Page 7 - Griffin Gazette Spring 2017
P. 7
“In exchange for their positive environmental Due to utility, Carex continues to gain
impact, native plants offer several maintenance momentum in the horticultural and
advantages. They require less water and less ecological landscape markets. From
fertilizer after establishment. Native plants are obligate to upland conditions, sedges thrive
less susceptible to pests and diseases, too.” in an assortment of environments, help to
control erosion, provide habitat and are an
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Little Goldstar.’ excellent native alternative to Liriope. Take
Photo courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. advantage of the versatility of this genus by
creating a native sedge collection. From the
Callisia rosea ‘Morning Grace.’ Image courtesy Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus ‘Lynnhaven shade and sun tolerant Carex amphibola
of North Creek Nurseries. Carpet.’ Photo courtesy North Creek Nurseries. (eastern narrowleaf sedge) to the salt
tolerance of Carex comosa (longhair
In exchange for their positive environmental For this to happen, and plants to arrive ‘just sedge) and the erosion control capacity of
impact, native plants offer several in time,’ retail buyers need to rely on their Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) –
maintenance advantages. They require less trusted and knowledgeable growers or sedges are a fantastic lawn alternative and
water and less fertilizer after establishment. suppliers. If you don’t know, ask! Work with act as living mulch for the perennial border.
Native plants are less susceptible to pests your Griffin sales representative and their
and diseases, too. extended network of experts; they offer a Fern availability is selling out at record
wealth of knowledge and are ready to build pace. In addition to texture, some species
From the Bench Up a successful native plant program with you. of ferns provide architectural appeal such
Building a successful native plant program as Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon
for retail doesn’t need to be overwhelming For growers, you’ll need to diversify your fern) and Adiantum pedatum (northern
or difficult. Native plants aren’t fussy. product mix by adding depth to your maidenhair), while others cure erosion
Far too often, native perennials are customers’ sales windows and encouraging issues such as Dennstaedtia punctilobula
unnecessarily cast into the ‘messy’ or repeat retail sales. Spring and fall are peak (eastern hayscenterd fern) and Matteuccia
‘wild’ categories. This impression is both seasons for planting perennials. Add depth struthiopteris (ostrich fern).
unfair and unwarranted. Successful retail to seasonal flower power by supplementing
strategies for selling native plants are rooted spring and fall color with tried and A quick tip for growers: To reduce your
in knowledge, network and depth. true collections. production cycle and free up valuable
greenhouse space quickly, consider potting
Knowing when to pot specific crops and Consider Carex and Ferns up larger LP32 plugs for a quick finish in a
the associated finish times allows growers Perennial gardens aren’t all about the 1-, 2- or 3-gallon containers.
to reliably deliver prime perennial product flower power. Texture is also trending now!
for impulse purchases and quick turns. Tips for Selling Native at Retail
Whether you’re using a branded program
such as American Beauties Native Plants
or traditional black pots, create a space
for patrons to linger and learn about the
beauty and benefits of native plants. Make
it prominent, informative and impactful.
Design it with your customer’s success in
mind, show them that you mean business
and stand proudly behind the beauty and
utility of natives. Educate your staff and
have at least one employee on board as the
ambassador for your native plant program.
Make your native plant ‘zones’ easy to
identify. As an example, create collections
around butterfly and bird attractors,
plants that tolerate wet feet, drought-
tolerant water-wise gardens and native
plants for dry shade. Incorporate bold
interpretive signage similar to products
offered by Garden Center Marketing,
Inc. Utilize partnerships and promote
like-minded organizations such as the
Pollinator Partnership, the Xerces Society,
the Audubon Society and the National
Wildlife Federation. These organizations
offer a host of information about native
plants and their interaction with birds, bees
and butterflies.
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