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Flower
Spotlight On... Gifts For Gardeners
Power
With sales of faux plants continuing to rocket especially houseplants, as more people look to bring the outdoors in - and gardening linked with improved mental wellbeing, gifts for gardeners and non-gardeners have become a ‘must’ for many gift retailers. PG&H asked a selection of leading suppliers what’s driving sales for the coming season. Since the start of the pandemic, one of the biggest societal changes has been the huge focus on mental health, with gardening shown to be one of the best ways to alleviate stress and promote a calmer, more relaxed attitude. As people switched from going into the office to working from home, trips to local garden centres became a high spot, as gardens, as well as homes, became a focus for many families. But it’s not just about turning into Monty Don or Kim Wilde. It’s also about bringing greenery indoors, with many people wanting to grow house plants for real, or to have a faux equivalent. At the beginning of the year, Enesco acquired Allen Designs, with Enesco’s marketing and product director, Helen Cottrill, highlighting the company’s quirky planters. “They bring joy by just looking at them, and they are versatile too, as they can not only be used for plants but for flowers, kitchen utensils and stationery,” she explains. “Plus, there are some quirky clocks in the collection too, to include the garden themed Blossoms. Products fit well with the trend of
Above: Allen Designs’ Blossoms clock from Enesco. Below left: Among the pot hangers from Gallery Direct. Below: Faux plants from Candlelight.
from across the world, ranging from exotic toucans to a cute hedgehog.” Also bringing the outdoors in are faux plants, with the sector seeing huge continued growth, and natural grasses, such as pampas, among the biggest trend this year. “Candlelight is synonymous with faux plants and we are continually refreshing our Flower Patch range with real touch, dried natural grasses as well as enlivening and unusual faux plants,” confirms the company’s marketing manager Kate Winch. “We have
spending more time at home and creating your own haven.” At Gallery Direct, marketing director Bruce Bell says that adding a touch of personality to a room is key, highlighting the company’s collection of pot hangers. “They make ideal gifts for people to hang on pots and planters, either indoors or outdoors, with our varied range including a selection of animals and birds
Take Five
“Interior trends are changing, with plant life appearing in more and more households,” states Burton McCall’s Jenna Shawley. “As we are now spending more time at home than ever before, and working from home appears to be the norm for most, having the right tools for the job is essential. Felco has now increased its range of Snips to include five models which are ideal for not only tending to the garden, but also perfect for house plants. The range is made up of a mixture of straight and curved blade models in a variety of blade sizes, with all models compact, lightweight and ergonomic making them ideal for smaller spaces.” Left: Burton McCall’s Felco range.
Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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