Organised by LOFA, the Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition (SOLEX) brings together manufacturers, suppliers and buyers from across the garden furniture, barbecue and outdoor leisure sectors. Held at the NEC Birmingham, the event gives LOFA members the opportunity to present their collections for the year ahead to retailers, garden centres, department stores and other trade buyers.
At the heart of the show is the LOFA Lounge, a space designed to give exhibitors and visitors somewhere to step away from the busy exhibition floor, enjoy complimentary refreshments, catch up with colleagues or work between meetings.
Natural Green provided a carefully selected planting scheme for the lounge, using layers of foliage, grasses and greenery to soften the environment and create a calmer, more inviting atmosphere. The team also supplied planting for the show’s outdoor barbecue area, helping the space feel connected to the wider outdoor living theme.
Gina Hinde, General Manager of LOFA and Event Director of SOLEX, (pictured) said the planting played an important role in shaping the visitor experience.
“The LOFA Lounge is a place where people can sit, relax and do a bit of work, so we want it to feel like a genuine chill-out space. Natural Green brings in all the lovely planting around it, and it makes such a difference.”
The planting was also selected with practical considerations in mind. As Gina suffers from hay fever, the Natural Green team avoided pollen-heavy flowering plants, focusing instead on rich foliage, striking leaves and ornamental grasses.
“We had lots of lovely greenery, beautiful leaves and grasses,” Gina added. “They just looked glorious.”
The relationship between LOFA and Natural Green stretches back several years, beginning when Gina was working for another brand. Faced with an unexpected gap on an exhibition stand, she approached Natural Green CEO Charlie Cox for help.
“Charlie was walking around the show, and I asked whether there was any chance he could lend us some plants. He helped us out, and I have used Natural Green for the planting ever since.”
That early, practical support has developed into a trusted working relationship, with the Natural Green team continuing to help LOFA shape its key spaces at SOLEX.
For Gina, the value lies not only in the finished result, but also in the collaborative way the team works.
“Everyone is really friendly and lovely to deal with. They always understand what I want, send me the options and make the process very straightforward.”
SOLEX 2026 was described by Gina as an exceptional event, with members presenting high-quality products across carefully designed stands. Natural Green was also on hand to support several individual exhibitors with their planting requirements, helping them add depth, structure and visual interest to their displays.
“The products were beautiful, the stands were gorgeous and it was just a really good show,” Gina said. “I think the Natural Green team are great. I really do.”
For Natural Green, the collaboration demonstrates how thoughtful planting can support much more than appearance. In a busy exhibition environment, greenery can help define spaces, encourage people to pause and contribute to a more comfortable, memorable experience for everyone attending.
