Martin's Flowers & Shrubs Print
Thursday, 01 November 2007 03:00
Perennials, trees, shrubs and annuals all play their part in the garden-like central display at Martins Flowers and Shrubs.Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

A round of applause goes out to Martins Flowers and Shrubs of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, one of the Top Ten winners of the 2006 Perennials Marketing Contest sponsored by Plant Publicity Holland, the Perennial Plant Association and Branch Smith Publishing.

Belinda Adamec, manager's assistant, explained, "In our shop, perennials have traditionally been located in the farthest corner of the garden center. Often our shrub and annual customers never even make it back that far."

The sign reads
Great garden center displays make cash registers ring.
A rich and colorful variety of plants make customers want to replicate the ideas in their own gardens.
Belinda decided to shake things up by picking a location for the perennial display which all customers would pass by as they entered the nursery. She then designed the display much the same way that the plants would be used in a garden, by showcasing shrubs, trees and annuals along with the perennials.

"Our customers come to us looking for great ideas that have to be easy to maintain," Belinda commented. "As I eavesdropped by the perennial display I found that women were delighted to learn that they could grow all kinds of beautiful flowers right next to their shrubs and trees. And men were thrilled that they only had to plant the perennials once, simply cut them back at the end of the season and that they would reappear next year. It was a win-win all around."

Aside from the challenge of maintaining the display - because as soon as Belinda got everything looking exactly the way she wanted, excited customers snapped up many of the plants - the concept was a huge success for Martins Flowers and Shrubs.

"In future," Belinda was pleased to say, "and in order to satisfy the impulse buying nature of our customers, perennials will be displayed throughout the garden center; as companion plantings for trees and shrubs, along side the annuals and in their own perennial department."

"Thank you so much for this contest, it gave me opportunity to bring perennials out of their back corner and into the spotlight at Martins Flowers and Shrubs."

No Belinda. We thank you!



 

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