Member Profile
Sue Klein,
Owner
Klein's Floral & Greenhouses, Madison, WI
Selling home and garden supplies for 106 years has shaped a positive reputation for Klein's Floral & Greenhouses in the Madison, WI, community. More and more young shoppers between the ages of 25 and 34 have become their biggest customer group. They've been careful not to intimidate them with larger gardening projects, as they notice these customers flock to houseplants and custom containers. "They want plants to purify... Read More
Millennials Provide Optimism for L&G Industry
The just-released 2019 National Gardening Survey, published by the National Gardening Association's research division, reveals that overall, lawn and garden spending increased in 2018 to $52.3 billion, despite a slight decrease in household participation. The lion's share of spending.... Read More
IHIS To Co-Locate with IGC Show
The Independent Home Improvement Show (IHIS) will be a dedicated show floor set to showcase a broad range of categories of interest to independent retailers, such as hardware and tools, homewares, tailgate, BBQ, electrical and more... Read More
ABOVE: Highlights from last year's tour in Seattle.
Why Should I Attend The GCA Summer Tour Boston?...
I had such a great time, learned a lot, and met wonderful colleagues. It was like a working vacation! -Tina Mast, Communications Director, Homewood Nursery & Garden Center
It was like a Pinterest board came to live! So much creativity and so many new ideas! -Jesse Camargo, Store Manager, Nicholson-Hardie
Finding solutions to problems I am having in our garden center on the tours is invaluable. The ideas I take back and implement in our nursery make a difference - whether it be in customer experience,
profitability or simplifying a task. I look forward to the tour each year! Kathy Linton, Co-Owner, The Home & Garden Center
What a GREAT event! This was my first tour and I got so much out of it. From taking back ideas to my team to creating new connections with so many wonderful leaders in our industry, it was a time well spent. Vincent Scavone-Retail General Manager, Hicks Nurseries
The GCA tours have been a great "working" vacation for me for many years. I have built great friendships and always come back with motivation and inspiration. Sandi Hillermann-McDonald, Hillermann Nursery & Florist President
The Seattle tour provided me with inspiration that I can share with my team and insight into alternative business practices that will improve my store. Sam Brown, Fiddleheads Garden Center
All-America Selections Announces Seven More New AAS Winners For 2019
AAS is the only national, non-profit plant trialing organization in North America. All-America Selections is an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for the home gardener. After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticulture professionals, only the top garden performers are given the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance.
Marigold Big Duck Orange F1
AAS Flower Winner
Regional: Heartland
Marigold Big Duck Yellow F1
AAS Flower Winner
Regional: Heartland, Mountain/Southwest, Northeast, West/Northwest
Marigold Garuda Deep Gold F1
AAS Flower Winner
Regional: Heartland, Northeast
Vinca Mega Bloom Polka Dot F1
AAS Flower Winner
Regional: Heartland, Mountain/Southwest
Zinnia Holi Scarlet F1
AAS Flower Winner
National
Potato Clancy F1
AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner
National
Tomato Mountain Rouge F1
AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner
Regional: Heartland, Northeast, Southeast
