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HARTLEY BOTANIC’S RHS TATTON PARK TRADESTAND SHOWCASES DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS AS ‘UNDER GLASS’ PLANT COLLECTIONS REFLECT THE UK’S CHANGING CLIMATE – PRESS RELEASE

Hartley Botanic’s RHS Tatton Park tradestand – stand number 429

Hartley Botanic’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show tradestand designed by Tom Hearn of Base Squared features four of the manufacturer’s handmade greenhouses

British greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic is showcasing the drought-tolerant and tropical plants increasingly being grown by UK gardeners ‘under glass’ as a result of our warming climate at RHS Tatton Park this year. The stand, which features four of the manufacturer’s handmade greenhouses and glasshouses, demonstrates how modern plant tastes and greenhouse usage is changing as gardeners increasingly enjoy more al fresco lifestyles and face blistering heatwaves during the summer. Plants on the stand, which has been designed and planted by landscape and garden maintenance company Base Squared, include architectural tropicals, hardy succulents and an exotic take on grow-your-own. The contemporary trend-led plantings are juxtaposed against a historical anniversary for Hartley Botanic, which this year, will have been making its beautiful, handcrafted greenhouses and glasshouses for 80 years. Key to the Lancashire manufacturer’s success has been its single-minded focus on customer service and its ability to respond to changing trends and tastes amongst gardeners.

Hartley Botanic’s RHS Tatton Park tradestand features four of the manufacturer’s handmade greenhouses and glasshouses, a modern Opus glasshouse, a Victorian Lodge, a traditional Grow and Store and a contemporary Hartley Planthouse, each illustrating climate-led, modern plant trends. The stand also features a special edition Hartley Botanic Patio Glasshouse in ‘ruby red’ to mark the manufacturer’s 80th anniversary. The overall look of the stand is a contemporary one, with a Victorian presence, with clean lines provided by light grey paving and green, leafy external plantings, interjected by deep, grey earthenware and glazed pots.

Victorian Lodge – architectural tropicals

Greenhouse filled with tropical plants

The largest glasshouse on the stand is filled with tropical, heat-loving plants which are now hugely popular with gardeners. Plants including Cycasrevoluta, Chamaerops Humlilis, Sterlitzia Augusta and Phoenix Canariensis fill the structure, suggesting how gardeners are not only using glasshouses to grow their specific planting passions, but also to display and enjoy them. A small pond with water feature has also been installed in a corner of the structure, reflecting the very personal ways gardeners are dressing and adapting their greenhouses and glasshouses.

Modern Opus glasshouse – al fresco accessory

The modern Opus glasshouse

The modern Opus glasshouse represents the appetite amongst many gardeners and homeowners to use a greenhouse or glasshouse as an al fresco accessory which enhances and broadens the way they can enjoy their gardens in our warmer weather. Trendy house plants such as Chlorophytum Comosum and Pilea Peperomioides have been carefully placed alongside attractive orange and lemon citrus trees and the interior dressed with a rattan bench and stylish glassware. The set illustrates a move away from using a greenhouse or glasshouse as a purely functional gardening tool and towards buying one as a way to enjoy a more outdoor lifestyle, especially in the summer.

Contemporary Hartley Planthouse – hardy succulents

Hartley Planthouse with double doors

Cactus plants, Sempervium and Echeveria completely fill a Hartley Planthouse with double doors and are presented in earthenware and glazed pots. The curated display illustrates how many gardeners are specifically using greenhouses to propagate succulents and species such as alpines and ferns. These more exotic and unusual species are incredibly popular and flourish in the climate-controlled conditions of a greenhouse or glasshouses.

Traditional Grow & Store – heat-tolerant edibles

Traditional Grow & Store

At first glance, the Grow & Store seems to depict the very traditional, and arguably most popular, focus of greenhouse gardening – growing edibles. However, on closer inspection the display shows edibles specifically selected for their tolerance of hotter temperatures. Fiery hot chillies and herbs which flourish in more arid conditions are shown in various stages of growth on potting benches.

80th anniversary – The Hartley Patio Glasshouse

The Hartley Patio Glasshouse

Also on the stand, within the Victorian Lodge, is a special edition of Hartley Botanic’s Patio Glasshouse which is available for a limited time in an arresting ‘ruby red’, allowing customers to mark the manufacturer’s 80th anniversary this year. Founded in 1938 by brothers Vincent (RHS fellow) and Norman Hartley, Hartley Botanic is one of Britain’s oldest and most trusted greenhouse manufacturers and was, to their knowledge, the first to develop and make entirely aluminium structures, representing a new class of greenhouse building in terms of practicality and engineering design. Vincent and Norman Hartley’s drive and ambition to create the finest greenhouses money can buy is still central to the company’s ethos which still specialises in handmade, made-to-order horticultural buildings which truly stand the test of time. Some of Hartley Botanic’s original structures are still standing and in full use, such as the Hartley Botanic greenhouse at Belgrave Hall, installed in 1950 and the glasshouse in Glasgow Botanical Gardens installed in 1988.

Hartley Botanic’s impressive 1958 glasshouse for The Royal Floral Hall, Rhyl – the glasshouse showcases the company’s original, ‘clear span’ aluminium greenhouse design

Of the tradestand Tom Barry, Managing Director of Hartley Botanic commented; “Hartley Botanic has always moved with the changing needs and tastes of its customers and we wanted to communicate this through the stand’s trend and climate-led plantings. This ability to respond to the times has also been a key factor in Hartley Botanic’s 80 trusted years, making the finest aluminium greenhouses money can buy. While we may be a historic British business, our products are constantly evolving and so is the way gardeners are using them.”

Thomas Hearn, Director at Base Squared added; “The last few years has seen an incredible upsurge in demand for tropical-style plants which not only have a trendy look, they are also more able to flourish in the UK’s warming climate – and do especially well ‘under glass.’ There is no doubt that climate change is influencing the choices of the UK’s gardeners and a stand with this theme felt particularly appropriate with the backdrop of our current heatwave.”

All Hartley Botanic’s greenhouses and glasshouses are handmade, bespoke and made to order. Customers interested in purchasing a Hartley Botanic greenhouse should visit: http://www.hartley-botanic.co.uk or call 01457 819 155 for more information.

Notes to Editors:
For press enquiries please contact:
The Hartley Botanic team at WADE PR
on: [email protected]
or call: 0797 067 9437 (Caroline)

Full plant list

Borders
Pittosporum Tenuifolium
Pittosporum Tenuifolium Variegatum
Pittosporum Tobira Nanum
Yucca Jewel
Phyllostachys Nigra
Phyllostachys Aurea

Gunnera Manicata
Sedum Sensation Honey Gold
Sedum Sieboldii

Hosta Halcyon
Hosta Francis Williams
Euphorbia Diamond Frost
Canna Happy Cleo
Dryopteris Asplenium
Blechnum
Cyrtomium
Phormuium Tenax
Phormuium Jester
Phormuium Baby Bronze
Heuchera Silver Scrolls
Heuchera Obsidian
Pieris Forest Flame
Lingularia Dentata
Polyidoum
Mahonia Winter Sun
Carex Everillo
Choisya Aztec Pearl

Hydrangea – glowing ember
Delphinium – aurora white
Penstemon
Phlox – paniculata
Astilbe
Echinacea – sunseeker
Scabiosa
Agapanthus – moonlight star
Allium – millennium
Coreopsis
Salvia – pink lips

Within the Victorian Lodge
Cycasrevoluta
Chamaerops Humlilis
Strelitzia Augusta
Phoenix Canariensis
Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Equisetum Japonicum
Canna Generalis
Gloriosa
Anthurium
Bromeliad
Dendrobium Orchid

Within the Opus
Chlorophytum Comosum
Pilea Peperomioides
Citrus Limon
Anthurium

Within the Hartley Planthouse
Yucca Filamentosa Colour Guard
Yucca Gloriosa Variegata
Sempervium Mixed
Echeveria Mixed
Cacti various

Within the Grow & Store
Vegetables Mixed
Peas
Thyme
Strawberries

About Hartley Botanic
www.hartley-botanic.co.uk
Hartley Botanic is a British greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer based in Greenfield, Lancashire. The company was founded in 1938 by brothers Vincent (RHS fellow) and Norman Hartley following their groundbreaking aluminium greenhouse design, the first time (to our knowledge) aluminium had been used in greenhouse construction and marking a huge improvement on its wood and wrought iron Victorian forerunners. Today, Hartley Botanic’s reputation has been built on 80 years of British craftsmanship, creating greenhouse and glasshouse structures known for their enduring strength, quality and performance. It is the greenhouse manufacturer of choice for the UK’s leading horticulture organisations, institutions and designers with ‘Hartleys’ commissioned by the RHS, the National Trust, Kew Gardens, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Oxford Botanical Gardens, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Blenheim Palace, The Lingholm Estate and Hampton Court Palace…to name a few. In February 2017 Hartley Botanic became the only aluminium greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer to be endorsed by the RHS.

Company approach
Hartley Botanic combines modern advances in design, engineering and technology with old fashioned values and techniques which enhance its products and customer experience. Despite using cutting-edge machinery in its Greenfield factory all Hartley Botanic greenhouses are still ‘handmade,’ being assembled entirely by hand with precision parts still being made using traditional, hand-operated equipment. The customer service experience is also both hands-on and highly personal with Hartley Botanic providing 360 degree support, from the greenhouse design phase through to installation. Vincent and Norman Hartley’s vision in 1938 of lasting quality and ambition in making the finest greenhouses money can buy remain key pillars for the company. Customers purchasing a Hartley Botanic greenhouse or glasshouse are making an investment which will stand the test of time, span generations and be robust enough to travel well.

Greenhouse products
Hartley Botanic’s greenhouses and glasshouses are all made to order and range from small patio models to imposing glasshouses. Designs are available from 3 product ranges (Victorian, Heritage and Modern) with all models available in a variety of colours and sizes, along with options for ‘glass to ground’ installation, free-standing or lean-to and internal glazed partitions. Standard for every Hartley Botanic greenhouse and glasshouse are:

– 30 year ‘lifetime’ guarantee which covers both the structure and installation
– Bespoke solutions to suit particular horticultural requirements
– Full installation service or choice of self-assembly for select designs
– Polyester powder coated paint finish
– Top hung opening lights for advanced, efficient ventilation*
– Single glazing in BS6206 tempered safety glass
– Glazing in individual frames
– No glass to glass or glass to metal contact in glazing
– Unique clear span roof design (no internal support to impede space)*
*not relevant to the Patio greenhouse

Accolades and awards
In 2017 Hartley Botanic’s entire product range was endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS.)

Over the years, Hartley Botanic has won many awards, here are a selection of some of the most recent;

RHS Chelsea Flower Show
2005 – The RHS Chelsea Sundries Trophy awarded for excellence of presentation at the Chelsea Flower Show 2005
2006 – The RHS Chelsea Sundries Trophy awarded for excellence of presentation at the Chelsea Flower Show 2006
2008 – The RHS Chelsea Tradestand Trophy awarded for excellence of presentation at the Chelsea Flower Show 2008
2008 – This certificate of merit was awarded to Hartley Botanic for the outstanding presentation of their stand
2009 – This certificate of merit is awarded to Hartley Botanic for the outstanding presentation of their stand
2010 – Certificate of commendation awarded to Hartley Botanic for the high quality presentation of their stand
2011 – The RHS Chelsea Tradestand Trophy awarded for excellence of presentation at the Chelsea Flower Show 2011
2012 – RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 certificate of merit awarded to Hartley Botanic for the outstanding presentation of their stand
2013 – The Chelsea Flower Show Tradestand Trophy 2013
2013 – RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013 Trophy awarded to Hartley Botanic for excellence of presentation.
2014 – The RHS Chelsea Best Tradestand 2014
2014 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2015 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2016 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2017 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2018 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2018 – The Director General Tradestand Award

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show
2011 – Certificate of recommendation awarded to Hartley Botanic for the high quality presentation of their stand
2013 – RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013 certificate of merit awarded to Hartley Botanic for the outstanding presentation of their stand
2014 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Hampton Court Palace
2015 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Hampton Court Palace
2016 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Hampton Court Palace
2017 – 5 Star Tradestand award RHS Hampton Court Palace

RHS Tatton Park Flower Show
2010 – RHS Tatton Park 2010 certificate of commendation awarded to Hartley Botanic Ltd for the high quality presentation of their stand
2013 – Best Tradestand Exhibit RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2013
2014 – Best Tradestand
2014 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2014 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2015 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2015 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2016 – 4 Star Tradestand award RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2016 Hartley Botanic Ltd
2016 – Best Tradestand RHS Tatton Park Flower Show
2017 – Best Tradestand RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
2017 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2017 Hartley Botanic Ltd

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show
2017 – 5 Star Tradestand Award RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2017
2018 – Best Tradestand