NEWCASTLE, UK, December 7, 2009: Cowell’s Garden Centre in Newcastle has won the HTA’s PlantforLife Conifer Merchandising Competition for their outstanding display of conifers during National Conifer Week which took place in October. Other finalists included Aylett Nurseries in Hertfordshire, Grange Farm Nursery in Worcestershire and Greenshutters Nurseries in Somerset.
The competition which was run in conjunction with the Association of British Conifer Growers, a specialist group of the Horticultural Trades Association, sought to encourage retailers to create an eye catching and dramatic display using the Plant of the Month point of sale materials provided. The 800 garden centres who took part in this year’s National Conifer Week promotion were also sent a merchandising guide which provided useful tips on effective ways to display conifers.
Competition judge John Connel from The Garden Works comments, “It was great to see that all four finalists managed to embrace the key principles in the new merchandising guide which supported National Conifer Week and also how they put the PlantforLife point of sale materials to good use to enhance their displays.”
He added, “Cowells Garden Centre stood out for their excellent use of conifers throughout their planteria to both inspire and draw attention to their diversity.  Their thoughtful merchandising really helped to showcase the range and diversity of conifers available illustrating how they can be used to add drama, structure and all year round colour to a garden.”
Commenting on the other finalists he said, “The displays at Aylett Nurseries were particularly engaging for marginal gardeners as they provided them with all the ingredients they needed to put conifers to use into their own gardens. Grange Farm produced a very creative display using an old cart wheel as a visual centre piece. They illustrated well how conifers can be used in containers and borders and I really liked the addition of heather to suggest companion planting for all year round colour. Greenshutters Nurseries effectively used the tips presented in the merchandising guide to create a highly accessible display that was easy to shop.”
The winning team from Cowells Garden Centre have won a Waitrose Christmas Hamper.