ONE OF the UK’s leading commercial nurseries launched two new plants at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) National Plant Show to raise awareness and funds for the charity Perennial (June 21 & 22, 2022).

Wyevale Nurseries, working alongside Allensmore Nurseries and Bransford Webbs, is linking with Perennial to help support the organisation and to highlight the services it provides to the commercial horticultural sector.

Andy Johnson, Managing Director of Wyevale Nurseries, says: “We’re delighted to be supporting this charity for people working in and retired from our industry. Each company will be producing plants for sale branded with a Perennial linked picture label and in taupe kerbside recyclable pots as part of this special Plant for Perennial promotion. 

“We’ve secured two new salvias – Salvia gregii Cuello Pink and Salvia gregii Cuello White. We’ll have 2.5k of each ready for sale May/June 2023 and will be offering customers to book at the National Plant Show on June 21 and 22 at NAEC Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire

“We’ll have a strong visual presence on this year’s stand at the show about the charity and our link up. We’re very keen to promote Perennial’s work and especially since they are also closely linked with Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) and we’ve colleagues who are members of the organisation.

“We’re also supporting them this summer by hosting our summer staff party at Laskett Gardens, created by historian, writer and garden designer Sir Roy Strong CH and his late wife Julia Trevelyan Oman CBE. Perennial was bequeathed the garden at the start of 2021.”

The charity supports those working in the horticultural industry, and their families, through many of life’s challenges, which may be overwhelming. It understands the devastating impact bereavement, money worries, ill health, homelessness, redundancy and family breakdown can have on lives, and that everyone can experience financial difficulties.

Phil Swainston, Corporate Partnership Manager at Perennial, explains: “In November 2021, Allensmore nurseries Managing Director Mark Taylor attended a Perennial event at Perennial’s Laskett Garden near Hereford.  After a conversation with Perennial Trustee Richard Lawton, Mark decided to come up with a scheme that would generate funds for Perennial. He invited Bransford Webbs and Wyevale Nurseries to join him in creating the Plant for Perennial promotion.

“As a result, at National Plant Show 2022, the Plant for Perennial promotion will be launched. Dianthus ‘Pink Celebration’ from Allensmore, Nemesia ‘Peaches and Cream’ from Bransfords and Salvia Cuello Pink and Cuello White from Wyevale Nurseries will all be available to order at the National Plant Show. An on-pot and on-label Perennial message will appear on all the plants and a proportion of all sales will be made as a donation to Perennial. 

“This collaboration between three fantastic nurseries is a great example of how the industry can support the charity through a cause related marketing scheme and it will be a great vehicle for spreading our message that Perennial is here for all those working in horticulture that need our help. Now, more than ever, is the time to be aware of the impact Covid-19 and now rising energy, fuel and food bills has had and will continue to have on the entire horticultural industry.”

The two salvias will be available late summer 2023 but will be launched and can be ordered by garden centres at the National Plant Show.

They are both new to the market and flower early summer to late autumn, are bush forming and wildlife friendly. They are hardy to -5°c and reach a height and spread of 70-80cm.

The HTA National Plant Show takes place on Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 22 in Halls 1 & 2 at NAEC Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

The product selection available from Wyevale Nurseries is envied across the industry and the talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.