Selecta One’s Flower Shop displayed a sweet way to highlight Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts.

June 2025
Finding style at California Spring Trials By Teresa McPherson

There was no shortage of retail merchandising inspiration at CAST — consider these ideas for your retail store.

Focus on Flowers

Colorful flower displays could be found at several breeder stops.

Sakata’s whimsical cut flower display put sunflowers — its most popular cut flower — on center stage.
Sakata’s whimsical cut flower display put sunflowers — its most popular cut flower — on center stage.
Benary highlighted its cut flowers in a flower stand, a nod to many in North America growing cut flowers to sell at local farmer’s markets.
Benary highlighted its cut flowers in a flower stand, a nod to many in North America growing cut flowers to sell at local farmer’s markets.
American Takii said flowering kale is rising in popularity as awareness increases.
American Takii said flowering kale is rising in popularity as awareness increases.

Landscape Looks

Many displays showed new varieties in the ground, giving a glimpse of how they would perform in the landscape.

Danziger set up a greenhouse garden bed with two themes — a spring bed and one showing heat tolerance.
Danziger set up a greenhouse garden bed with two themes — a spring bed and one showing heat tolerance.
Sakata’s Playlist combos were on display both in containers and landscape-type plantings.
Sakata’s Playlist combos were on display both in containers and landscape-type plantings.
Darwin Perennials’ Spring Showcase showed off its varieties that thrive from early to late spring.
Darwin Perennials’ Spring Showcase showed off its varieties that thrive from early to late spring.

Anniversaries and Milestones

Several milestones were lauded at CAST this year.

Sakata marked the 20 year anniversary of SunPatiens with a colorful display.
Sakata marked the 20 year anniversary of SunPatiens with a colorful display.
PanAmerican Seed noted Wave petunias’ 30 years by calling attention to the new National Wave Day on May 3.
PanAmerican Seed noted Wave petunias’ 30 years by calling attention to the new National Wave Day on May 3.
A display case theme showed off Syngenta Flowers’ award-winning varieties.
A display case theme showed off Syngenta Flowers’ award-winning varieties.

Grab-and-Go Gifts

Breeders highlighted plants as grab-and-go gifts for holidays or impulse buys.

The Benary to Go Gifts on the Run program added the new rudbeckia Tablemate — perfect for small spaces and patio tables.
The Benary to Go Gifts on the Run program added the new rudbeckia Tablemate — perfect for small spaces and patio tables.
American Takii’s grab-and-go offerings spanned the spring through fall seasons.
American Takii’s grab-and-go offerings spanned the spring through fall seasons.
Selecta One’s Flower Shop displayed a sweet way to highlight Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts.
Selecta One’s Flower Shop displayed a sweet way to highlight Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts.

Making Waves

These breeders brought the beach to their Spring Trials stops.

Green Fuse repurposed a surfboard as a display table.
Green Fuse repurposed a surfboard as a display table.
Just add water? Schoneveld’s beachy theme included sand and a surfboard.
Just add water? Schoneveld’s beachy theme included sand and a surfboard.

Teresa McPherson

Teresa McPherson is the editor-in-chief of Lawn & Garden Retailer. Contact her at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.