By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A group of consumers told local greenhouse operators exactly what they want in shopping for plants and landscaping materials, during a session last month at The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo.

Moderated by Chris Beytes, editor and publisher of Grower Talks and Green Profit magazines, six Grand Rapids area residents on a panel answered a variety of questions during the expo’s “Consumer Buzz Live” session. Beytes said the panelists were “purchasers of products” and their insight is helpful to greenhouse operators because it offers “real feedback from real people who buy their products.”

Ranging from virtually no gardening experience to nearly professional landscaping abilities, the panelists agreed they like to visit greenhouses where the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about plants and landscaping, but not pushy when trying to make a sale.

Joann Blunt, a financial officer from Grand Rapids, said gardening is a creative outlet for her. “I work with numbers all day,” she said. “I like to come home and leave those numbers and work behind to play in the dirt and get something to grow.”

She frequently visits Romence Gardens in Grand Rapids, where she buys a variety of plants, from vegetables, annuals and perennials, to trees.
“They are a real resource,” she said. “They have taught me so much about gardening. The people are friendly. They know me by name.”

Over the years, Blunt said the staff has gotten to know her gardening style. She spends a lot of time researching new plants and working to create “a beautiful yard.” Her desire to add new varieties has sometimes led her to pick up plants that won’t necessarily thrive in her growing conditions. Luckily, she said, the staff knows that and has helped her make choices that will work better.

An aesthetically pleasing display with photos and signs that explain the key attributes of the plants are characteristics all the consumers said they look for when visiting a greenhouse. The panelists also said they have no brand loyalty to plants, noting that quality is their foremost concern.

“I like to walk in and see all of the beautiful plants,” said Gloria Russou, a homemaker from Grand Rapids. “The attractiveness of the display and colors of the plants attract me.”

“I want to buy quality plants,” Blunt said. “I’m willing to pay more to know that I’m not going to take home a plant that is diseased.”

John Matlak, a 57-year-old broadcaster and writer from Grand Rapids, has experience designing and installing his own landscaping. He usually does not buy products just because they look nice in the display, and he prefers to get to know the people with whom he does business.

“A tag in the pot isn’t enough signage for me,” Matlak said; instead, he prefers to see a sign that includes a photo of the plant, its height, spread, when it blooms and whether it grows best in shade or sun. “The basic information displayed in a way that’s easy to see and understand will bring me to that plant.

“Many of us grew up with neighborhood stores. We grew up knowing the butcher, the barber, the person we buy our Christmas tree from. It’s comforting for me to have a relationship with someone like that. I trust them. Their guidance and expertise is invaluable.”

Craig VanWieren, 36, of Grand Rapids, was the least experienced gardener of the lot, but he said the discussion “inspired” him to try his hand at gardening again. As a self-employed mason and photographer, VanWieren said he will shop locally for his supplies.

“I’m a local businessman and I want people to support my business, so I shop locally to support theirs, too,” he said.

“There are a lot of things I don’t know about gardening – I need somebody to teach me. I need to know the basics – for someone to tell me what to do from start to finish.”

As a consumer, VanWieren spends time researching businesses and products via the Internet before setting out on a shopping trip – a point with which the other panelists agreed.

“I don’t know where businesses are located or what they offer,” he said. “It’s important to me that they have a webpage that is updated and contains key information.”

He would also take classes to learn more. “I’d like to learn about growing vegetables and fruits. Learning how to plant your own pot would be a good class, too,” he said.