indoors to enjoy throughout the growing season. Using foraged or self-grown plant materials allows our customers to be happy, engaged and involved in their gardens. It’s a great way to help people develop and grow their enthusiasm for active gardening. The last potential trend I wanted to share is the use and promotion of ‘keystone’ plants in a garden. Keystone plants are native plants critical to the food web and necessary for many wildlife species to complete their life cycle. Without keystone plants in the landscape, butterflies, native bees and birds will not thrive. Ninety-six per cent of our terrestrial birds rely on insects supported by keystone plants. Did you know that a single native oak tree will support up to 436 different species of caterpillars that feed on them? Native garden asters can support up to 100 different species as well. Think about the potential here. Many of our customers are interested in native plants and they want to include them in their personal gardens. Consider the potential of promoting these keystone or super power plants that will give the maximum exposure to inviting essential native pollinators and other beneficial wildlife. I wish IGCs and landscape specialists a successful garden season in 2025. Keep a sharp eye out for what’s new and different, and don’t forget that when you add new products to your lineup, you should strategically drop the poorest performers from your listing as well. Managing an attractive, well-balanced selection of popular items is always important. LT
source of material for homeowners to create or enhance their own arrangements? I’m not advocating foraging from the wild or rural areas; however, a lot can be found in a home garden, such as red Dogwood branches or evergreen boughs. This activity also encourages bringing cut flowers to the
diversity. A living fence can transform a simple border into a vibrant ecosystem. Foraged garden With winter urn creation being such a popular winter holiday activity, why not promote growing plants that can be a direct
ONE OPERATOR. ONE MULTILIFT. JOB DONE.
ART VANDEN ENDEN Art loved every minute of his 44-
year garden centre career with Weall and Cullen and Sheridan Nurseries. In retirement, Art enjoys giving back to the profession with Landscape
Ontario’s Garden Centre Sector Group and sharing his experience with Landscape Trades readers in the Art of Gardening column.
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