April 5, 2017, California – Growing plants is challenging, but growing the expertise of retail staff is just as daunting. Consumers want help selecting and then taking care of plants, and knowledgeable front line employees can help build their confidence.
Marshall Dirks, director of marketing and public relations with Proven Winners, outlined how the company is reaching out to help garden centres become better industry resources.
A key component of that outreach is the Proven Winners Certification program, which has already assisted hundreds of garden centres throughout the U.S. and Canada. The benefits are many.
Trained employees have greater sales potential.
Certified retailers can access the large photo library and social media graphics of Proven Winners.
Certified garden centres gain greater visibility with a priority listing on the Proven Winners Retail Locator.
A series of short videos – Proven Winners University – is being created on a variety of key topics. Staff of certified garden centres can view this bonus material to sharpen their skills.
Proven Winners is also hosting its own National Plant of the Year program, with categories for landscape, annuals and perennials. It will use its extensive social media platform to promote the plants, a big boost for retailers with the plants.
He also outlined the extensive video series Proven Winners is hosting, providing a wide range of ideas to help consumers get more out of their love of gardening.
“You have to inspire your customers,” said Dirks.
And here are the photo highlights of our day.
PHOTO ONE: Ori Danziger, deputy CEO of Danziger, welcomed growers to the company’s open house, which featured dozens of new varieties.
PHOTO TWO: Geraniums are effective combo elements, and Syngenta had a number of stunning designs on display. Technical specialist Dr. Harvey Lang poses with Cascade Dreams Mix. The Calliope and Caliente series are especially well-suited to mixed containers.
PHOTO THREE: Sunfinity Sunflower offers nonstop blooming and more flowers all season long. Superior branching produces multiple flowers per plant. It will extend the spring and summer retail sales season for landscapes and large patio pots. Terry Talsma was among Syngenta specialists on hand to introduce growers to Sunfinity.
PHOTO FOUR: Bart Juijer OF Varinova says Goblet ‘Wine Red’ is one of the top selling mini cyclamen in the world. Goblet is characterized by the beautiful chalice shape of the flower. The whole series has firm flower stems, abundant flowering and guarantees a long flowering outside. The white flower edges offer extra sparkle to your garden.
PHOTO FIVE: ‘Peach’ is new to the Double Take flowering quince series from Proven Winners. It has a large, richly coloured, double flowers in early spring. It is also good for cut flowers. ‘Peach’ is drought and heat tolerant, does well in part-sun to full-sun, and has a mounded habit.
PHOTO SIX: Proven Pollinators, by Proven Winners, shows gardeners how to create the perfect habitat for pollinators with containers and landscape plantings.
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