For 2011, garden centers hail the kale

Based on a survey of some 100 garden centers nationwide, the lion’s share of retailers plan to maintain a status quo with regards to fall plant purchasing. However, there should be a spike in spending on two plant groups in particular.

Ornamental cabbage/kale should take the largest upward tick, as 43.1 percent of the retailers responding said they would increase spending on these plants by 10 percent over their 2010 purchases.

Garden mums also drew a big green thumb’s up from the retailers, as 41.1 percent of those responding noted they plan to increase buying by 10 percent over their 2010 purchasing numbers.