An overview of holiday season events

3 takeaways from Dümmen Orange’s Potted Plant Palooza

The day-long seminar highlighted how the latest indoor varieties can jive with 2017’s home décor and lifestyle trends.

By Cassie Neiden

At an event held in Franklin Park Conservatory’s quaint country barn in downtown Columbus, Ohio, industry members came together to see new introductions of poinsettias, kalanchoes and mums. They also sat in on presentations from production experts to learn how to best grow indoor varieties, and heard from trends experts who shared the ways indoor gardening is becoming mainstream. Here’s some of what we saw during Potted Plant Palooza.

1. Pink will be this spring’s go-to color.

That’s right – pink! And a lot of it. Saturated pinks in a variety of hues can either act as standalones, or mix for a tone-on-tone effect, says Dümmen Orange Marketing Specialist Lindsay Pangborn. This selection is much different from the soft, baby pink hues typically associated with the color. Instead, the intense palette can be mixed with corals for a sophisticated and modern look.

2. Poinsettias have come a long way.

In the past 20 years, these indoor plants have improved their dark green foliage, bract shape/form and postharvest life significantly. Additionally, more and more novelties have entered the market for fresh and imaginative takes on these holiday varieties, says Dr. Allen Hammer, Product Developer at Dümmen Orange. He predicts that within the next 10 years, poinsettia cultivars will boast even stronger upright branching and root systems, but industry members must look at what consumers want to carry these plants through the Baby Boomer generation. Poinsettia containers with extra additions — like frosty ferns or Christmas cactuses — might push Millennial retail sales, Hammer suggests, adding that biodegradable pots may also help attract this more eco-conscious generation.

3. Indoor gardening is on the rise.

Clint Albin presented Garden Media Group’s “Grow 365” 2017 report, which forecasts that growing plants in the home — be they ornamental or edible — is becoming more and more popular. Tidy gardens in smaller, urban spaces, Uber-izing sales through subscription services for continued patronage, touting the health and wellness benefits of plants are all areas growers can dive into as they market their plants to Millennial buyers this year. Check out this month’s “Growing Edge” on page 6 for a bigger recap.

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3 takeaways from N.G. Heimos’ 2016 Poinsettia Trials

The annual event showcased classics as well as new holiday plant trends.

By Chris Manning

At their annual poinsettia trials in Columbia, Ill., N.G. Heimos Greenhouses showcased more than 100 poinsettia cultivars. With varieties ranging from traditional red to newer, flashier options, there was a little something for everyone. Here’s some of what we learned about the latest poinsettia trends at this year’s trials.

1. Princettia finishes on top.

Attendees voted on what they thought were the top varieties on display, and the Princettia Queen Pink came out on top on the overall performance category. Rounding out the top five were Ferrara, Luv U Pink Splash, Ice Punch and Majoris Red.

To see the full results, visit bit.ly/2016heimostrials

2. Packaging is key.

Among the topics discussed at the trials was packaging and how it can impact poinsettia sales. This isn’t a new debate — more specialized and branded wrapping has been an industry trend for a few years now. But there is some concern that selling poinsettias has become more about how the poinsettia is marketed as opposed to how the plant looks. While both elements are important, it’s the packaging that creates the uniqueness for each individual plant when presented to consumers, according to N.G. Heimos’ managing director Amy Morris.

3. We must market to both Boomers and Gen Y.

After growers had visted the trials, voted for their favorites and headed home, Heimos invited consumers to purchase the trials’ plants. Older consumers who came for poinsettias were drawn to novelty varieties like Princettia Queen Pink and other newer options, Morris says. But in most cases they did also purchase a traditional red poinsettia. There was some concern among growers at the trials about if/when Millennials will start buying poinsettias and types they will ultimately be interested in buying.

Morris, however, cited painted poinsettias as one area where sales have risen while also attracting Millennials in large numbers.

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