We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news — our very own General Manager, Dan Lawton, has been appointed as the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Area Co-Chair for the North. This role covers Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the North of England, and sees Dan joining forces with Justin Williams, Managing Director at Fron Goch Garden Centre, to lead and support the region’s members.
Dan’s horticultural journey
Dan’s career in horticulture started at just 14, working as a trolley boy at his nearest garden centre in Northumberland. After studying horticulture for three years at Kirkley Hall College, he discovered a real passion for plants.
His career has taken him across Yorkshire, where he’s worked in a variety of roles with Klondyke before becoming a Director at Langlands Garden Centres. Since joining Moss & Moor, he’s brought his experience, energy and vision to lead our team here in Ilkley.
What it means for Moss & Moor
Dan’s appointment is a proud moment for us as a business. His leadership has already made a huge impact in-store, from reimagining how we work as a team to improving our customer experience. Having his passion and expertise recognised at a national level is something we’re all delighted about.
What the team say about Dan
We asked a few members of our team to share their thoughts about working with Dan:
💬 “Dan is motivated, driven and full of ideas, but he’s also approachable, grounded and down-to-earth. He’s got a cheeky side too, which makes working with him really enjoyable.” – Kerstin
💬 “He’s understanding, enthusiastic and has a real eye for detail. Dan has turned around the business, made major changes in-store and always makes it work for both customers and staff. He’s sociable, approachable and leads with great energy.” – Mick
💬 “Dan is organised, knows what he wants, focused and hardworking. He sets clear goals and always drives us forward.” – Alex
💬 “He’s knowledgeable, full of good ideas and professional — a great leader for our team.” – Andrea
Looking ahead
On his new role, Dan says:
“We’re very committed GCA members at Moss & Moor and I am delighted to have been asked to join the Executive Committee as Area Co-Chair for the North. I’m looking forward to connecting with members across the region and working alongside Justin to support the GCA.”
We couldn’t be prouder of Dan and can’t wait to see the positive impact he’ll bring to the wider GCA community. 🌿✨
There’s something special about Dahlias. With their bold colours, intricate petals, and endless variety, they bring a joyful burst of energy to the garden just when it’s needed most — high summer into early autumn.
This month, we’re celebrating their beauty here at Moss & Moor with a vibrant display in our plant area, created as part of the Allensmore Dahlia Festival 2025. It’s a joyful showcase of colour and creativity, brought to life by our fantastic plant team.
Whether you’re already a Dahlia devotee or just discovering them for the first time, now is the perfect time to explore these spectacular bloomers and learn how to grow them in your own garden.
Why Dahlias Deserve a Place in Your Garden
Dahlias are one of the hardest-working flowers of the season. Here’s why we love them:
Bees and butterflies love them, especially single-flowered varieties.
They flower for months — from mid-summer right through to the first frost.
They come in every colour imaginable, from soft creams and pastels to fiery reds and vibrant purples.
There’s a style for everyone — from frilly dinner-plate Dahlias to neat pom-poms and star-shaped blooms.
They’re great for cutting and look beautiful in a vase.
How to Grow Dahlias – It’s Easier Than You Think
If you’ve never grown Dahlias before, don’t be daunted. They’re easier than many people realise. Here are some simple tips to get you started:
If you’ve never grown Dahlias before, don’t be daunted. They’re easier than many people realise. Here are some simple tips to get you started:
- Choose a sunny, sheltered spot — Dahlias love warmth.
- Plant tubers in well-drained soil after the last frost (or buy young plants from us).
- Water regularly and feed with a high-potash fertiliser once they start to flower.
- Deadhead often to encourage more blooms.
- Stake taller varieties to prevent wind damage.
- Lift tubers after the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place over winter – or leave them in the ground with protection in milder areas.
🌼 Top Tip: Growing Dahlias in pots? Use a deep container, water well, and feed fortnightly for best results.
Come See the Display!
Our Dahlia Festival display is now live in-store and well worth a visit. We’re proud to be entering the Allensmore Dahlia Festival 2025 and sharing our love of these joyful blooms with our wonderful customers.
Pop in, explore the display, and pick up some planting inspiration while you’re here.
Whether you’re growing for beauty, bees or bouquets, Dahlias never disappoint.
Moss & Moor Plant Team
Where nature meets nurture.
British summer wouldn’t be the same without strawberries and cream — and with the Lexus Ilkley Trophy just around the corner, there’s no better time to grow your own! If you’ve been meaning to plant strawberries, now’s your last call to pop them in with a chance to enjoy homegrown sweetness later this summer.
Whether you’re gardening in a border or on a sunny patio, it’s not too late — give your strawberries the right start now and they’ll reward you with juicy berries next summer.
Can I Still Plant Strawberries in June?
Yes — just!
If you’re planting young strawberry plants or runners now, you can still expect a small harvest this summer, especially if we get a warm June. If not, they’ll get nicely established for a bumper crop next year.
Now’s the time to take action — and we’ve got everything you need to help them along.
Pots or in the Ground?
Strawberries are happy in both!
Plant them directly into well-drained soil or grow them in Woodlodge pots, perfect for patios, balconies, or sunny corners. Choose a good-quality compost and space them out so the crowns sit just above the soil surface.
Top tip: add a slow-release fertiliser or strawberry feed when planting to help them settle in quickly.
Caring for Your Strawberries
Here’s how to keep them happy through summer:
Feed fortnightly with a tomato fertiliser like Tomorite to encourage more fruit.
Mulch around the base with straw or bark to retain moisture and keep fruit off damp soil. It also helps deter slugs.
Use wildlife-friendly slug pellets to protect young leaves and fruit — available in-store.
Water regularly, especially in dry spells. Strawberries hate drying out, particularly in pots.
Protect Those Berries!
Birds love strawberries just as much as we do.
Use insect mesh or crop & pond netting to keep berries safe from peckish visitors — especially once the fruit begins to ripen.
Everything mentioned is available in our gardening department, and our team is always happy to help you choose the right tools and treatments.
As autumn settles in, gardens transform into striking displays of texture and light. The lower-angled sunlight highlights the architectural beauty of plants, and few take centre stage as dramatically as ornamental grasses. These versatile plants are gaining popularity for their structural elegance, low maintenance, and wildlife-friendly benefits.
Grasses That Shine in Autumn
If you’re looking to add movement and dimension to your garden, consider these standout varieties:
Miscanthus
Miscanthus grasses are clump-forming and produce eye-catching plumes that rise above their foliage. Popular choices include:
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’: Reaches up to 1.8m, with lilac-purple plumes that fade to silver-grey.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrina’: Known for cream zebra-striped foliage and 1m silver plumes.
- Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’: Features shimmering silver-striped foliage, perfect for catching the autumn light.
Pennisetum
These grasses come in annual and perennial forms, adding texture and colour:
- Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’: Hardy and produces silver panicles through autumn.
- Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’: A tender perennial with mahogany-red foliage and deep purple panicles—perfect for containers or borders.
Calamagrostis (Reed Grasses)
Ideal for heavier, moisture-retentive soils, these grasses thrive in Yorkshire’s wet winters:
- Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’: Hardy with pink panicles up to 1.4m tall.
- Calamagrostis brachytricha: Produces silver-white fronds between 1.4m and 2m.
- Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Overdam’: Features striped foliage and silver plumes.
These grasses provide height and interest throughout winter. Simply cut them back in late February and feed with fish, blood, and bone for a robust return.
Garden of the Month: Scampston Walled Garden
For inspiration on incorporating grasses into your garden, visit Piet Oudolf’s celebrated planting design at Scampston Walled Garden. Nestled in Yorkshire, this internationally acclaimed garden showcases a stunning blend of ornamental grasses, herbaceous perennials, and structural shrubs. The walled garden offers endless ideas, from bold colour combinations to innovative layouts. You’ll leave with a notebook full of ideas to try in your own space!
Nigel’s Plant of the Month: Hesperantha coccinea
For a splash of colour in autumn, I recommend Hesperantha coccinea. This South African hardy bulb thrives in well-drained soil and shines in containers or borders. Its star-shaped flowers bloom in scarlet, pink, or white, making it a vibrant addition to late-season displays.
Pair Hesperantha with ornamental grasses or late-flowering chrysanthemums for a striking contrast. To prevent rot, keep the bulbs in gritty soil and elevate containers on pot feet during winter.
Nigel’s Q&A
Q: My Phalaenopsis orchid won’t flower, and its roots are spilling out of the pot. What can I do?
A: Your orchid sounds healthy—it just needs a little care to encourage flowering.
Feeding: Use orchid-specific feed three times out of four waterings. On the fourth watering, use plain water to flush out any residue. This routine should encourage new leaves and flower spikes.
Roots: Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees. Roots outside the pot are normal and don’t mean it’s time to repot. Replace the bark compost annually in spring, and trim any withered roots.
Q: How can I store my fruit crops over winter?
A: Apples and pears can be wrapped individually in newspaper and stored in trays in a cool, dark place. Check every two weeks to remove any spoiled fruit. Alternatively, preserve your harvest by making chutneys, jams, or bottled fruits for use throughout the winter.