them in pots or decorative brown bags, and by adding ‘spider’s web’ and ribbon.” Owner Emma Lynch adds: “Plants are really great impulse buys. Customers often buy ours when they come in without planning to buy anything and don’t want any flowers. They love them because they’re getting something quite substantial and lasting for under £10 – they like that a plant gives more longevity than flowers for a low price.” Lots of you told us that you up your price point by selling plants in baskets, bowls and pots. Customers like the fact that they’re ready to go and don’t need anything doing to them before being put on display. Plus, with some clever colour co- ordination and by taking the time to source some really nice products, your chosen containers can add a great deal of value to your plants; Ashley says that plants in enamel pots sell particularly well at Love Lily.


December is the perfect time to exploit those plant sales, because even the biggest scrooge can’t


turn down a touch of extra bling when the whole world is going glitzy for Christmas. Poinsettias are perfect for pimping, plus their stems are easy to snip and use in arrangements – just remember to sear the cut ends first. Additional stars, berries, pine sprigs, cinnamon, dried fruit and sparkle are all especially welcome during the festive season. When we asked you which varieties sell the best, it didn’t come as much of a surprise that the orchid took the top spot, although Ruqaiya Jaka from Paradise Florist points out that when buying orchids from a florist, customers tend to want to see more unusual varieties than the bog standard white Phalaenopsis as lots of supermarkets sell these at low prices.


December is the perfect time to exploit those plant sales, because even the biggest scrooge can’t turn down a touch of extra bling when the whole world is going glitzy for Christmas.


It seems the majority vote says you must think small to sell big. Lots of you told us that it’s the little ones like greenhouse plants, kalanchoes and lavenders that sell particularly well once wrapped, with £5 or less being the most popular price point. Go even smaller and you’ll sell even more, says Jamie Grayson from Mad about Flowers: “We have a range of small plants, and they sell really well, but the best sellers as far as plants are concerned are mini cacti and fly traps. They’re very popular with kids and I sell them at just 99p.” Morgan-Douglas Nuth, owner of Rushes and Old Oak Florists in London, offers customers a nifty little package which has now become his top plant selling technique:


“Selling plants is essential for us as plenty of people always seem to be going somewhere that requires a ‘little gift’, so we make sure that they don’t leave without something.


F&wb Autumn/Winter 2013 >> 73


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