Garden centre

This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of the middle class, the increasing popularity of gardening, and the development of new technologies that made it easier to grow plants.

This was due to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of gardening, the development of new shopping centers, and the rise of national chains.

Greenhouses protect the plants from late cold snaps, allow stores to keep houseplants in prime condition, and keep the customers dry on rainy days.

These centres typically offer a diverse range of plants, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, and decorative items, as well as expert advice and workshops.

With a unique blend of local traditions and modern retail practices, garden centres vary widely across the continent, reflecting the environmental and cultural diversity of the region.

Companies like Truffaut and Jardiland dominate the market, offering extensive selections of plants, garden supplies, and home decor.

The Netherlands, in particular, is home to cutting-edge centres that incorporate advanced greenhouse technology and hydroponics, alongside vast selections of ornamental plants, bulbs, and seeds.

Italian garden centres, like Viridea, often combine traditional plant sales with boutique experiences, featuring cafes and cooking classes using home-grown herbs.

Meanwhile, Spanish centres, such as Verdecora, emphasize outdoor living trends, including terracotta pottery and furnishings suited to warm climates.

In Portugal, garden centres are smaller in scale but serve as key suppliers of native plants like cork oak and succulents.

German retailers such as Dehner lead the industry, offering everything from garden equipment to landscaping services, often in collaboration with environmental organisations.

In Poland, Hungary, and other parts of Central Europe, garden centres are increasingly modernising, with companies like Ogrodnik and OBI expanding their operations.

In Russia, large-scale centres near metropolitan areas focus on ornamental gardening, offering exotic plants alongside traditional varieties.

In the Balkans, smaller garden centres typically act as community hubs, offering locally-grown plants and tailored advice.

However, countries like Croatia and Serbia are seeing a rise in larger chains as urban populations grow interested in gardening as a leisure activity.

European garden centres face challenges including climate change, rising costs of imported plants, and competition from DIY stores and online retailers.