Michael Perry's “Future Plants” and Canada’s Urban Nature Store on trends, retail experience, and reliable supply chains

This episode takes on a distinctly international feel: once again at Glee 2025, Phil and Kate sit down with two voices from opposite sides of the Atlantic who share a common mission: get more people excited about nature, and make it easier for retailers to serve them brilliantly.First up, Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) explains why he now calls himself a plant promoter, what makes a plant “promotion-worthy,” and the nine trend pillars he’s been touring the halls with: from “Go green or go lean” to “Hedges & Wedges” (living mulch done right). He also spotlights curiosities from his Future Plants display: conifers with character, fragrance-forward bedding, and the odd show-stopping black dahlia.Then we switch gears to Paul Oliver, founder of The Urban Nature Store in Toronto, who shares a retailer’s view on category expansion and community: bird seed as the weekly staple, complemented by gifts, books, optics, kids’ kits, and in-store walks that turn shoppers into a social club. He unpacks why his team is diversifying away from US-centred supply in favour of partners with predictable landed costs, highlighting opportunities for UK and European brands that can ship reliably to Canada and evidence robust sustainability credentials.There’s also a brief check-in with Gardenex on exporting support and the ever-popular Meet the Buyer sessions at Glee. If you’re a brand, buyer, or garden centre operator, this episode is packed with practical pointers on product selection, trend-led merchandising, sustainability signalling, and cross-channel content that actually reaches customers.What you’ll learn:How “plant promotion” differs from plant hunting or influencing, and the criteria Michael uses to spot winners consumers and growers will love.Nine trend themes to watch at retail: efficiency for growers, wildlife value, flowering longevity, houseplant “royalty,” patio-shade lovers, and living-mulch groundcovers.Range curation ideas: conifers with personality, scented patio performers, Agastache vs lavender, and talking-point novelties that drive footfall.Retail experience as a growth engine: why adding gifts, books, socks, toys and seasonal promotions increases average basket around the bird seed staple.Supply-chain strategy for 2025–26: mitigating tariff volatility, leveraging UK–Canada trade, and what Canadian buyers need from UK/EU suppliers (clear logistics pathways, landed-cost clarity, proof-points on sustainability).Community building that converts: seniors’ days, guided walks, and family-friendly kits that turn casual visitors into loyal advocates.Michael Perry: http://mrplantgeek.substack.comPaul Oliver: http://urbannaturestore.caJoe Denham: https://www.gardenex.com⁠Discover more about our hosts:Kate Turner: ⁠www.gardenerguru.co.uk⁠Phil Wright: ⁠www.wrightobara.com