As we write this, it looks like summer is finally upon us as we have had consistently warm temperatures and the garden has finally sprung to life following inclement weather in Spring.
This means a busy time for Team HWPR and we have been doing everything to maximise coverage for our clients’ product ranges in key trade and consumer titles.
As well as promoting seasonal products, we have been focussing on key environmental issues within both the gardening industry. The BBC brought the problem of plastic pollution to the attention of the country’s consciousness and with the UK Parliament is set to phase out single-use plastics by 2019, our client SeedCell® was the perfect company to lead the way in the industry and consumer press.
With the SeedCell® seed pods employing patented sustainable packaging and biodegradable technology, we positioned the company as a leader to pose the question on how the industry uses plastic in pots, trays, bags etc and to find ways to make their business more sustainable.
With the growing interest in the environment, gardeners are also actively looking for more ecologically friendly products. We’ve been setting our new client Sipcam up with lots of exciting interviews to promote their natural garden care solutions range, ecofective® which not only have favourable eco-toxicological credentials, but are inherently safer for both user and the environment. They also have a brand shiny new website so make sure you check it out!
We’ve also been ramping up coverage for Glee in September with feature articles on the different sectors making up the show, the new exciting trends to look out for in this year’s Retail Lab, as well as interviewing exhibitors about what the show brings to their business. The show is looking strong with 85% of all stands booked, making it the must attend industry event of the year
We’ve been working with our Woodlodge on promoting container gardening to the masses. With this being a key trend in getting younger and amateur gardeners to make the most out of their outdoor space, we collaborated with blogger, horticulturist and probably one of the most recognisable faces in the garden industry – Mr Plant Geek. “Eight ways to remix your outdoor space this summer” is an article to inspire the consumer to use containers and planters to change the look and mood of their garden.
We also secured Woodlodge pride of place on The Sun’s Container Revolution Garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show last week, designed by gardening legend (and Cassie’s work grandad!) Peter Seabrook. Some of Woodlodge’s most popular ranges were featured on the pyramid shaped exhibit, to highlight how container gardening is accessible to everyone, no matter your experience or size garden/balcony you have. The concept obviously impressed the judges as the exhibit won a Silver Gilt medal!
Team HWPR spent a fantastic couple of days at Chelsea, catching up with contacts and learning about what’s hot and trending in the horticulture.
Gone were the geometric lines of previous show gardens, instead the show gardens this year were bursting with colour and had a more naturalistic theme. Stuart Charles Towner’s Spirit of Cornwall Garden was a tropical oasis, full of lush and abundant green foliage. Yellow and citrus hues were popular in a lot of the show gardens and exhibits, most notably the LG Eco-City Garden, Trailfinders South African Garden and the Hilliers Garden.
The plants of the moment at Chelsea were without a doubt, the lupin and the foxglove. No show garden or exhibit was without the statuesque blooms which provided a kaleidoscope of colours in white, lemon, apricot, pink and purples – look out for a resurgence in your garden centres this summer!
One other thing we noticed was the international flavour and influences within the showground. The Wuhan Water Garden was a celebration of Chinese flora and took visitors on a journey to China’s Hubei Province and the City of 100 Lakes, Wuhan. The British Council UK Artisan Garden was a nod to the Moghul gardens of North India and featured traditional Pietra Dura marblework on a beautiful surrounding wall.
The Trailfinders Garden was a snapshot of South Africa, featuring a Cape Dutch homestead overlooking a vineyard and the distant Fynbos mountains, complete with agapanthus, gladioli, kniphofias and pelargoniums, plants typical of the environment, whilst the Lemon Tree Trust Garden drew inspiration from Middle East planting, complete with a star shaped water feature, radiating water rills and elaborate metal and wood fretwork screens.
Our inhouse vlogger extraordinaire Robbie was on hand to capture it all and you can view the video of the Chelsea best bits on our You Tube channel!