A new group has been set up to champion British independent plant growers.
The Nursery Exhibitors’ Organisation (NEO) was started by leading nurseries to help promote what they believe is a vital part of the horticulture industry, sharing skills and enabling growers to connect with gardeners.
Faced with a drop in the number of places for nurseries to exhibit and with specialist plant fairs being over-subscribed, they are hoping to either join existing events or set up new shows.
The group is aimed at nurseries that raise their own plants or who grow on plants produced in Britain rather than garden centres or wholesale nurseries.
It hopes to promote British grown plants, mentor new nurseries and encourage people to enter the industry. In 2006, there were more than 800 specialist nurseries listed in the RHS Plant Finder but 20 years on that figure has more than halved.
Julia Mitchell, owner of penstemon specialists Green JJam one of the member nurseries, explains that the NEO is designed for growers who don’t fall under the Horticultural Trades Association banner: “It’s for everybody who doesn’t have anyone to look after them.”
So far, the Nursery Exhibitors’ Organisation has signed up more than 70 leading nurseries and has reached out to nearly 400 more along with honorary members, including industry experts who will judge displays. There are also ‘champions’, well known people in horticulture who have pledged their support, and associate members, such as plant societies.
The website has a list of members and a calendar of events – each grower is allowed to add three dates each to the diary that will include shows and open days at members’ nurseries.
Julia points out that without these growers, the range of plants available and the specialist cultivation knowledge would be lost to British gardening, adding that the RHS was backing the new venture as it recognises the importance of independent growers.
“It’s about getting people together to keep the nurseries going and to keep specialist plants going,” she says. “The specialist bit of horticulture is in jeopardy.”
You can find out more details about the Nursery Exhibitors Organisation on the website.
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