DIYWEEK.net

A total of 11 new garden products have been confirmed as the winners of the 2018 Glee New Product Awards 2018, at a special award presentation at the leading gardening show.

Selected from hundreds of entries showcased at Glee, the winning products were chosen across nine categories by a panel of judges, representing independent and multiple retailers and international suppliers.

The 2018 judging panel comprised Andy Bunker of Altons Garden Centre, Nigel and William Wallis of Baytree Garden Garden Centre, Caroline Linger from Crocus.co.uk, Colin Wetherly-Mein, David Danning from Blue Diamond, Mel Livingstone of Fron Goch and Ian Hodgson from Garden News.

Products were judged against a range of criteria, including innovation, design, quality, environmental credentials, pricing and retail potential.  The shortlisted suppliers were then invited to join the judges in the ‘Pitching Den’.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Best Garden Decoration
Winner: Smart Garden Products - Wannabees
Shortlisted: Smart Garden Products Ltd - Llama Rama; The Solar Centre - Trueflame USB Solar Crook Lantern; Greenkey Home & Garden - Flamelights

Best Wildlife & Pets
Joint Winners: RSPCA – Slow Feeder Bowl, Westland Horticulture – Peckish Squirrel Proof Suet Pellets
Shortlisted: RSW International Ltd - Fetch & Treat Ball Game

Best Outdoor Entertaining
Winner: Smart Garden Products – Lit Firefly Balloons
Shortlisted: Burton McCall Ltd - Thermacell Halo Mini; Zest 4 Leisure - Maisy Set

Best Landscaping
Winner: Primeur – Recycled Rubber Stepping Stones Medallion
Shortlisted: Deco-Pak - Lumi Pave; Primeur - Landscape edge; Smart Garden Products - Solar Picket Fence

Best Home, Gift & Clothing
Winner: Tilnar Art - Besmo & Mo-Home (Meg Hawkins Collection)
Shortlisted: Burgon & Ball - RHS Gifts for Gardeners 'British Bloom' collection – pocket pruner & holster set; FallenFruits Ltd - Plant Terrarium with tools

Best Tools & Machinery
Winner: Block Blitz Ltd - Block Blitz Big Blitz
Shortlisted: Burgon & Ball - RHS-endorsed single-handed grass shear; Gardman Ltd - Carbon Steel Large Shovel

Best Garden Care – Chemicals, Fertilisers and Growing Media
Winner: Westland Horticulture - Deadfast New Rodenticides Range
Shortlisted: Block Blitz Ltd - Block Blitz Multi Pave Treatment; Block Blitz Ltd - Block Blitz Block Shield; West Country Soil Improvement Ltd - Bloomin Amazing

Best Garden Care – Growing Accessories
Winner: Tildenet Gardenware - Haxnicks Bamboo Pots & Seed Trays
Shortlisted: Vegepod - Vegepod Raised Garden Bed (medium); Vegtrug Limited - Grow Care

Best Plants, Seeds & Bulbs
Winner: Wyevale Nurseries Ltd - Agapanthus Fireworks
Shortlisted: Javado - Ficus Mangrove Melany Petit; Wyevale Nurseries Ltd - Salvia

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 received. This year the coveted title went to Primeur with its Recycled Rubber Stepping Stone Medallion.

Glee event director Matthew Mein commented: “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.”

All entries are on display in the show’s New Product Showcase in Hall 19. Glee runs until Wednesday, September 12 across halls 6-8 and 19-20 at the NEC, Birmingham.