January 2019 - 44

Dirty Secrets
... Continued from page 40
The Trendsetters
When you Google " Garden Design Trends 2019 " we get the
first two results from the U.K. I can't resist the urge to selfishly
wish those results were U.S. based. But, the next result found
was from our industry's own Garden Media Group (and the
crowd goes wild)!
If you aren't familiar with this handy annual report, turn to
page 24 to learn about some of the trends. It's very helpful. The
reports give great IGC business ideas and lists and back it all up
with excellent research for business strategies.
I simply wish that IGCs were contributing more to the world
in design ideas that are juicy and full of long-lasting flavors and
aroma that linger in hearts and minds
even if the plants themselves speak
with a German, Irish, Japanese or British
accent. Why not? Are we not cultivating
and supporting it out there? I'm trying to
find that " sizzle for my steak " as they say.
As a creator, I'm looking for those little
doses of inspiration that will fire a spark
into a full-on designer patio BBQ fire of
an idea. I'm forever on the lookout for
the next idea that is not only lasting,
but potentially adaptable to serve as
a designer springboard for an infinite
number of expanded options and ideas.
I'm a firm believer that our industry is
uniquely suited in our ability to capitalize
on ideas fast, I just want to see more of
that American designer talent out there!
When I wrote " Fine Foliage " and
" Gardening with Foliage First " with
my co-author Karen Chapman, it was
important that we designed both book
layouts purposefully to be as easily
maneuvered as possible. If you understand
the principles we outlined for each design,
then no matter if you have sun, shade,
size limitations or drought, you can find
a way to take our ideas and use them in a
multitude of ways based on your specific
criteria. I love the notion of taking a recipe
for a design idea, running with it to make
it my own version, and then I want to
shout from the rafters where I saw the
idea first and we all win!
We need a nationwide resurgence of
Circle 135
creativity and design inspiration that
stems from the talent pool of our great
independent family owned garden centers
out there across America.
I'm not talking at all about professional
landscapes designed by high-end teams
that cost millions. I want to see everything
from small and sparkly little plant
combos to over-the-top, crazy, holy-cow
scaled display ideas, teeny-tiny miniature
gardening designs to epic living walls.
Whatever your fancy, your specialty,
your passion, if you have what you think
is a winning design idea, let's see it!
If pumping up our collective design
muscles helps all of us to create, be
inspired and above all to do more business,
then bring it on America! Think you have
a designer who's a " Truck Driver " on staff
with winning ways? Want to nominate
someone with design chops who you think
deserves more credit and kudos? Write
me a short sweet email and I'd love to
highlight their talent in future articles.
If they actually drive a truck, then
that's just a bonus.
info@sloggers.com
Circle 136
44 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | JANUARY 2019
Christina Salwitz, the Personal Garden
Coach, is a container designer, public
speaker, horticultural guidance counselor,
service provider for The Garden Center
Group and photojournalist based in Renton,
Washington. She can be reached at:
personalgardencoach@comcast.net.
January 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2019
