How were garden plant cut-rate sale at retail this class ? Bill Calkins , Ball Seed Independent Garden Center Business Manager , reviews 2018 and inform us that sale results in North America differed largely per region as a result of the dissimilar weather conditions . However , " overall , sales were up and position were very positive " , he says . Next to providing the sales issue and impacts from 2018 , he also offers garden trends for the come in twelvemonth . Below , his year - in - review summary .

Bill Calkins :

The 2018 North American sales news report was very much a tale of regionality . atmospheric condition severely impacted some areas of the U.S. and Canada and report sales at retail were down as much as 5 % in the Midwest and Southeast U.S. But in area with good weather , the numbers were much better and increases of 10+% were reported in the Northwest , British Columbia and the southerly half of the U.S.

Overall , sales were up and attitudes were very convinced . dealing counts followed the sales and it was clear that poor atmospheric condition reduced the number of shopper at lawn and garden retail merchant , and subsequently trim down the amount of production sold . Some of the newest internal reports for the United States show the high sales ever by dollarsandlawn and garden participation by home . There ’s a lot of reasons to be affirmative and early input sales agreement to greenhouses growing for 2019 are up .

In terms of North American trends and products that continue to see strong sales across North America , as well as those that are emerging and profit popularity , here are some of the one to keep an eye on .

prominent - stature plant . Perhaps drive by an go forth customer cornerstone of inexperienced nurseryman and also folk considering plants more as laurel wreath than a hobby , we are see an explosion in the sales of big , colorful plant . Not only do they look fantastic in container but they also fill garden spaces and make striking landscape . For growers and retailers , these large specimens have opened up a considerable market for premium gallon pots , with good for you retail damage points .

Recognizable constituent plant . When a little kid draws a flower , what do they eviscerate ? normally , something that resemble a daisy , good ? It ’s these flower shapes that seem very popular these years and we see more and more of this character of reproduction coming to market . Using traditional flower shapes available in flora like zinnias , Echinacea , osteospermum , dahlias and others will add intimacy to mixed jazz group and garden and should attract plenty of tending . The other element to these conversant efflorescence is that today ’s shoppers believe them to perform .

Outdoor tropicals and leafage works . We have seen the growth in indoor foliation plants and have show many article about how popular they are with younger shopper . Well , they are taking this trend outdoors now and onto patio and balconies , and sometimes even into the garden . Plants with glossy foliage and a “ hobo camp ” look are very much “ in ” these days . And like the more pop indoor plants , unequaled foliage and a more raging look seem to be grabbing aid . These type of plant life allow the gardener to express their artistic style and share it on social medium . Also , climb plant scaling walls and trellises are very pop on patios and porch . The bigger the well .

Earth and insect friendly . Plants are inherently “ light-green ” and today ’s gardener time value this expression of our industry . So it ’s our chore to leverage the feeling . If a plant conserve water supply , call it out and divvy up it with shoppers . Plants clean the air and we are date more and more of this messaging at retail . Plants attract and nourish pollinators like bee and butterflies – so spread the word ! And when it comes to pollinator works , seek out the single that provide major welfare , not just the so - so one . A plant covered in bees and butterflies is coolheaded ! And works that make habitats for animals and chick are belong to generate a lot of attention and sale .

When it comes to the big picture trends in garden plants , it seems like today ’s most popular products must volunteer multiple benefits – they should be useful , shareable , sizable and merriment . If we can all work together to leverage our products to make this variety of aspiration and fervor , we should go on to see sales grow in 2019 and beyond .

For more informationBall SeedBill CalkinssMarketing , Ball Seed CompanyEmail:[email   protected]www.ballseed.com