Every season we introduce some new and exciting plants to our repertoire. The road that takes them from simply an idea to flowering in your garden is a long and winding road that most consumers are unaware of.

This is the story of that journey;

Each Fall Liz and Rob spend hours pouring over the latest supplier catalogues, researching the success rates, the propagation requirements and growth habits. Often these plants have spent years in trials being tested and hybridized by growers to produce amazing new characteristics that will be coveted by gardeners.  

Orders are then placed and tracked by Glen, who in turn passes the seeds and/or cuttings onto Weisia, our grower. She then begins the crucial task of planting/seeding these new additions into plug trays and getting them to germinate and grow. After they become established, our transplanting crews led by Linda are then in charge of transplanting them into larger packs or containers and placing them in our growing greenhouses.

After they are fully established and ready to retail, we here in the garden centre then set up displays and educate ourselves on the characteristics of these beautiful new plants so we can help our customers make the best choices for their garden. A long journey travelled for these new babies that many of us don't consider when we take these plants home to enjoy for the summer.

I often think of this journey when people complain to me about the cost of plants. Many of us don't hesitate to spend $5.00 on a Starbucks latte which is gone after 10 or 15 minutes but often feel that this is way too much to spend on a plant that has travelled this great distance and continues to provide enjoyment & beauty all season long.

Growing plants is a challenging and rewarding business. Many independent garden centres are owned and operated by families that have been in the business of growing for years. Unfortunately many big box stores are killing the small independent growers because they beat them down on their prices.

The local garden centres cannot compete with the buying power of these giants and every year many close their doors. This is the constant dilemma we face in this industry.

This season Gemmell's has been growing plants in this community for 79 years. In this newsletter I wanted to take the chance to thank all of you. Each and every gardener who chooses to purchase plants from us here at Gemmell's. We appreciate your business and your choice to shop at an independent garden centre, it keeps us doing what we love and for that we are grateful!