Glee’s Green Heart has become a must-see part of the annual garden retail exhibition with growers bringing plants to the fore at the NEC (27th -29th June).  A leading showcase of both UK and international growers, the Green Heart in 2023 will once again be found in the light-filled atrium and, this year will feature interactive exhibits that will provide an unrivalled source of inspiration, retail best practices plus showcase the latest 2023 ranges for plant areas across the country.

New for this year is the Talent Store, a merchandising masterclass that will see 12 on-site representatives from garden centres showcasing new and innovative ways to display outdoor and houseplants within a retail environment. Mentored by Debbie Flowerday and Michael Perry (aka Mr Plant Geek), the finalist’s pop-up store designs will be showcased adjacent to the Green Heart offering visitors inspiration and take-home ideas for their own stores.

Alongside the Talent Store, there will be even more motivational examples with Michael Perry’s Future Plants display. Retailers and plant buyers will be the first to see the plants of the future in this brand-new feature, which features unseen varieties which won't be ready for retail for 18-24 months.   Plants with Pryde will also provide a rainbow of colour in the atrium that visitors can enjoy as Pride Month draws to a close.

As always, at the centre of the beating Green Heart are the seasonal plants which will be packed with amazing colour and gives retailers the chance to source plants, top up orders and investigate seasonal varieties that will brighten up plant areas into autumn, the festive period and beyond. The Green Heart offers garden centres profit potential and is the place to be for all things green!

Key names already confirmed for the Green Heart in 2023 include Bransford Webbs, one of the leading growers of ornamental plants in the UK, and Craigmarloch Nurseries, Scotland's premier horticultural grower of alpines, grasses, shrubs, and pot bedding plants will also be in the atrium with its plant offering.  Florna Plants will join them with its ideas for planted containers, hanging baskets, and pack and pot bedding.

Other big names from the horticultural world exhibiting in the Green Heart are Javado, purveyors of quality houseplants and garden plants from Holland to garden centres and plant retailers across the UK and Europe; Lovania Nurseries, with its alpines and herbaceous perennials; and Impulse Plants with its diverse range of garden and house plants offering endless possibilities for the gardening season.

Don’t forget to check out family-run Green Inspiration Plants which provides the breadth and depth of houseplants and garden plants through its web shop, plus New Leaf Plants which is well known for its comprehensive range of clematis and climbing plants.  Golden Grove Nursery will be on hand with its conifer plants in a diverse range of shades, textures, shapes, and sizes, whilst Hills Brothers will bring its breadth of ornamental flowering plants from Chichester to the NEC. Plant pioneers MNP Flowers will be exhibiting in the Green Heart and the Anglo Aquatic Plant Co Ltd will be showcasing its best pond plants for retailers to choose from.

New for 2023 is The Horti House whose mission is to transform houseplant wholesale in the UK by offering a fast and simple way to buy quality British plants directly from the grower.

There is still the chance to be part of the premier horticulture hub at Glee this year.  If you would like to take a stand, please visit https://www.gleebirmingham.com/why-exhibit/apply-for-a-stand  or by emailing  Neil Gow at neil.gow1@btinternet.com