RHS-recommended aluminium greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic has revealed the inspiration behind the planting themes to be showcased on its trade stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year – a celebration of the plants most popular with consumers and gardeners alike.
The trade stand, which at 200m2 is one of the largest, will feature five handmade greenhouses and glasshouses, four of which will be filled with unique themes which mirror current growing trends. The stand which has been designed by Longview Design, will be built by The Outdoor Room with plants sourced by Burford Garden Company will also demonstrate the huge variety of ways Hartley Botanic greenhouses are now used by the modern gardener.
Hartley Botanic and Longview Design reveal their planting choices and Burford Garden Company uncovers the purchasing trends behind them.
1. Hartley Botanic Victorian Grand Lodge glasshouse – dressed in trendy tropical plants, succulents and large foliage houseplants
Hartley Botanic’s Victorian Grand Lodge will be the largest glasshouse featured on the stand and will feature the plant trend which has seen the most dramatic rise in interest over the last few years. The glasshouse will be dressed with architectural and impressive looking tropical and subtropical species in response to a boom in demand for tropical plants and succulents amongst consumers and gardeners alike. Airplants, palms, bananas and the exotic Gloriosa vine will compliment the lodge’s beautiful proportions and Stephanotis will provide a wonderful scent.
TREND: The planting theme of the Victorian Grand Lodge reflects a dramatic 300% five-year rise in the sales of tropical plants, succulents, cacti and airplants, and the most recent and currently significant trend for large foliage exotic-looking houseplants, think the 1970s – Ficus Lyrata, Cheese plants etc. There are well documented health benefits to having these types of houseplants in the home and office too. All these types will be represented on the stand.
2. Hartley Botanic Grange greenhouse – to reflect a renewed commitment to edible growing
Hartley Botanic’s Grange greenhouse will be full of brightly coloured peppers, aubergines and chillies to reflect gardeners’ renewed commitment to growing their own fresh fruit and vegetables. Growing their own fresh produce also remains one of the most popular ways Hartley Botanic customers use their greenhouses.
TREND: The ‘Grow Your Own’ trend has been around for a while but it seems there has been a renewed interest in edible growing this year with a 25% uplift in related sales. While some customers have stuck to growing their own fresh produce as a way of life, supermarket food shortages at the start of the year may have given others new impetus.
3. Hartley Botanic Westminster greenhouse – herb planting suggesting a burgeoning area
Herbs will feature as a key element in Hartley Botanic’s Westminster greenhouse, including Mediterranean style herbs which are becoming increasingly popular with consumers and can be easily grown in a greenhouse and as our climate becomes warmer. The Westminster greenhouse will also suggest a continuing interest in enjoying our gardens ‘al fresco’ and will be dressed with beautiful garden furniture.
TREND: Herb plant sales have increase by 18% year on year and they seem to be particularly trendy and in demand at the moment – perhaps in part due to them being advocated by TV chefs.
4. Hartley Botanic Opus glasshouse – filled with orchids in homage to our most popular houseplant
A contemporary bronze Opus glasshouse will be dedicated entirely to showcasing orchids in celebration of the fact that they remain our most popular category of houseplant. Planting will feature the Paphiopedilum slipper orchid as well as the South American Zygopetalum and Masdevallia species. Orchids within the glasshouse will be individually ‘exhibited,’ presenting them as individual works of horticultural art.
TREND: Houseplants have grown enormously over the last five years and orchids remain the most popular species type in the category, with a 25% uplift in sales over the last year. Phalaenopsis, which will feature largely in the Hartley Botanic Opus glasshouse, is now the most in demand houseplant in the country.
In addition to the four trend-themed greenhouses, the stand will also feature a Hartley Botanic Grow and Store greenhouse, a compact horticultural structure perfect for smaller gardens with a versatile storage shed.
Tom Barry, managing director of Hartley Botanic commented: “We wanted the plantings on our trade stand to reflect the plants and themes that are most popular for modern greenhouse owners and also to suggest the diverse ways in which greenhouses are actually used. A greenhouse can of course be an extremely practical tool providing fresh fruit and vegetables all year round but can also provide a way to indulge a very specific plant collecting passion – whether orchids or air plants. Owning a greenhouse or glasshouse really opens up growing potential in terms of what is possible and, with many of Chelsea’s most impressive plants grown ‘under glass,’ it is the perfect place for gardeners to get inspired.”
Glen Sheldrake, horticulture director at Burford Garden Company added: “Plantings on Hartley Botanic’s trade stand provide a good overview of the gardening and plant trends which have exploded over the last few years and those like ‘grow your own’ which show renewed demand. The tropical plants featured in the Victorian Grand Manor and the orchids in the Opus represent the most dramatic new growth areas – over the last five years we have experienced a 300% increase in demand with interest continuing well into the last year.”
Burford Garden Company, Longview Design and The Outdoor Room were chosen by Hartley Botanic as RHS Chelsea Flower Show partners this year due to each company’s commitment to market-leading quality in both their product sourcing and design work.
Find Hartley Botanic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on trade stand number 31.
All Hartley Botanic’s greenhouses and glasshouses are made to order. Customers interested in purchasing a Hartley Botanic greenhouse should visit: https://www.hartley-botanic.co.uk or call 01457 819 155 for more information.
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