February 2025 - 14

INNOVATIVE IDEAS
Plantopia
McDonald Garden Center turned its
houseplant department into an immersive
experience.
By Mike Westphal
O
ver the 80 years of McDonald Garden Center
being in business, our houseplant department
has grown to become a year-round destination for
houseplant lovers, with the largest selection in Virginia.
Reframing our houseplant department into " Plantopia "
has become a vision that reshaped our approach to
communicating about houseplants to our customers.
Since joining McDonald Garden Center in 2004, I've
had the privilege of exploring every part of this business:
learning the product, guiding customers, and helping
them find success in their gardening and landscaping
projects. And it's incredible how this passion for customer
support and education has carried over into Plantopia.
January and February used to be quiet months here,
but Plantopia has changed all that. Now, those first
two months - and beyond - are thriving as Plantopia
attracts customers looking to refresh their indoor spaces
and take part in exclusive workshops and events.
One standout event, our Houseplant Adoption
Weekend, has been especially popular, offering
customers the chance to " adopt " unique plants and
learn about their care from the beginning. Throughout
the year, we also host engaging workshops and seminars
tailored for every level of plant lover, bringing together
community members eager to expand their knowledge
and love for plants.
When we first envisioned Plantopia, we knew we
wanted it to be an immersive experience - one that
would capture interest long before customers even set
foot in the store. Our marketing team played a huge role
in making that vision come to life, creating a brand for
the department and using social media, our website and
email marketing to bring Plantopia to the forefront. This
has been a game-changer, especially for attracting our
younger customers. We're meeting them where they
already spend time and connecting with them through
exciting visuals and plant care tips that give them a
sense of what's waiting for them here.
What makes Plantopia truly stand out, though, is
the atmosphere we've created within the department.
14 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | FEBRUARY 2025
Working alongside our talented buyer/department
manager, we've curated an impressive selection - from
beginner plants to varieties for dedicated collectors. The
display work here pays homage to our founder Eddie
Anderson's dedication to arrangement and design. Every
display mixes color, texture and size to spark inspiration,
showing customers how they can integrate plants into
their own spaces. These displays are regularly updated,
Plantopia turned its houseplant department
into an immersive experience.
Photos courtesy of McDonald Garden Center.
Growing

February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025

Editor's Letter
TOC
Headlines
Calendar
Innovative Ideas: Growing Plantopia
Green Goods: Houseplant Honors
Showcase: Indoor Gardening
Green Goods: New Edible Varieties for 2025
Showcase: Birding & Wildlife
Consumer Trends: Bonsai is Back
Eco-Friendly: Green Gifts
Showcase: Holiday
Pohmer On ...: The Many Layers of Sustainability
Marketplace
Ad Index
5 Minutes with ...: Graham Hill
February 2025 - 1
February 2025 - 2
February 2025 - 3
February 2025 - Editor's Letter
February 2025 - 5
February 2025 - TOC
February 2025 - 7
February 2025 - Headlines
February 2025 - 9
February 2025 - 10
February 2025 - 11
February 2025 - Calendar
February 2025 - 13
February 2025 - Innovative Ideas: Growing Plantopia
February 2025 - 15
February 2025 - 16
February 2025 - 17
February 2025 - Green Goods: Houseplant Honors
February 2025 - 19
February 2025 - Showcase: Indoor Gardening
February 2025 - 21
February 2025 - Green Goods: New Edible Varieties for 2025
February 2025 - 23
February 2025 - 24
February 2025 - 25
February 2025 - Showcase: Birding & Wildlife
February 2025 - 27
February 2025 - Consumer Trends: Bonsai is Back
February 2025 - 29
February 2025 - 30
February 2025 - 31
February 2025 - Eco-Friendly: Green Gifts
February 2025 - 33
February 2025 - 34
February 2025 - 35
February 2025 - Showcase: Holiday
February 2025 - 37
February 2025 - Pohmer On ...: The Many Layers of Sustainability
February 2025 - 39
February 2025 - Marketplace
February 2025 - 41
February 2025 - 42
February 2025 - 43
February 2025 - 44
February 2025 - 45
February 2025 - 46
February 2025 - 47
February 2025 - Ad Index
February 2025 - 49
February 2025 - 5 Minutes with ...: Graham Hill
February 2025 - 51
February 2025 - 52
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