Gardeners: Did you find everything you were looking for?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2023 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In 2023, hydrangeas ruled, demand was high for fruit trees and fruit shrubs, spring’s sizzling temperatures gave us a glimpse into a warming future, and rising prices put a crimp in purchasing power. These are just a few of the key takeaways that garden centre retailers across southern Manitoba shared with me this fall in an informal survey conducted in person, by phone, and email. Of the 20 garden centre retailers invited to participate, 17 responded. Their unique perspectives are enlightening.

Winnipeg participants included Jensen’s Nursery and Garden Centre, Lacoste Garden Centre, Red Valley Plant Market, Ron Paul Garden Centre, Sage Garden Greenhouses, Schriemers Market Centre, Shelmerdine Garden Centre, St. Mary’s Nursery, and Sumka Brothers Greenhouse. Other participants included The Green Spot Home and Garden and Alternative Choice Garden Centre (Brandon), Oakridge Garden Centre and Sunshine Greenhouse (Steinbach), as well as Glenlea Greenhouses (Ste. Agathe), Morden Nurseries & Garden Centre (Morden), Sabados Greenhouse (Lundar), and van der Meer Garden Centre, (Ile des Chênes).

Independent garden centres are destinations and a primary goal is to deliver the unique experience that consumers are looking for. This was a consistent theme in the majority of survey responses. “We do more than just sell plants and plant-related products,” said Jordan Hiebert, Lacoste Garden Centre. “We want to create an environment that attracts consumers to discover and explore and is a place where they want to be.” Coffee bars and boutiques that sell décor and fashion are examples of the types of experiential retail experiences that garden centres like Lacoste are creating for customers, he said.

“It’s about creating an atmosphere where people find inspiration and ideas,” said Carla Hrycyna, St. Mary’s Nursery. “We want the atmosphere to have a good vibe. A lot of times people come into the greenhouse and say that it makes them feel good. People need that atmosphere, especially since COVID.”

Demographic trends are having a considerable and exciting impact on the green industry. New Canadians and younger people are driving an increase in purchases of fruit trees and fruit shrubs. “We saw a lot of demand this year for fruit trees and pear trees especially,” said Lori van der Meer, van der Meer Garden Centre. Erna Wiebe, Oakridge Garden Centre, was struck by the surge in sales this year of fruit plants such as sea buckthorn, haskap, and American elderberry. “These are varieties that took a back seat to other fruit varieties in the past but are becoming popular again,” she said. “Newcomers to Canada want to grow fruit – small fruit shrubs as well as fruit trees.”

“Brandon now has a large international community which is wonderful,” said Bernie Whetter, The Green Spot Home and Garden. Many newcomers are keen to grow their own food, said Whetter, and he is keen to learn from the creative vertical gardening techniques that are now popping up in Brandon’s community gardens.

Monique Rampton and Leah Olson, co-owners of Morden Nurseries and Garden Centre, said that customers are watching their budgets this year and making investments in stages. “People are investing in fruit plants – buying some this year and planning to add more next year,” said Olson. “Apricot trees are in big demand here, we can never have enough,” she said. “Haskap plants and grape vines, too, were also popular this year.”

Strong interest in edibles is one of France Barrett’s key takeaways as well. “We couldn’t keep up with the demand for dill or hot peppers,” said Barrett, greenhouse grower at Schriemers Market Centre.

“When our customers say we should try something, we add it to our list,” said Dorinda Penner, Sunshine Greenhouse. “This year we grew Mashed Potatoes Squash because our customers asked for it.” Mashed Potatoes Hybrid Winter Squash has half the calories and a lower glycemic index than potatoes. It also takes up less space in the garden.

“We saw a lot of continued growth in the sale of fruit trees and small fruits like raspberries, haskap, strawberries, and saskatoon,” said Karen Sabados, Sabados Greenhouse. “The smaller fruits fit easily into smaller backyard settings. The turnaround time to harvest small fruit plants is earlier and they also have a lower price point. Customers were also buying small fruit shrubs to plant as hedging along their property line, she said.

“We are seeing a lot more younger gardeners and younger families gardening,” said Sabados. “There is a continued trend towards raised bed gardening and young kids are excited to have their own. They are choosing the plants they want to plant in them. It’s cool to see young gardeners excited about gardening.” Sabados also said that some of the twentysomethings and thirtysomethings who started gardening at the start of Covid are more experienced now and learning new skills. “They are moving onto bigger plans and bigger types of plants as they gain confidence and knowledge.”

It’s not unusual to find barbeques, smokers, pizza ovens, griddles, and fire pits at your neighbourhood garden centre. “People are spending more time in their yards and there is definitely a demand for these products,” said Dorinda Penner, Sunshine Greenhouse. “It’s not just about plants, it’s about creating an outdoor room – those moments become memories.”

“We are seeing more demand for fireplaces, fire pits, and fire bowls,” said Karin Griffin, Alternative Choice Garden Centre and Alternative Landscaping. Griffin said that people’s lives are busier than ever. Creating a relaxing outdoor space that is low maintenance gives people more time to enjoy the outdoors.

“People want their outdoor environment to give them as many different options as possible and the focus is on a patio area with comfortable seating, creative container gardens, and a fire pit,” said Jeanne Dubois, co-owner of Ron Paul Garden Centre. “DIY options out of brick or retaining walls is a popular choice. Even in the late fall, you can sit around the firepit and enjoy hot chocolate.”

Consumers are wild about hydrangeas. Incrediball smooth hydrangea was mentioned in conversation by several of the retailers although Little Lime Punch is a close second in popularity. “Hydrangeas were our top-selling shrub,” said Carla Hrycyna, St. Mary’s Nursery. “We offered 20 varieties this year and needed at least 10 more varieties to meet demand.”

Container gardening is hugely popular. Consumers are as excited about the type of container they use as they are about the plants they choose, said Hiebert. Statement pieces tell a story especially if they speak to sustainability. Hiebert carries a line of Capi planters made from fishing nets.

A nature-focused garden space that invites a lot of pollinators and other creatures into it in a constructive and positive way has never been more important to consumers, says Dave Hanson, Sage Garden Greenhouses. “Monarchs were back in full force and bees were doing really well this year,” he said. “These observable benefits are changing the way we garden.”

Everybody is feeling the pinch of inflation, said Maryann Sumka, Sumka Brothers Greenhouses. “Consumers are looking for quality and the biggest bang for their buck. This doesn’t mean they are not spending money, but they are making more informed decisions.”

Stay tuned! I will have much more to share in future columns and in Winnipeg Gardener.

colleenizacharias@gmail.com

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