HTA National Plant Show celebrates 10 years of inspiration, best sellers and trends

DIDCOT, UK: For 10 years the HTA National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, has provided occasion for British horticultural suppliers to impress. Representatives from across the spectrum of horticultural supplies, including seeds, bulbs and bedding plants through to houseplants, perennials and trees, attend the event every year.  This year’s show will be held on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 June at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, UK.

To celebrate the event’s 10^th year, the HTA have announced the addition of  the former Nursery Supply Show into Hall 1, so that everything the trade need for selling plants will be accessible under one roof. With a wealth of innovation and expertise, visitors can meet suppliers for plants, polytunnels, glasshouses, substrates, growing media, display benching, machinery, labelling and product information and much more.

For the past ten years more than 40 companies have exhibited at the show annually including headline partner, Hortipak. Growers which have attended the show every year include: Allensmore Nurseries, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Darby Nursery Stock, Frank P Matthews, Hillier Nurseries, Golden Grove Nurseries, Johnsons of Whixley, Kernock Park Plants, Kilworth Conifers, Lowaters Nurseries, Pentland Plants, Pickmere Nurseries and Wyevale Nurseries.

The ‘New Plant’ awards  are the heart of the show and, over its 10-year history, have attracted in excess of 1,000 entries. Past winners include:-

2010 – Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’ from Allensmore Nurseries
2011 – Dianthus Memories from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
2012 – Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ from Tully Nurseries
2013 – Clematis ‘Beautiful Bride’ by New Leaf Plants
2014 – Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’ by Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweather’s Nursery 
2015 – Salvia Love & Wishes from Darby Nursery Stock & Kernock Park Plants
2016 – Salvia Blue Marvel from Darby Nursery Stock
2017 – Malus sieboldii Aros from Frank P Matthews
2018 – Laburnum anagyroides Yellow Rocket® from Frank P Matthews

The show also provides a great showcase for display and merchandising ideas, with exhibitors demonstrating how their plants can be presented instore in fun and innovative ways. As well as on the stands themselves, these ideas are also showcased in the ‘Best Retail Concept’ award – which this year will feature in Hall 1. There will also be  ‘New Product’ awards for non-plants, highlighting the innovation coming through all areas of the industry.

For further details about exhibiting at this year’s show, visit www.nationalplantshow.org.uk or email events@hta.org.uk

Visitor registration will open in mid-February.