Jun 20, 2016
Perennials Pack a PunchBy Abby (Kleckler) McGarry

Summer officially started on Monday, and although foot traffic is likely slowing in your garden center, there are still many reasons customers should come through the door.

June is Perennial Gardening Month, and I’ve loved seeing what people like yourselves are doing. Take for example Rolling Green Nursery in New Hampshire. Their team is hosting workshops at the garden center to help people maintain a great garden all summer long, with the help of perennials.

Also, mark your calendars for the 34th Perennial Plant Symposium, hosted by the Perennial Plant Association. It’s taking place Aug. 1-5, 2016 in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Attendees can hop on a garden center tour Wednesday, Aug. 3. This spring, I visited four of the stops on the agenda, so you won’t want to miss the July issue of Lawn & Garden Retailer for a sneak peek.

What trends are you seeing in what customers want from perennials? More first-year flowering options? More perennial combinations? Let me know at [email protected].

Best Bathroom Around

Does your garden center have a bathroom that’s almost as impressive as say your entrance? Garden Centers of America (GCA) wants to hear from you!

The deadline for entry to the GCA Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards is this Friday (June 24). Find out more here.

GCA is also hosting its summer bus tour in Portland, Oregon, next week. I’ll be there, so let me know if you’re hopping on board as well! Also, follow us on Facebook to see highlights from these Northwest garden centers.

Cheers,

Abby


Abby (Kleckler) McGarry

Abby (Kleckler) McGarry is the managing editor of Lawn & Garden Retailer. Contact her at [email protected].