2021, Stocks & Green is a small independent, Essex based business founded by Iben Gladman and Trevor McDermott, both of whom have lifelong passion for plants & gardens. Gladman started her career as a Landscape Architect in Copenhagen McDermott, started as an Estates Gardener after studying Horticulture at Writtle Agricultural College.
- The ‘Oh Sow Simple’ seed range by Fothergill’s for beginners aims to reduce barriers and cut through the overwhelming scale of choices. The streamlined range, features reliable flower (59 varieties) and vegetable (56 varieties) seeds, reduced to, in most cases, one or two varieties – with each packet labelled simply ‘Carrot Large’ or ‘Cosmos Tall Mix’. Instructions, free from any jargon are included along with QR code for additional information.
- Johnsons introduced a new Cutting Flower seed range, featuring 28 annual, biennial and perennial varieties selected for their distinctive qualities as cut flowers. The range includes stalwarts such as sweet peas and Cosmos Purity as well as more unusual flowers such as Platycodon. sweet peas that can be sown right now.Distinctly packaged, the range emphasises being ‘curated for cutting’ to appeal to the growing trend for homegrown cut flowers.
- D.T. Brown vegetable seed range features not just the vegetable imagery but also culinary visuals to provide inspiration beyond the harvest. The range, consisting of 36 vegetable and herb varieties are designed to be displayed alongside seed ranges or in food halls, or near restaurants.
Tools
- Burgon and Ball’s Boron Green range promises the strength and durability of boron steel, combined with sustainability credentials as they are made from 80% recycled steel. Boron steel is alloyed with boron, significantly enhancing hardenability and tensile strength – more often used for demanding applications such as automotive crash structures and agricultural machinery.
Design
- Various new Crocus Collection introductions; extensive range of sizeable Victorian style cloches, wire cloches, painted metal pot benches, terracotta pots, metal bucket with spout and nifty handle and integrated brass compost sieves.
- Niwaki has introduced a leather Hori Hori holster that also accommodates a pair of secateurs for those who need both at hand.
- Bringing colour to gardening tools, Burgon & Ball introduce their new Collector range. The range includes hand tools, gifts, indoor plant pots, watering cans and gloves.
Plants
- Frank P Matthews introduced their new pear variety, ‘Cornishgold™’, originally discovered in Launceston, Cornwall, subsequently grafted and propagated by the family-run nursery. Details of the new pear variety can be found in this recent news story.
- Pristine, captivating carnivorous plants and succulents were on show by Primrose Trading Ltd. Based in Devon, the family-run business supplies garden centres and house plant retailers with a diverse plant range, including the Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap), majestic Sarracenia (Trumpet Pitchers), delicate Drosera (Sundew), Aloe and various cactus varieties. Founded by Dutch duo, Simon Hamming and Marit Bakker, Primrose Trading also runs a logistics import/export network, ensuring plants can be transported swiftly and safely across borders – navigating the compliance complexities of post-Brexit regulations (e.g. CITES, IPAFFS, Ketenregister) for traders, growers, and nurseries in the UK and the Netherlands.
Must mention
- Also exhibiting this year was the Farewell Flowers Directory, the online service aiming to connect people to independent funeral florists offering natural, beautiful and compostable floral arrangements across the UK. At the show, they shared the news that they were going to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year – the first people to ever exhibit funeral flowers at the show.