Signage with personality

Independent garden centers are busy, bustling places, especially in peak season. Signage is traditionally thought of as a wayfinding tool to help direct customers to key points in the store, or help gardeners identify plants and provide information about sun or shade, watering needs and other growing tips when someone is not around to help. But often we see retailers going above and beyond, using conversational, personable signs to educate and create relationships. We’ve shared a few examples below.

Molbak’s Garden + Home in Woodinville, Wash., made sure their adorable miniature, holiday tillandsia decorations came with a sign to identify the popular airplants and explain what they need to survive. They anticipated that customers would wonder if the plants need water and how to care for them.

At Scheiderer Farms Greenhouse in Marysville, Ohio, co-owner Candi Scheiderer identified her favorite plant at the store, ‘Dragon Wing’ begonia, and explained where it grows best in the garden with a brief, simple sign. Not only did the sign likely help boost sales of the plant, but it helps create relationships with customers.

Petitti Garden Center in Avon, Ohio, didn’t want kids climbing on their amazing dinosaur displays they created for the holidays. Their signage is right on point — direct and assertive but playful and fun: “Please keep off our dinosaurs — they never learned how to give piggy back rides.”