Innovation of suppliers and retailers from across the garden, pet and leisure industries recognised in the coveted Glee Awards.
The winners of the Glee Awards were announced last night, with one - the VertiGarden vertical planting concept from KinderGarden Plants - wowing the judges and sweeping three awards.

The VertiGarden was named winner in Landscape Innovation, Green Innovation, and the Special Award for product innovation at a presentation ceremony at the Hilton Metropole on the evening of Monday 22nd September.

A panel of garden centre and retail managers, journalists and industry specialists judged eleven Glee New Product and four new Glee Retail award categories.

The 'worthy' winner was praised for its attraction to modern gardeners, and the manner in which its 'innovative design overcomes the irrigation challenges of vertical gardening'.

New product considerations included innovation; design and originality; and market potential, across categories in garden care, garden machinery, nursery, outdoor living, green and an overall 'Special' category.

Retailers were also asked to submit examples of outstanding retail practice to compete in categories such as Buyer/ Buying Team Initiative of the Year; Sales & Marketing Initiative of the Year; Green Initiative of the Year; and Retailer of the Year.

Glee Award winners
Garden Care Innovation – Burgon & Ball – Home Allotment
Garden Machinery Innovation – Bosch Lawn & Garden – AXT 25TC Shredder
Nursery Innovation – Westminster Teak - Cadiz Armchair
Pet Innovation – AquaHydrotech – Ecopond Tadpole Food
Landscape Innovation – KinderGarden Plants – VertiGarden
Home & Gift Innovation – HugRug – HugRug
Green Innovation – KinderGarden Plants – VertiGarden
Glee Special Award – KinderGarden Plants – VertiGarden

Retail Award winners
Buyer/Buying Team Initiative of the Year – The Garden & Leisure Group
Sales & Marketing Initiative of the Year – Fermoys Garden Centre and Farm Shop
Green Initiative of the Year – Sanders Garden World
Retailer of the Year – Coolings Nurseries

In addition Gardenex presented its annual Roy Hay Memorial Award to Tim Smit, the co-founder of the award-winning Eden Project in Cornwall.

Glee show director, Dan Thurlow, praised exhibitors for the quality of this year's entries and the high level of impressive innovation, particularly those looking at the changing climate.

"Companies are thinking clearly and constructively about how they can build business into the future, taking into account the changing demands of today's consumers and climate. The winners include some extremely original ideas, many demonstrating superb environmental credentials."

A raffle held at the Glee Awards evening raised £2,220 for The Greenfingers Appeal, the charity of the gardening industry that creates inspirational gardens at UK Children's Hospices.

Next year's Glee will be held from 20-22 September 2009 at the NEC Birmingham.