I am thinking of starting a small business with my mother doing container perennials only. We will have them already ready for peoples patio in decorative pots, but I am not familiar with too many perennials even working at a large nursery we don't have much of a selection to choose from. I would like to know what you guys ideas are if you don't mind, and hopefully also where to locate the seeds for the plants you like. We are going to do 8-10" pots and 8" hanging baskets or 10" thanks so much :)
Katrina
Knock your socks off container perennials zone 8??
Katrina, you have mail. i prefer the types they sell at home depot, only problem i have most of what they sell, didn't have to buy may last year. also, don't know if you know if you have a license you can buy starter plants from hatchett creek. i bought from them last february. i bought tibouchina, pineapple sage, black and blue sage, and flowering maples at discounts. ended up giving away most of them. you can see their list at hatchettcreek.com, sometimes that might be easier. one year i bought a flat of clerodendrum ugandense from them for 10.00. mexican firebush, firespikes, sages of all colors, cupheas. almost anything mexican make great perrenials for here. Tlynn recommended a seed place on line to me but i can't remember the name.
Do you think those would sell well around here? We are going to get a nursery liscense next week, so we will be able to buy wholesale. I wanted to find things that aren't easy to get around here. At the nursery we buy most of our perennial liners from Hatchett creek and it just seems to me like they just have common stuff, I was kinda leaning towards something different you know?? I mean everyones got firebush, firespike, and those type. Do you think there is enough of a demand or do you agree with going with seeds and harder to find varieties that might be a little more impressive in containers?
Katrina
Katrina, why don't you check some more seed sites. i guess it would depend where you are going to market also. if i have a bright idea will let you know.
As a consumer I would love to see plants that are not common to my area available. It would also be nice if they were tagged letting me know how hardy (or not) they are so that I would know if they needed winter protection or not.
I am planning on doing something similar here in KY,but was planning on larger containers.
We have lots of beautiful homes along KY lake and there are several places that will landscape the grounds,but nothing for entryways or patios.
I wasn't going to limit it to perinnials,but put the containers together with co-ordinated plants that will look good together and have the same requirments.
A large container at the entry with calladiums,asparagus fern,coleus and something for height was what I was planning.People don't know how to combine plants to get that professional look and I think it's something that I could be successful with.
Thats a good idea that I might look into eventually I was just trying to limit my start up cost, or I could do special orders at first if someone asks. Are you going to do clay pots or???
Katrina
YES! More complete tags. Please put all the information on the tag, and fasten it firmly so it can't be removed and switched inadvertently. Maybe you'll start a trend, lol. Good luck in your new venture.
My initial plan was to make up several and have a photo book for people to choose from.I'd planned on clay or wooden containers with a plastic liner.I know several of the landscape companies and was planning on designing custom containers that the home owners had a choice in selecting.Cuts down on start up costs and gives the customer a feeling of participation.
I think as far as selling from the house (nursery) I will do some 4", 1 gal and pre mixed containers in the plastic deco pots, and then use your idea for higher end, maybe a couple of pots, and wrought iron stands with the cocoa moss liners and make a book of those and do those special order only. I also know alot of landscape companies and think that would be a wonderful idea :)
katrina