Eleven ground-breaking new garden products have been confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2018, at a special award presentation organised and run by Garden Trade News.
Selected from hundreds of entries showcased at Glee (10th – 12th September, NEC Birmingham), the winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges, representing independent and multiple retailers and international suppliers.
Entries were submitted in nine key garden retail categories. The 2018 judges – Andy Bunker, Altons Garden Centre, Nigel and William Wallis, Baytree Garden Garden Centre, Caroline Linger, crocus.co.uk, Colin Weatherly-Mein, David Danning, Blue Diamond. Mel Livingstone, Fron Goch and Ian Hodgson, Garden News – considered each entry on a challenging range of criteria, including innovation, design, quality, environmental credentials, pricing and retail potential, resulting in some hot debates and close runners-up in a number of categories. A shortlist was then decided for each category, with the shortlisted suppliers then invited to join the judges in the ‘Pitching Den’.
Winners’ round-up
Best Garden Decoration
Winner: Smart Garden Products – Wannabees
Best Wildlife & Pets
Joint Winners: RSPCA – Slow Feeder Bowl, Westland Horticulture – Peckish Squirrel Proof Suet Pellets
Best Outdoor Entertaining
Winner: Smart Garden Products – Lit Firefly Balloons
Best Landscaping
Winner: Primeur – Recycled Rubber Stepping Stones Medallion
Best Home, Gift & Clothing
Winner: Tilnar Art – Besmo & Mo-Home (Meg Hawkins Collection)
Best Tools & Machinery
Winner: Block Blitz Ltd – Block Blitz Big Blitz
Best Garden Care – Chemicals, Fertilisers and Growing Media
Winner: Westland Horticulture – Deadfast New Rodenticides Range
Best Garden Care – Growing Accessories
Winner: Tildenet Gardenware – Haxnicks Bamboo Pots & Seed Trays
Best Plants, Seeds & Bulbs
Winner: Wyevale Nurseries Ltd – Agapanthus Fireworks
Best of British
Winner: West Country Soil Improvement Ltd – Bloomin Amazing
A final award – Best New Product at Glee 2018 – was selected from all the entries receivedand was awarded to Primeur with its Recycled Rubber Stepping Stone Medallion.
Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director said: “We were delighted that so many superb, new products were entered for this year’s Glee New Products and offer many congratulations to the worthy winners. Our thanks also go to the judges who so kindly lent their valuable time and expertise.”