Spotlight On... Gifts for Gardeners

Flower 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 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 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

Above: Allen Designs’ Blossoms clock from Enesco. Below left: Among the pot hangers from Gallery Direct. Below: Faux plants from Candlelight.

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.

also launched a range of wreaths and garlands for both the home and outdoors, bringing a country boho feel to both spring and summer to meet the needs of the nongardener, and have also updated our vessel offering this season with rattan, wicker and matte black pots.”

Transomnia’s Rod O’Mahony concurs that faux is the way to go. “We have leaned into the trend with a new collection of faux flowers and mini topiary trees which add a splash of colour to the home, requiring no more maintenance than an occasional flick with the duster.” Continues Rod: “Also new for 2022 is a range of garden bee ceramics, with the collection including vases, jugs, mugs and coasters. These join our best-

Licensed To Thrill

Jardinopia - whose wide range of Beatrix Potter pot accessories are sold under its brands Potty Feet, Pot Buddies and Cane Companions - has been working in close collaboration with Walt Disney Company and Penguin Books (home of Peter Rabbit), with its range for both children and adults encompassing Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Friends, 101 Dalmatians and Classic Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter franchises.

“Our unique range of Beatrix Potter pot accessories allows people to bring gardening fun indoors,” says Jardinopia’s managing director Andrea Barnett. “Potty Feet give house plants a lift, while our Pot Buddies help to make people smile, as the cheeky characters hang from the rim of the pot.”

Andrea adds that all products have strong environmental credentials, and attempt to get children interested in gardening and the outdoors.

Above: Jardinopia’s Potty Feet.

selling range of humorous garden-related signs, with a particular emphasis on the importance of sheds.“

At Gisela Graham, sales director Piers Croke says the gifts that gardeners will most appreciate are pretty as well as practical, reflected in the company’s newly launched design themes. “The eye-catcher is a cool blue and white concept called Provence, realised in fabric, and featuring useful items such as seat pads for outdoor sitting, as well as pretty ceramics for indoors. We offer plant pots too, as well as lots of faux flowers and vases.”

Left: Gisela Graham’s new Provence range. Below: Quirky statement planters from Sass & Belle.

Birds And The Bees

Of course, Britain’s birds have always been a popular design across gifting. “Nature has been seen to play an important role in our wellbeing and it also plays an important role in a gardener’s life, from the birds to the bees,” points out Lesser & Pavey’s managing director Julian Hunt. “Our range of Garden Birds makes an ideal gift for gardeners in rural to urban locations, featuring illustration from British artist Jennifer Rose. The collection includes mugs, coasters, trays, a jug and a butter dish, as well as gin glasses, wax warmers, cushions and a drink flask that can be taken into the garden or to the allotment.”

Also celebrating Britain’s wildlife is Parlane Living, with the company’s bird collection including a series of tealight holders, mirrors and pot hangers featuring popular British birds native to the UK, all of which are regular visitors to British gardens. “We created these as enjoyable gifts for those who appreciate wildlife and love their gardens,” comments marketing executive Helen Hazell.

For 2022, fine bone china mug company Dunoon has introduced Cottage Garden on the company’s Lomond shape, and Cottage Border on the larger Cairngorm shape. “Floral themed designs are always popular as gifts and help to lift the spirit,” confirms director Peter Smith. “Plus, with everyone conscious of sustaining the natural world, Busy Bees on our Cairngorm shape features buzzing bumble bees among bright yellow buttercups, red poppies and French lavender.”

Right: Lesser & Pavey’s Garden Birds collection.

“Houseplants have become an integral part of our lives,” agrees Sass & Belle’s ecommerce executive Steph Kaluza, “with plant owners also looking for accessories with character that blend seamlessly with current interior trends. For spring/summer 2022 we've focused heavily on maximalism. With the foundation of this trend focused on colour, we have designed a variety of bold shapes in vibrant tones across a range of accessories to house both plants and flowers. They’re ideal for layering with contrasting patterns or creating a centrepiece in a key area of the home, with the planters and vases making a joyful gift.”

With both indoor and outdoor plants continuing to be among the biggest trends around, what better gift for a green fingered someone than something that ties in with their love of one of Britain’s most popular hobbies.