Got a new idea?

Do you have a good idea? Have you found a new plant variety in your garden that you think is unique? Have you invented a new type of weeding tool that is so good you just need to tell someone?

We at Gardening Direct are always looking for new product ideas and suggestions for how we can do things better. If you have a good idea (and most gardeners are full of them) why not email me (Tony Milne, the resident horticulturalist and Product Development Director). I'd love to hear your suggestions.

This is the sort of thing we are looking for...

Case Study: Petunia Pink Ice -
An All New Variegated Trailing Petunia

Hakon Vangsnes is an avid gardener who owns a campsite in the far north west of Norway.

In 1997 Håkon discovered a single variegated shoot off a trailing petunia growing on his campsite.

Håkon thought the shoot looked interesting so rooted it during the autumn. This plant survived the extremely harsh winter with poor light, grew on well in the spring and Håkon thought he might have something unusual. Already subscribing to the Plant Magazine he contacted Genesis who represent small and large breeders throughout the world, who in turn have a direct link to growers throughout the world.

A sample was sent to Four Oaks a supply Partner of Gardening Direct who grew it on in their UK trials house.

The UK is a Key market for breeders as we are are a country of real hobby gardeners always looking for something different and unique ! This plant fitted the bill and survived whatever climate the UK could throw at it ! Cold, Wet, No light etc etc, and it still grew.

Four Oaks knew they had a winner, they then trialed it for 2 years and knew it would become a great plant for the UK. Next they secured a license to produce mother plants and sell cuttings. Plants were placed in a laboratory to ensure any harmful viruses were removed and to ensure a clean plant was ready to be grown on.

Four Oaks contacted Tony Milne at Gardening Direct who immediately agreed it was a fantastic and unusual plant and is now featured as part of the Gardening Direct range.

It is a protected variety so propagation is illegal, a royalty is charged on all unrooted cuttings sold and is returned to Håkon ever year. He is a very happy man !!

The moral here is you do not have to be a multi million pound breeding company with 20 + breeders, just keep your eyes and ears open and you too one day could be very lucky !!!

If you have a new product idea why not let me know - amilne@gardeningdirect.co.uk