October 15, 2015
Opening morning of Thrive began with Awards of Excellence presentations. In photo, from left, LO second vice present Paul Brydges hands out award plaques for outstanding display of plant material, to Brian Sipkens of Sipkens Nurseries, Lesley Livingston of Canadale Nurseries, and Dorus Polman of Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery.
Garden centre awards of excellence winners announced at Thrive
This year’s top garden centres and growers were recognized during Thrive ’15. The Sept. 16 event saw garden centre owners from across the province, from as far north as Alzilda (near Sudbury), receive recognition for excellence.
Categories cover all operations of garden centres, including interior and exterior displays in merchandising, websites and plant displays.
“It is a difficult task when selecting the best from a crop of companies and people who excel in their field,” says Denis Flanagan. “The Awards of Excellence program is looking for those who go above and beyond to add something extra to their displays and marketing, as well as endeavour to ensure their customers are truly satisfied. This year’s winners are certainly deserving of the honour in recognition of the dedication they have shown to their retail and growing operations.”
The following are the 2015 Awards of Excellence garden centre winners.
Azilda Greenhouses, Azilda: Display of Plant Material.
Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, Barrie: Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials; Display of Goods —seasonal.
Canadale Nurseries, St. Thomas: Merchandising Techniques — promotional event; Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials.
Maidstone Tree Farm, London: Merchandising Techniques — website development.
Parkway Gardens, London: Display of Plant Material — your specialty; Display of Goods — hardgoods.
Peter Knippel Garden Centre, Gloucester: Permanent Display Gardens — under 500 square feet
Sandhill Nursery, Huntsville: Merchandising Techniques — promotional event; Merchandising Techniques — outstanding print advertising; Display of Goods — giftware; Display of Goods — seasonal.
Sipkens Nurseries (Palace Perennials), Wyoming: Merchandising Techniques —website development; Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials; Display of Goods — hardgoods; Display of Plant Material — evergreens and/or broadleaf evergreens; Display of Goods — seasonal; Merchandising Techniques — promotional event.
Windermere Garden Centre, Utterson: Merchandising Techniques — website development.
Categories cover all operations of garden centres, including interior and exterior displays in merchandising, websites and plant displays.
“It is a difficult task when selecting the best from a crop of companies and people who excel in their field,” says Denis Flanagan. “The Awards of Excellence program is looking for those who go above and beyond to add something extra to their displays and marketing, as well as endeavour to ensure their customers are truly satisfied. This year’s winners are certainly deserving of the honour in recognition of the dedication they have shown to their retail and growing operations.”
The following are the 2015 Awards of Excellence garden centre winners.
Azilda Greenhouses, Azilda: Display of Plant Material.
Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, Barrie: Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials; Display of Goods —seasonal.
Canadale Nurseries, St. Thomas: Merchandising Techniques — promotional event; Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials.
Maidstone Tree Farm, London: Merchandising Techniques — website development.
Parkway Gardens, London: Display of Plant Material — your specialty; Display of Goods — hardgoods.
Peter Knippel Garden Centre, Gloucester: Permanent Display Gardens — under 500 square feet
Sandhill Nursery, Huntsville: Merchandising Techniques — promotional event; Merchandising Techniques — outstanding print advertising; Display of Goods — giftware; Display of Goods — seasonal.
Sipkens Nurseries (Palace Perennials), Wyoming: Merchandising Techniques —website development; Display of Plant Material — annuals and/or perennials; Display of Goods — hardgoods; Display of Plant Material — evergreens and/or broadleaf evergreens; Display of Goods — seasonal; Merchandising Techniques — promotional event.
Windermere Garden Centre, Utterson: Merchandising Techniques — website development.