Find the Perfect Planter
The garden was probably the last place most of us would expect to see an infiltration of technology, but it’s becoming a reality with mowers, weed-pickers and sprinkler systems to name a few. Techopedia defines artificial intelligence (AI) as, “an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react…
Read MoreIt’s often difficult to find a manufacturer who produces large pots (in the 30-40-inch diameter range) for planting flowers and shrubs in backyards, front yards or throughout communities. Oftentimes, the designs are far too simplistic, and many times dated, while offering a limited selection of colors for customers to choose from. But beyond the size…
Read MoreNot everyone is a touchy-feely kind of person. From warm embraces to holding hands to a congratulatory pats-on-the-back – for some it triggers an immediate, internal defense. A new study recently published in The Plant Journal has discovered that many plants aren’t very touchy-feely either. “The lightest touch from a human, animal, insect or even plants touching…
Read MoreJoni Mitchell’s 1970s song Big Yellow Taxi is a catchy tune but listen to the lyrics and you’ll discover something more. Few fully understand the environmental meaning behind the song – especially regarding the beautiful view tree canopies create all across the nation. In an interview she did with the Los Angeles Times, Mitchell says, “I wrote Big Yellow…
Read More“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.” – Munia Khan Greenhouses and nurseries play an essential role in the development of plants, trees and shrubs for homeowners, businesses and communities across the nation.…
Read More“Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Damon Richards We all hope the products (and even services) we purchase after a great deal of consideration will not lead to disappointment or inconvenience on our part. While companies can certainly strive for excellence, perfection is an impossibility.…
Read MoreThe week of June 18-24 is National Pollinator Week. The week is proudly sponsored by the Pollinator Partnership, whose mission is to promote the health of pollinators critical to food and ecosystems across the globe. Many don’t realize that pollinators provide pollination to over 180,000 plant species and more that 1,200 crops. That translates to one…
Read MoreIn February 2018, retail giant Amazon surprised many industries – most notably the horticulture industry – when it officially launched the Amazon Plant Store – also called your new “online greenhouse”. There you can purchase plants in a multitude of categories and in various pot sizes to suit your needs from flowering plants, to shrubs, to succulents.…
Read MoreIn last month’s edition of The HC Companies e-newsletter, we discussed visual merchandising and how garden centers should leverage this tried-and-true retail technique to deliberately present their inventory to increase sales. One of the core principles of visual merchandising is recognizing that many consumers are undecided about what they’ll purchase when entering your store. That provides you with an…
Read MoreSpring has been here for almost two months, and yet in many parts of the country spring is just arriving now. As the weather becomes more seasonal, we’re all eager to head outside to see what’s blooming. Unfortunately, it’s been a slow process for flowers, shrubs and trees this year as many still look dead and…
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