Sometimes, the best ideas are hidden in plain sight. People have been shearing sheep for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until 2008 that multi-award-winning company Woolcool was founded, using natural materials, namely sheep wool, to provide sustainable solutions for an array of different products.

Following years of development, Woolcool launched sister brand, Hortiwool, their sustainable horticultural range. Hortiwool specialise in natural products for the garden, using wool. Their range includes hanging basket liners and versatile garden wool pads.

Unlike man-made products, wool holds a harem of eco-qualities. Not only is it recycled and biodegradable, it also retains more water for less time watering and improved plant growth. It’s also 100% natural. The wool pads can be effectively used as frost fleeces, hydration for plants, mulch, pest control against slugs, nesting material for wildlife and to line hanging baskets.

Josie Morris MBE, Managing Director of Woolcool and Hortiwool, sat down with us to have a chat about sheep, Stax and all things sustainability.

When asked about the benefits of using Hortiwool products, Josie said: “Firstly, they are sustainable, Hortiwool is plastic free and made from abundant and easily renewable materials. We’re UK based, with a UK designed and UK made product range, which means we have a controlled supply chain, no spiralling shipment costs and a lower carbon-footprint.

“Hortiwool is also multi-use, meaning it never goes to waste. For example once it’s been used in a hanging basket, it can beadded to the soil where it will break down and return its constituent elements and minerals to the earth within six months.”

This long list of eco-credentials is why Woolcool (parent company to Hortiwool) has been given a prestigious B-Corp accreditation, with Josie being awarded an MBE for services to manufacturing and the environment. Garden birds are also fans of Hortiwool, often popping into gardens to take a bit of wool for themselves.

Josie said: “Nature recognises natural materials. The fact that wildlife are attracted to and choose to use our material, just shows how natural and harmless it is. At the end of its life, its going back into the environment, enhancing it, unlike artificial products”.

Hortiwool and Stax have now been working together for around three months, after meeting at the GIMA awards. Josie continued: “They are really helpful, supportive and positive. Stax have a good reach across garden centres and in their Trade centres, it gives us great visibility in the gardening industry – it would take us years to build up those relationships and that amount of experience by ourselves”.

Finally, what’s next for Hortiwool? Josie said: “We’ve got some products lined up to come out over the next 6 to 12 months. We’re always working on new products based on customer and retailer feedback”.

Discover Hortiwool's range of eco-friendly garden products at Stax Trade Centres now. Browse the range in-store or online.