Garden retailers are reporting strong sales of bulbs and autumn bedding as an early autumn sets in, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has reported.
Many garden retailers have started to put out bulb displays and autumn bedding, and are already having to re-order supplies due to heavy demand, according to the HTA.

Director of marketing and communications Andrew Maxted said: "Effective displays of bulbs and autumn bedding are resulting in strong sales as people seek to inject some colour into their garden. However, it remains to be seen whether these are additional sales or September purchases being made early.

"There is still huge pressure on consumer spending but gardening continues to have mass appeal and people are still prepared to invest in their homes and gardens - as long as the offer is right. We are seeing that customers are buying items in a more considered way and looking to seek maximum value from a purchase. When it comes to larger ticket items many would rather buy once and buy well."

A hot and dry spring caused the early start to the season, said the HTA. Garden retail sales in April grew by 23% thanks to the warm weather and Bank Holidays.

However, the wetter and more overcast weather that followed saw trade dip 4% in May and 9% in June. Performance improved in July, according to the latest figures from the HTA's Garden Retail Monitor, which show garden sales up 4% on the same month last year.