November/December 2023
Cincinnati Sights: Snapshots from 5 Cincinnati-area garden centers By Teresa McPherson

Fall was in the air — and on display — at the five IGCs included in the Garden Center Group Fall Event tour.

Mad for Mixes

Plenty of interesting combinations were spotted on the tour.

Berns Garden Center & Landscaping tucked some Swiss chard into this planter at the store entrance
Berns Garden Center & Landscaping tucked some Swiss chard into this planter at the store entrance.
White Oak Gardens included petunias in a fall combo.
White Oak Gardens included petunias in a fall combo.
Clear signage at White Oak advertises its grab-and-go fall planters.
Clear signage at White Oak advertises its grab-and-go fall planters.

Spooky Season

Burger Farm and Garden Center was ready for Halloween with 1) clever vignettes.
Burger Farm and Garden Center was ready for Halloween with clever vignettes.
Floor-to-ceiling displays at Burger Farm and Garden Center.
Floor-to-ceiling displays at Burger Farm and Garden Center.
Benken Garden Center & Florist made use of gourds in clever ways.
Benken Garden Center & Florist made use of gourds in clever ways.
White Oak Gardens included a Christmas tree (black, of course) in its spooky season display.
White Oak Gardens included a Christmas tree (black, of course) in its spooky season display.

Kidding Around

At the Kids’ Potting Bar at Natorp’s Nursery Outlet, kids get one free plant every time they visit — but only if they’re well behaved!
At the Kids’ Potting Bar at Natorp’s Nursery Outlet, kids get one free plant every time they visit — but only if they’re well behaved!

Rare and Unique

Natorp’s Nursery Outlet includes a section of rare and unusual plants
Natorp’s Nursery Outlet includes a section of rare and unusual plants.

 

At Berns Garden Center & Landscaping, a hand-drawn sign points out variegated philodendron 'Jose Buono'.
At Berns Garden Center & Landscaping, a hand-drawn sign points out variegated philodendron ‘Jose Buono’.
White Oak Gardens houses its rare plants in a glass case , and outdoors, under a camera
White Oak Gardens houses its rare plants in a glass case (left), and outdoors, under a camera.

Off the Wall

We love it when garden centers share their mission statements — as you can see here.

Benken Garden Center & Florist
Benken Garden Center & Florist.
Berns Garden Center & Landscaping
Berns Garden Center & Landscaping.
Natorp’s Nursery Outlet
Natorp’s Nursery Outlet.
White Oak Gardens
White Oak Gardens.

Promoting Pollinators

White Oak Gardens has a puddling station for butterflies among its plants.
White Oak Gardens has a puddling station for butterflies among its plants.
A handy sign at Natorp’s Nursery Outlet details all the native perennials it sells.
A handy sign at Natorp’s Nursery Outlet details all the native perennials it sells.

Strike a Pose

Photo ops for kids and adults abound.

At White Oak Gardens, customers can 1) climb up on a straw seat (left), or pose behind a ghostly cutout.
At White Oak Gardens, customers can 1) climb up on a straw seat (left), or pose behind a ghostly cutout.
Numerous photo cutout boards could be found in and around Benken Garden Center & Florist.
Numerous photo cutout boards could be found in and around Benken Garden Center & Florist.

Follow the Signs

igns throughout Benken Garden Center & Florist advertise upcoming events (left), as well as provide a handy QR code for customers to scan.igns throughout Benken Garden Center & Florist advertise upcoming events (left), as well as provide a handy QR code for customers to scan.
Signs throughout Benken Garden Center & Florist advertise upcoming events (left), as well as provide a handy QR code for customers to scan.
Signage at Burger Farm and Garden Center encourages planting perennials — and advertises sale items.
Signage at Burger Farm and Garden Center encourages planting perennials — and advertises sale items.

For an enhanced reading experience, view this article in our digital edition.

Teresa McPherson

Teresa McPherson is the managing editor of Lawn & Garden Retailer. Contact her at [email protected].