Combinations to Inspire Print
Plant Publicity Holland and the Perennial Plant Association congratulate Swansons Nursery of Seattle, Washington for their second prize winning entry in the 2008 Perennials Marketing Contest.

The display, submitted by Alex LaVilla, perennial buyer and department manager of the Nursery was entitled ‘Combinations to Inspire’ and featured late season perennials.

In Alex’s words, “This seasonal display features colorful combinations of perennials and grasses for late season interest. The central tree, colorfully painted a bright purple, visually draws customers into a matrix of outwardly extending displays, each featuring a color theme of culturally correct plant combinations that can easily be replicated in customers’ gardens.”


The display focuses on textural combinations of plant material with a generous selection of complimentary accent color plants in full bloom making it as easy as possible for the ‘grab and go’ shopper to duplicate the combinations at home.

Swansons is not big on signage

Interestingly, as Alex pointed out, there is a noticeable lack of POP signage in the display.

It is Swansons philosophy to forego the use of signage in order to ‘brand’ the look and feel of these types of ‘we’ve-mixed-and-matched- and- made-it-as-easy-as-possible- for-you’ displays that are used throughout the nursery.

“Customers have come to recognize, and look for, our large potted container plant combinations, surrounded by all the elements that make up the displays,” explained Alex.“The lack of signage creates more of a sense of a real garden layout, inspiring customers to visualize these same combinations in their own gardens and/or containers.

We have learned that with limited space for actual display gardens, these presentations of plant material serve the same purpose.”

The key to Swansons no-signage approach is to ensure that knowledgeable staff — ready willing and able to answer all customer questions and help them with their plant selections — are always nearby.

Of equal importance to the success of Swansons displays is that while the basic structure of a display can remain in place for a number of days, as plants sell, and new plants arrive, they are quickly replaced in order to keep everything looking fresh and inviting.