November/December 2023 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Making Connections
As I write this, my internet
is down - somewhat ironic
since I was going to write
about making connections
at the Garden Center Group
Fall Event. Danny Summers
and Co. always put on a
stellar event, and this year
was no exception. With
more than 150 people registered, the three days
included thoughtful (and thought-provoking) ideas,
a phenomenal garden center tour that culminated in
visiting the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (which
actually began as a zoological garden in 1875) and its
trial gardens, and a lot of, yes, making connections.
Find snapshots of the retail tour on page 22, and
be sure to visit cincinnatizoo.org/horticulture to learn
more about its trial gardens and plant research.
Speaking of retail tours, I also visited several garden
centers in the Milwaukee area while there for the Garden
Center Show, but due to press deadlines, I haven't been
able to share what I saw until now. Flip to page 32 to see
the photos.
Also In This Issue
Adding new varieties to your retail benches is
essential if you want to grow sales and cater to
new trends and customers' ever-evolving wants and
needs. But how do you choose which ones to include?
Beginning on page 18, editorial director Abby McGarry
has compiled a list of award-winning varieties that
industry organizations have tested to ensure success
for breeders, growers, retailers and gardeners.
And if you're wondering what trends might be on
customers' radars in 2024, turn to page 14, where I
caught up with several trend watchers to share home
garden ideas you should keep an eye on. From goth
gardening to growing in new ways and small spaces,
you just might want to try these ideas out in your retail
space as well.
As 2023 comes to an end, we're busy planning out
editorial for the next year. What topics would you like
to read more about? I'd love to hear your insights! Drop
me a line at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.
EDITORIAL
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Matt McCallum, 616-520-2133
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
JD Boone
Melissa Frank
Jessie Jacobson
Jennifer Moss
Tiger Palafox
Stan Pohmer
Danny Summers
Dothan Nurseries
Weston Nurseries
Tonkadale Greenhouse
Moss Greenhouses
Mission Hills Nursery
Pohmer Consulting Group
The Garden Center Group
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Teresa McPherson, MANAGING EDITOR
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@lgrmag
Jolan Godfrey, 616-520-2148
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4 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/horticulture

November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2023