Page 9 - Griffin Gazette Issue 3 - 2021

THE INFLUENCE OF HGTV
Once traveling and vacation plans were cancelled in
early spring 2020, America became home bound “couch
potatoes” looking to do something, anything around the
home to keep busy. Gardening became our favorite hobby
once again. Seeing HGTV home flips with ornamental
grasses, interesting perennial flowers, and combination
planters turned watchers towards the digital highway for
more information. Online “curbside” pickup sales, was
the equivalent of a blindfolded leap of faith that the plant
they were buying was exactly what the picture showed on
the internet and TV. Once consumers started shopping
locally, perennials were in bloom in the garden centers.
According to an April 2020 HGTV article on homeowner
returns on home improvement investments, landscaping
is number #2 on the list with a 100% investment return
on your dollar.
https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/
top-home-updates-that-pay-off-pictures
FILLER, SPILLER, THRILLER

Perennials rival other varieties of plants for its versatility
SEEING IS BELIEVING!
in combination planters, with unmatched color options in
A good portion of consumers were first introduced to flowers, almost any planter benefits from a complimentary
perennials by visiting garden centers in the springtime planting. Not too long ago, these combo planters were
and seeing firsthand the majestic blooms of daylilies, dominated only by annual plantings. Fast forward to
Shasta daisies, foxtail, coneflowers, and garden phlox retail today. Some of the first planters to sell are the
just to name a few. The newly purchased plant bloomed ones peppered with unique perennial plants. Factor in
magnificently and besides watering, it was neglected, but some perennials that do well with part shade like hardy
noticeable in the landscape or garden. Having success, geranium, dianthus, hosta, and chrysanthemum, you
changes the consumer’s outlook on gardening. The have a bevy of colors to choose from. Customize your
most recent example of this acceptance would be the plantings and offer something no box store would dare
perception of roses being a lot of work. The Knockout to attempt. Ornamental grasses like purple russian sage
rose changed that belief and launched a movement gives you the height needed for the thriller element along
towards carefree, no worry gardening. with eye-catching movement.

Daylilies have been a landscape favorite for years as a
long-term investment for their free blooming flowers that PERENNIAL PRODUCTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
need little to no care. Retail stores can benefit by providing a section of “plant
supports” for their clientele. The options range from trellis,
obelisks, and arbors to loop stakes, single and double
ring supports, u hoops, and grow grids. Add the needed
accessories like plant tags, ties, clips, and netting and
you can anticipate that it will need some display space.
The difficulty of promoting is not having the ability to put it
outside and exposed to the elements with the perennials.
Today, many manufacturers design their product tags to
handle outdoor elements including sun exposure by using
plastic or vinyl material, so they can offer their products
with outdoor displays. The retailer has opportunities to
make excellent profit margins on the sale of these items in
their “Plant Pal” department.

PHOTO CREDIT (Pages 8-9): Proven Winners ® GRIFFIN GAZETTE 2021 | 9