Bransford Webbs embrace new Fibagro Advance Fine in Total Growing Solution

By 2026, all plants at the Bransford Webbs Plant Company are on track to be grown peat-free, with the in-house young plant propagation following suit in 2027.  Incorporating our new Fibagro Advance Fine woodfibre into their Levington Advance Sustain peat-free liner mix has further improved flowability and water holding capacity.

Hebes focus on resilience and appeal

Based in Bransford, Worcestershire, Bransford Webbs produce over 2 million quality plants annually, including 400,000 Hebes and 120,000 Hellebores. Its portfolio of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, climbers and tender perennials plants is supplied nationwide.

Hebes make up 20% of production. With fewer active ingredients and plant protection products available, selecting disease-resistant, resilient varieties is essential, says Technical Production Director Karl O’Neill. “Downy mildew (DM) resistance is a key focus,” he says. “Moving forward, we gear everything around DM prevention – careful control of environmental conditions, irrigation, spacing, and trimming times. An industry-wide issue, breeding programmes for stronger varieties are vital.

“Often an impulse purchase, Hebes must look good and perform well,” he says. “Alongside our in-house breeding programme, we trial over 300 new lines each year across our entire range- introducing 10–20 improved varieties.”

New Fibagro Advance Fine

The team has worked with ICL for many years trialling and refining peat-free mixes. Bransford Webbs now rely on 8–9 bespoke Levington Advance Sustain mixes.

“We’ve adjusted our mixes and expectations over time,” says Karl. “The peat-free Levington Advance Sustain liner mix now includes ICL’s new Fibagro Advance Fine woodfibre.

“All liners are potted into this mix – 25% coir, 25% bark, 35% Fibagro Advance Standard (0-15mm), and 15% Fibagro Advance Fine (0-10mm). The new finer woodfibre grade has improved our liner mix making it easier to work with.  Flowability through the potting machine has improved as has the water holding capacity – which is a real step forward for peat-free growing.  We’re successfully growing 200–300 varieties in this one peat-free mix.”

Screening and blending woodfibre fractions

“’Fibagro Advance Fine’ is one of two new finer grades to be launched in 2025,” explains Stephen Briggs, ICL Technical Area Sales Manager.  “These new finer grades complement our existing Fibagro Advance Standard and Fibagro Advance Coarse – creating four distinct grades produced here in the UK from FSC®-accredited wood sources. Reducing the need for imported raw materials, these effectively replace the four peat grades the ornamentals industry has relied on in the past.

“The UK industry has made incredible efforts to reduce its reliance on peat,” says Karl. “We now have three good-quality alternatives, including ICL’s new woodfibre grades. This progress shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Having trialled peat-free growing media for over 20 years, Bransford Webbs has identified real benefits – with improvements in root health while liverwort has been virtually eliminated.

“As peat-free mixes hold less water, the addition of H2Gro 3-in-1 wetting agent has been key,” says Karl. “We now irrigate more frequently, but with less water each time.

“Given the option, even without environment pressures, I wouldn’t go back to peat.”

Osmocote – insurance for good performance

In the 1970’s Bransford Webbs was one of the first UK nursery to adopt Osmocote controlled-release fertiliser. “It performs well on the nursery and our customers get plants with 2–3 months of feed left, which also benefits the end customer. It’s an insurance policy for good performance,” says Karl.

“Osmocote 5 works well in our peat-free liner mix – with most species there’s no need for supplementary feeds. For heavy feeders like Hellebores, we supplement with Universol Blue, Green, or Violet – depending on the season. Easy to use, Universol performs well. Before supplementary feeding we take our own EC readings – this is particularly important with peat-free mixes.”

“The new sustainable mixes don’t buffer nutrients as well as peat, and Osmocote 5 together with Osmoform High N starter fertiliser helps compensate,” explains Stephen. “Initially, the Hellebores grew smaller in the peat-free mix. Using our AngelaWeb 3.0 precision nutrition software, we’ve tailored a feeding programme suited to the media, water supply, and this crop’s needs.”

“If we have issues, or trials to set up, we turn to Stephen or ICL technical manager Andrew Wilson,” says Karl. “The support is excellent – reliable, timely, and without a hard sell. Meanwhile, ICL continues to innovate, and we work well together.”