Research carried out on behalf of Bord Bia has found that 43% of people are willing to spend money on their garden and that gardening, plants and flowers are seen as a credible and acceptable treat in recessionary Ireland. 35% of respondents claimed that the economic downturn has not had any effect on their buying habits. The research findings were presented in advance of Bord Bia’s National Amenity Horticulture Awards, which recognise and promote excellence in the industry and took place last night.
The National Amenity Horticulture Awards recognise and promote excellence across three key sectors of the industry – Garden Centres, Nursery Growers and Landscape Contractors. Bord Bia presented Quality Awards to 86 horticultural businesses, which have successfully achieved the standards as set out by its Quality Assurance Programmes. This included fifty garden centres who achieved star ratings from 2 to 5 star gold, 12 Quality Approved Landscape Contractors, and twenty four Quality Approved Nurseries. A number of special awards were presented on the night, as well as the overall category winners as follows:
A full list of winners can be found below
“Quality Award recipients pride themselves on delivering above and beyond consumer expectation. They have to make significant investments in training, infrastructure and procedures to attain a Quality Award and consumers can benefit greatly from identifying them before they plan a trip to the local garden centre or engage a landscape contractor.”
Carol Marks, Bord Bia said “The research has shown that the garden is viewed as an extension to the home with people seeing it predominantly as a place to relax but also a place for entertaining, eating and for children to play. As a result of the economic downturn people are spending more time at home and many are now engaging more with the Horticultural Industry.”
According to the research completed in April 2010 on behalf of Bord Bia by IPSOS Mori, which measures the total value of the amenity market including outdoor trees and plants, indoor and potted herbs, garden products and landscaping products/services, is €717m. Outdoor and flowering plants account for 31% of all purchasing occasions. Larger ticket items, such as hard landscaping products, account for almost half of the market value.
In early March, Bord Bia will launch a gardening campaign called It’s Garden Time to encourage Irish people make the most of their gardens this spring. The campaign will direct consumers to the Bord Bia website where a range of tips and advice will be available for every garden.
In addition, Bord Bia’s annual gardening and lifestyle show Bloom will return to the Phoenix Park, Dublin for its fifth year. The event takes place from June 2nd – June 6th. For more information visit www.bloominthepark.com
Garden Centre Quality Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre | valign=top>Best Customer Service/Marketing | valign=top>Leighlinbridge, Co.Carlow |
| valign=top>Orchard Home & Garden | valign=top>Best Product Information/Signage | valign=top>Dublin Rd., Co. Kildare |
| valign=top>Lusk's Garden Centre | valign=top>Plant Centre of the Year | valign=top>Hill of Down, Co. Meath |
| valign=top>Kilcannon Garden Centre | valign=top>Best Specialist Centre | valign=top>Enniscorty, Co. Wexford |
| valign=top>O'Meara's Garden Pavilion | valign=top>Best Plant Merchandising | valign=top>Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Castlecomer | valign=top>Best New Entry | valign=top>Ballyhale, Kilkenny |
| valign=top>Cois Na h'Abhann | valign=top>Garden & Lifestyle Centre of the Year Small | valign=top>Enniscorty, Co. Wexford |
| valign=top>Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre | valign=top>Garden & Lifestyle Centre of the Year Large | valign=top>Leighlinbridge, Co.Carlow |
| valign=top>Lusk's Garden Centre | valign=top>Best Plant Quality | valign=top>Hill of Down, Co. Meath |
| valign=top>Rentes Plants LTD | valign=top>Best local plant supplier | valign=top>Moyvalley, Co.Kildare |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife- Castlecomer | valign=top>DIY/Garden centre of the year | valign=top>Ballyhale, Kilkenny |
Landscape Quality Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>L’Estrange Landscapes Ltd. | valign=top>Certificate of Merit | valign=top>Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>Nangles Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Certificate of Merit | valign=top>Carrigrohane, Co Cork |
| valign=top>BHL Landscape Group | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Waterfall Rd., Co Cork |
| valign=top>Green Avenue Landscapes Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Hawthorn Nurseries & Landscaping Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Kilrush, Co Clare |
| valign=top>Kilmeague Landscape Services Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>O'Donoghue Landscaping Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Carrigrohane, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Peter J. Cantillon | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top> Ballinteer, Dublin |
| valign=top>Peter O'Brien & Sons (Landscaping) Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Malahide, Co Dublin |
| valign=top>Radharc Landscaping Co Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Moycullen, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Redlough Landscapes Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Hollystown, Dublin |
| valign=top>SAP Landscapes Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Maynooth, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Stewart's Hospital | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Palmerstown, Dublin |
| valign=top>Thomas J. Crummy Landscaping | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Boyle, Co Sligo |
Landscape Special Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>Radharc Landscaping Co Ltd | valign=top>Environmental Practice Award | valign=top>Moycullen, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Thomas J. Crummy Landscaping | valign=top>Business Procedures Award | valign=top>Boyle, Co Sligo |
| valign=top>SAP Landscapes Ltd | valign=top>People Management Award | valign=top>Maynooth, Co. Kildare |
| valign=top>BHL Landscape Group | valign=top>Facilities Management Award | valign=top>Waterfall, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Hawthorn Nurseries & Landscaping Ltd | valign=top>Continuous Progress Award | valign=top>Kilrush, Co Clare |
| valign=top>Redlough Landscapes Ltd | valign=top>Customer Service/Marketing | valign=top>Hollystown, Dublin |
| valign=top>Thomas J. Crummy Landscaping | valign=top>Landscape Business of the Year | valign=top>Boyle, Co Sligo |
Nursery Special Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>Yellow Furze Nurseries | valign=top>Environmental Award | valign=top>Navan, Co Meath |
| valign=top>Glenbrook Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Production Processes Award | valign=top>Tuamgraney, Co.Clare |
| valign=top>Annaveigh Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>People Management Award | valign=top>Cashel, Co Tipperary |
| valign=top>Schram Plants LTD | valign=top>Customer Service/ Marketing | valign=top>Broadford, Co. Kildare |
| valign=top>Spring Nurseries | valign=top>Continuous Progress Award | valign=top>Donerale, Co. Cork |
| valign=top>Coillte- Lifford | valign=top>Best New Entry Award | valign=top>Lifford, Co Donegal |
| valign=top>Schram Plants Ltd | valign=top>Nursery Business of the Year | valign=top>Broadford, Co Kildare |
Garden Centre Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Tubbercurry | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Tubbercurry, Co Sligo |
| valign=top>Gardenworld-Kilquade | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Kilquade, Co Wicklow |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Fethard | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Fethard, Co Tipperary |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Kilmeaden | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Kilmeaden, Co Waterford |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Monasterevin | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Monasterevin, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Mountmellick | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Mountmellick, Co Laois |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Tullamore | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Tullamore, Co Offaly |
| valign=top>Milands Garden Centre & Florist | valign=top>2 Star | valign=top>Ballinasloe, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Ardcarne Garden Centre (Roscommon) Ltd | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Roscommon Town, Co Roscommon |
| valign=top>Ashtree Garden Centre Ltd | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Donegal Town, Co Donegal |
| valign=top>Beechdale Plantsplus Garden Centre | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ennisorthy, Co Wexford |
| valign=top>Clarenbridge Lifestyle Garden Centre | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Clarenbridge, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Ballaghadereen | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ballaghadereen, Co Rosscommon |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Ballina | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ballina, Co Mayo |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Ballinrobe | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ballinrobe, Co Mayo |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Ballyhaunis | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Claremorris | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Claremorris, Co Mayo |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Ballyhale | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Ballyhale, Co Killkenny |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Dungarvan | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Dungarva, Co Waterford |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - New Ross | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>New Ross, Co Wexford |
| valign=top>Hosfords Geranium and Garden Centre | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Enniskeane, Co. Cork |
| valign=top>Keans Arro Home & Garden | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Claremorris, Co. Mayo |
| valign=top>McCarthy's Homevalue | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Seasons Garden & Flowers | valign=top>3 Star | valign=top>Loughrea, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Connacht Gold DIY & Garden Centre - Sligo | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo |
| valign=top>Fernhill Garden Centre | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Athlone, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>Glanbia Countrylife - Castlecomer | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny |
| valign=top>Horkan's Garden Centre Ltd - Sligo | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Bundoran Rd., Co Sligo |
| valign=top>Kiernans Garden Centre | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Douglas, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Kilcannon Garden Centre & Restaurant | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Enniscorthy, Co Wexford |
| valign=top>Kinsealy Garden Centre Ltd | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Kinsealy, Dublin |
| valign=top>Green Barn Garden & Lifestyle | valign=top>4 Star | valign=top>Killeagh, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Cois Na h'Abhann Garden & Lifestyle Centre | valign=top>5 Star | valign=top>Enniscorthy, Co Wexford |
| valign=top>Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre - Castlebar | valign=top>5 Star | valign=top>Castlebar, Co Mayo |
| valign=top>Lusk's Garden Centre | valign=top>5 Star Plant Centre | valign=top>Hill of Down, Co. Meath |
| valign=top>Newlands Home & Garden Centre | valign=top>5 Star | valign=top>Clondalkin, Dublin |
| valign=top>O'Meara's Garden Pavilion | valign=top>5 Star | valign=top>Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>Ballyseedy Home & Garden Ltd | valign=top>5 Star | valign=top>Tralee, Co Kerry |
| valign=top>Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre | valign=top>5 Star Gold | valign=top>Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow |
| valign=top>Orchard Home & Garden | valign=top>5 Star Gold | valign=top>Celbridge, Co Kildare |
Nursery Quality Awards
| Company | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| valign=top>Doran Nurseries (Heather Memories) | valign=top>Certificate of Merit | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Swanton's Nurseries Ltd. | valign=top>Certificate of Merit | valign=top>Skibbereen, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Amour Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Kildare Town, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Annaveigh Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Cashel, Co Tipperary |
| valign=top>Coillte Nurseries - Ardattin | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Ardattin, Co Carlow |
| valign=top>Coillte Nurseries - Lifford | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Lifford, Co Donegal |
| valign=top>Coillte Nurseries - Aughrim | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Aughrim, Co Wicklow |
| valign=top>Fána Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Ballyhooly, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Fitzgerald Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny |
| valign=top>Glenbrook Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Tuamgraney, Co Clare |
| valign=top>Grangemore Plants Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Cahir, Co Tipperary |
| valign=top>Kelly's Nursery Ltd. | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>L & K Dunne Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Lough Corrib Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Moycullen, Co Galway |
| valign=top>Mount Congreve Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Kilmeaden, Co Waterford |
| valign=top>Nangle & Niesen Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Aherla, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Nightpark Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Colbinstown, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>O'Connor Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Gorey, Co Wexford |
| valign=top>O'Dowd Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Moate, Co Westmeath |
| valign=top>Rentes Plants Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Moyvalley, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Sap Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Cahir, Co Tipperary |
| valign=top>Schram Plants Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Broadford, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Spring Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Donerale, Co Cork |
| valign=top>Tully Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Ballybough, Dublin |
| valign=top>Woodview Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Naas, Co Kildare |
| valign=top>Yellow Furze Nurseries Ltd | valign=top>Quality Award | valign=top>Navan, Co Meath |
| valign=top>Young Nurseries | valign=top>Quality Awards | valign=top>Kilfinane, Co. Limerick |