Marking plants a way of life

摘要

Brian and Faye Minter have been operating garden stores in Chilliwack, B.C., for almost 30 years, They also have a 27-acre, world-class show garden, similar to Butchart Gardens. The Minters' success has been built on marketing plants as a valuable lifestyle product rather than a commodity. Last fall Brian was in Winnipeg to address garden centre and green-house operators attending the annual Prairie East Horticultural Trade Show and Conference. Minter's presentation focused on plants as entertainment. "For long-term growth and viability," he said, "the industry must increase the value of plants not only monetarily but, more importantly, reposition their value to Canadians from all walks of life." Minter first contrasted the European approach to plants with that of Canadian garden centre operators. European sellers and growers, he pointed out, have made plants a way of life. Plants are a must in every home and visitors always bring plants.