Re: Flat Plant Sales

**"* B* <g*@otherside.com>**

Dan,
    We make our hypertufa troughs here, hold classes a few times a year as 
enough gardeners request instructions. Our big sellers are the large 
troughs. The smaller ones go out more slowly and are usually gifts. Any 
decorations, such a subtle color, leaf patterns, etc are snapped up soon as 
the season begins and gardeners begin coming here by appointment.
    Next, we have been watching the quality of molded concrete. Always out 
there, comes and goes in popularity. We are watching the product improve by 
leaps in bound with wholesalers. We may give it a shot on the high end.... 
trick is in staying out of the cutesy-poo. My wife has a good eye for what 
gardeners will want in that line. Oh, and nice containers from both concrete 
and the new mixes. We may rent a truck and head out for 3 or 4 days to pick 
up a load..... Fountains we will not play with... there is a specialist up 
the road from us.
    We do know pallets of mixed stuff selected by someone else is a no-no. 
You can't depend upon someone three states away selecting what will sell in 
your area. Still have to do your own homework, know your customers.
Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
www.munchkinnursery.com
genebush@munchkinnursery.com
Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Clost" <dan.clost@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Re: [GWL] Flat Plant Sales

> Thanks for bringing this up Doreen.
> I'm with Gene. Our product mix has changed. The size of plants offered has
> changed. Some of our suppliers have changed- especially those who didn't
> want to change with us.
> In spite of the big box stores ( who provide us with the opportunity to
> really show folks how good we are) and asphalt gardeners, we're doing very
> well- in dollars and in market share.
> Knowledge and service is as important as product these days and we work 
> hard
> at staying up-to-date and discerning which services are really needed.
> As a result, our plant sales ( and all other sales) are certainly not 
> flat.
> As a note of interest, plants aside, high end hardgoods (statuary,
> fountains, arbours etc) are becoming a significant part of our product 
> mix.
> As long as it is top quality.
>
> It would be interesting to know where and how that survey was taken.
>
> Dan


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