A Devon garden centre firm is being 'forced' to give away £100,000 worth of plants for free because Brexit means they don't have the staff to look after the greenery.
The Plants Galore centres in Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Exeter will be giving away plants this weekend on a first come first served basis, instead of disposing of them.
Team leader Matt Pollard explained to Devon Live : "In any usual year we would return these plants to our nursery to cut them back and grow them on for future years.
"This year it is simply not an option as like many businesses in our sector and the region we can’t find enough staff to work at our nurseries.
"It is a constant battle to recruit skilled staff in the current climate resulting in this decision to simply give the plants away."
Mr Pollard said many businesses are experiencing the same staff conundrum.
He continued: "With the advent of Brexit and the departure of many European staff from the UK, we are suffering the same problem as many other businesses in the South West in finding suitable staff who want to work."
He added that the centres are always on the lookout for green-fingered staff and opined the lack of government help in recruiting European staff.
"We also need a sensible government scheme for horticulture to employ European staff on a seasonal or contract basis if UK workers don’t want this type of work," he said.
Mr Pollard says there is absolutely "no catch" to this weekend's giveaway.
"We hope the giveaway of these plants will allow our customers the opportunity to pick up some free plants. There’s no catch - simply turn up and load your car with as many plants as you get fit in," he said.
"First come first served. We just need to move the plants on to a good home."
The free plants will be located in the carparks of the Plants Galore stores in Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Exeter.
The giveaway starts at 8am on Friday, August 13.
