GLAS 2025 in a nutshell

This year’s GLAS gathered more than 100 exhibitors with diverse expertise across the horticultural trade

The one-day trade show returned with exhibits, latest innovations, and products from more than 100 of the industry’s leading suppliers, writes Patryk Goron

Landscape

Read More: GLAS Growtrade National Basketball Arena

18 July 2025

The Garden Landscape and Amenity Sportsturf (GLAS) trade show made its much anticipated return on 17 July at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin.

The one-day event featured the leading suppliers across the sector, the new Grower’s Paddock, New Product New Plant Awards, Bord Bia Thinking House, and plenty of Learning Theatre talks.

This year’s GLAS gathered more than 100 exhibitors with diverse expertise across the horticultural trade, who had the chance to showcase their latest innovations, products, and services.

The New Plant New Product Awards are a highlight of the GLAS trade show.

These awards recognise the best new plant and new product launched in the Irish market over the last 12 months by the organisations exhibiting at the event.

The contestants were judged, announced and presented at the show by Alma Hayden, horticulturalist at Tirlan, Ciaran Burke, head of horticulture at Johnstown Garden Centre, and Patrick Gleeson, formally Teagasc nursery stock advisor.

Best Annual New Plant Award

Goldcrop receiving the Best Annual New Plant Award

The first category at GLAS 2025: the Best Annual New Plant Award went to Goldcrop for their ‘Digitalis Purpurea Hanabee F1 White’.

This seed-raised plant produces multiple stems with white blooms that create a bouquet-like effect, reminiscent of the luminous glow of fireworks.

Its pristine white tubular flowers are a true magnet for bees and bumblebees, making ‘Hanabee’ a genuine contributor to biodiversity.

“As young plant breeders, we’re constantly looking for ways to make our work more eco friendly, and bee friendly, since it has such an impact on the environment,” Colm Clarke, sales manager at Goldcrop, said.

Best Hardy New Plant Award and Supplier of the Year Award

Young Nurseries, Limerick, gained the Best Hardy New Plant Award

A stunning victory from Young Nurseries in Limerick, who won two out of six awards during this year’s GLAS edition.

Their ‘Dianthus Capitán Pink Eye’ gained them the Best Hardy New Plant Award.

Its vibrant bicoloured blooms provide long season flowering through summer, making it perfect for containers and pollinator friendly gardens.

“Our product are container planted perennials. For their development we used environmental practices. For example, we would harvest rainwater, use integrated pest management, and a very low chemical usage,” Joseph Young, director of Young Nurseries, explained.

On top of that, Young Nurseries managed to defend their last year’s title of Supplier of the Year, an award that is voted for by the visitors of GLAS and subscribers of Growtrade.ie.

“We’re thrilled to win these awards. We put a lot of effort in what we’re doing during the year, so it’s nice to get some recognition for that,” Young said.

Best New Product Award

The Best New Product at GLAS 2025 went to ICL for its ‘Fibagro Advance Pot Topper FT’

Best New Product at GLAS 2025 went to ICL for its ‘Fibagro Advance Pot Topper FT’ that suppresses weeds, retains moisture, reduces labour, and stays in place should the pots fall over, making it ideal for cleaner, cost-efficient nursery production.

Andrew Wilson, technical manager at ICL told Growtrade.ie shared his positive outlook on GLAS 2025 with us: ”Many exhibitors here are our customers, so the show is just a great opportunity to talk to them and make connections for future business.

“Our product is going to help growers in lots of ways, by keeping their plants cleaner, and reducing weeds,” Wilson said.

He added: ”the important thing for us while developing this product was that it sticks to the compost, and even with strong winds the majority of the material stays put.”

Best in Show Horticulture Stand Award

Gardenworld Nurseries claimed the Best in Show Horticulture Stand Award

This year’s Best in Show Horticulture Stand Award was won by Gardenworld Nurseries from Wicklow, whose stand at the show was ‘vibrant, alive and excelling’.

”We grow one of Ireland’s most comprehensive range of shrubs and perennials, always trying our best to introduce exciting varieties, different shapes and sizes into the market,” Andrew King, owner of Gardenworld Nurseries, said.

He added: ”We have continuously invested in mechanizing the manufacturing process of our products, trying to put our labour towards developing better quality plants and taking the physical labour out of the production.

“The award is the proof that the company’s approach towards creative and innovative production pays off.

”We try to innovate with our products, and we closely monitor what our customers are looking for in the market as it changes year by year,” King commented.

Best in Show Trade Supplier Award

The Best in Show Trade Supplier Award went to Lucky Ducks

For the final category at GLAS 2025, the Best in Show Trade Supplier Award went to Lucky Ducks from Kenmare in County Kerry.

Lucky Ducks earned this accolade for their eye-catching stand that drew the attention of passers-by at first glance and made excellent use of the space provided.

While talking to Growtrade.ie, Kevin Gallogly, director of Lucky Ducks, said: ”It’s fantastic to have been acknowledged by getting the award. It helps us show our customers that we are innovating, displaying well, and that we’re creating good products for them to sell.”

The products they were showcasing at GLAS this year included coffee wood signs, ducks and children’s stools.

(L-R) Pictured Karen O’Leary, NBA and Wiet Rentes, Rentes Plants. The new Tree of Hope at our venue the National Basketball Arena – a symbol for all affected by suicide – courtesy of Rentes Plants.