GCA Westland Rising Stars 2025

Our very own Aaron, External Gardening Assistant here at Thetford Garden Centre, has been nominated by our management team for the for the GCA Westland Rising Stars 2025 award.

Aaron is a valuable member of the Thetford Garden Centre team and was chosen for his passion and dedication for plants and wildlife. Being part of the Rising Stars award programme is an exceptional opportunity for Aaron to enhance and hone his skills while being mentored by experts in the garden centre industry.  Candidates selected for the award programme will participate in a series of workshops and attend various locations and events throughout the year. The workshops will focus on personal skills, presentation skills, and gaining a broader understanding of the garden centre industry.

As part of the award programme candidates are asked to create a project centered around environmental or sustainability themes. Aaron’s project, titled ‘Circle of Life’ is inspired by the growing loss of wildlife habitats due to new housing developments. Aaron designed and created an eco-friendly garden in the Thetford Garden Centre that anyone can replicate in a modern home. The garden shows how even small changes can make a big impact. With the right plants and a bit of care, your garden can become a sanctuary, not just for you, but for the wildlife that depends on us all.

Aaron said ‘By planting wildlife-friendly flowers, shrubs, and trees, we can help rebuild the delicate balance of our local ecosystems. Many plants that bloom in spring and summer attract aphids- tiny insects that might seem like pests but are actually a vital food source for a host of helpful garden allies. Ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings, and earwigs all love to feast on aphids, helping to keep them in check. And these beneficial insects are also food for a wide variety of other creatures, like birds, spiders, frogs, dragonflies, and even other ladybirds! 

When you create a garden rich in plant variety, you’re not just planting for beauty, you’re planting a buffet for nature. Birds eat beetles and spiders. Hedgehogs snack on slugs, snails, and insects. Bats, shrews, and mice all play a role too, while centipedes help control spider populations. And the best part is by supporting this natural food chain, you’re less likely to need chemical pesticides. A balanced ecosystem is its own form of pest control!’

Aaron’s project will be assessed throughout the year to review the various elements on which he received coaching. The best performing finalists will be invited to the 7th workshop and will then be invited to the annual GCA Conference in January 2026 where they will present the progress made on their project idea to the conference.

We’re rooting for you Aaron!

Come and explore the Circle of Life garden on your next visit and discover how easy it is to create a garden that supports nature. All featured plants are available to purchase, and our friendly team is on hand to help you get started.

12 wildlife-friendly flowers you can add to your garden:

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Geranium (Pink Pouffe/Rozanne)
• Sunflower (Brown Eyed Girl)
• Mint
• Salvia (Hotlips)
• Scabious (Pink Mist)
• Roses
• Poppy (Patty’s Plum)
• Alliums (Lavender Bubbles)
• Ferns (Dryopteris Jurassic Gold)
• Nepeta (Six Hills Giant)
• Winter Jasmine