Apr 3, 2017
Spring Trials Kicks OffBy Abby (Kleckler) McGarry

The 2017 California Spring Trials is underway, and Team Lawn & Garden Retailer and GPN has two days of travel under its belt. We’re heading from north to south along the coast, and I’m excited to share with you some ideas and displays that catch my eye specifically for you, the retailer.

We began the journey at Headstart Nursery in Gilroy where Danziger had lots of new introductions, a number of experimental mixis where attendees could vote for their favorite and plenty of colorful pots.

Next we headed to Kirigin Cellars, a gorgeous location for Proven Winners to display its latest varieties. The retail focus here was on the #growmemories campaign, and its expansion of Proven Winners University and the garden center certification program.

Wrapping up the day at Syngenta, all eyes were on the new reblooming Sunfinity sunflowers.

We started Sunday off on Breeders Boulevard at Speedling before heading to Pacific Plug & Liner. The second stop of the day was all about perennials and had a cohesive theme of #CampPerennial, which had dozens of incredible displays that I can just see in a garden center.

Our final stop was at Benary, where technology combined with plants to create an experience complete with virtual reality, drones practicing pollinating flowers and a helicopter ride. You’ll get a kick out of this video high from the sky.

I’ll be catching back up with you in your inbox Wednesday, but until then, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Also, head on over to GPN’s website to see Jasmina Dolce’s variety-specific coverage of Spring Trials.

Cheers,

Abby

Perennials (Danziger)

Danziger had more than 30 introductions at Spring Trials this year. Among its new perennials are Rossana coreopsis and Lucille Chic leucanthemum. How do you make perennials exciting at retail? These colorful containers complemented the plants perfectly and really made them pop.

National Recipes (Proven Winners)

For 2018, Proven Winners has named three national recipes: Lilac Festival for spring, Summerfest for, you guessed it, summer and Enchanted Garden for fall. The company has researched that the language “recipes” appeals to a wider demographic than “combos,” hence the name change. New this year is the option to add a thriller to the center of the combinations.

#GrowMemories (Proven Winners)

Proven Winners has invested in a lot of new photography, focused on its campaign to #growmemories. The signage and images focus on how plants fit into different events (a birthday party, a bowling game, a squirt gun fight and much more). All signs can be partially or fully customizable for garden centers.

Endless Blooming Sunflower (Syngenta Flowers)

Sunfinity sunflowers have continuous blooms all summer long, creating a longer window for selling at retail than traditional sunflowers. Sunfinity does not produce pollen but still attracts bees and butterflies, making it great as a cut flower. You couldn’t help but notice the cohesive messaging with chalkboard-like signage throughout the stop.

Camp Perennial (Pacific Plug & Liner)

Pacific Plug & Liner set up its displays, with a “Camp Perennial” theme, in eight different vignettes, or campsites, this year. Each scene featured one of its categories like echibeckia (shown above). The theme carried throughout and the lifestyle ideas inspired.

Questions Answered (Bailey Nurseries)

Bailey Nurseries had signage and POP materials on display to showcase its new #LetsAskAmy campaign for First Editions. Consumers are encouraged to use social media to ask any and all landscaping questions to get an answer from Amy, who represents someone in their shoes but with the knowledge to help.

Consumer Campaigns (Benary)

“Silicon Valley meets Big begonia” was a tagline at Benary this year, which saw numerous ways to marry technology and floriculture. Interactive displays got attendees snapping photos with Big begonia backdrops to post on social media and draw attention to the new Big begonia Facebook page.

Pansies Potential (Benary)

Benary has created an inspiration book of sorts to provide ideas for pansies to growers, retailers and consumers. What’s traditionally seen as a commodity crop can be used for wedding favors, teacher gifts, bag tags and so many more ideas that could make great workshops or classes at the retail level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Abby (Kleckler) McGarry

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